Good morning, mga kapatid. As we reflect on the Word of God today, let us hold onto three words that summarize our readings: Faith, Foresigh...
Good morning, mga kapatid. As we reflect on the Word of God today, let us hold onto three words that summarize our readings: Faith, Foresight, and Fidelity.
Faith comes from the reading in Hebrews, which defines faith as "the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." It's the central theme, with the entire passage recounting the faith of Abraham and Sarah.
Foresight comes from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus urges his disciples to be prepared, to have their lamps lit and their loins girt. The faithful steward has the foresight to be ready for the master's return, not knowing the hour.
Fidelity also comes from Luke, emphasizing the importance of being a faithful and wise steward, one who is trustworthy in the master's absence. This concept of being faithful to a trust or duty is echoed in the Wisdom reading, where the Israelites' fidelity to God's covenant is contrasted with the Egyptians' punishment.
First, let's talk about faith. Our faith is a precious gift. It's the wellspring from which our hope flows. The reading from Hebrews reminds us of our spiritual ancestors, like Abraham and Sarah, who, despite not seeing the promises fulfilled, held on to their faith. Their story is our story. As Filipinos, we are a people of deep faith. We see it in our daily lives—in the quiet prayers before a meal, in the joyful processions of our fiestas, in the comforting presence of our Santo Niño and our Mama Mary. This faith gives us the strength to face challenges, from personal struggles to national crises. Let's not lose this childlike trust in our Lord. Let us have the kind of faith that, like Abraham, is willing to journey into the unknown, trusting that God has a better plan for us.
Second, let's consider foresight. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to be ready, to be like servants waiting for their master's return. This isn't about fear; it's about wisdom. Foresight means living with a sense of purpose and urgency. It means not being complacent, but actively preparing for the future. For us Filipinos, this means being good stewards not just of our own lives, but of our communities and our nation. We have a saying, "Wala sa oras ang malas," which means "misfortune doesn't wait for a good time." But we can flip that. Let's be people who are always ready for God's call, and always ready to do what is right. Let's plan for a future where our children can thrive, where justice reigns, and where every Filipino can live with dignity. Foresight means we don't just pray for a better Philippines; we actively work to build it, day by day.
Finally, we have fidelity. The Gospel reading warns against the unfaithful steward, the one who takes advantage of his master's absence. Fidelity is about being loyal and true, especially when no one is watching. It is about keeping our promises and being trustworthy. We, as Filipinos, are called to be faithful stewards of the blessings God has given us—our families, our talents, our resources, and our rich culture. Fidelity to our faith means living out the Gospel values in our daily actions. It means being honest in our work, being kind to our neighbors, and standing up for the marginalized. In our national context, it means being faithful to our responsibility to each other—to fight corruption, to demand accountability, and to work for the common good.
So today, let us take these three F's to heart:
Faith: that anchors us in God's promises.
Foresight: that prepares us for what is to come.
Fidelity: that makes us true and trustworthy servants of the Lord.
May these three words inspire us to live as true and faithful Filipino people, always ready for the Master's return. Amen.
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