GIVING IS A BLESSING

Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35

Think about this: Was there ever a time in your life that you gave and you became sad afterwards?

If you give sincerely and selflessly, I bet you’ll never have an instance in your life when you’ll feel miserable afterwards. I will go so far as boldly claim that the happiest moments of your life are the moments when you gave selflessly.

I have met many parents and siblings who have foregone buying new clothes, the latest gadgets, and fancy vacations just so they can selflessly provide for the schooling of a family member. And if you ask if they are unhappy about doing it, they say, “Of course not!” According to them, they’d be miserable if they chose to buy clothes, gadgets, and vacations instead of paying the tuition fee.

That’s the magic of giving. It’s tied with our happiness.

That’s why I believe that when you feel your resources are lacking, it’s the best time to give. No one has ever felt poor whenever they give. Why? Because the mere act of being able to give opens your eyes to the fact that you have more than enough. Velden Lim (veldenlim@gmail.com)

Reflect: Just give—and it will come back to you. Blessing others is our responsibility; blessing us is God’s.

Father in heaven, when I am reluctant to give, remind me that You’re just waiting to replace whatever I’m giving up for something better.

St. Boniface, bishop and martyr, pray for us.

Paul spent three years building the community in Ephesus. This shows us that the transformation of a place or community does not happen overnight. While there is a place for those who can inspire and motivate people to make life-changing decisions, there is still a bigger place for those who settle into the Good Shepherd’s life. In this life, we get to know His people, help them grow in holiness, and inspire them to follow His will.

Acts 20:28-38

28 At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31 So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. 33 I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. 35 In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, 38 for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35, 35-36

R: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

29 Show forth, O God, your power. the power, O God, with which you took our part; 30 for your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts. (R) 33 You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord 34 who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens. Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power: 35 “Confess the power of God!” (R) Over Israel in his majesty; his power is in the skies. 36 Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. (R)

GOSPEL

Our goal is to be united with Jesus and with one another. Jesus prays for unity so that the witness of the Church will be without blemish. One of the great scandals of Christianity is the division among the various denominations. The Church is hindered in Her task of truly proclaiming the Gospel, unless all Christians come together as one.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

John 17:11-19

11 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. 12 When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 14 I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17 Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19 And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.

think: What can you do to help unite Christians?

 

 

HOLD ON TO GOD’S WORD

Most of you will agree that this is not a good time to be a believer of Christ. But then, come to think of it, has there been any time that things have been easy for those who profess belief in the Son of God?

Last year, four priests have been shot here in our own country. Only one managed to survive. All were hard-working priests trying to live faithful and holy lives as the Lord’s anointed servants. They were silenced because they were doing things for the Lord. But this is not at all an issue solely of the clergy. The difficulty in living out the faith is a common experience even among the faithful in general.

You profess your faith publicly and you are ridiculed and regarded as a fool. You post on social media your stand on moral issues in favor of the precepts of Jesus defined by the Church and you are accused of meddling in affairs of the state. You distance yourself from office mates engaging in gossip and ill talks and you are seen as a killjoy and is ostracized. You profess your belief in an omnipotent God and your God is ridiculed and called stupid.

Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” His words have never been so true than during these times that the Church is under attack, even coming from those who call themselves believers of Jesus and believers of their own god.

Take heart, brothers and sisters. It pays to hold on dearly to the Word because they are from God. And we trust that our fidelity to the Word that have been given to us by the Word-made-flesh Himself will vindicate us in the end. So, never tire of living out the Word until we return to our real world with Him who will see to it that we reach it in God’s perfect time. Fr. Sandy Enhaynes

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

Among the many words that God has given you, what stands out for you?

Dearest God, may Your Word be my succor in times of uncertainty. Let me cling to Your Word for they speak of peace and truth. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________