Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. — 2 Timothy 1:6

“People love what other people are passionate about,” Mia reminds Seb in the film La la Land. The story revolved around Mia and Seb’s quest for their dreams. Mia was great at acting and writing screenplays. She wanted to be an actress. Seb played the piano well and loved jazz. He dreamt of having his own jazz club someday. In the end, Mia and Seb achieved their dreams with sheer persistence, hard work, and sacrifice.

I saw the same intensity in my friends Cy and Peyx who transitioned to their dream jobs and blessed the world as they did. They left their stable corporate jobs and pursued their passion. The journey was tough, heartbreaking at times, but worthwhile in the end. They now help other people achieve their own dreams through real estate and financial education.

Friends, all of us have gifts, talents, and something we are passionate about. Some of these, we already know and use, while others are yet to be discovered. Let us nurture the gifts God gave us and aim to reach our maximum potential. Only then can we truly glorify our Creator. Osy Erica (osy.erica@gmail.com)

Reflect: What is your gift to the world?

Lord, help me to pursue my passion and bless the world with it. Excite me with what we can do together. Amen.

St. Norbert, bishop, pray for us.

Intercession usually involves sacrifice. In today’s reading, Paul tells Timothy that he remembers Timothy in his prayers. Maybe Paul rises at night to pray and intercede for others. He sacrifices having a restful sleep to pray for those who need his prayers. Let us also make sacrifices as we intercede for others.

2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12

1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. 6 For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, 11 for which I was appointed preacher and Apostle and teacher. 12 On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confi dent that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.

P S A L M 

Psalm 123:1-2, 2

R: To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.

1 To you I lift up my eyes who are enthroned in heaven. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. (R) As the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord, our God, till he shows pity on us. (R)

GOSPEL 

Jesus always has an answer to questions, even the tricky ones. The Sadducees attempt to confuse Jesus but to no avail. Let us choose the battles we need to fight and not get distracted by details of an event. Let us focus our time and energy on being fruitful and productive in doing our mission.  

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I was at the wake of a good friend. His wife came up to me and innocently asked, “Father, when I follow him in heaven, will we be able to continue with the beautiful marriage we had here on earth?” I could not say anything at that time. I knew they had 40 years of beautiful marriage. I was a witness to it. And how beautiful also were their four children, now with families of their own. Of course, the wife would long for her husband.

The Sadducees, who did not believe in eternal life with God, brought up an issue to Jesus: If there was life in God after this world, what happens to those who married more than once and died childless? Whom shall she be with in heaven when she married all the brothers while on earth? The Sadducees wanted to place Jesus in an embarassing situation but they did not see the wisdom of real life in God.

Jesus wants us to understand that there must not be any problem in reuniting with persons in heaven. Why is this so? Because in heaven, we attain the status of becoming one family of God and the only important reality is His presence. Heaven becomes the perfection, the completion of life itself. It will not matter anymore what relationships we have begun on earth, whether they are close or loving. The vision of God in heaven is the vision of a perfect life where everyone would find contentment and nothing else will matter.

Many times, we become so content with our lives that we fear death and negate that longing for heaven. Thus, we live only for what this world offers. If we only realize how great and complete that life in God would be, we would motivate ourselves to live on the right path to eternity. If we already feel immense joy at the beautiful relationships we have established here, if we have found contentment at the material wealth in this world, and if we have felt peace and solitude in the midst of a chaotic and anxious planet we live in, then it will be more so in His Kingdom. Fr. Joel Francis Victorino

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

If heaven is a promise of perfection of life in God, why are you afraid to long for it?

I long to see You face to face, O Lord! Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________