Team Jesus

 Matthew 18:21–35 tells a story of forgiveness and mercy toward one’s fellow brothers and sisters. In this gospel, a servant was forgiven an enormous debt by his master. However, when he faced the same situation with his fellow servant, he did not act with the same mercy and demanded immediate payment. When the master learned of his hypocrisy, he grew furious and punished him. Forgiveness must not be withheld when we are called to show grace and true compassion. Mercy is just as important when it comes to equality and justice. Extending grace as a child of God is a way to follow in His teachings. As a young person, I see how easily grudges and misunderstandings disrupt our relationships. There are times when we are blinded by anger, forgetting that true mercy should be freely given. After all, we're all just human; no one was made perfect. Choosing forgiveness, even in difficult situations, is what has enriched my faith and deepened my connection with God's word. Heavenly Fathe...

 Gospel Reflection  In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus teaches the disciples how to handle conflicts with one another. He tells them that when someone does something wrong, they should approach the person privately and talk about the situation instead of immediately involving other people.  This Gospel made me reflect on how I handle conflicts with the people around me. There are times when someone does something that hurts or disappoints me, my first reaction is to distance myself from them or keep my feelings to myself. As someone who doesn’t want to start an argument or make the situation worse, I feel uncomfortable telling them that they have done something wrong. However, Jesus shows me that avoiding the problem is not always the best way to deal with it.  I realized that handling conflicts does not always mean trying to prove that I am right. Sometimes, I become so focused on explaining my side of the story that I forget that the other person also has feelings and thei...

 In matthew 16:21-27, Jesus reminds His disciples that following Him is not always easy. He tells them that He must suffer, be rejected, and eventually be killed, but Peter finds it difficult to accept this. Jesus then teaches that anyone who wants to follow Him must be willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. This Gospel makes me realize that life will not always go according to what I want. There will be struggles, disappointments, and sacrifices, but these challenges can help me become stronger and closer to God. Sometimes, I may want to choose the easier path, but Jesus reminds me that doing what is right requires courage and faith. I also learned that success is not only about gaining things or pleasing other people, what truly matters is how I live my life and how I treat others. I should not lose myself just to achieve worldly things. Instead, I should trust God, remain faithful, and continue doing what is good even when it is difficult. “Take up your...

  In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus was talking to His disciples and asked them, “Who do you say that I am?”. Simon Peter then replied to him saying that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, which Jesus then affirmed His statement, blessed him, and renamed him “Peter” as a sign of authority for building His church. This Gospel reflects a lot about our view as a Christian and shows how deep our faith looks like with our relationship with God. It reminds us of our way of viewing Jesus personally and asks us if we truly have a genuine relationship with Him. When I read this Gospel, it also made me reflect about my view of Jesus as a believer. As someone who grew up in a religious household, I sometimes ask myself similar questions like, “Who is Jesus for me?” or “Do I really know him personally?”. These reflections really lead to me seeking an answer and wanting to learn more about my relationship with Him. Even though we say we are His followers, what makes it truly special is the g...

The gospel passage talks about the dominion and kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one chosen and presented to bring glory to the Almighty Father, meaning, His glory would not cease to exist. Moreover, this reminds us to always remember the will of the Father and His everlasting love that no man can replace.  This reflection serves as a reminder of the grace the Lord has showered upon this world. As all individuals should humble themselves and serve Jesus as He is the chosen Son of man; there is no one above him, other than God the Father of all creation. As Hebrew 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name”. - Sophia Rafaelah Engano

 Sunday's Gospel reminded me that faith is not just about knowing, but about doing. In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus asks, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do what I command?" It made me reflect on my own life. Am I just going through the motions, or am I truly living out my faith? As a youth, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. But Jesus' words challenge me to put my faith into action. Am I using my talents and abilities to serve others? Am I being kind and compassionate to those around me? In my daily life, I can start small. I can offer a smile to someone who needs it, or lend a helping hand to a friend. These little acts of kindness can make a big difference. Let's strive to live out our faith authentically, not just with our words, but with our actions. May we build our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings, and may our faith shine brightly in all we do. - Neil Jeff Bacquial