I tried every means to keep the peace. I consulted holy and knowledgable people. What would Jesus do? The options went against my human nature, but I obeyed the Lord. Despite my most selfless actions, I failed to invoke a conciliatory response from the other party. It felt like years of pushing against a rock that wouldn’t budge. Why, Lord? I’ve done all You’ve asked.

My problem was believing that my obedience would solve the dispute. God and I were not of the same mind. While His goal was to mold my character, mine was to keep the peace and get my way. Yes, peace is a virtue we should pursue. But it’s not always the highest principle. Because if Jesus chose to keep the peace, then He wouldn’t have preached the Gospel that incited the religious leaders. And He would have escaped the cross. 

If peace had depended on one party, we would have world peace. Unfortunately, it takes two to tango. Rissa Singson Kawpeng (rissakawpeng@mail.comn)

Reflect:

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18, NIV)

Jesus, Prince of Peace, teach me when to give in for the sake of peace and when to take my stand for righteousness’ sake.

St. Charles Borromeo, bishop, pray for us.

As a disciple of Jesus, we are challenged to place others before ourselves. Discipleship requires us to serve others rather than expect them to serve us. Service is at the heart of the Gospel message. It captures one of the essences of Jesus’ life: He came to serve and not to be served. Jesus teaches that there is a higher calling, a deeper reality to love, by laying down His life in the service of all. 

¹ Brothers and sisters: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. ³ Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, ⁴ each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 131:1, 2, 3

R: In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

¹ O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. (R) ² Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. (R) ³ O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever. (R)

Gospel | Luke 14:12-14

Do we have genuine generosity? Do we give without expecting anything in return? This is the true nature of generosity. From this, we also gain a deeper understanding of the degree we have entrusted our lives into the hands of God. Let us pray for the grace to give without expectng anything in return and to trust that God will provide for our needs.

Gospel Acclamation

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord.

12 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. 13 Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; 14 blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read MICAH 4 - 7 today.

There is a common practice, even today, to invite those who are capable of inviting us back. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, wants to correct the prevailing attitude of quid pro quo or “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.” He took the opportunity to tell His audience to invite those who have no capacity to repay them. Generosity should come from a heart willing to help and not take advantage of another. Service to neighbor should be driven not by what we will get in return but by the desire to ease the burden of our neighbor. In the process, we also allow God to respond to our graciousness. As we know, He cannot be outdone in generosity.

The act of helping our neighbor should be seen more as an effect than a cause, or gratitude more than assistance. It comes from the truth that God gave us everything we have. We owe everything to Him. That truth tells us to be grateful. Thus, when we use what we have to help our neighbor, we are fulfilling the purpose of the gift we have received. Inspired and encouraged by being graced, we share that grace to others. If there are expressions of gratitude for what we have done, we humbly accept them but they are not necessary for us to help our neighbor. Our actions are expressions of our thanksgiving. In that case, we do not expect anything in return. For in truth, they did not come from us but from God. We are mere stewards of God’s gifts.

However, we should be mindful that pride does not form part of our unconditional act. Appearing like we have served unselfishly may attract adulations and recognitions, which can be intoxicating and inebriating. When we are lifted up, we may want to stay up and aspire for more.

Finally, do not be discouraged if your good deeds will not be valued. Not everyone will appreciate your efforts. Not everyone will see the purity of your heart, but God does. We may not be given recognition in this lifetime, but we will certainly be rewarded in the “resurrection of the just.” In any case, our acts of gratitude and generosity are already their own rewards. Fr. Benny Tuazon

Reflection Questions:

When was the last time you made an act of generosity? Did you expect to be recognized after doing it?

You have been so generous to me, Lord! May I, in gratitude to You, be generous as well to those in need. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________________