“Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid.” – Luke 12:7

       Falling hair is a daily occurrence for many of us. When I brush my hair, numerous strands fall to the ground only to be thrown away without much thought. Yet God knows every hair on our head.

       If God pays attention to that tiny detail of our life, how much more is He aware of the bigger concerns we have — in our family, at work, with our health. Not one of them escapes the attention of God.

       I once left my bag with my passport, mobile phone and money in an airport shuttle van while traveling. Immediately, I turned to God for help while thinking of what to do. God led me to approach the airport hotel reservation desk where I contacted my hotel and asked if they could contact the shuttle driver and ask him to return to the airport. I anxiously waited for more than an hour and finally caught sight of the shuttle van. Despite the unexpected delay, I was able to catch my flight and make it home safely.

       Indeed, we need not fear. God cares for us and knows every detail of our life. Beth Melchor (epmelchor6@gmail.com)

Reflection: “Every detail of our life has been an object of a divine thought, and that thought has always been one of love.” (St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus)

Jesus, open my eyes to see You in the details of my life. Jesus, I trust in You. I will not be afraid.

Paul is adamant that it is Abraham’s faith — and not his works — that justify him. This point is critical for his argument because he wants to link the justification of the Christians to their faith, and then demonstrate that this is how God has always worked with His people. The idea is not a new one. It also places the power of salvation squarely in God’s hands, not ours. Yes, we have to accept the gift of salvation but we cannot create it or earn it.

1 Brothers and sisters: What can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. 4 A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. 5 But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.

R: I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

1 Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. (R) 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. (R) 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. (R)

God sees everything that we do. We may be able to hide our sinfulness from one another, but God sees and knows everything. As we reflect on this, let us pray for the humility to be honest with God and to one another in order to “live in the light.” It is easier for the devil to tempt us when we  confront our struggles alone. It is much easier to combat him when we have the help of those who are journeying with us to eternal life.

May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.

1 At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven — that is, the hypocrisy — of the Pharisees. 2 “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 3 Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 5 I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. 7 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

think: Do you have an accountability partner who helps you overcome your struggles in your Christian walk?

Read the Bible in one year Sirach 36-40

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

THE YEAST OF HYPOCRISY

A father who spent 15 years in jail came home to his wife and son. It was the first time the son met his father and understandably, he felt aloof. When he learned that his father was an ex con, the more he became resentful of his presence.

       One time, the father corrected his son for a misdeed. Sarcastically, the son said, “Let us not forget who spent time in jail here.”

       Hurt, yet humble, the father appealed, “Son, please listen to me not because I have not made any mistake. Listen to me because I have learned from my many mistakes.”

       Committing a mistake does not automatically disqualify us from teaching and guiding another. It also should not prevent us from listening and learning from the errant person. Between the doctor and the recovered alcoholic, it’s the latter who can give the more powerful and convincing advice on alcoholism. In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns the people against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

    In last year’s presidential elections, a presidential candidate accused the Catholic Church of hypocrisy. Referring to the sins of some priests and bishops he knew, he branded the Church as the most hypocritical institution in the world.

       But what is hypocrisy? It is not simply committing a sin. If so, then all of us, no one excluded, are hypocrites. Hypocrisy is committing a sin and pretending one is innocent. Hypocrisy is committing a sin and persisting, even bragging about it; like admitting to womanizing and not doing anything about it. Hypocrisy is committing a sin, and then putting on aura of holiness to veil one’s malice.

       This is why Jesus warned the people against the malice of hypocrisy. He was stern to the hypocrites but gentle to sinners because sinners are closer to redemption than hypocrites. Fellow sinners, when we sin, all is not lost. We simply have to admit to our fault, strive to correct it, and trust in God’s mercy and compassion. But when we get caught in the yeast of hypocrisy, we are treading dangerously close to the textbook definition of damnation. Fr. Joel Jason

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

How often do you have recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation?

Lord, You are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Forgive me for my sins. Amen.