Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Author: A Dose of God Today

  • TO SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY

    TO SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY

    September 2, 2025 – Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090225.cfm)

    How is your language? How do you speak to others? I do not mean of a particular “language of a group of people” like English, German, Italian or Filipino. What I mean rather is the quality of our conversation with others. Does our language then, speak of gentleness and compassion? Or does our language use hate speech, express anger and malice? Do you converse to gossip, create confusion and lies?

    Indeed, there is power in language not just as a medium of communication, but also, as a medium of healing and bringing freedom. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, spoke with authority and his language brought healing and freedom to the person.

    The people in Capernaum were amazed at Jesus when he spoke and taught them. They were not amazed at his eloquence and fluency in the language but more astonished at his words that were spoken with authority.

    Jesus spoke and taught them not like the Scribes and Pharisees. They spoke to brag about how good and righteous they were, yet, demanding to be praised and recognized at public places. Those very people burdened the ordinary folk with many laws to observe and punishments in not following the law. Jesus also spoke not like the Roman authorities and soldiers who would demand that people should pay their taxes and be subjected to their authority.

    The words that Jesus spoke to them made them alive and free and not fearful and resentful. It means that the words of Jesus generates life, freedom, peace and reconciliation.

    This was clearly manifested when Jesus encountered an evil spirit. The evil spirit that burdened the man, made him suffer. The evil spirit subjected the man to bitterness and hatred. Yet, it was powerless before Jesus. The words and the presence of Jesus brought light into the life of that man. Jesus healed the man and broke the oppressive influence of the evil spirit through his life-giving words, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

    These powerful words of Jesus came from his very person. Because Jesus’ intention was honest, his words were of kindness, and his actions generous. As a result, that encounter became life-giving and freeing for the man possessed and oppressed by the evil spirit.

    The Lord Jesus also calls us today that we too may find life and freedom in his words and presence. The holy scriptures and this Eucharist are concrete ways of the Lord to speak to us. In hope, may we also learn to speak with authority like Jesus so that we become life-giving and instruments of freedom in our community.

    Let us examine our words and our encounters with people today. Are my words and presence life-giving or condemning? Am I giving freedom or condemnations? Are my words and speech filled with hatred and anger or peace and kindness? Do I speak to only bring gossip and lies or speak the truth and goodness of others?

    If we find that our words and presence express more of condemnation, judgments, hate and bitterness, gossips and lies – allow Jesus to transform us. Allow Jesus to cast the evil spirit in us so that we too will be healed and become free. Hinaut pa.

  • From HATE to LOVE: A Journey of Humility

    From HATE to LOVE: A Journey of Humility

    A reflection by Roger E. Miranday

    The First Reading from Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 reminds me of the beauty and importance of living with humility. It teaches that the greater I become, the more  I must humble myself before God, for humility is the foundation of true wisdom and strength. This passage calls me to recognize that pride and self-centeredness only lead to downfall, while a humble heart finds favor with the Lord. My own experiences have shown me how fragile life can be, and how much I need humility to see beyond myself and return everything to God.

    Roger E. Miranday

     

    The Struggles of Humility (H.A.T.E.)

    Humility is difficult for me because of the challenges I face in my attitudes and emotions. These can be summarized in the word H.A.T.E.

     

    H – Humiliating others: Sometimes, I hurt people by putting them down to make myself feel better. Even when corrected, I find it difficult to admit that I am wrong.

     

    A – Anger: When I am humiliated, I react immediately with anger. I hold grudges and find it hard to forgive, which only distances me from others.

     

    T – Tactlessness: I often rely on my own thinking, believing that I am always right. This makes me insensitive to the feelings and suggestions of others.

     

    E – Envy: I sometimes desire what others have, and  to the point that i forget to value the blessings of God has already given me.

     

    These weaknesses make humility a constant struggle because they pull me towards pride and selfishness

     

    One painful day, I saw my eldest brother fighting against his illness. I witnessed how much he struggled because he wanted to live for his children, who were still very young. I cried because I knew his desire to live was strong, but sadly, he passed away. That experience humbled me deeply. It made me realize that everything returns to God. It reminded me to live with humility and not to take life for granted.

     

    The Power of Humility (L.O.V.E.)

    As a young person, I believe humility builds strong relationships. It can be expressed in the word L.O.V.E.

     

    L – Love: Because doing everything with love, even in small ways, helps me live with humility and connect meaningfully with others.

     

    O – Openness: Because for me, openness means not only sharing myself with others but also embracing my own flaws and imperfections. And i believe it allows me to build stronger bonds with others.

     

     V – Valuing: Because learning to value even the smallest things helps me live with gratitude and nurture deeper relationships.

     

    E – Equality: Because seeing everyone as equal, regardless of status or background, allows me to treat others with fairness and respect.

     

    Through L.O.V.E., humility becomes a bridge that strengthens my connection with others and with God.

     

    Through my experiences, I have learned that humility is not always easy to practice, but it is one of the most valuable virtues I can embrace. The loss of my brother made me realize how fragile life truly is, and that both material possessions and even our dearest relationships ultimately belong to God.

    At the same time, I recognize the struggles within myself summarized in H.A.T.E. that make humility difficult to live out. Yet, by choosing L.O.V.E. every day, I now see that humility is the key to becoming a better person. In the end, humility teaches me to appreciate life, to respect others, and to live with a heart grounded in gratitude and love.

  • Better Christian

    Better Christian

    August 31, 2025 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083125.cfm)

    We may argue that having religion does not always make us good person. Because as experienced, we hear & know of people having no religion leading very good moral lives, as well as of people having religion leading questionable & not exemplary lives.

    However, just because having religion does not always make us good person, it does not mean that we don’t need religion. Religion make us connected with God. Even though we can be good or bad person in this life regardless of religion, religion – having relationship with God makes us not only better than just good persons in this life, but makes our life meaningful & worthwhile in this life now & beyond.

    Yes, we can be good or bad atheist, and we can be good or bad faithful in this life, but having religion & faith in this life makes us strive to be better and to rise above the occasion in this life & to the life to come before God. For we know that people of faith are more resilient, hopeful, directed, forward-looking, persevering & joyful amid daily challenges & adversities of life, and people of no faith are prone to vanity & despair in life.

    Regardless of religion & morals, what Jesus particularly requires of us Christian, His followers & believer is to have our righteousness (our right relation with God) exceed from that of others. He said “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes & Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.”

    Meaning as believers of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is not enough to do good & have religion in life, (like the scribes, Pharisees & ethical well-behaved people) but we should rise above the occasion & live a better version of our Christian faith & life before God and all. It is not enough then just to do good & right, we must also be witnesses of Christ to others in loving one another as God commanded of us to be in life.

    And here particularly in our gospel, Jesus reminds us that having religion is more that just about social norms & public etiquette. Having faith & religion is all about our loving concern & humble service with others. It all about  celebrating God’s banquet of life for all with everyone… regardless of having status, position, titles & prestige in the church faith & life. 

    And as we do our part in the celebration, Jesus even advises us here not to exalt, but rather humble ourselves & be more concerned of the last, the least & the lost amongst us “for you will repaid at the resurrection of the righteous”. Yes, HAVING religion does not assure & make us good persons, but DOING religion & practicing our faith then could make us Better Christians in life.

    Siya Nawa. Hinaut pa unta. So May It Be. Amen.

  • Not out of Fear but from Gratitude & Generosity

    Not out of Fear but from Gratitude & Generosity

    August 30, 2025 – Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083025.cfm)

    People who struggle with low self-esteem may find it so difficult to share their talents and express themselves. The fear of being judged and being rejected by others could hamper a person to share and express himself or herself. Many times, one could not avoid such fear because people tend to easily notice the negatives, failures and the ugly.

    More so, we may also tend to compare ourselves with others. To realize how others enjoy many things than us or how others possess more than us, could make our heart envious. Among siblings and friends, it can be painful when others stress who is better, brighter, and more talented among us. This can make the “lesser self” become bitter towards others and towards himself or herself.

    Such outlook in life would hold us back from developing healthy and life-giving relationships because of our poor self-image and low self-esteem. We too may tend to hide in fear and bury our potentials. Thus, we endanger ourselves to become stagnant and unproductive.

    The parable in today’s Gospel reminds us of this through the third servant. Yet, it also challenges us to see beyond our limitations and embrace our potentials. This becomes more possible in us as we grow in gratitude and generosity and not out of fear.

    Indeed, the servants were given “talents” (a particular amount of material wealth) by their master. Each was given different amount of talents, “each according to his ability.” The master realized the ability of each of his servant and so they were entrusted as the master saw it fitting for them.

    When we are the ones in this situation and having a low self-esteem, we too might compare ourselves especially when we have received less. We could become bitter and reactive towards the master who entrusted little in our care. We could feel envious of others who received more.

    The third servant represented this kind of heart. He was rather filled with fear and bitterness towards the master, towards others and himself. And so, he decided to bury his talents. That made him unproductive and having a bitter perspective of the generosity of the master. He might have despised the master and his companions too. Yet, he too could have pitied himself for having less.

    However, the two other servants no matter how much they have received understood what the master wanted them to do. With the talents given to them, they began to take risks and invested what they have possessed.

    The two servants have given us the model of becoming grateful and generous. This made them productive and even discovered the wonders behind their abilities and potentials. This was manifested at how the master entrusted them with more.

    This is how we are invited today. There is no reason for constantly comparing ourselves with others. When this becomes an unhealthy behavior in us, it will remove us from being free, grateful and generous. We will be prevented to become more productive in our own way.

    We are challenged, then, to confront and outgrow our fears, our low self-esteem, and begin to affirm ourselves and the gifts we have no matter how small or limited we may think of them.

    Like the two other servants, the Lord wants us to take risks, to be creative, to be productive in our own ways. The Lord gives the grace in each of us, each according to our ability. This is not because God discriminates us but in God’s wisdom, God sees our capabilities.

    And so we pray, “Lord, make my heart more grateful and generous. Teach me to affirm the gifts I have and my very self. Challenge me when I begin to doubt your wisdom and generosity in me. May my heart be more courageous in sharing myself and find joy in it.” Hinaut pa.

  • The Light of our Faith

    The Light of our Faith

    August 29, 2025 – Passion of St. John the Baptist

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/0829-memorial-passion-john-baptist.cfm)

    Evil seems stronger that good. Darkness seems stronger than light. Lies seem stronger than truth. This can be discouraging and frustrating when such things happen in our life and in our society.

    Take for example when ordinary citizens would do their best to earn a living yet powerful political and government officers would suck out the national treasury. Leaders living in comfort and luxury while ordinary citizens living in poverty and suffering from poor social services. Take for example of murders and killings perpetrated by those with money as their power while families of victims being threatened and justice being deprived.

    Yet, in every age and generation, God chooses prophets among us who take courage and the risk to speak God’s desires for us. These are the prophets who make a stand even when their lives are threatened and find joy even when persecuted.

    Today’s feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist somehow portrays such painful reality. John who prepared the way of the Lord, led people to repentance and proclaimed God’s salvation was beheaded cruelly. John, who died a martyr’s death, paid this price by having the courage to pinpoint the wrong and immorality of those in power.

    Herod who coveted his brother’s wife, Herodias, though liked to listen to John, did not change his ways. Herod was rather submerged into corruption and immorality. Herodias despised John so much for challenging their relationship. Her daughter, who was indifferent towards the situation acted on impulse and without right judgment.

    John was fully aware of the risks but he did as the Lord commanded him to do. John’s life echoed what was written in the Book of Jeremiah, “Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you.” The voice of John the Baptist became a beacon of light despite the seemingly powerful darkness. He became a hope in the midst of hopeless and corrupt leaders.

    He was beheaded, yet, the spirit of John the Baptist and his voice continued to echo. Hence, his passion does tell us now of God’s power to defeat evil with good, to turn darkness into light, and to correct lies with the truth.

    With his life and his passion, John is now an inspiration for us Christians. The faith that we have received, is our light that shall guide and inspire our conscience. The light of our faith motivates our hearts to love more and to seek what is true and good. The light of our faith brings encouragement and strength in times when we are being tried or threatened. This light of our faith makes us sing and proclaim God’s salvation and freedom for us.

    And so we pray, “Lord, increase my faith in you. Empower my heart and mind that I may be your own prophet in my own family, group of friends and community. Inspire in me the desire to seek the light, what is good and true.” Hinaut pa.