The verses above describe our experiences in this life. And I learned that my response to these trials reflects how strong—or weak—my faith is. 

Afflicted but not constrained. I’m constantly “afflicted” by fear of getting sick and being unable to care for my elderly mom. Yet, when we both had COVID, I prayed to the Lord to enable me to do what I needed to do at home, caring for both Mom and myself despite my fatigue until we recovered. 

Struck down but not destroyed. When Dad told me, “I have Stage 4 lung cancer. Let’s hope for the best, but expect the worst,” I felt like someone had punched me in the gut and knocked me down. I just wanted to cry and stay down, angry, depressed, and helpless. Yet, God’s grace wouldn’t let me because Dad needed me to care and pray for him until he passed away. 

I easily crack and fall apart in the midst of trials, yet I remember to pray and surrender. And the Lord, in His mercy, takes over and sees me through. He is “my strength and my shield” (Psalm 28:7). Dina Pecaña (dina.p@shepherdvoice.com.ph)

Reflect:

“Your fragility is also your strength.” (Pina Bausch) 

Jesus, I surrender my trials to You. I cannot handle them on my own. Please help me and take care of everything. 

Saint James, Apostle, pray for us.

First Reading | 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

The human person is a fragile reality. Of all animals, the human being is the most helpless at birth: most animals are up and about, fending for themselves in just a few hours. A human child is dependent on his or her parents for about twenty years. Yet, Jesus took on our human nature and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. This is what Paul refers to when he said that we hold a treasure of infinite worth—the Good News of our salvation. 

⁷ Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,we too believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. ¹⁵ Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

R: Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. 

¹ When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. ² Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” ³ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) ⁴ Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. ⁵ Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R) ⁶ Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R) 

Gospel | Matthew 20:20-28

James is one of the Apostles who took to heart the command to spread the Gospel to all nations. Tradition has it that he made it to Spain where a youth pilgrimage is held yearly at Santiago de Compostela in his honor. Inspired by his life, let us share the Gospel with someone today. Let us approach someone with whom we can share how God has changed us. 

Gospel Acclamation

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. 

²⁰ The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. ²¹ He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” ²² Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” ²³ He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” ²⁴ When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. ²⁵ But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. ²⁶ But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; ²⁷ whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. ²⁸ Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 91 - 95 today.

The Best Woman: A Mother

It is not Mothers’ Day today, but the Good News makes me think about the great love of a mother. Risking to be misunderstood by Jesus and by the rest of the Twelve, the mother of the Zebedee brothers—James and John—came to Jesus with a direct request for the benefit of her sons. She said, “Command that my two sons may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your kingdom.” She settled for nothing but the best positions for her sons. 

The Blessed Mother Mary was also the same kind of a mother for Jeus: caring for her Son at all cost. Early in Jesus’ life, she had to take Him and flee to Egypt, for King Herod was after the child’s life. Then she searched for the twelve year-old Jesus who was lost for three days, and when she found Him, she mustered all her understanding to bring Him home. She risked being misunderstood by others around Jesus, as she followed Him during His public life. All for the love of her Jesus. 

Let us then be forever thankful for mothers who generously carried us for nine months and who brought us into the light, no matter what the cost and consequences to their health, to their own life plans and career paths, and even to their reputation. They made us enjoy the best they could offer in terms of care, food, clothes, education, and comfort—even if they had to deny themselves a need or a craving. As we go through life, they are not just supportive and understanding. They willingly take up our own fights. For them, we, their children, are most deserving, most beautiful, most important—best of all. 

The Gospels did not preserve for us the name of the mother of James and John, while the names of the two sons are forever immortalized among the Twelve. But I sure know, she is proudest of her sons even in heaven. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP 

Reflection Question:

Honor your mother this week. Make her feel special through some personal gestures. Recall your mother’s many little yet concrete ways to show her love for you. 

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of mothers. Bless them. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________