Courage!

The story is told about an elderly woman who was asked by the prosecutor: “Ma’am, do you know me?” The woman replied that she had known him since he was a boy, and proceeded to say that he was a gambler, a womanizer, and a cheater. Stunned, and not knowing what to do, the prosecutor pointed to the defense lawyer, and asked if she knew him. She said the same things about him. At this point, the judge told the two lawyers to approach and whispered to them: “If either of you asks her if she knows me, you’ll be jailed for contempt!”

In today’s Gospel (Mt. 10, 26-33), Jesus tells His disciples not to fear because “nothing is concealed that will not be revealed.” He goes on to assure His disciples not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Indeed, fear can cripple or even silence us. The bottom line is that we have a Father who loves us, provides for us, and protects us.

Have we kept quiet or kept our distance because of fear? Have we taken the safe way in the face of danger, inconvenience, or intimidation? Let us look into our hearts today if we have denied the Lord and His Gospel truths in any way whatsoever. The Lord’s encouragement is clear: “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.” The Lord’s warning is equally clear: “But whoever denies me before others I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

The best way to overcome our fears is to surrender everything to the Father with trust. We all have fears, real or imagined. A strong relationship with God can help us face and overcome our fears, and it is in prayer that we begin to see the light and gain courage. “Come, Holy Spirit!” Pray this prayer continuously and sincerely when fearful, anxious, or afraid.

The evil one is the master of fear and accusation. Anyone who uses such tactics is an agent of the evil one who is described in the Bible as “the great accuser of our Brethren.” We have a choice: to be agents of the holy One, the Paraclete and the Comforter, or to be agents of the evil one, the master of fear and accusation.

Today we pray: “Lord, help us to trust more and worry less, to hope more and despair less, to believe more and doubt less, to pray more and talk less, to praise more and criticize less.”

Our confrere, Fr. Lawrence Llona, SVD, left last June 14 for a special ministry in Uganda where he will work in refugee settlements. After he was collected at the airport in Kampala, he met a vehicular accident and suffered injuries from which he is now recuperating. Father Lawrence was initially assigned to work in South Sudan but the assignment was deferred because of the crisis situation there. Determined to serve in a difficult foreign mission, he asked to be assigned in another country in Africa.

Let us pray for Father Lawrence and for other missionaries who have left home and country, braving loneliness, pain, deprivation, danger, and persecution for the Lord. Their courage and generosity are an inspiration for all of us.

Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, and Bishop Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando, La Union, died on the same day at separate hospitals in Manila last June 17. We pray for them, and ask them to pray for us who are still in an earthly pilgrimage. We thank the Lord for the gift of our faith that gives us hope and the courage to face our fear of death itself.

Prayer to Mama Mary for peace in Mindanao: “O Maria! Maryam! You are greatly honored by Muslims and Christians alike. Please pray for us to our Lord God to end the conflict in Mindanao, that the good will win, and that the forces of Satan who rejoice in division and death be stopped and brought to justice. May peace be restored for the safety and security of our loved ones, friends and fellow Filipinos. May your immaculate heart  triumph in the land of promise. Amen.”

Relentless is a Singles and Youth Faith on Fire event endorsed by Cardinal Luis Tagle, where youths from the diocese of Manila will gather. It will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 1, 1-7 p.m.  The event will showcase new ways of evangelizing the millennials. Admission is free.

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to have courage and not fear because You are with us always and in all ways. Amen.