Many years ago, I used to worry about my falling hair. I used several products to re-grow my hair, but every attempt was unsuccessful. I was losing self-confidence because I thought my identity depended on it.

One day, God spoke powerfully to me through people who made me feel and realize I was more important than my hair. People who loved me unanimously said, “We love you just as you are, Boggs. Please don’t grow your hair back.”

It hit me. God loves me and likes me even without my hair! Our value as person is not diminished by our personal defects, weaknesses, or mistakes. It’s not dependent on our dire situations nor difficult circumstances. Our value is in God. Because a part of us bears His image. “So God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). Now, I sport a bald look. Friend, let God tell you how valuable you are to Him.

Boggs Burbos (boggsburbos@yahoo.com) 

reflect

Open your spiritual eyes and discover how God is telling you today, “You are loved.”

Lord, thank You for creating me in Your image. Remind me every day of my worth. May my self-worth be anchored on You. 

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, martyr, pray for us.

First Reading | Jeremiah 20:10-13

Jeremiah is a fascinating figure—his human nature is deeply woven into his prophetic words. Worn down by relentless persecution, he cries out for God’s vengeance upon the unfaithful. His plaintive plea echoes in our own hearts as we yearn for justice amid oppression. Yet, let us seek justice and entrust vengeance to God and His boundless mercy.

¹⁰ Jeremiah said: “I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him!’ All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. ‘Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.’ ¹¹ But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. ¹² O Lord of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. 13 Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

⁸ For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. ⁹ I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s children, ¹⁰ because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. (R) ¹⁴ I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. ¹⁷ Answer me, O Lord, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me. (R) ³³ “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! ³⁴ For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. ³⁵ Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” (R)

Second Reading | Romans 5:12-15

Paul reflects on the overwhelming power of Jesus Christ’s grace. Though humanity has fallen through Adam’s sin, the redemption brought through Christ is far greater. He has conquered sin, which no longer holds power over us. Let us surrender to the gift of redemption that God offers us through Jesus.

12 Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned—¹³ for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. ¹⁴ But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. 15 But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.

Gospel | Matthew 10:26-33

Today, we are reminded not to fear or be ashamed of the Gospel. This is Good News, meant to be proclaimed at every opportunity. There is no excuse for failing to share it with others. Why would we hold back? There is no justifiable reason to withhold the message of redemption from our fellow human beings.

Gospel Acclamation

The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord; and you also will testify.

²⁶ Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 27 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.b And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ³² Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. ³³ But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Reflect

Were you ever tempted to deny your faith in Jesus? Why or why not?

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

During the pandemic, many of us developed trauma or social anxiety, which continues to affect us until this very day. Some still feel uncomfortable in crowded places, carry alcohol to disinfect surfaces, and wear masks. While these actions are understandable, they can sometimes unconsciously amplify our fears.

Oftentimes, our fears are baseless products of our minds and imagination. However, the fear itself is real and normal. In fact, fear can be beneficial as it prevents carelessness and complacency, helping us to recognize our vulnerabilities and act properly on them.

In the First Reading, Jeremiah was deeply afraid for his life, unsure of whom to trust amidst the voices and whispers around him. Ultimately, he overcame his fear by acknowledging that the Lord is with him like a Mighty Champion, a defender. In Greek and Roman literature, a champion is not merely a winner but a defender—someone who fights for you, like a gladiator. The Gospel echoes this sentiment, urging us not to be afraid and to fear no one.

Therefore, while it is healthy to have a sense of fear, we must not let it paralyze us. It is crucial to know on whom we can rely—our Mighty Champion. Let us shift our focus from earthly fears to a deeper trust in God’s care and authority. In times of fear and anxiety, let us lean on the Lord, for we cannot always manage everything on our own. Let our true fear be reserved for God, who holds authority over both our body and soul. 

Fr. Jason Laguerta 

reflection question

What are some of your fears that, if you analyze, are baseless?

Father God, I pray that You take away all my fears and anxiety. And if any of my family or friends is having trouble, please help them overcome it because You, alone, are our Mighty Champion. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________