HAPPINESS

THROUGH HOLINESS

As one priest in his homily at the Colegio Pontificio Filippino (the home of priest scholars in Rome) narrated, being holy can mean a priest or religious, who is normally entitled to special seating, will not sit in an assembly until those who really need a space are settled.

Pope Francis ended by saying, “I would like these reflections to be crowned by Mary, because she lived the Beatitudes of Jesus as none other. She is the saint among saints, blessed above all others. She teaches us the way of holiness and she walks ever in our side. One of her holy practical examples is the visitation. Instead of being proud after the angel’s annunciation that she will be the mother of God, she hurried to be of service to her elderly cousin, Elizabeth.” Grace Princesa (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Are you rejoicing and glad?

Dear Lord, teach me through the example of Mama Mary and the ordinary saints to be practical in my holy service to You through others.

St. Romuald, abbot, pray for us.

Generosity is a key aspect of a Christian’s life. We have experienced God’s generosity in everything good that He has given us. The challenge is to be as generous in our love for Him and for others, and in our commitment to the ministry of the Church. Our proclamation of the Gospel will be effective only if we are generous with our time, talents, and resources. May we share all that we have with others and the Church.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

6 Brothers and sisters: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.

Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 9

R: Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. 4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. (R) 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (R)

GOSPEL 

All glory belongs to the Lord. No matter what good we may achieve in life, the glory should be given to God as it is impossible to do without Him. Without God’s love, we cease to exist. Sin would reign without the intervention of Jesus. Let us not fool ourselves about our importance and indispensability. Let us attribute our successes to God, Whose grace is at work in us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 16 “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

think: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis

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THE CURSE OF HYPOCRISY

In today’s Gospel, Jesus criticizes the religious practices of the contemporary religious leaders who performed only for public display. One of the frequent themes in Jesus’ teachings is warning against hypocrisy. It is the dishonesty that Jesus attacks, for dishonesty destroys souls and human relationships. He was always completely honest. He was always Himself. He never pretended to be different. He never tried to please others. And Jesus faced varied reactions: criticism, even rejection by those who were hiding behind masks and felt unmasked by His honest lifestyle and criticism of their pretensions. Honesty is called the fundamental, the most basic of all human virtues—and rightly so. Honesty is the very foundation of faith, hope, and love. Psychologists know that even if we have many weaknesses, people will respect us if we value and practice honesty.

It is not what we say that counts, but the results of our words, pretenses, and actions. “You will recognize them by their fruits,” Jesus once said. This word helps us to know ourselves better and judge others correctly. It helps us to discover our own dishonesty, our own masks and those of others.

We often hear somebody complain that nobody trusts him, that nobody appreciates him. The question is, why? In most cases, it is not the ill will of others that is the problem, but the complainant. Something is wrong in that person. And what usually is wrong is that the person has lost credibility through dishonesty and pretense. It’s strange that all the others know this, but not the concerned person. Dishonesty makes us evade the problem.

Jesus is the perfect model for an honest way of living. We might get into trouble as He did. But in the end, we will be respected by respectable people and reach our goal: eternal life in the presence of God. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

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

Are you honest with yourself? Do you tend to pretend what you are not?

 

Lord, Your Words are hard and difficult to accept. But show me the way out of the darkness of my dishonesty and pretenses. Continue to guide me and give me the strength to be honest before You and before my fellowmen. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________