A friend shared about his Holy Land pilgrimage. I listened as he talked about how significant the Sea of Galilee was in Jesus’ ministry and how much fish it gives.

The Sea of Galilee teems with aquatic animals and vegetation. It flows out the water it receives from the Jordan River, keeping its water healthy and making it the perfect environment for marine life. It receives and then gives.

It gave me an insight on giving. I don’t have much—no mansion, no millions, and no luxuries to boast of. But I’m grateful that when God calls me to give, I am able to. Giving has become an outward form of gratitude for the blessings I receive. It shows me even more how generous God has been in my life.

Friends, take every opportunity to give. Like the Sea of Galilee, from your overflow comes blessings for others in need. Give whatever and however you can. Give of your time, talent, and treasure. As you become a blessing to others, your cup shall be filled to the brim and overflow. Osy Erica (osy.erica@gmail.com)

reflect

Count your blessings. Have you shared them with others?

Lord, make me an instrument of blessing to others so they may know of Your generosity. Amen.

Saint Januarius, bishop and martyr, pray for us.

There is no excuse for withholding kindness to others. The opportunity to do a kind act for someone is enough motivation to do it. May God grant us the grace to seize these opportunities and give a true witness of His generous love for us.

²⁷ Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. ²⁸ Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once. ²⁹ Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you. ³⁰ Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm. ³¹ Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: ³² To the Lord the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship. ³³ The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; ³⁴ when he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5

R: The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

² He who walks blamelessly and does justice, who thinks the truth in his heart, ³ and slanders not with his tongue. (R) Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; ⁴ by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R) ⁵ Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)

Gospel | Luke 8:16-18

It is natural to want to share any good news with others. But why are we reluctant to share the Gospel with other people? Why do we feel ashamed or unable to do this for some reason? Let us ask God for the courage to share the Good News of salvation that has changed many lives.

Gospel Acclamation

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

¹⁶ Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷ For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. ¹⁸ Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read JEREMIAH 47 - 49 today.

In the Scriptures, we can read Jesus declaring: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). In today’s Gospel, Jesus applies the same metaphor of light, expressed in generic terms, as characteristic of His believers: “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”

In the Gospel of Matthew, the metaphor of light is directly addressed to His followers: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

What kind of light should we be?

Some Christians are indeed light, but the blinding or glaring kind of light. They want to be in the spotlight and call attention to themselves. They cannot work silently or contribute from the sidelines. They cannot be called upon to stand in. They only want to stand out.

Christians cannot be that light. We are to be light that illumines and not blinds.

Some Christians are indeed light, but the solitary kind of light. They sometimes put out other flames because they want their light to be the only one burning.

Christians cannot be that light. Christians know that they are little flames that shine together with many others. They realize that putting out other flames does not make theirs burn brighter. In fact, it only makes a dark room darker.

What kind of light are you? Fr. Joel O. Jason

reflection question

You bear light. Shine along, not alone.

May I only bear Your kind of light, O Lord. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________________