THE BIG ONE

“I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken.” – Acts 2:25

With the scare about the big earthquake that may come and hit Metro Manila, I am wondering why skyscrapers continue to rise.

My sister bought a condo unit in Makati situated at the 55th floor while my brother bought one at the 65th floor. From time to time, we go there for a sleepover to enjoy the amenities of the condo. I can’t help but be afraid when I think of the Big One coming while we are there.

I shared this fear with a friend who happens to be a structural engineer. He just laughed at me saying that skyscrapers were built to withstand even strong earthquakes. I didn’t need to worry, especially since the condo was newly built.

In the middle of all the things that worry us—like problems, sickness, challenges, and the likes—we sometimes forget that God is always with us. He is like a strong tower that cannot be shaken. Joel N. Saludares (joelsaludares@yahoo.com)

Reflect: How do you see God amidst your challenges? Remember: He is a mighty fortress you can take refuge in during times of calamity.

May we always remember that You, O Lord, will never leave us nor forsake us. Amen.

St. Adalbert of Prague, pray for us.

Peter’s message is the model for his and Paul’s proclamations of the Gospel in the Book of Acts. The author, probably the same man who wrote Luke’s Gospel, states that these ideas are the basis of our understanding of the content of the Gospel, and how it became the foundation of what the Church still preaches today.

Acts 2:14, 22-33

14 On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 “You who are children of Israel, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. 29 “My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R: Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you. 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R)

 

Stories that hide the truth are not credible unless there is something to the substance of what they are trying to hide. There was no need to pay the soldiers to tell the people a particular version of the events if Jesus had not risen from the dead. The truth is that Jesus lived, died, and lived again. The claim that He rose from the dead is what caused people during that time to wonder.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Matthew 28:8-15

8 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. 12 The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

think: There is fake news circulating with real news. How do you know which is true?

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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST 

Read the Bible in one year - Numbers 4-6      

 

 

Nowadays, it is not easy to tell which stories are true and untrue. There are times when we are made to believe in lies only to suit the purposes of the one telling them. Even the news and features on television and social media do not reveal to us true facts of life.

In today’s Gospel, we see two glaring realities on truth and lies. Mary Magdalene and her other companion saw Jesus resurrected. They feared the worse. They saw Him die on the cross. That was the greatest crisis in their lives and they could not contain their sadness over His death. But they saw Him alive. Jesus told them not to be afraid, but to go and tell the good news to everyone.

On the other hand, although the guards knew the truth, they joined the chief priests and told the people their version of what happened. They spread not only rumors but lies. They could not accept the fact that Jesus lived up to His promise, and salvation history was fulfilled with His resurrection.

We live in a world that deals with the truth. But how come we still continue to spread lies that divert our day-to-day journey from the right path? Fr. Joel Victorino

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

Do you believe in the truth or are you easily swayed by the lies that other people peddle? How can you live in the truth?

Jesus, You are the Truth. Help me keep my eyes on You so that no lie can distract me from the right path. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________