About three decades ago, I noticed two lines etched deeply between my brows, like an “11.” I got alarmed. How, when, and why did they appear there?

I was a struggling Christian then, trying my best to live by the values of Christ while engaged in our small business. I had flaws not befitting a Christian. I realized I was short-tempered, too idealistic, perfectionist even, especially in dealing with our staff. Oh, that must have been why the “11” appeared on my face, I thought.

I prayed and struggled to be more patient with people, to no avail. Then I learned about the practice of centering prayer. Through it, I surrendered my many flaws to God and allowed Him to work in me. And then, just like when I didn’t know when and how the lines appeared, I didn’t know how and when they disappeared.

We can do everything in our power to solve our problems or deal with the “enemy,” but nothing moves. At such times, we have to trust that the battle is the Lord’s, and in Him, there is always victory. 

Tess V. Atienza (theresavatienza@gmail.com)

reflect

What struggles do you have—in yourself and in your relationships? Bring them to the Lord and allow Him to lead the way and win it for you.

God, my Savior, save me from ____________. I trust that You will win it for me. Amen.

Saint Agnes, martyr, pray for us.

David goes into battle in the name of the Lord of Hosts. This is how we should battle against sin in our lives. If we fight sin and temptation in the name of Jesus, then we will be victorious in Him, who has defeated the powers of sin and death on the cross. As Christians, we are called to live under Jesus' name because it is only through Him that we can be saved.

³² David spoke to Saul: “Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine.” ³³ But Saul answered David, “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.” ³⁷ David continued: “The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the Lord will be with you.” ⁴⁰ Then, staff in hand, David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag. With his sling also ready to hand, he approached the Philistine. ⁴¹ With his shield bearer marching before him, the Philistine also advanced closer and closer to David. ⁴² When he had sized David up, and seen that he was youthful, and ruddy, and handsome in appearance, the Philistine held him in contempt. ⁴³ The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with a staff?” Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods ⁴⁴ and said to him, “Come here to me, and I will leave your flesh for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.” ⁴⁵ David answered him: “You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. ⁴⁶ Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will leave your corpse and the corpses of the Philistine army for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God. ⁴⁷ All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he shall deliver you into our hands.” ⁴⁸ The Philistine then moved to meet David at close quarters, while David ran quickly toward the battle line in the direction of the Philistine. ⁴⁹ David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell prostrate on the ground. ⁵⁰ Thus David overcame the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck the Philistine mortally, and did it without a sword. ⁵¹ Then David ran and stood over him; with the Philistine’s own sword which he drew from its sheath he dispatched him and cut off his head.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 144:1, 2, 9-10

R: Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

¹ Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. (R) ² My refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust, who subdues peoples under me. (R) ⁹ O God, I will sing a new song to you; with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise, ¹⁰ you who give victory to kings, and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword. (R)

Gospel | Mark 3:1-6

The dispute in today’s Gospel is ridiculous. Having the means to heal a lame person but refusing to do so because it was against the Law on the Sabbath would be an inhuman response to suffering. The Sabbath is a reminder to turn our attention to God and worship Him. Healing someone who has been created in the image and likeness of God fits into that category.

Gospel Acclamation

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

¹ Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. ² They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. ³ He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” ⁴ Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. ⁵ Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. ⁶ The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

Reflect

What secular law do you think serves the people and is aligned with the Ten Commandments of God? Why?

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

Illness is part of our human experience because our bodies are fragile. In time, our strength will fade—whether through sickness or simply aging. Throughout His ministry, Jesus never ignored the suffering of the sick.

In today’s Gospel, He healed a man whose hand was withered and lifeless. What’s striking is the simplicity of Jesus’ healing command: “Stretch out your hand.” The man obeyed, and his hand was restored. The healing carried deep meaning. It was not just about restoring physical ability but also about revealing God’s power and mercy.

Interestingly, the man did not ask Jesus for healing. Jesus approached him—perhaps he was a regular at the synagogue, coming to listen to God’s Word, not expecting his life to be changed that day. Despite his suffering, he remained faithful. His openness to God’s grace allowed him to receive a blessing beyond his hopes. From that day forward, he came to know Jesus personally.

Jesus made the man stand before the Pharisees, showing a powerful example of openness—unlike the Pharisees who were rigid and focused only on the letter of the law. The Gospel also notes that Jesus looked around with anger and sadness because of the hardness of people’s hearts. Not only were they blind to God’s goodness before them, but also indifferent to the suffering of others.

Today, our churches are like those synagogues—places we gather to pray, to listen to God’s Word, and to celebrate the Eucharist. When you attend Mass, is your heart open like the man with the withered hand? Do you feel compassion for the disabled, the poor, or the lonely elderly? Do you reach out to help them, or is your “hand” paralyzed by indifference and selfishness? If you feel your hand is “dead” when it comes to helping others, let us pray that God grants you the grace to stretch it out in love and service. 

Fr. Franz Dizon

reflection question

What can you do today to “stretch out your hand” and bring healing or comfort to someone in need?

Lord, sometimes I feel my hands are lifeless—lacking compassion and kindness. Please open my heart to receive Your blessings so that I may also become a blessing to those around me. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________-