A NEW NORMAL

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. — John 13:16

When I was young, I defined good health as having no coughs, colds, or asthma attacks. But I had them all! My classmates labeled me lampayatot (wimpy) and pandakekok (shorty).

But God is mighty to save! One of my college friends, who became my role model, encouraged me to run. He said that running can cure my asthma. So, every day I ran and gasped for air.

Days turned into weeks. I continued to gasp for air. Weeks turned into months. And I still gasped for air. After a few months of distance running, a miracle happened.

I no longer gasped for air! I successfully changed my old normal to a new normal. From being frail, I became  fit and healthy.

The same holds true for our spiritual health. A tiny mustard seed can become a life-giving garden. When we embrace the love of the One who sent us, we will transform our lives from sinful to spiritual, from selfish to selfless. By God’s grace, we can create a new normal. Obet Cabrillas (obetcab@yahoo.com)

Reflect: By God’s grace, the small can become big when planted on the right soil, given great care, and placed in a good environment.

May I be Your mustard seed, Lord. I may be small, but under Your gracious care, I can become the largest of plants, able to nurture others in my fruitfulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

St. Pedro de San Jose Betancur, pray for us.

Paul speaks to a Jewish crowd in the synagogue and he situates the Gospel within the context of events in the Old Testament. He wants to show them that Christianity flows from the Jewish faith, and how it would be a natural step for them to take if they believe what he is saying. Let us remain firm in our faith even though we may not completely understand it. May we always believe that our faith and its various aspects are a sensible and coherent body of teachings.

Acts 13:13-25

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, “My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.” 16 So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out of it 18 and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. 19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20 at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”

P S A L M 

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27

R: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

1 [2] The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 2 [3] For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. (R) 20 [21] “I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, 21 [22] that my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.” (R) 24 [25) “My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted. 26 [27] He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’” (R)

 

OF FRIENDS AND BETRAYAL

 

The scene of today’s Gospel is the last Supper. Jesus knew that the time of His passion is near and so He gathered His closest friends to celebrate the Passover meal with them, perhaps for the last time. While at supper, He predicted the betrayal He will experience from two of His closest collaborators, Peter and Judas.

Betrayal is one of the most painful experiences we can have. It becomes most painful when done by a beloved or a trusted friend. What can we learn from the way Jesus handled His own betrayal?

First, He faced it. In today’s Gospel excerpt, He alluded indirectly to Judas, “he who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me” (John 13:18). Later on, He directly confronted Judas and said, “What you are about to do, do quickly” (v. 27).

He did the same with Peter. After declaring that he would lay down his life for Jesus, Jesus looked him in the eye and said, “Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (v. 38).

Surely, the betrayal was painful. But He did not deny it. From Jesus we can learn that acceptance is the first step to healing.

Secondly, He forgave. In the very next chapter, while bidding goodbye to His disciples, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). In His resurrection, the first words Jesus gave them were “Peace be with you.”

Those are words of forgiveness. Forgiveness may not always heal the relationship. As we can see, Judas hanged himself while Peter repented and was restored. But forgiveness always heals the pain of the betrayal. Forgiveness works like anesthesia. It takes away the pain even if the wound is still fresh.

Thirdly, Jesus moved on. After the resurrection, Jesus did not go on a vengeance trip. On the contrary, He recommissioned the disciples and sent them to preach the Gospel to every creature. Fr. Joel O. Jason

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

In the face of His betrayal, Jesus faced, forgave, and moved on. Is there someone you need to forgive too for betraying you?

Heal my pains, Lord, with the balm of Your peace. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________