“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44

          She was someone I encountered almost every day and I didn’t look forward to these encounters.

           Her mouth spewed invectives and was painted on her face. I would cringe every time I heard her speak because she always had a bone to pick with someone. If I could, I would steer clear of her path so I wouldn’t have to deal with her.

         In one of my prayer times, this verse reminded me of her. From then on, I decided to pray for her. I would even lift my imaginary hand and pray over her in silence during the times would hear her curse or when I would have a chance encounter with her.

         She began to temper her language and became nicer to the people around her.

          The power of my imaginary hand must have taken effect.

     More accurately, God’s hand moved in her life to change and transform her. It’s a reminder to me that nothing moves the hand of God more powerfully than when we pray. Rissa Espinosa (rissa_d_espinosa@yahoo.com)

Reflection: How do you deal with those who persecute you?

Lord, may I never give up praying for those who are difficult to relate with.

St. Paulinus of Nola, pray for us.

Paul teaches in today’s reading that the more generous we are with the Lord, the more generous He will be with us. If we provide the Lord with a bucket to fill with His love, mercy and blessings, He will fill it. If we provide a barrel, He will also fill it. Whatever vessel we allow our life to be for Christ, He will fill us. The only blessings that matter are those we receive in heaven. The prosperity gospel that focuses only on receiving wealth and blessings is not the true Gospel. Our blessings mean nothing unless we use them for the Kingdom of God.

6 Brothers and sisters: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.

R: Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. 4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. (R) 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

The Father will repay us for our good works not here on earth but in eternal life in heaven. This is what truly matters. Let us avoid the lure of wealth and possessions that pass away. Let us pray for the grace to invest our time and energy in working for God’s Kingdom and for relationships that endure. May the promise of eternity capture our mind and heart.

Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 16 “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

think: What is your motivation when you pray, fast and give alms?

Read the Bible in one year  2 Kings 19-22

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

POVERTY AND GENEROSITY

When I was in the midst of fundraising for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan), I also went to Bohol to do relief work for the victims of the earthquake that occurred a month or so before the typhoon. I was incredibly moved to see how the victims of the earthquake were gathering, from among their remaining meager possessions, an offering for Yolanda victims. If there was a better example of the widow’s mite than what they showed, then I have not come across it.

       There is never an excuse not to be generous when it comes to our faith and our love of God and other people. It is a truism to say that there is always someone else who is worse off than you are, but it is true indeed. It all depends on our point of view. If we realize how generous God has been with us, then we will never tire of giving to others. Let us stretch our capacity in giving so that we can witness the greater provision the Lord has for our lives. This might seem to be splitting hairs, but our attitude matters when we give. If we give with joy, as advocated by Paul in his Letter to the Corinthians, it is far better, infinitely better, than giving begrudgingly.

       St. Paul’s exhortation is expressing the truest response of gratitude to all that we have freely received from God. Let us be faithful to his words. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

Are you a cheerful giver or do you give while being full of regret? Are you willing to change your attitude so that you might better reflect true gratitude to the Lord for His goodness to your?

Jesus, You gave Your life for me! May I always be willing to express my gratitude for Your love and mercy and blessings by freely giving myself and all that I have in the service of the Gospel.