REFLECTONS TODAY One powerful witness that I have seen is when I was a seminarian a priest took me along in a sick call. It was my first time to witness the rite of the Anointing of the Sick. When the priest was done, the relatives of the sick person thanked him, but not without offering him an envelope which I believed contained some money. The priest politely refused, saying he was only doing his duty. This experience inspires me until now on how to try to be a real pastor for the people of God. The Lord freely calls one to the vocation of priesthood, and he sustains him in his long formation. Hence, it is only right that the priest returns God’s favor by freely and lovingly serving the people entrusted to his care. As the theme, taken from Matthew 10:8, for the celebration of the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines reminds us, we are “gifted to give.” Gospel • Matthew 10:7-15 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words — go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).