Who or what inspires you? Why do you need inspiration? How are you inspiring and uplifting others?I love these questions because I need to ask myself these every day as a form of self-check. None of us is exempted from getting upset, stressed, and demotivated. So I draw inspiration from my family, friends, leaders, and resources like books, events, and support groups. 

I need inspiration every day because there’s always something to be thankful for and the room for improvement is always big. In turn, I’m able to inspire others by living my life wholeheartedly and encourage others to see the best in themselves. 

God has given us the gifts of time, talent, and treasure so we can use them to bless others. He has put us in charge to be faithful stewards in our family, livelihood, community, and ministry. 

So, celebrate you. Be inspired and be an inspiration. You are blessed to be a blessing! 

JC Libiran (coachjclibiran@gmail.com)

reflect

“We aren’t called to be successful; we’re called to be faithful.”  (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

Lord, thank You for the gift of my life. May I be faithful just like You. Amen.

Saint Rosalia, pray for us.

Paul encourages the Corinthians to leave the judgment of salvation to God. This is not our responsibility as disciples. We are called to live the Christian life as a witness to others while allowing the Holy Spirit to convict hearts and guide souls. We will be judged by how faithfully we have stewarded the mysteries God entrusted to us through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

¹ Brothers and sisters: Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. ³ It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; ⁴ I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. ⁵ Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 27-28, 39-40

R: The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. ⁴ Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart’s requests. (R) ⁵ Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him, and he will act.  ⁶ He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. (R) ²⁷ Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever; ²⁸ for the Lord loves what is right, and forsakes not his faithful ones. Criminals are destroyed, and the posterity of the wicked is cut off. (R) ³⁹ The salvation of the just is from the Lord; he is their refuge in time of distress. ⁴⁰ And the Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (R)

Gospel | Luke 5:33-39

The Gospel is a new revelation of God’s love for His people. Some principles of faith from the old covenant require renewal as God’s revelation unfolds. This same process occurs within the life of the Church as she seeks to reach new cultures and circumstances. Though the Gospel remains unchanged, its expression may differ. There is nothing wrong with this, provided that the Gospel message—the kerygma of our faith—is preserved in its fullness.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

³³ The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? ³⁵ But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” ³⁶ And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. ³⁷ Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. ³⁸ Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. ³⁹ And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Reflect

What creative way can you think of to effectively share the Gospel with today’s young generation?

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 51 - 55 today.

In his Confessions, Saint Augustine has a profound prayer that captures the universal struggle to pursue virtue and the weight of its demands on the human soul. He prays: “I had prayed to You for chastity and said, ‘Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.’ For I was afraid that You would answer my prayer at once and cure me too soon from the disease of lust, which I wanted satisfied, not quelled.”  It mirrors our desire to follow Christ while still holding on to our old habits and sinful patterns. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns that a new patch will not fit an old garment. If we hold on to our old habits, we will not progress in our spiritual life. We may go to church or pray occasionally (a “patch” on the old garment), but if our hearts do not truly change—if we still hold on to resentment, pride, or selfishness—then the new life Jesus offers will not take root. It can also be likened to putting new wine into old wineskins. The new wine will burst the old wineskins. In the same way, our transformation cannot be sustained without a complete renewal from within.

As our journey to our transformation as disciples of Jesus is not an easy one, we ask the Holy Spirit to “bend [our] stubborn heart and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill; guide [our] steps [when we] go astray.” May we learn to submit ourselves to God’s will to attain the grace of eternal salvation.

We are all challenged to face the future with courage. As difficult as it may be, we must learn to let go of the past and gradually open ourselves to the present moment. Only then can transformation truly happen. When we release what once was and fully engage in what is, we create space for growth, renewal, and meaningful change. 

Fr. Ricky Montañez, AA

reflection question

What old habits or attachments do you need to surrender so that Christ’s new life can fully transform you? 

Lord, grant us the grace to let go of the old within us, that we may be renewed in courage and hope for Your glory. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________