I started having a personal prayer time when I attended a Charismatic renewal seminar 34 years ago. From five minutes, my prayer time has grown and ebbed through the years.

I can’t imagine what my life would be today without prayer. For 10 years, I lived as a lay missionary in a Catholic community. Then I worked in a Catholic nonprofit. By praying a Saint Joseph novena, the Lord graced me with a kind, loving, and hardworking husband. Our wrong business decisions led us to New Zealand, but through miraculous circumstances, we are now able to give time and money to ministries here and in the Philippines.

The mustard seed of praying daily has resulted in a tidal wave of change in how I deal with trials and adversity, in my worldview, in my hopes and ambitions, and in my joys. I can’t imagine life without prayer. Without God.

Plant a mustard seed of good in your life today. You’ll be amazed by its fruit. 

Joyce Roa (jsosoban@gmail.com)

reflect

What little things have you sown that have borne beautiful fruit? What can you start today?

Lord, I say yes to all the mustard seeds You’ve caused to bear fruit in my life for Your glory and praise. Amen. 

St. Savina of Milan, pray for us.

Idleness is a sin that can lead to awful consequences. David should be with his troops in battle; instead, he is falling into the sin of lust that will lead to adultery and murder. What a terrible price to pay for a moment of idleness. Let us be alert against every temptation the enemy brings, as we never know where it may lead us.

¹ At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign, David sent out Joab along with his officers and the army of Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. ² One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. ³ David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.” ⁴ Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her. She then returned to her house. ⁵ But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, “I am with child.” ⁶ David therefore sent a message to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent Uriah to David. ⁷ When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well. ⁸ David then said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.” Uriah left the palace, and a portion was sent out after him from the king’s table. ⁹ But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down to his own house. ¹⁰ David was told that Uriah had not gone home. ¹³ On the following, David summoned him, and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk. But in the evening he went out to sleep on his bed among his lord’s servants, and did not go down to his home. ¹⁴ The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. ¹⁵ In it he directed: “Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.” ¹⁶ So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong. ¹⁷ When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and among them Uriah the Hittite died.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 6-7, 10-11

R: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 5 For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: 6 “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (R) I have done such evil in your sight that you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn. 7 True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me. (R) 10 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; the bones you have crushed shall rejoice. 11 Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt. (R)

Gospel | Mark 4:26-34

Sometimes, it is difficult to separate the good from the bad in a person or a community. Today’s parable encourages us to be watchful so that evil does not take over and we'll be able to work for the greatest harvest possible. This can be a challenge, as it will involve many delicate decisions that some may not understand. Jesus was not afraid to make such decisions to maximize the fruit of His Gospel proclamation.

Gospel Acclamation

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

²⁶ Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land ²⁷ and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. ²⁸ Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. ²⁹ And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” ³⁰ He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. ³² But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” ³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. ³⁴ Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Reflect

“I have been all things unholy; if God can work through me, He can work through anyone.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

Read the Bible in one year! Read ROMANS 1 - 4 today.

Did you know that writing a short reflection can actually be harder than writing a long one? When it’s long, it’s easy to repeat yourself or go around in circles. You might even use fancy words or tricks to fill time. You have to choose carefully to ensure the message is both clear and meaningful to those who read or listen. That’s why preparing a simple and brief message often takes more effort than a long one. This doesn’t mean longer reflections aren’t well thought out, but simplicity requires extra care.

Some people use complicated words or foreign phrases, thinking it shows intelligence, but it often just confuses others. It’s OK to use special terms when necessary, but when it’s not, why say it? And if you do, explain it clearly with examples or stories so everyone understands.

Jesus often taught using stories and parables. His messages were simple, clear, and easy to remember. He didn’t speak in a complicated way, but instead showed by example how to live. That’s why people said His words were powerful. He made His teachings relatable and easy to grasp, which helped spread His reputation as a great teacher.

I use the same principle in my social media ministry, “Sa Madaling Sabi,” and in “Pagninilay Ngayon.” Today, people are busy and don’t have time for long messages, so I keep my reflections short, direct, and filled with relatable examples or stories. Sometimes, simplicity leaves a deeper impact than complicated speeches.

Sharing faith clearly isn’t just for priests or teachers. Doctors explain clearly to patients, teachers to students, lawyers to clients, and parents to children. That’s why stories and fables help children understand important lessons.

Childlike simplicity stays with us, and we all need simple stories and clear explanations to grow in faith. Let us all try to teach the faith simply wherever we are. Just keep it simple! 

Fr. Franz Dizon

reflection question

How can you share your faith or message in a way that is clear and easy for others to understand?

Lord, thank You for making Your Word alive in our midst so we can truly understand Your message. Through simple teachings and meaningful stories, You help us see Your truth clearly and live it out every day. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________