"TO DO THE WILL OF GOD, MAN MUST DESPISE HIS OWN;

THE MORE HE DIES TO HIMSELF, THE MORE HE WILL LIVE TO GOD"

                                                         -Saint Peter Claver

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

With regard

To those who remain virgins, I have no special commandment from the Lord,

but I give some advice, hoping that I am worthy of trust by the mercy of the Lord.

I think this is good in these hard times in which we live.

It is good for someone to remain as he is. If you are married,

do not try to divorce your wife; if you are not married, do not marry.

He who marries does not sin, nor does the young girl sin who marries.

 

Yet they will face disturbing experiences, and I would like to spare you.

I say this, brothers and sisters: time is running out,

and those who are married must live as if not married;

those who weep as if not weeping; those who are happy as if they were not happy;

those buying something as if they had not bought it,

and those enjoying the present life as if they were not enjoying it.

For the order of this world is vanishing.

 

Ps 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

Listen to me, daughter; see and lend your ear.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

 Luke 6:20-26

Then looking at his disciples, Jesus said, "Fortunate are you then who are poor,

for the kingdom of God is yours. Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. 

Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you

and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day,

and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Remember,

 

that is how the ancestors of the people treated the prophets. 

But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.

Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry.

Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Alas for you when people speak well of you,

for that is how the ancestors of the people treated the false prophets."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Our palms are channels of grace.

The palm is a symbol of God's love and generosity. Our palms are channels of grace.

Even our names are engraved on the palms of the Lord (Isaiah 49).

Isn't it true that we become instruments of God's grace by being generous?

Only an open palm can receive and give. This is also what will connect us to Jesus.

It is not hunger, poverty, or illness that makes us blessed; it is our relationship with Jesus,

despite all this. Are our palms open or closed? The choice is ours: to be blessed or to be unlucky.