JESUS, THE VICTORIOUS ONE

We often wonder why in moments when we are doing good deeds, there are people who do not appreciate what we do. Many of us in frustration, give up our laudable initiatives and succumb to the negative comments of others. Reacting this way thwarts the good that God inspires in us and make our adversaries gloat over our cowardice. Today’s Gospel somehow shows us Jesus’ very reaction against the remarks of his enemies and his method of turning this challenge into a victory of love and truth.

If we think that we have suffered the worst from the acerbic tongues of others, take a look at the Gospel again. Here Jesus was labeled insane, foolish and demonic. What can be more negative and defeating than such responses from people you came to serve! Not even a word of gratitude and praise was hurled towards Jesus. He was totally misunderstood by his people. He was rejected many times.

But Jesus adopts a style that makes him rise high above his critics. He did not allow them to destroy his commitment to work for the Kingdom. He presented them with the truth, even if they were unwilling to listen. He continued his work knowing that he was serving the Father who sent Him for a special mission. Jesus did not dwell in the negative words of critics. He did not absorb their malicious content. Rather, he stood by his principles and he continued to believe in his work.

Jesus was full of confidence in the Father and in Himself. He knew that God was blessing Him. Those who were against him were the ones living in the blindness of sin and guilt. “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit {who resides in Jesus and in his work} will never be forgiven. He carries the guilt of his sin without end.”

This is the real meaning of the passage: that if we deny the one sent by God, then we are in serious trouble because we have refused our salvation. This was the truth and Jesus stood by this truth when confronted by his enemies. Are you having problems with people who try to destroy you? Do not allow them to triumph for a single moment. Let go of emotional wounds created within you. Your heart must be free of anger, bitterness and a desire for revenge.

Believe that God has given you worth beyond imagining. You are his child, his beloved. Continue to dedicate to Him all your work and do it with all your heart. If you have experienced terrible pain from others, believe that God will bring justice into your life. Let Jesus show you today how to defeat the malice of others through the power of truth, confidence and love. God bless!

THE SENILITY PRAYER: God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good for tune to run into ones I liked, and the eyesight to tell the difference between the two.

This Sunday we use liturgically the Green Vestments as we have entered the Ordinary Time. On the 11th, we have the memorial of St. Barnabas, one of the earliest missionaries of the Church. The 13th is the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, the famous saint we always invoke to find our lost valuable things and find them. In the Philippines, June 12 is the 122nd Anniversary of Independence. And the 14th is the Flag Day of this country. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin.

Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,

FR. REGGIE