In January 2025, Manila became a sea of garbage following the Traslacion attended by an estimated eight million devotees of the Black Nazarene. In contrast, the Iglesia ni Cristo rally held a week later, which was attended by 1.2 million members, cleaned up after themselves and left the area spotless.

I can’t help but feel saddened that some religions rooted in the Bible miss out on the fulfillment of God’s promises because they don’t believe Jesus is the Messiah. Yet, I also marvel at their deep devotion to God’s commands as written in Scripture. Their commitment is heartfelt and sincere, clearly reflected in the way they live each day.

As Catholics, we share the Good News because we know we are accountable for all others’ salvation. I hope to see the day when we can also be accountable to each other in attitude, speech, thoughts, and actions. After all, we are our brother’s keeper and should be responsible for our good and everyone else’s. 

Cecil Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)

reflect

“We can no longer turn our backs on reality, on our brothers and sisters, on Mother Earth. It is wrong to turn aside from what is happening all around us, as if certain situations did not exist or have nothing to do with our life.” (Pope Francis)

Lord, may I stop asking, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” and live in certainty that I am.

Saint George, martyr, patron of England, pray for us.

How can a person learn about faith without someone instructing him? This question prompts us to reflect on our duty and responsibility in proclaiming the Gospel. What does God ask each of us to do? There is always something we can do, even if it is only to pray or help advance the proclamation of God’s Kingdom.

²⁶ Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, “Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route.” ²⁷ So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ The Spirit said to Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot.” ³⁰ Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. ³² This was the Scripture passage he was reading: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth. ³³ In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will tell of his posterity? For his life is taken from the earth. ³⁴ Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, “I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?” ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him. ³⁶ As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” ^37-38 Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him. ³⁹ When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.   

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20

R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

⁸ Bless our God, you peoples, loudly sound his praise; ⁹ He has given life to our souls, and has not let our feet slip. (R) ¹⁶ Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. ¹⁷ When I appealed to him in words, praise was on the tip of my tongue. (R) ²⁰ Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness! (R)  

Gospel | John 6:44-51

Jesus claims to be greater than Moses. This is a significant in the eyes of the Jews because Moses was the most important figure in their history. This is why such a claim could scandalize some of them. If the connection between Jesus and His identity as the Messiah is rejected, then their claim is not only scandalous but blasphemous as well.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.

⁴⁴ Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; ⁵⁰ this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

Reflect

Among the many titles of Jesus, which one is the most important to you? Why?

Read the Bible in one year! Read NUMBERS 16 - 18 today.

This story about Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch tells us much of the nature of a disciple’s life. This indicates a number of things. First, Philip must have been attentive to the voice of the Spirit that tells him to go up and approach the eunuch. Thus, we learn that we should also be attentive to the Spirit of God, no matter what we are doing at any given time. Second, Philip is obedient to the voice of the Spirit. Third, he can explain to the eunuch the Scripture passage he is reflecting on.

Philip does not question the command of the Spirit to approach the eunuch. This indicates that he is accustomed to such instruction or, if this is the first time it has happened, that he has the faith to believe such a thing is possible. Also, he has obviously reflected on his faith to the point that he is knowledgeable enough to explain it to the eunuch, who, in turn, is inspired by the Spirit to ask for baptism.

Philip then baptizes the eunuch there and then. While this may not be advisable to any of us but priests in this day and age, in emergency circumstances—particularly where there is danger of death—anyone can baptize someone, as long as they use the right words and pour water over them.

In summary, Philip is obviously a man open to the leading of the Spirit to share the Gospel with complete strangers at any time. Here is a great example to us of how we, too, should cultivate within us an awareness of and commitment to the mission of the Church. We cannot leave the evangelizing of the world to the priests and religious. Each of us must do what we can to ensure every man and woman on earth gets to hear the Gospel. 

Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

reflection questions

When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone who was far away from the Lord? Are there times when you failed to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do this? 

Lord Jesus, open my heart more fully to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and make me willing to obey it. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________________________