Word: Our faith in the Good Shepherd gives power to our community.
Order: “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” (Mk 5:36b)
Reflection:
Faith is believing what we cannot see or touch, because if we believe only what our eyes see and our hands can touch, it is no longer faith, but sight, a fact, supported by evidence or empirical study.
We have faith in the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit – whom we can neither see nor touch because of the testimony of many, enshrined in Scripture and written by the patriarch and prophets of yore to whom God spoke in the Old Testament, and by men to whom Jesus revealed himself in flesh, blood, and spirit in the New Testament.
To this day we know, and believe, because His Spirit moves in us, around us, and among us in the many amazing miracles we have witnessed in our midst, feats that no mere man can accomplish. We sense the manifestations of His Spirit in the unfolding circumstances of our lives that reveal His beauty, power and love. As renewed Catholics, we know for sure because His Word is living and effective, and the gifts of His Holy Spirit enables us to work wonders, miracles, even mighty deeds.
Our Readings for the month of July demonstrate one distinct characteristic of our Lord Jesus Christ – that of a Good Shepherd. The good shepherd pastors his flock with care to ensure that not a single one is lost. He is prepared to lay down his life for his flock, braving weather and bad terrain so his flock will be well tended and safe. The good shepherd is proactive, thinks solely of his sheep, and does what is good for them. It is to no surprise that his sheep know his voice, respond to him with love, and follow him. They trust him implicitly, they feel safe, secure and loved in the comforting presence of their shepherd.
Trust is the key word in walking by faith and not by sigh. Often, in the Gospel, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid, assuring them that He is always with them, till the end of time. Likewise, he exhorts us not to fear, but to have faith in His word and promise, because He will never abandon us. He will supply us with all we need. Yet, this is easier said than done. The reality is that we frequently waver in our faith, especially when we rely solely on our own capabilities. People tend to complicate life, when actually, all that is needed in following Christ is to simply rely on His abundant grace and submit to His will.
The community word for the month tells us clearly that, “Our faith in the Good Shepherd gives power to our community.” As its name suggests, BLD means openness in spirit to God. Meaning, the more we open ourselves as a community to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, the more freely inspiration flows from our Global Community Spiritual Director to the global and district leadership, to the members. Through this, our community will surely catch “fire”, becoming vibrant and empowered, a community where the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit are visibly used and enjoyed by its members.
The themes and promises of each week of July show how our faith in Jesus can grow as we practice and put to life His Word.
In the 1st week, our theme is: We demonstrate faith in the Good Shepherd when we proclaim God’s message without fear. In the gospel reading, Jesus tells Jairus who had asked him to heal his daughter, “Do not be afraid, just trust me” (Mk 5: 36). From Mark 5: 34, speaking to the woman he cured of hemorrhage, comes our promise of the week: “…Your faith has healed you”.
In the 2nd week, our theme is: We demonstrate faith in the Good Shepherd when we proclaim God’s message without fear. All of us are called to proclaim the Good News to every nation and to all ages. It is imperative that as we heed this call, we should trust the power of the Holy Spirit in exercising His gifts. Again, not to fear, for it is by the power and authority given by Jesus himself that we proclaim His Word, and bring healing and deliverance to others. His promise to us this week is taken from 2 Corinthian 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
In the 3rd week, the theme is: We demonstrate faith in the Good Shepherd when we respond to His call with enthusiasm. Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, in his exhortation to the community as we celebrated our 27th year of existence last June 20, said that BLD should find inspiration in the enthusiasm displayed by the founders of the Community who continue, even now, to serve the Lord, not losing fervor but continuing to exercise their spiritual gifts freely while demonstrating the love they found in BLD. It is by having a radical and provocative faith founded on Jesus’ heart and character, without fear of pursuing the truth or embarrassment that we should exercise of our charismatic gifts, always geared towards continuing the work of bringing people to Christ, for unity, peace and justice. Only one fear is acceptable to the Lord, and that is the fear of God. His promise tells us so. “Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.” (Ps 85:10)
Now comes the 4th week. We demonstrate faith in the Good Shepherd when we minister with compassion. Jesus is compassion itself. He looks at us, the flock of his pasture, with mercy and love. He goes beyond what eyes see and ears hear, for He knows the deep recesses of our hearts. Ministering to others require much patience and love, much understanding and empathy with those in need. Some people are afraid to reveal their true selves. By ministering with compassion, we allow the person being ministered to, to feel loved and accepted unconditionally, alleviating fear and generating a feeling of belonging, of oneness. Only Jesus ‘s kind of love, compassionate and non-judgmental attitude can bring healing and peace. When you minister with compassion, you become the shepherd Jesus promises to bring to His flock in this week’s Promise : “I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing.” (Jer 23:4)
Finally, the 5th week. Often, what stops us from venturing into the mission field is insecurity about our livelihood. This is where our faith is most tested. We operate with what our hands can dig from our pockets. So much so, it limits what we can do. But Jesus admonishes us not to worry about what food to eat or what dress to wear (Luke 6), or where to lay our heads, because when He calls us to distant places to proclaim the Good News, He will equip and supply all our needs, as we genuinely heed his call. But we must venture out with an honest heart and not with the intention of feeding on the flock, using ‘mission’ to disguise our true intentions.
We demonstrate faith in the Good Shepherd when we rely on His provisions. This is the theme for the week, which speaks so much of our faith. At what level are we able to make that leap of faith which calls us to stand witness at our Encounter programs, or teach in depressed or far flung areas, called upon to tutor our SOH scholars, or participate in a GK build, visit a sick member of the community, or respond to the mission call of our community to follow Jesus to the homes of the broken, the sick, the dying, the elderly, and the orphaned? “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said, “I am with you always.” This is confirmed in the Promise of the week: “The hand of the Lord feeds us; He answers all our needs,” (Ps 145).
