REFLECTIONS TODAY

There are many places in the world, especially where Catholics are the majority, where the clergy and the religious are held in high esteem.
People treat Church people with extraordinary kindness. This comes with our association with Jesus. Nevertheless, there is also always hostility to be expected when one labors in the apostolate. Not all are welcoming of the Gospel.
It is easy to fall into the trap of taking this hostility personally, but as workers in the vineyard, we should view the greater picture and think as our Lord would.
Did he not weep over Jerusalem when he knew destruction was around the corner when its inhabitants refused to heed his call to repentance? (Lk 19:41-42).
As the Lord was so concerned with the salvation of the Jerusalemites, we should also be concerned with the salvation of those who slight us, instead of being overly sensitive. Let us reflect on how we face criticisms and insults when living out our faith.
Gospel • Luke 10:13-16
Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.