The people of Corinth doubted the resurrection of the dead. So Paul reminded them that Jesus Himself resurrected, proving it is possible. Note that this happened only 20 to 25 years after Jesus’ resurrection, yet they still doubted.

This reminds me of how, even today, we forget that we, too, can be resurrected from our past sins and shame, just as Jesus resurrected 2,000 years ago. Sometimes, we don’t grasp the gravity of His resurrection. The God who created everything became fully human, suffered extreme punishment, and rose from the dead to save us. That’s how much He loves us.Have you sinned? Feel shame from your past? Go to confession, pray, and repent. Don’t let Jesus’ sacrifice go to waste. Fr. Bob McConaghy said, “If you have confessed but still feel shame, that’s the devil convincing you that your sin has more power over you than Jesus.” So, be resurrected from your past. Jesus already died and resurrected for you. 

Nico Narvaez (joelnicolocnarvaez@gmail.com)

reflect

If you feel like you can’t move on from your sins, you are denying the power of Jesus’ resurrection. Stop listening to the devil’s lies—Jesus has already died and risen for you. Live in that truth.

Jesus, thank You for saving me, for the unlimited chances to return to You. Remind me that You never stop loving me. I want to return to You and live the best life in Your love and in Your arms. Amen.

St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.

The resurrection of Christ from the dead is the coup de grâce of God’s work of salvation. It is the crowning glory and Christ’s ultimate victory over the powers of sin and death. It is at the heart of the Church's kerygma—the heart of its proclamation of the Gospel. Without the resurrection, what we believe is next to useless as it is missing the most vital part that makes sense of the rest of the story. 

¹² Brothers and sisters: If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then empty, too, is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. ¹⁵ Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, ¹⁷ and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 17:1, 6-7, 8, 15

R: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

¹ Hear, O Lord, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. (R) ⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. ⁷ Show your wondrous mercies, O savior of those who flee from their foes to refuge at your right hand. (R)  ⁸ Hide me in the shadow of your wings, ¹⁵ but I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence. (R)

Gospel | Luke 8:1-3

A group of women ministered to Jesus and His Apostles, providing for their needs. Whatever task God entrusts to us for His Kingdom, let us embrace it wholeheartedly, giving all that we have to fulfill it. No matter how small our role may seem, it is vital to God’s greater plan. If we neglect our part, who knows how many souls might be lost to His Kingdom? It is a sobering thought, but perhaps reflecting on it will stir us to deeper service in proclaiming the Gospel.

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

¹ Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve ² and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

Reflect

What role has God given you in your mission field? How do you serve others through this role?

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 119 today.

In Genesis 2:18, we read, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” The man referred to is Adam. The “helper” is Eve. When we hear the word “helper” today, we think of someone inferior. In the Philippines, we associate helper with someone who performs a menial job, like a domestic helper. That is not the biblical meaning of helper.

The Hebrew word for helper is ezer, which means savior. Ezer does indeed mean helper, but in the sense of “God is my Helper.” God is Israel’s Helper because He is the one who has the power, the providence, and the good will. And so, Eve was created as Adam’s ezer not because she is lesser or lower in rank. Woman is man’s ezer because she will save man from the absurdity of isolation, meaninglessness, and solitude. Together, man and woman will mirror the image and dignity of God in the world. Woman will not work under man, but with man.

Women, together with children, were second-class citizens during Jesus’ time. To be considered a legal person, women had to be associated with a male person by marriage. Thus, to be widowed would revert a woman back to her second-class status.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus was going through towns and villages accompanied by the Apostles and some women. These women were not starry-eyed fans but disciples of Jesus, assisting Him in His ministry. Jesus considered them as His partners in the ministry, thus making a statement against the prevailing male chauvinistic culture of His time.

We have gone a long way since biblical times, but we still have miles to go. Besides acknowledging the proper role and contribution of women in society, women are still objectified and demeaned, like prostitution, pornography, contraception, abortion. In all of these, women tragically continue to be the victims, willingly or unwillingly. 

Fr. Joel O. Jason

reflection question

In what ways do you condone—consciously or unconsciously—the oppression of women?

O Blessed Mother, true pride of our race and model of true and genuine feminism, pray for us to God for the gift of true respect and appreciation of the gift of femininity. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________