In life, I’ve tried to be careful with my words and actions, aiming to protect myself against potential scrutiny or criticism by others. Yet, in this pursuit of caution, I’ve often found myself harboring judgment toward the people around me. When I think about Jesus, He didn’t assert His rights or retaliate against the injustices He suffered despite His innocence. Instead, He took the beatings until His death for the sake of love and redemption.

This makes me reconsider my behavior. Rather than prioritizing self-protection, I’m called to mirror Christ’s humility and selflessness. His unwavering commitment to love challenges me to be gracious and compassionate to others, even when I feel justified in my judgments.

So as I journey through life, I’m learning to balance judgment with grace. I recognize that true strength lies not in self-preservation, but in sacrificial love.

Just as Jesus laid down His life for me, may I, too, sacrifice my desires and comforts for the well-being of others. Rissa Espinosa (rissa_d_espinosa@yahoo.com)

reflect

How does God manifest His righteousness in your life?

Lord, make me responsive to Your teachings. As I learn them, help me to apply them in my life.

Saint Ambrose, pray for us.

Paul affirms that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Here, Paul tells us of the gratuitousness of God’s grace in saving us. We are forgiven by our faith and trust in the work of Jesus on the cross. We can neither earn nor deserve this blessing or grace. God gives us salvation out of His love and mercy.

²¹ Brothers and sisters: Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; ²³ all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. ²⁴ They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, ²⁶ through the forbearance of God—to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. ²⁷ What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith. ²⁸ For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. ₂₉ Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too? Yes, also to Gentiles, ³⁰ for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

¹ Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! ² Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. (R) ³ If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? ⁴ But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. (R) ⁵ I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. ⁶ My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. (R)

Gospel | Luke 11:47-54

Jesus sees through the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes, and this is why they hate Him so much. They take care of the tombs of the prophets and adorn them with precious stones and offerings, yet they refuse to accept the message of the Son of God in their midst. Sometimes, we fall into the same trap when we have a great devotion to a saint but do not imitate or follow his/her teachings.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

⁴⁷ The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. ⁴⁸ Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. ⁴⁹ Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ ⁵⁰ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! ⁵² Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” ⁵³ When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, ⁵⁴ for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

Reflect:

“We do not do good works to go to heaven; we do good works because heaven has gotten to us.” (Peter Kreeft)

Read the Bible in one year! Read NAHUM 1 - 3 today.

We love leaders who build a lot of stuff. We love individuals who build monuments in honor of heroes. We adore civil servants or religious leaders who always show care and compassion for others, never mind if they are visible only at or nearing Christmas, elections, and where crowds gather.

To be fair, such individuals, for the most part, have done real good. What is bad about honoring heroes? What is despicable about people doling out stuff for the poor and needy? What is wrong with being an educated lawyer and a well- informed and learned theologian? Nothing!

It is good to build monuments for prophets or heroes. It is equally good to be a capable lawyer and a learned theologian. It is nothing short of laudable to do the right things. But good has to be done for the right reasons. The “right things” that we are so proud of must be done rightly, not for some other hidden motive, not because good has to be made into a hook for some other carefully hidden selfish motive of selfish gain. There is nothing wrong about being charitable, but when that happens at the service of elections in order to boost up one’s chances of getting the plum post, then something is amiss.

Today, the Gospel teaches us to look at the bigger picture. Being a leading lawyer is good, but something greater is expected of one. And what may even be more detestable is when one’s knowledge is used to prey on those who know less and understand little.

Doing good is just that—it can lead to something good. But real, honest- to-goodness good has to extend further to doing great. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection questions

Have you done something good today?

Lord, teach me not only to do good but to do great. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________