As a younger man in my 20s, I found it weird to hear people say, “The Lord spoke to me...” or, “The Lord told me . . .” I’d be skeptical and think, “Reeeaally!?!? You heard the voice of God?”

Recently, the club I lead, Rise Up! The 5 a.m. Club, started an endeavor called the World-Class Filipino Summit. Unfortunately, I didn’t compute our event expenses early enough. The painful reality was we didn’t have enough funds to run such a big event!

I responded like a kid with a tantrum. I lay in bed blaming God for my situation. Then a little voice of hope whispered to me, “It’s OK, My child. You can get mad and frustrated. I’m here when you’re ready to discover My plans for you.” Then after having (figuratively) cried my heart out, the Holy Spirit began to reveal His ways.

I found out that we have a corporate sponsor who committed to help even before they knew the details of our event. While I was caught up in my worldly problems, God spoke to me in His faithfulness. Really! Edwin S. Soriano (hello@edwinsoriano.com)

reflect

Looking back at the problems you’ve faced in life, in what ways did coincidences (or “divinecidences”) lead to resolutions you hadn’t even imagined?

Lord, may I remember how You’ve always carried me through my problems.

St. Peter Chanel, priest and martyr, pray for us.

Peter is correct in his response to the officials. No one is obligated to obey an unjust or false law. Obedience to the truth comes before obedience to man-made laws. Saint Alphonsus tells us that the law of love is at the heart of true and moral laws: “Love God and then do what you please!”

²⁷ When the court officers had brought the Apostle in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” ²⁹ But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹ God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. ³² We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.” ³³ When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-18, 19-20

R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

² I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. ⁹ Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (R) ¹⁷ The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. ¹⁸ When the just cry out the Lord hears them and from all their distress he rescues them. (R) ¹⁹ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. ²⁰ Many are the troubles of the just man but out of them all, the Lord delivers him. (R)

Gospel | John 3:31-36

The Father and His Son are united. Jesus always gives testimony to the truth of the Father. Let us meditate on this, as it is the basis for our own relationships with the Father and Jesus. May our lives also be a testimony to who the Father is. Let us live out the call and receive the promises of the Gospel.

Gospel Acclamation

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!

³¹ The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. ³⁴ For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 KINGS 1 - 3 today.

John the Baptist stresses belief in the Son as vital to eternal life. Previously, he admitted that he was not the Messiah. He came to prepare the way of the Lord. “He must increase; I must decrease.” He was trying to shift the focus on Jesus. His role was done. The time of forgiveness and redemption has come. He tried to warn his disciples on this. Jesus is the Messiah they were waiting for. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

God chose Jesus to be the ultimate redeemer and mediator. Jesus fulfilled His role in becoming one like us and spending His life preaching and performing miracles. At the most opportune time, He suffered, died, and resurrected. In Him, God’s plan of salvation for all was realized. Salvation came to those who lived before, during, and after Jesus’ time. In this sense, He is the Way.

Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is both human and divine. By being divine, He is a Savior. Thus, faith in Him merits eternal life. Whoever believes in Him will never die. Our earthly life will end, but life continues in the next life. And the passage through it is in Jesus Christ.

I was once asked, what if Jesus did not rise from the dead and eternal life is a hoax? I said I would be sad because the resurrection was the best response to death and sin. With regard to eternal life, I can accept if it is a hoax. Heaven may be experienced here on earth. At least I lived a good life and experienced the happiness that goes with it. It may not be bliss as was promised, but it can be fulfilling. But life is so beautiful and good that it should and need not end here on earth. God is not God of the dead. He is God of the living. With God, nothing is impossible, the resurrection included.

The resurrection is a matter of faith. I believe in it. I know that my faith will not be in vain. Fr. Benny Tuazon

reflection questions

Do you rely on Jesus to guide you through this life? Do you know His Way?

Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without You, I will be lost.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________