I’ve been serving in the Lord’s vineyard for 18 years. I vividly remember when our president, Randy Borromeo, invited me to join Shepherd’s Voice Radio and Television (SVRTV). I had just dropped out of school, doing side hustles before they were a thing. But I was active in the youth ministry—discipling, organizing events, creating graphics.

With no experience or background checks, I got the job.

We did everything to build SVRTV. I was a cameraman, video editor, graphic artist, and production assistant rolled into one. At events, I handled photography, video, and even managed cables for the cameramen. I wore many hats. I loved it.

But over the years, there were struggles, mistakes, misunderstandings, and failures. I caused hurt and tension at times. I knew I wasn’t the best or the kindest. I wasn’t worthy. Yet, 18 years later, I’m still here. And God is still calling me. “Who am I, Lord, that You have brought me this far?” Now I know—it’s not about who I am, but who He is. He makes me worthy. He brought me this far. 

Paolo Galia (pgalia@gmail.com)

reflect

How has God’s grace carried you through?

Lord, thank You for bringing me this far. Help me trust Your grace and rest in Your call.

Saint Blath, pray for us.

David built a kingdom and became powerful as its leader, yet he does not presume to carry that importance into his relationship with God. No matter what we accomplish, the same should be true for us too. Any good thing we do is a gift from God. We need to remember this, or else pride will grow within us and make us fall. All the kingdoms of the world have eventually fallen, and the kingdoms today will be no different. 

¹⁸ After Nathan had spoken to King David, the king went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, Lord God, and who are the members of my house, that you have brought me to this point? ¹⁹ Yet even this you see as too little, Lord God; you have also spoken of the house of your servant for a long time to come: this too you have shown to man, Lord God! ²⁴ “You have established for yourself your people Israel as yours forever, and you, Lord, have become their God. ²⁵ And now, Lord God, confirm for all time the prophecy you have made concerning your servant and his house, and do as you have promised. ²⁶ Your name will be forever great, when men say, ‘The Lord of hosts is God of Israel,’ and the house of your servant David stands firm before you. ²⁷ It is you, Lord of hosts, God of Israel, who said in a revelation to your servant, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore your servant now finds the courage to make this prayer to you. ²⁸ And now, Lord God, you are God and your words are truth; you have made this generous promise to your servant. ²⁹ Do, then, bless the house of your servant that it may be before you forever; for you, Lord God, have promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever.”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14

R: The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father.

¹ Lord, remember David and all his anxious care; ² how he swore  an oath to the Lord, vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob. (R) ³ “I will not enter the house I live in, nor lie on the couch where I sleep; ⁴ I will give my eyes no sleep my eyelids no rest, ⁵ till I find a home for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (R) ¹¹ The Lord swore an oath to David, a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.” (R) ¹² “If your sons keep my covenant and the decrees which I shall teach them, their sons, too, forever shall sit upon your throne.” (R) ¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion; he prefers her for his dwelling: 14 “Zion is my resting place forever; in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.” (R)

Gospel | Mark 4:21-25

The light of our faith is meant to shine forth into the world for all to see. How then can God use our light to inspire others if we hide it? If we never speak of our experiences of God’s love, how will others come to know His love? If we are afraid to stand firm in our beliefs, how will people see that our faith is our top priority?

Gospel Acclamation

A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.

²¹ Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? ²² For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. ²³ Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” ²⁴ He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. ²⁵ To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” 

Read the Bible in one year! Read ACTS 25 - 28 today.

Do you remember when Jesus said in Matthew 6 that we shouldn’t make a show of our good deeds like fasting, praying, or giving to the poor? He encouraged us to let our Father in heaven, who sees what is done in secret, reward us. So, what does Jesus mean today when He says that the light of His followers should be revealed to the world?

At first glance, Jesus’ words about doing good might seem contradictory. Sometimes, He tells us to keep our acts of kindness private, yet at other times, like today, He encourages us to let our goodness shine before others. So, what is the right approach?

The earlier teaching was addressed to the hypocrites—like the Pharisees and scribes—who did good deeds to gain praise and recognition from others, and not to glorify God. Jesus criticized their pride and selfish motives.

On the other hand, today’s message speaks about living out genuine faith. Jesus wants His followers to embody His teachings in a way that is visible to others. He desires that His Word not only touch hearts but also produce transformation—turning people away from sin, inspiring new life, and encouraging acts of kindness.

Therefore, the light of Christ should not remain hidden inside us. It must shine through our actions, reflecting the life-giving power of His message. Saint 

Thomas Aquinas once said, “It is better to illuminate than to merely shine.” This reminds us that the goal of our good works isn’t personal glory, but to reveal God’s greatness and serve the well-being of others.

The grace we receive through God’s Word and the Eucharist isn’t meant for ourselves alone. It calls us to share that light through genuine kindness and love. Otherwise, Jesus’ warning rings true: “To those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” 

Fr. Franz Dizon

reflection questions

How are you allowing your light to shine in your daily life? Are you revealing the goodness of God through your actions, or is your light hidden away?

Lord, thank You for the light of Your Word. May I live it out and put it into practice so I may serve others faithfully and bring honor to Your name. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________