All of us… are being transformed into the same image…as from the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

       Gab was a college friend. On our first year, a professor invited us to join a Catholic youth group. I did, but Gab politely refused. She wasn’t into the religious thing. Relationships were also discouraged in the youth group, and Gab had a boyfriend then. Her refusal saddened me, but I couldn’t force her. I sincerely thought she was a lost cause.

         After graduation, we went on to build our careers and eventually lost touch. A reunion a few years later ended the disconnection. Gab came with her new boyfriend, whom she met at work. She shared that Miko is active in a Catholic  community and joked that she now attends prayer meetings, the very thing she avoided in college. She also joins small groups, shares her personal testimony of God’s love, and sings for the worship team.

       I welcomed her news with amazement at how God has transformed her. I realized that God’s plan to change her was right on track, not a minute too early or too late. No matter how seemingly long it took, His transformational love cannot be denied. He has His own timeline. Osy Erica (osy.erica@gmail.com)

Reflection:Do not give up on a loved one or a friend. God is transforming their characters, and He is doing the same with you.

Father, I know You are transforming me every day. Change me so I can reflect Your face to the world. Amen.

St. Marguerite d’ Youville, pray for us.

Paul spoke about a veil that lay over the eyes of the Jews that has been lifted by the Gospel of Christ. A Jew by birth, Paul lived the Jewish way of life. His insight helps us to realize that we have been called into a covenant of love. This is different from that of the Jews, even though it is founded on a covenant relationship with God. Let us be grateful for the faithfulness of the Jews. Let us be grateful to Christ for the gift of faith that has brought us the fullness of revelation in and through Him.

15 Brothers and sisters: To this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. 3 And even though our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. 6 For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.

R: The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord — for he proclaims peace to his people. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

True righteousness is about how we love God and our neighbor. Christ emphasized the two-fold nature of the Law in the way it identifies our relationships with God and others. These relationships are rooted in love, in the decision to forgive the faults of others. We realize our full potential when we combine the Law with merciful love.

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and  you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

think: What is the best advice you received about dealing with anger? How have you applied it in your life?

Read the Bible in one year  2 Kings 1-3

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

AN UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE

Paul’s greatest anguish seems to me to be the failure of the Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah. God worked with the Jews for nearly 2,000 years and yet so many of them failed to accept Jesus as the Messiah when He arrived. Why is this the case? It is this question that literally haunts Paul in his ministry. After all, he, as one of the most zealous Jews of his time, has come to believe the Gospel. Why haven’t all the others followed his example?

       There is no definite answer to this question. The best Paul seems to come to is that it was necessary for the Jews to reject the Gospel so that the Gentiles will feel free to accept it. I understand the psychology of the argument — it is more difficult for the Gentile people to accept a “system of beliefs” if it is something new and distinct from one that is already 2,000 years old. That is, they would be less apprehensive about being considered second-class citizens in Christianity than joining a form of Judaism that still had all the facets of Judaism due to the fact that all of the Jews embraced Jesus as their Messiah. Who knows, these are questions and assertions that are difficult, if not impossible, to verify.

       The truth of the Gospel can be obscured from the lives of Christians. We must be careful to discern the agenda the world presents to us daily, and sort out those beliefs and practices that are consonant with the Gospel and reject those that are not. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

Have you allowed the ways and practices of the world to seep into your life and distract  you from the Gospel?

Holy Spirit, help me to know the truth and to live it without compromise every day of my life. Amen.