Nothing seems to be happening. I’ve done everything I could. I prayed hard, I served hard, I loved hard. But my relationship with my sister was still strained.

But God is a God who works in the background. It takes time before our prayers are answered. Still, it didn’t take away the pain of waiting. I knew that my actions alone wouldn’t repair my relationship with others. It is God’s grace that moves mountains. It is His love that will move hearts—both mine and my sister’s. Fast forward to today. God must have done something in both of our hearts because our relationship is way better than it was. 

Nothing might be happening now, but always remember: God knows your heart. He knows what’s happening in your situation right now. He is at work even if you don’t see it. Hold on to your faith. You will receive the answer to your prayers in His perfect time. Karren Renz Seña (karren.sena@gmail.com)

Reflect

Do you still feel as if God is not doing anything to help you in your situation? You don’t need to feel in order to believe. God is working for your good. Always. 

Lord, whenever I feel tired of waiting, remind me that You see everything and know everything. Help me in times of disbelief. Heal my distrust and help me hold on to You. Amen.

Saint Anselm, pray for us.

First Reading | Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5

Sin is not the end of the world. We always have the Sacrament of Reconciliation. John writes to encourage people during a time of persecution in the Early Church. The Book of Revelation should never be used as a secret code to predict the end of the world. It is a series of exhortations that encourage those undergoing severe persecution. It reminds us to look forward with faith to the eventual fulfillment of God's promises.

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near. 4John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 2:1 I heard the Lord saying to me: “To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this: “‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: 2 “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not, and discovered that they areimpostors. 3 Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. 5 Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ”’”

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

R: Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.

¹ Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, ² But delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. (R) ³ He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. (R) ⁴ Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. ⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (R) 

Gospel | Luke 18:35-43

Jesus never rejects anyone as unworthy of His attention. He always finds a place for everyone in His heart. Take your cares and concerns to Jesus, as He will always have time for you. Trust in Him to act—maybe not in the way and time we want, but He will answer our prayers according to His perfect will for us.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, ³⁶ and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” ³⁸ He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” ³⁹ The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” ⁴⁰ Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” ⁴² Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” ⁴³ He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

Read the Bible in one year! Read ACTS 17 - 20 today.

Discipleship Is the Best Gratitude

I know of one family who begged the Lord to heal their child from a terminal illness. Long story short, by God’s grace, the child was healed. Before that, the parents promised to do anything in exchange for the healing of their child. They even promised to take their faith more seriously. Unfortunately, after the healing, nothing changed. Worst, they even forgot about God. They missed a good opportunity to see God who had revealed Himself through the healing. They were contented with the grace of God. They neglected the God of grace.

Today’s Gospel shows Jesus healing a blind man. The man had a hard time approaching Jesus because of his handicap, but it did not stop him. He expressed his need by voicing out his call for mercy. He was determined to be heard and healed by Jesus. The people got angry and told him to keep quiet. But Jesus heard his cry and allowed the blind man to approach Him. It was a faith encounter. The blind man begged Jesus to let him see again. And Jesus granted him that grace which was complimented by the faith of the blind man. What was significant with this healing was the decision of the healed blind man to follow Jesus later.

This is significant because not everyone who got healed by Jesus followed Him. Many continued with their lives. But the blind man was different. He decided to give glory to God after the grace of healing. This may be considered rare. Many who received graces from God felt entitled to it. Some are grateful and give thanks. But to follow the Lord or change one’s ways? Only a few do. That is sad. Gratitude and praise would have been the best response. 

The blind man was able to see not only Jesus, the man and the healer, but also the Lord. He was healed not only of his physical blindness but also of his spiritual blindness. He gave the perfect response. He followed the Lord (v. 43). “Following” does not only mean abandoning your family, livelihood, and home. It is more of embracing the Christian way of life. To be a Christian means to follow Christ, our Lord. Hopefully, for every grace we receive and acknowledge, we advance our relationship with God. Just like the blind man, let us respond with gratitude and commitment to follow Him for the rest of our lives. Fr. Benny Tuazon

Reflection Question:

Have you received graces from God? How did you respond to Him?

Thank You, Lord, for healing me. I commit to live as a true Christian from now on.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________