In the book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Lucy asks about Aslan, the Lion (who is a figure of Jesus), “Is Aslan safe?” To this, Mr. Beaver replied, “Who said anything about safe? Of course, he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king.”

Will your dentist hurt you? Of course, she will! That’s why you’re “afraid” of her! The long anesthetic needles sting. The dental pliers will pull out rotting canine. She’ll drill into the painful molar. She won’t hesitate to do what needs to be done to save you from worsening decay and further pain. No, she’s not safe. But she is most certainly good!

Just like the disciples, I become more “afraid” as I see Jesus “coming near the boat of my life.” Because He will intrude on my decisions, destroy my sinful lifestyle, and lead me to sacrifice for the sake of love. I’d rather have him at a safe distance.

I’ve seen a lot of people who are existing, but not living. Now, I know why. They are safe, but not alive. Friend, the goal of life is not to be safe. It’s to trust and obey. Then you’ll surprised by joy! Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)

Reflect:

Are there still lingering pains in your life? Maybe it’s because you haven’t let Jesus intrude.

Jesus, I’m afraid to let You come close. But please come into the boat of my life today. I surrender.

Saint Martin I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

We cannot do God’s work on our own. We need to be part of a community that has structures and roles to ensure that what needs to be done will be accomplished well. The Apostles know what their primary calling is: To pray and to preach. They need others to help them so they can focus on their primary purpose. This is essential in all ministries. May we be willing to work as a team and delegate tasks to one another.

¹ As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. ² So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. ³ Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, ⁴ whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the Apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. ⁷ The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

¹ Exult, you just, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting. ² Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. (R) ⁴ Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. ⁵ He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) ¹⁸ See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, ¹⁹ to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R)

Gospel | John 6:16-21

This story in the life of Jesus’ ministry reminds us to stand firm through our trials and struggles so that our faith and trust in Jesus will be evident to those around us. Jesus is by our side at all times just as He promised before His ascension into heaven. He is with us in whatever we are going through. Let us believe this truth and make our decisions based on the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives.

Gospel Acclamation

Christ is risen, who made all things; he has shown mercy on all people.

¹⁶ When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, ¹⁷ embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. ¹⁸ The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” 21 They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 SAMUEL 9 - 12 today.

A member of the Missionaries of the Poor (known to be the male counterpart of St. Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and founded by Fr. Richard Ho Lung) once shared that on one Holy Thursday afternoon, some of them were on their way to the cathedral to attend the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper to be presided by the local bishop. It is an important Eucharistic celebration where Jesus’ washing of the feet of the Apostles is ritually remembered and celebrated. But on the way, they encountered an abandoned man who needed immediate attention and care. They stopped, took him in, cleaned his wounds, and fed him. As a result, they missed attending the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Days later, they met the local bishop and asked for “forgiveness” for missing the Mass and the Washing of the Feet ceremony. The bishop replied, “We did the ceremony. You lived out the spirituality! You think Jesus would mind your absence?”

Our love for Jesus is never threatened by our love of neighbor. Our love for Jesus is never interrupted when we love our neighbor. In fact, our love for Jesus is proven true and genuine when we love our neighbor.

In our First Reading, the widows among the first Christian community “complained” to the Apostles that their share in the daily distribution of food has been neglected. In response, seven men were specifically ordained to respond to the daily needs of the widows, like their daily ration of bread. No “secular” need of the community was deemed unimportant compared to spiritual ones. Love of neighbor was just as important as worship of God. While the Apostles remained in their main task of preaching the Word, the seven men, later on called deacons, were given the ministry of charity and hospitality (see Acts 6:5).

Today, when you hear the priest mandate at the end of the Mass, “The Mass is ended. Go to love and serve the Lord,” do not have any qualms of conscience about leaving Jesus in the sanctuary. You will meet Jesus, too, in the marketplace of life. Fr. Joel O. Jason

reflection question

Love of Jesus is made genuine through love of neighbor. Do you cultivate both?

Lord, may I serve You in every person I meet. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________