Commentary on the Gospel of

Paulson Veliyannoor, CMF - Claretian Publications Philippines - Victoria Sanchez - Teacher in Madrid

Being Worthy of Sufferings

Read:
Prophet Malachi predicts the day of judgement. Paul encourages everyone to work and earn a living so as not to burden others. Jesus predicts the struggles of the end times and the persecution of the faithful ones.

Reflect:
Jesus speaks about the troubled times the world will go through and how his followers will suffer much persecution. For Christ’s sake, they will be hated by everyone and betrayed even by their own families. Many might become martyrs. But he also assures them that while they go through such sufferings, their hearts will be perfectly at rest, thanks to his grace. The Spirit will provide them the words to speak and the power to suffer. Their souls will have the grace to survive those moments in perfect fidelity to God. Dostoevsky said once: “There is only one thing I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings.” This is one thing that we can use for our daily examination of conscience: If and when such sufferings come, given the quality of my life today, will I be found worthy of them, in the name of the Lord?

Pray:
“Lord, make me worthy of the sufferings for your sake, if and when they come my way.”

Act: 
Read the life of a saint.

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  "Call to Hope "

Jesus strongly invites us not to be afraid in the face of the upheavals of every age, not even in the face of the most severe and unjust trials that afflict his disciples. He asks them to persevere in doing good and to put all their trust in God, who does not disappoint: "Not a hair of your head shall perish" (v.18). God does not forget his faithful, his precious property, which is us.
Today's gospel (Lk.5,19) tells us about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus wants to invite us to hope, because he does not want us to be afraid, fearful and sad. We know very well that evil exists, but that God has the last word.we cannot remain abandoned on tragic occasions.that is why we must have a look of joy, faith and hope.we cannot fail to understand the great warnings that God gives us: he speaks of dying, of being born, of disappearing, of ending... The Jewish temple disappeared but the church was born.
Jesus asks us for perseverance which is born of trust, and no difficulty will be able to destroy everything. We must persevere in faith. Today, we are going to question ourselves about hope. And we ask ourselves: Do I really have hope? Do I have perseverance, am I faithful, am I constant? Do I believe that God always loves me and fills me with joy every time I remember Him? May we never lose hope and may we be able to build our present with joy, with peace, serving the Lord with joy, because He loves us and He loves us. As for hope, we are called to never lose heart because Jesus tells us: "Do not be afraid, for not a hair of your head shall perish".
Let us ask Our Lady, our Mother of hope, to give us perseverance, confidence and faith, so that no difficulty can destroy our joy and our love in Jesus. May He be our goal and our faith.

Prayer: Give us, Lord, words of fire to set on fire the lukewarm hearts of those who do not yet know you. For your love can do all things.

"HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU ALL".

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