I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… – Romans 1:16

      As I write this, I just finished reading news about the Orlando shooting, where more than 50 people were brutally killed in a gay nightclub.

        Last year, our country was divided by the national elections. So many people had “unfriended” each other on social media because they couldn’t support each other’s political bets. Before that, there were bombings in some major cities in the world.

       In a world divided by strife, anger, greed, politics and pride, can we still find hope? Yes, we can.

       I’m always blessed by the posts, articles and reflections of the people in my newsfeed. While many share negative things, there are a lot more who are committed to sharing testimonies to God’s love: an answered prayer, a much-awaited reconciliation, meaningful bonding session, precious moments with loved ones. They might not have worldwide impact, but these are enough to uplift one’s day.

     Everything we need has already been given us through the Scriptures. Let us not be afraid to proclaim God’s Word to bless the world today. Karren Renz Seña (karren.s@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflection: Share a testimony of God’s love in social media today.

Dear Lord, Your Word helps me make sense of this mad, mad world. Help me to hold on to Scripture. Help me hold on to Your love. Amen.

St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, pray for us.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul outlines his understanding of the Christian faith in a systematic way, such that we have a powerful witness to how God brings the gift of salvation to us. Paul also reveals his understanding of how sin infects the world. It is worth reflecting on his understanding, as it contains some truths that are not necessarily all that palatable to us, but which we should be aware of.

16 Brothers and sisters: I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. 17 For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous by faith will live.” 18 The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. 20 Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; 21 for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 While claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes. 24 Therefore, God handed

them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

R: The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

St. Ignatius of Antioch, whose feast we celebrate today, is a man of faith and trust in the Lord. His desire for martyrdom is the stuff which legends are made of, and his life is still an inspiration to many, more than 1,900 years after his death. His desire for martyrdom avoids any accusation of suicide, through the witness of his faith and his love for God that is evident in the letters he wrote. It is clear that he sees a martyr’s death as imitating that of Jesus and, thus, he tries to conform his life to that of his Savior’s as fully as possible.

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

37 After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. 38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. 39 The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. 40 You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? 41 But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

think: How transparent are you in following Jesus?

Read the Bible in one year Sirach 21-25

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

PERSONA NON GRATA

I remember a news article I read more than a year ago. A woman from New Delhi sued a man from another province whom she met on a “blind date.” She has been chatting and communicating with the guy through social media for months and they fell in love. They decided to finally meet.

       On their first face-to-face meeting, the girl was totally disoriented and disappointed. The man was nothing like the man she “met” on social media. His looks, his height, his complexion were nowhere near what she expected from the man she met months ago. She sued him for intentional fraud and culpable deceit. The court ordered the man to pay the woman a considerable amount of money and the guy was given several lashes in addition.

       There is a need within us to project an attractive persona. Don’t we all choose only the best photo we have for our profile picture on Facebook? Don’t we post only the picture of our expensive vacations and trips? Don’t we all post pictures taken with important and famous personalities?

         And this need is as old as the Bible.

    Today, Jesus castigates the Pharisees for their hypocritical desire for cleanliness and religious purity. Obsessed with preserving the ritual uniqueness of their party from the rest of dirty humanity, they parade their external cleanliness despite the moral decay. They “…clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside (you) are full of greed and wickedness” (v. 39).

        Why was Jesus so hard on the Pharisees? Jesus did that not only to shame the Pharisees. I believe He did that precisely because He meant to save them as well.

       Jesus came to save our person, not our persona. Before God, persona is non grata. God cannot and will not save us, unless we expose to Him that part of us that really needs healing and redemption. Before Jesus, there is no need to wear masks. Before Jesus, there is no need to impress. Before Jesus, we can be naked in our faults so He can clothe us with His robe of mercy and compassion. Fr. Joel Jason

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

In your relationship with others and with God, what part of your person is still covered with the coat of the Pharisees?

O Lord, You search me and You know me. You know my being through and through. Amen.