My 23-year-old son had been in a coma for six days. It didn’t look good.  We  begged for a miracle. In the chapel, a thought entered my mind. What if God granted a miracle and healed him? I shuddered. I said, “Lord, no, please!”

David was born with hydrocephalus, was legally blind, and developmentally delayed. I suddenly realized that it would be selfish of me to want him to return to his disabled body when he could be whole and have a life beyond imagination with God.

Here, he would continue to be limited by his disabilities, unable to do the things he dreamed of—like driving a school bus for kids or an ice cream truck.

I realized that David had peaked already and was ready for an upgrade. I couldn’t hold him back. The most loving thing to do now was to give him back to his Creator who could give him everything he desired.  

That evening, David drove his first school bus with Jesus at his side. Just thinking of that made me the happiest mom on earth!

Ronna Singson Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

reflect

Our goal on earth is not to make sure our kids graduate from the best university. Our role is to ensure they make it to heaven, the ultimate destiny.

Abba Father, thank You for the privilege of being David’s earthly mom and caretaker. My job is done. I give him back to You with gratitude.

St. Clare of Montefalco, pray for us.

First Reading | Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

Jeremiah’s days become numbered as he continues to speak against the Jewish leadership. The leaders are upset and, just like Jesus five hundred years later, they are determined to kill Jeremiah to silence him. Jeremiah is thrown into a well but he survives. What is even more amazing is that his experience does not silence him. He is a true prophet who is committed to proclaiming the truth no matter what the consequences may be for him.

⁴ In those days, the princes said to the king: “Jeremiah ought to be put to death, he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin.” ⁵ King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your power”; for the king could do nothing with them. ⁶ And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, which was in the quarters of the guard,letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. 8 Ebed-melech, a court official, went there from the palace and said to him: ⁹ “My lord king, these men have been at fault in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah, casting him into the cistern. He will die of famine on the spot, for there is no more food in the city.” ¹⁰ Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite to take three men along with him, and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18

R: Lord, come to my aid!

² I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me. (R) ³ The Lord heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp; he set my feet upon a crag; he made firm my steps. (R) ⁴ And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and trust in the Lord. (R) ¹⁸ Though I am afflicted and poor, yet the Lord thinks of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, hold not back! (R)

Second Reading | Hebrews 12:1-4

Keeping your eyes fixed on the goal is essential to achieve success. This is also true for our faith just as it is in the consumer world. As men and women of faith, let us remember that we have all the saints interceding for us as we seek to join them in heaven. With their help and the Holy Spirit strengthening our desire to persevere in discipleship, salvation becomes a distinct possibility.

¹ Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us ² while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. ³ Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. ⁴ In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Gospel | Luke 12:49-53 

The mission of Jesus will involve suffering as indicated in the Gospel when He mentions the baptism He must undergo. Baptism is a sacrament of decision, a moment of conversion, and a commitment to a new way of life. Likewise, the proclamation of the Gospel forces people to choose between following God and not. It is when family members differ in this choice that the family becomes divided. 

Gospel Acclamation

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

⁴⁹ Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! ⁵⁰ There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵² From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; ⁵³ a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read ISAIAH 9 - 12 today

Division Because of Faith

I know of a youth leader who is the only Catholic member of his family. He is admirable in the way he holds his ground on the Catholic teachings. Though he finds himself alone in going to church on Sundays, he is not discouraged, nor does he compromise on what he believes in. How does he manage? He prays fervently for strength and perseverance, for steadfastness in faith, for patience, and for the conversion of His family. He prays. He prays. He prays. 

This Sunday’s Gospel passage speaks of the possible division that we could experience by being true to our faith. The division Jesus speaks of is not His goal but rather a consequence of His presence and His teachings. Yes, we either like Him or we don’t. We either accept and follow Him or reject Him. There is no middle ground. We cannot be a doting parent, being so loving and generous toward our children and family members, and yet make a living by cheating other people or running a drug business. Living by Christ’s teachings means completely turning away from our sinful ways and the ways of the world, keeping our gaze fixed on Jesus, and pinning our hopes on a heaven that we only see, for now, with the eyes of faith. 

In His lifetime, Jesus challenged abusive power and manipulation, false religiosity and arrogance, selfish living and neglect of the poor. He came to call people to a new way of life. Thus, His message was either met with repentance or with anger and strife. It was inevitable to have enemies. They did not like that He was shining a light on their wrongdoings. They even orchestrated His death so they could persist in their way of life and keep their power and influence.

Fr. Ricky Montañez, AA

reflection question

As a follower of Jesus, are you ready to stand alone when you find yourself in the crosshairs of opposition because of your faith convictions? 

Lord, I pray that I may never feel alone in my commitment to remain steadfast in my faith. Amen. 

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________