CORRECTION

CORRECTION

 

“And I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit.” – Acts 20:20

 

I was practicing for a presentation and asked my wife for her opinion. She gave me high marks on the content and praised me for the delivery. She added, “I have a suggestion. Observe your pauses, your “ahhs” and “uhms.” When you are thinking of the next thing to say, just stop. It’s not that bad but it can improve your delivery.”

Getting that feedback was a little painful at first. After all, I’ve been doing this for 20 years. But in the end, I knew it was done out of love and for my benefit. I decided to pause during lulls and minimized my “uhms.” I have not totally gotten rid of it yet but I’m a whole lot better now.

When a brotherly or sisterly correction is given to you, you have two choices. Dismiss it entirely using your pride or look at it as a gracious gift from God to make you a better person.Jun Asis (mabuting.balita@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Corrections done with love and logic will help you improve your relationship with God.

 

Lord, may I be able to accept my limitations and work toward improving myself and not be blinded by pride.

GRANT HIS PRAYER, PLEASE

 

The most famous after-dinner address in history is our Gospel today. The place was the Upper Room in Jerusalem. The occasion was the meal that annually commemorates the Exodus, the Israelites’ way of thanking Yahweh for delivering them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt.

Jesus delivered this most famous after-dinner address and 11 of His disciples comprise His audience. One was missing: Judas Iscariot who, earlier that evening, scooted off on some clandestine business.

His after-dinner address was a farewell to the men He loved, lived and worked with. He did not only teach them God’s message; He also trained them how to relay the same message to the world after His departure from their sight. The future of God’s message was placed in their hands.

But even as He spoke, Jesus knew that one already failed: Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him. This gave more significance to His words. With betrayal and certain death, all He cared for was the 11 to whom He entrusted His Gospel. His “hour” had come; His days were over. This after-dinner speech was unique in the sense that it was not even addressed to His audience. Jesus, with eyes raised to heaven, spoke to His Father. This specific chapter of John’s Gospel is called the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. But while not addressed to His audience, Jesus wanted them to hear His prayer, for it was for their benefit that He prayed. And we have the blessed chance to eavesdrop because in praying for His disciples, Jesus prayed also for us.

There is nothing that Jesus asks from the Father that the Father will not grant. However, the answer to Jesus’ “high priestly prayer” depends not only on the Father. It also depends on us. When we cooperate with the grace that comes from the Father, the fulfillment of Jesus’ great priestly prayer happens. What we become upon the action of the Father’s grace and our cooperation with it is our answer to Jesus’ prayer. While we hope that Jesus answers every prayer of our heart, can we be the answers to His prayer to the Father? Please, grant His prayer. Fr. Bobby Titco

 

Reflection Question:

Can I be the answer to Jesus’ prayer to the Father?

 

Amen, Jesus. Amen.

 

St. Venantius, pray for us.