Mass Readings and Reflection for Thursday, August 13th, 2026

First Reading: (Ezekiel 12:1–12)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 78)

Response: Never forget the deeds of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation:

A new commandment I give you, says the Lord:

love one another as I have loved you.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Matthew 18:21–19:1)

Reflection:

Forgiveness! Forgiveness! Forgiveness! We all have have one or two things to say about this one. We also know that we often find it hard to forgive others and ourselves for several reasons.

Perhaps it is because of the kind of thing that was done to them. It could be betrayal or something more. We can find it hard to forgive one who betrayed or worse something more tragic  

It could also be because of the kind of person who did what they did. Perhaps it was a trusted friend, a spouse, or a sibling. No wonder the psalmist says, “If this had been done by an enemy, I could bear his stones. But it was done by you, someone I least expected it from.”

For that reason, some find it hard to forgive.

Some find it hard to forgive because of the number of times that the offender has consistently done it. It is not the first time, not the second, not the third, not even the fourth or the fifth. They kept doing the same thing all the time. They always did it. This time you said their cup was full, and you refuse to forgive.

Some find it hard to forgive because of how the offended felt, or still feels, as a consequence of what was done to them old time ago. They feel bitter. They feel empty. For that reason, some find it hard to forgive.

Others find it hard to forgive because the offenders have never ever apologized. Never have they said, “I am sorry for what I did.”

Perhaps if they apologized, they would have been forgiven.

Do you forgive someone who has never told you sorry for what they did?

For this reason, some find it hard to forgive.

Others find it hard to forgive because of the circumstances in which they found themselves before what was done to them. Perhaps they were desperate and needed help, but the help never came from those whom they expected it. And for that reason, they have chosen never to forgive.

If it were perhaps in an ordinary time, they would have understood. But not when they were desperate and badly needed your attention or help, and were failed.

And so on and so forth we go for plethora of reasons why some people find it hard to forgive.

Whatever the reasons may be, mind you, Jesus is not saying we should not feel hurt or feel bad. We have a right to feel hurt or to feel bad. When offended, we have every reason to be offended. We have every reason to feel sad. We have a right to express our feelings, our emotions, and disappointment.

Yet, there is also always a reason to forgive.

First, we forgive because God forgave us first. So it is a return favor.

In the parable, the king forgave the servant his debt. He expected him to show favor to his fellow servant.

“Look at you. I forgave you all that debt you owed me. Did you not also have to forgive your fellow servant?”

So we forgive because God forgave us first.

Look at the things we do to him. See how much we owe him, yet he forgives us our debt.

It is a reason, therefore, why we too must forgive others.

Do you know the kinds of things we do to God and how consistently, and even deliberately, we do them daily?

So we have no case to say, “I will not forgive because they have consistently done the same to me,” or, “I will not forgive because they deliberately did it.”

Yes, we do the same to God, yet he forgives us.

So it is a return favor.

We keep hurting God, yet he kept forgiving, and he kept no score of wrong.

We also have to forgive because it is the condition for our own forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a condition for our own forgiveness.

This is how God will refuse to forgive us if we refuse to forgive others.

And are you sure you are too good as not to need God's forgiveness?

And if the Lord were not to forgive us, who will survive?

“If you, O Lord, were to mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?”

But you see, he forgives us.

And that is the condition we hear from the parable:

“This is how my heavenly Father will deal with each one of you if you fail to forgive your brother or your sister.”

So if we choose not to forgive, it means we are telling God directly:

“Don't forgive us as well.”

And if God does not forgive, we shall not make heaven.

This is the reason we forgive.

Jesus went through all we have been through, even worse, yet he forgave.

Forgiveness is not because the offender deserves it. We are not doing them a favor.

Rather, we are returning a favor God has done to us first.

Forgiveness is also doing Y

ourselves a favor. We are doing yourselves a favor.

Because when we forgive, indeed, we are the beneficiaries.

The true beneficiary of forgiveness is the one who forgives.

By forgiving, we choose not to let what happened bother us.

We choose to free our hearts, our minds, and our souls.

We choose peace over war.

We choose our mental health over brooding over an act for which, for all we know, we are killing ourselves, the offender is enjoying their life.

Just a little caution.

Remember, we are not God.

We may choose not to forgive them. We may choose not to act nicely towards them or to stop being supportive.

Yes.

But remember, we are not God.

We don't give them life.

So, with or without us, they will go on living their best life.

So you see, it is us hurting ourselves when we choose  unforgiveness.

Forgiveness itself is a strength, not Weakness

Forgiveness becomes easy when we first forgive ourselves and remember how we are also sinners in need of God's forgiveness.

In fact, if not for God's forgiveness, we would not be here speaking.

Who are the people we found so hard to forgive?

Open our hearts and let them go.

Who are those who have offended us?

Even if they have never told us sorry, open our hearts and let them go.

Remember, we too need forgiveness from God.

God has forgiven you and I.

It is a return favor.

Forgive others and let them go.

And if it is us who offend others, why make it hard for them to forgive us?. Sometimes, we all play a role.

Let's go to them and apologize if we had a role in anything leading to their attitude or offense towards us.

Tell them we are sorry so that it can become an easy process for them to forgive us also.

Let us pray for that grace that both offender and offended may find the path, the journey towards peace and reconciliation, towards genuine forgiveness from the heart.

That offenders may always go to the offended and tell them they are sorry, acknowledge their mistake, and ask for forgiveness.

And that the offended may always find a place in their heart to forgive those who have offended them.

Amen 🙏 

God bless you 🙏 

Mass Readings and Reflection for Wednesday August 12th 2026

First Reading: (Ezekiel 9:1–7; 10:18–22)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 11)

R. The glory of the Lord is higher than the skies.

Gospel Acclamation:

God was in Christ
to reconcile the world to himself,
and the good news of reconciliation
he has entrusted to us.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Matthew 18:15–20)

Reflection:

At mass, the prieat told a story of a young firefighter who once shared an experience that changed his life forever.

During a house fire, he entered the smoke-filled building after hearing that a little girl was still inside. He found her frightened and hiding under a bed.

Seeing her, he gently called her name, reached out his hand, and said:

“Trust me, I have come to take you home.”

The little girl slowly reached out, took his hand, and was safely brought out of the burning house.

Later, the firefighter said:

“That day, I learned that people are not saved by fear alone; they are saved when someone cares enough to go after them.”

That story beautifully reflects today's readings.

God is never indifferent when his people are in danger. He does not abandon them. He reaches out to save, to correct, and to restore.

The first reading from Ezekiel presents one of the most dramatic visions in the Bible.

Jerusalem had become filled with injustice, idolatry and corruption. God's people had repeatedly ignored his warnings.

Before judgment falls upon the city, God commands that those who remain faithful, those who grieve over sin and long for holiness, be marked on their foreheads.

They are protected because they have remained loyal to God.

Then Ezekiel witnesses another heartbreaking moment: the glory of the Lord departs from the temple.

The temple was the visible sign of God's presence among his people. Yet, because of persistent sin and refusal to repent, God's glory gradually leaves.

This vision is not merely about ancient Jerusalem. It is a warning for every generation.

God never forces himself where He is not welcomed.

Whenever selfishness, dishonesty, hatred and indifference replace love, prayer and justice, God's presence is pushed aside-not because God stops loving us, but because we close our hearts to him.

What Do We Value?

The responsorial psalm also reminds us:

“The glory of the Lord is higher than the skies.”

God's glory is greater than every human achievement, power or success.

We often chase wealth, popularity and comfort, forgetting that true glory belongs to God alone.

When we live for God's glory rather than our own, our lives become peaceful and fruitful.

Jesus Gives Us a Way to Handle Conflict

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us a practical way of protecting God's presence within the Christian community.

He says:

“If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.”

Notice what Jesus does not encourage.

He does not encourage gossip.

He does not encourage public humiliation.

He does not encourage revenge.

His first concern is reconciliation.

His goal is not to win an argument.

His goal is to win back a brother or sister.

Speak to the Person, Not About the Person

How different our world would be if we followed this teaching of Jesus.

Today, disagreements often spread through social media, family divisions, workplace politics and church gossip.

Instead of speaking directly with the person involved, people speak to everyone else.

Relationships break apart because pride replaces humility.

Jesus invites us to become healers rather than agents of division.

He invites us to love, to focus on reconciliation, forgiveness and mercy.

As disciples of Christ, we are called to bring people back, to faith, to the family of God, and to one another.

That is our role as faithful disciples of Christ.

“Where Two or Three Are Gathered”

Jesus gives us another beautiful promise:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

The presence of Christ changes how we deal with one another.

If Christ is truly among us, there is no room for hatred, pride, revenge or gossip.

There must be room for mercy.

There must be room for forgiveness.

There must be room for reconciliation.

And there must always be a desire to bring the lost person home.

Like the firefighter who reached into the burning house for the frightened child, Christians are called to reach out to those who are wounded, separated,  lonely or drifting away from God's love.

Not with condemnation.

But with truth.

With love.

With patience.

And with the hand of Christ.

Amen.

Have a wonderful day 😊 

Mass Readings and Reflection On Tuesday, August 11th, 2026

First Reading: (Ezekiel 2:8–3:4)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 119)

Response:
How sweet is your promise to my tongue, O Lord.

Gospel: (Matthew 18:1–5, 10, 12–14)

Reflection

The Gospel readings these past  few days have been on point. Today's is of no exception. Childlike simplicity and greatness are contrary to what we believe in our world. We have grown up knowing that the greatest are those occupying positions of higher authority: those who call the shots, those who matter, those who are positively talked about, and the famous.

We have become accustomed to seeing the respect accorded to those in high office.

Oh, how we grew up wishing to be like them!

They even intimidate others because of their office and position. We hear it being said, “He is a big man. She is a big woman.” 

Now, the title “big man” or “big woman” is accorded to them, and respect is given to them, not necessarily for the great things they have done. It is simply for the position they occupy. Take the position they occupy from them, and that respect is gone with them as well. 

Because, yours truly, if respect and honor were to be accorded to people for what they have done and for the service they have rendered, some of our so-called “big men” or “big women” would be stripped of all their titles and positions.

We see great people being chauffeured, driven in expensive cars, and given privileged treatment. So much so that we have come to limit greatness to these external appearances only.

No wonder people fight for positions and can even kill for positions, not for service, but just for the glory attached to those positions.

But Jesus tells us that greatness is found in service rendered, not simply service received in the position occupied.

So, it is not enough to occupy a position. The question is:

How much service can be rendered?

Greatness is judged by the extent to which one makes oneself like a child, that is, to be of service, unassuming, forgetful of self, and, above all, humble.

If leaders or presidents of groups and associations were told that their responsibility was to do all the work of serving and cleaning while everyone else relaxed and ate, would anyone still want to be a leader?

Think about it.

If people were told that their office as leader or president was to do all the work while others enjoyed themselves, I wonder how many people would still vie for those positions. 

But how do we see service?

We see it as menial work and degrading to those in authority.

The executives sit and enjoy themselves and let the work be done by the ordinary members.

Yet it is precisely in that service that greatness is found and measured.

And if it is about service, a true servant is forgetful of self but ready to bring joy to others through his or her service.

In our lives and in our work, are we servants?

That is the true test of our greatness.

How much of ourselves do you give and burn out in service for others?

Not how much money we control.

Not how many people we have under us.

Not the number of decisions we can make concerning the lives of others.

We don't therefore need a position to be great.

We must not be heard or seen to be great.

The truly great people are mostly in the background, never seen, never heard, yet doing their work unnoticed and bringing joy to everyone else.

Like St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

In the little things, she found greatness.

Like St. Teresa of Kolkata.

In the little things, serving the poor, she found greatness.

Like our Lord Himself, Jesus Christ, humbling Himself to wash the feet of the apostles.

In that, he found greatness.

So, it is not about talking about our positions.

“Do you know who I am?”

“Do you know who you are talking to?”

We don't need to tell us who you are. Absolutely unnecessary. 

In our humility, we shall know who we are and so would the people around us.

But if we need to remind us of who we are, it means something is definitely off.

Amen

Mass Readings and Reflection on Monday, August 10th, 2026

First Reading: (2 Corinthians 9:6–10)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 112)

Response:
It goes well for the man who deals generously and lends.

Gospel: (John 12:24–26)

Reflection

Gospel reading today was brief but starting in the first reading, writing to the Corinthians in his second letter, St. Paul exhorts us to charity:

Let each one give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, but freely, because God loves cheerful givers.

And as we give, so shall we receive from God and from others.

A person reaps only what they sow. The measure you give is the measure you receive. I am always delighted when the Gospel talks about farming or animals. It tightens my understanding beyond words for I know more about farming perhaps than anything in my life. 

That reading is encouraging us to have open hands and hearts.

For God will never let us lack because God is able to enrich us so that we always have enough and our resources will always overflow.

I am a living prove of that. Try it, too. That is the magic of Christ-like charity.

The more open-handed you are, the more God blesses you. Not necessarily the material things. 

But the moment we think we can be stingy and keep for ourselves without being ready to share, we might never have enough.

Sometimes we fear to give or share, thinking we lose.

Therefore, the temptation is to be stingy or to be selfish.

No. That is the logic of charity: the more open-handed we are, the more we receive. But the more stingy we are, the lesser we get with God.

It is in giving that we receive.

It is in losing that we gain.

That is the irony.

This is the reason Jesus says in the Gospel passage that unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains but a single grain.

But when it loses itself, when it gives all of itself, it multiplies and bears much more.

How can we apply this text to ourselves fully?

It is by asking: What is our attitude towards charity?

First, as the Church, are we still concerned about the poor?

Or do we rather exploit the poor and feed fat on them?

And when we talk about the poor, it is not only those who do not have, but even the marginalized.

Do we speak for them and do we defend them?

The Church sometimes may be silent while the poor are oppressed and the oppressors keep oppressing them.

The Church is meant to be the voice of the voiceless, to speak out.

That is charity: to speak on behalf of the marginalized.

The Church also tries to reach out to the poor through organizations and associations like the Catholic Charity in the U.S.

We have St. Vincent de Paul societies in many churches, and in some of those churches we find boxes with the label, "St. Vincent the Poor-give to the poor."

How charitable are we?

How charitable are we to give, to see that our brothers and sisters who are less privileged also have something?

As individuals, do we do charity to the needy around us?

Even to our families, are we charitable?

How about charity to God

Do we give to God?

Are we charitable to God with our time, with our energy, with our talents, with our resources, and, oh yes, even with our lives?

Can we die for God?

And can we die for the Church as Lawrence did?

We should also be charitable with our words.

Some of us, we don't have kind words for anybody. 

Anytime we are to say something about some other person, they are negative, words that can hurt or kill. If we can say anything kind to people keeping silent is the best way to go. 

By all means, we should be charitable with our words.

And talking about giving, everyone can give something including those of us who believe we have nothing to give. 

As believers, when we pray, we can pray for people we wish we could give something to them but can't afford to. Please pray for people, sincerely.

What is my attitude towards charity? How open-handed am I?

Even in our little ways, yes, there is something we too can give.

Charity is about being ready to share even from our little.

And today being the feast day of St. Lawrence, may he intercede for us, that we too may be charitable to God and to others.

Amen.

This Is Why Semiconductors Are So Global

 

Mass Readings and Reflection Sunday, August 9th, 2026

First Reading: (1 Kings 19:9, 11–13)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 85)

Response:
“Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation.”

Second Reading: (Romans 9:1–5)

Gospel: (Matthew 14:22–33)

Reflection

The readings of this Sunday bring us comfort, consolation, and assurance.

When we are going through hardship and encounter difficult moments in life, we are never alone.

God comes to us.

God shows His face to us.

God brings us comfort, consolation, and assurance.

He never abandons us.

The question is:

Do we recognize Him when He comes to meet us?

Many times, when we are battered by difficult circumstances, we think or feel that God is far removed from us. We feel as though we are carrying our problems all by ourselves.

But perhaps the problem is not that God is absent.

Perhaps we simply fail to recognize His presence.

Look at the Gospel.

The disciples were in a boat in the middle of troubling waters. The wind was against them. The waves beating against the boat. They were afraid.

They were struggling.

And then Jesus came to them.

He came walking on the water.

They did not recognize Him at first. They were terrified and think they were seeing a ghost.

But Jesus immediately says:

“Take heart. It is I. Have no fear.”

Jesus came to journey with them.

He came to comfort them.

He came to assure them.

He came to rescue them.

He was there.

They will not sink.

Peter recognizes Jesus and asks to come to Him on the water.

Jesus says:

“Come.”

Peter steps out of the boat and began walking toward Jesus.

But then Peter looks at the wind.

He became afraid.

He began to sink.

And he cried:

“Lord, save me!”

What does Jesus do?

Does He abandon Peter because of his lack of faith?

No.

Jesus immediately reaches out His hand and catches him.

Even when Peter's faith becomes weak, Jesus remains faithful.

Then the first reading gave us another beautiful example.

Elijah was afraid. His life was being threatened by the wicked Queen Jezebel, and he fled to Horeb seeking refuge.

He was in a difficult moment.

He felt alone.

He was frightened.

Yet God comes to meet him.

There was a powerful wind.

But God was not in the wind.

There was an earthquake.

But God was not in the earthquake.

There was a fire.

But God was not in the fire.

Then comes a still, small voice.

A gentle whisper.

And Elijah recognizes the presence of God.

God did not need to arrive with thunder and spectacle.

He came quietly.

He came gently.

And in that quiet presence, Elijah received assurance:

“You are not alone. I am here with you.”

Where is God in your/ my storm? The same thing happens in our lives.

When we experience difficult moments, we often ask:

“Where is God?”

But perhaps the better question is:

“Can I recognize God in the middle of my storm?”

When friends fail you...

When your business fails..

When job fails..

When you do not succeed academically...

When sleep eludes you...

Health failure 

When society laughs at you or shames you...

When you are misunderstood, misinterpreted, or unappreciated...

When you feel discouraged or stressed...

When you are experiencing pain and frustration...

When your weaknesses and sins become the subject of laughter and mockery...

When you encounter sickness...

When death comes...

God comes to meet us.

And He tells you:

“Courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.”

The question is:

Do we recognize Him?

God is there, even when we cannot feel his presence. 

Sometimes we pray and hope that things will turn out positively, but they do not turn out the way we expected.

We ask God to change our circumstances.

We ask Him to remove the suffering.

We ask Him to take away the cross.

And when nothing changes, we may begin to think that God has abandoned us.

But God's presence does not depend upon our circumstances changing.

He remains with us even when the storm continues.

We are human beings with limited understanding. We cannot fully understand God's ways with our limited minds.

There are moments when we may feel that God has allowed us to undergo pain, suffering, and the cross.

We may even cry out, as Jesus did on the cross:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Yet even in that moment, God is there.

He was there for the disciples.

He was there for Elijah.

He was there for Paul.

And He is there for us.

Look for God's face. How, then, do we recognize God?

The readings remind us that God can reveal Himself in unexpected ways.

He came to the disciples walking on the water.

He came to Elijah through a gentle breeze and a quiet voice.

God can even reveal His presence through nature.

But He can also reveal His face to us through other people.

Therefore, we must be careful not to disregard the people God sends into our lives.

We may never know whom God is using to show His face to us.

Sometimes the person who encourages us, helps us, listens to us, forgives us, or simply stays beside us during a difficult moment may be an instrument through which God is reminding us:

“You are not alone.”

Do not be afraid, let us pray for the grace to recognize God's presence despite the difficulties we experience.

Let us never conclude that God has abandoned us simply because life has become difficult.

He is there.

He accompanies us.

He journeys with us.

He reaches out His hand when we begin to sink.

And when the storms of life become overwhelming, He says:

“Take heart. It is I. Have no fear.”

So, whatever storm we may be facing today, remember:

We are not alone.

Whatever battle we may be fighting:

We are not alone.

Whatever pain we might be carrying:

We are never alone.

Whatever uncertainty lies before us:

We are never alone.

God comes to meet us in our difficult moments.

May we have the eyes to recognize Him, the faith to trust Him, and the courage to reach for His hand.

And when we feel ourselves sinking, may we have the humility to cry out:

“Lord, save me!”

And may we always remember that His hand is already reaching toward us.

Courage. It is He. Do not be afraid.

Amen.

God bless you

Happy Sunday 

The $2 Trillion Dollars Gamble Based on Future Promises

 

Mass Readings and Reflection for Saturday, August 8th, 2026

First Reading: (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1–4)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 9)

Response:
You will not forsake those who seek you, O Lord.

Gospel: (Matthew 17:14–20)

Reflection: 

The Gospel today is all about when Jesus tells us that faith can move mountains, He is not speaking primarily about a physical mountain.

The mountain is a metaphor.

It represents the obstacles that stand in our way-the difficulties, struggles, disappointments, fears, and seemingly impossible situations that confront us on our journey through life.

And Jesus tells us that with faith, we can overcome.

We can surpass.

We can surmount the challenges that stand before us.

But what exactly is faith?

How much faith do we need?

And how does faith make seemingly impossible things possible?

The Disciples' Failure

In today's Gospel, the disciples find themselves in a difficult situation.

A possessed boy is brought to them for healing, but they are unable to help him.

They try, but they cannot cast out the demon.

They are helpless.

Fortunately, Jesus intervenes.

After Jesus heals the boy, the disciples approach him privately and ask:

“Why could we not cast it out?”

Jesus gives them a direct answer:

“Because of your little faith.”

Then he tells them that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

This should make us stop and reflect.

Could it be that some of the things we have been unable to accomplish are connected to our lack of faith?

Could fear, doubt, impatience, and our tendency to rely entirely upon ourselves be preventing us from trusting God fully?

Faith is belief in God.

But faith also gives us the confidence to believe that, with God's help, we are capable of facing what lies before us.

Sometimes we hear someone say:

“I have faith in you.”

In Pidgin English, we might say:

“I get you faith.”

It means:

I believe in you. I believe you can do it. I don't doubt you.

Faith gives us that push.

Faith gives us strength.

Faith gives us a positive disposition when circumstances tell us to give up.

When we face a challenge, we are called to believe in God and to believe that, with his help, we can continue moving forward.

We must learn to see beyond the obstacle.

We must see the possibility.

And we must keep pushing.

Faith does not mean that we rely solely upon ourselves.

Rather, faith means trusting in the God who works through us.

God can accomplish infinitely more than we can think or imagine.

Sometimes faith means simply hanging on to that little lifeline when everything around us seems to be telling us to let go.

That is where perseverance begins.

If faith gives us the strength to continue, what causes us to lose it?

There are several things.

Fear

Fear can destroy faith.

We become afraid of failure.

We look at the difficulties before us and begin thinking about how limited we are.

We forget the power of God and focus entirely on our own weakness.

And when we think everything depends upon our own strength, fear takes over.

But faith reminds us:

I am not alone.

God is with me.

Another thing that destroys faith is our obsession with timing.

We begin counting the months and years.

“I have prayed for six months.”

“I have prayed for two years.”

“I have been waiting for four years.”

And because the answer has not yet arrived according to our schedule, we conclude that God has forgotten us.

But beloved, God's timing is not our timing.

We cannot reduce God's plan to our human calendar.

The fact that something has not happened yet does not necessarily mean that God has abandoned us.

Sometimes faith means continuing to wait.

Continuing to pray.

Continuing to trust.

Continuing to believe.

The come doubt and it can slowly weaken our faith.

We may begin with confidence, but then the questions enter our minds:

“Will it really happen?”

“Is this even possible?”

“Maybe I should give up.”

Doubt can become so powerful that it makes us abandon what we once believed was possible.

Faith does not mean that we never have questions.

It means that our questions do not become greater than our trust in God.

Comparing Our Lives With Others

Another dangerous enemy of faith is comparison.

We see someone whose situation resembles ours and say:

“They went through the same thing, but theirs was resolved in two months. Why has mine taken so long?”

But your life is not their life.

Your journey is not their journey.

And even when two people experience similar circumstances, God may choose to act differently in each person's life.

So do not compare notes with God.

Leave God to be God.

Comparison can make us believe that God is late simply because he did not follow someone else's timetable.

Trusting Ourselves More Than God

Sometimes our greatest obstacle is ourselves.

We believe everything depends upon our own strength.

Then we encounter something bigger than our abilities, and suddenly we become discouraged.

The disciples experienced something similar.

When they encountered resistance, they discovered that their own strength was insufficient.

The lesson is not that human effort is unnecessary.

Quite the opposite.

God expects us to act.

But our human effort must be joined with trust in God.

We must work-but we must also surrender.

We must strive-but we must also trust.

Abraham: Faith That Waits

Consider Abraham.

According to human calculations, Abraham had every reason to give up.

The promise seemed to be taking too long.

Human reasoning could have told him:

“This is impossible.”

But Abraham continued to believe.

He continued to trust.

He continued to wait.

His story reminds us that God's promises do not always unfold according to our timetable.

Sometimes faith is not about seeing the answer immediately.

Sometimes faith is simply refusing to give up while waiting for the answer.

Mary: Faith That Surrenders

Then look at our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary.

From a purely human perspective, what was announced to her seemed impossible.

How could a virgin conceive?

Yet Mary's response was one of surrender:

“I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your will.”

Mary did not have every detail explained to her.

She did not know exactly how everything would unfold.

But she trusted.

She surrendered.

She believed.

That is faith.

Whatever Your Mountain Is Today

Perhaps your mountain is sickness.

Perhaps it is a family problem.

Perhaps you are looking for employment.

Perhaps you are struggling financially.

Perhaps you are carrying a burden that nobody else knows about.

Perhaps you have prayed for something for years and still have not seen the answer.

Whatever your mountain may be, today's Gospel gives you a simple message:

Do not give up.

Jesus speaks of faith as small as a mustard seed.

The point is not that you need enormous faith.

Even a small faith, when placed in God, can give you the strength to continue.

Faith gives you the disposition to:

• Keep praying.

• Keep believing.

• Keep working.

• Keep trusting.

• Keep persevering.

• Keep waiting.

• Keep moving forward.

Your story is not finished.

God is still writing it.

Wait for the Vision

The first reading from Habakkuk gives us another important lesson.

There is a vision.

And the message is essentially:

Wait for it.

The vision may take time.

But that does not mean it has failed.

This is where patience becomes essential.

We often ask:

“How long must I wait?”

One year.

Two years.

Three years.

Four years.

But faith says:

Keep waiting.

Not because we know exactly when the answer will come, but because we trust the One who holds our future.

God's Time Is Not Our Time

This may be one of the hardest lessons in the spiritual life.

We want answers now.

We want healing now.

We want employment now.

We want the relationship restored now.

We want the financial breakthrough now.

We want the door to open now.

But God does not operate according to our timetable.

That does not mean we become passive.

We pray.

We work.

We seek opportunities.

We make responsible decisions.

We do what is within our power.

But after doing our part, we must learn to surrender the outcome to God.

Faith is trusting God while continuing to do your part.

Faith is not merely something we keep inside ourselves.

Faith should produce action.

Faith should produce courage.

Faith should produce service.

Faith should move us to proclaim the truth and live the Gospel.

A Prayer for Today:

Lord Jesus,

give me faith.

Give me faith when I am afraid.

Give me faith when I am tired.

Give me faith when the answer seems delayed.

Give me faith when I look at my circumstances and see only obstacles.

Give me faith when I compare my life with others.

Give me faith when doubt begins to take over.

Help me to trust you more than I trust my own calculations.

Teach me to work diligently while surrendering the outcome to you.

When I cannot see the road ahead, help me to trust the One who can.

When I feel like giving up, remind me that my story is not yet finished.

Give me the patience to wait for your time.

Give me the courage to keep moving.

Give me the humility to surrender.

And give me faith, even if it is only as small as a mustard seed.

May that faith help me overcome the mountains before me.

Through the intercession of Saint Dominic, help me to remain faithful, courageous, patient, and trusting.

Amen.

Faith is all that is needed to surmount the challenges of life.

Pray.

Work.

Persevere.

Wait.

Trust.

And keep believing.

May we Keep the faith. Keep praying. Keep going.

Amen

AI Frontier 2026

Mass Readings and Reflection For Friday, August 7th, 2026

First Reading: (Nahum 1:15; 2:2; 3:1–3, 6–7)

Responsorial Psalm: Deuteronomy 32

Response: I kill and I make alive.

Gospel: (Matthew 16:24–28)

Reflection

Today Gospel is one of those challenging ones. I watched a mass online and the priest started by saying, "Suppose someone asked you to sell your life. How much would you accept in exchange for it?" What monetary value could possibly equal your life?

The truth is that our lives are priceless. No amount of money can adequately compensate for the loss of one's life.

Yet people often measure value by price. Many boast about expensive possessions, believing that the cost of an item determines its worth. We hear people say, "Do you know how much I paid for it?" or "Do you know where I bought it?" In today's world, expensive possessions are often treated as symbols of success and superiority.

Jesus, however, asks a far deeper question:

"What shall a man give in return for his life?" (Matthew 16:26)

Here, Jesus is speaking not merely about earthly life but about eternal life.

How much do you value heaven?

What earthly possession, pleasure, or achievement is valuable enough for you to risk losing eternal life?

Is it money?

Is it power?

Is it fame?

Is it pleasure?

Is it status?

Nothing on earth is worth losing heaven.

Even more challenging is the question of forgiveness. Is there anyone so important that you would refuse to forgive them and allow bitterness to separate you from God?

Who is worthy of keeping you out of heaven?

No one.

Absolutely no one.

Holding onto resentment until death is far too high a price to pay. No person deserves to stand between you and eternal life.

Jesus asks:

"What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?"

What good are wealth, possessions, influence, and worldly success if they ultimately lead us away from God?

Everything on earth will pass away.

Even if someone enjoyed every comfort imaginable for eighty or a hundred years, such pleasures are insignificant compared with eternity.

Christ invites us to choose wisely and invest in what truly lasts.

Where are you investing your life?

Are you investing only in earthly success, or are you investing in heaven?

Many people fear suffering, persecution, sacrifice, and the cross. We naturally seek comfort and security. Yet Jesus teaches a profound paradox: earthly pleasures can draw us away from God, while faithfully carrying the cross leads us to eternal life.

The path of discipleship may involve sacrifice, but it is the road that leads to everlasting joy.

As you go about your day, keep asking yourself:

What is my eternal life worth?

What could anyone possibly offer me that would justify losing heaven?

The answer remains the same:

Nothing.

Life in heaven cannot be bought.

Life in heaven should never be exchanged for temporary pleasures.

May we never allow anything, or anyone, to steal our inheritance in Christ.

Choose heaven.

Choose Christ.

Choose eternal life.

Amen.