Give the gift that keeps on giving. Let’s choose to give ourselves the gift of encouragement and then extend this to others.

Our words can create our world. It can either destroy or build another person. How will you use your words today? Remember to PASS on the goodness in these four ways:

Praise. If you need to recognize someone who has done something good, then be quick to praise in public and do the correction in private if needed.

Appreciation. Always wear an attitude of gratitude as we thank God for the goodness of people in our lives. Let’s do away with shaming, labeling, and highlighting the mistakes of people around us.

Shelter. Let us protect ourselves from negative people. Look after the bullied, the voiceless, and the defenseless.

Support. Aside from kind words, let’s offer practical help and assistance to those who are in need of our support and are searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. JC Libiran (coachjclibiran@gmail.com)

reflect

How do you pass on the message of inspiration, hope, and encouragement to others?

Jesus, may You bless and refresh us first as we carry on the mission to bless and refresh others. Amen.

Saints Nereus and Achilleus, pray for us.

Paul proclaims the Gospel first to the Jews in the new places he traveled to. But when they rejected the Gospel, he returns to the Gentile communities and offers them the gift of salvation. In Romans chapters 9 to 11, he struggles to understand why the Jews reject the Gospel and the Gentiles accept it. From Paul’s experience, we see the importance of working with those who want to grow in their faith. Perhaps the change in their lives will help convince those who reject the Gospel that they are missing out on something important.

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.’”

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

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

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

Gospel | John 13:16-20

Jesus ensures His followers will understand that service is the key to living in God’s Kingdom. While the servant is no greater than his master, the master should also look for ways to serve his servant. Jesus personifies this in His life and ministry. His followers must continue to personify this in their lives. A great leader humbly serves his subjects.

Gospel Acclamation

Jesus Christ, you are faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.

¹⁶ When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. ¹⁸ I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. ¹⁹ From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. ²⁰ Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 CHRONICLES 19 - 21 today.

The Lord knew what was to happen and who was going to make the dastardly deed happen. This much is clear when He stated: “He who eats bread with me, shall lift up his heel against me.” It was an unfolding story of classic betrayal with all the elements of deceit, pretense, and perfidy.

We may take the story of Judas’ treachery for granted, but it was real. And knowing it beforehand did not make it any less hurtful. But the Lord’s intent was definitely not to badmouth the betrayer, but to strengthen in faith those who remain steadfast, despite the falling away of those who were initially considered as pillars of fidelity and strength.

Last year, one more occasion for bashers to find rhyme and reason in their unending and unflinching hatred for the institutional Church came to the fore. A viral video burned the wires and was a developing story that proved too hot to handle for the local ordinary of the place where the priest served. It was a classic scandal—involving a priest, a married woman, her husband, and their son.

There was no way to hide it, no reason to deny it. It had to be faced head-on, which thankfully the bishop did. The Church has long suffered on account of denial, hiding, or giving support not to the victim but to the perpetrator, who, as it often turned out, was an ordained minister.

The Lord knew what Judas was up to. He did not feel the need to hide it, but spoke about it matter-of-factly, motivated by the desire to confirm all His loyal disciples in the faith.

As servants, we cannot entertain the thought that we can be greater than our Lord. As individuals sent by the same Lord, we cannot even think of outclassing the One who sent us. We counselors speak of this as basic acceptance of reality. And mental health, among other things, is foundationally a firm and constant dedication to the truth about us and about who we are, deep inside and out. Neurosis is basically non-acceptance of truth. Psychosis is denial of truth.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection question

How do you handle painful truths, especially about the faith?

Lord, I believe in You. Help my unbelief.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________________