MABUTING BALITA | OKTUBRE 5, 2021

Martes sa Ika – 27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

EBANGHELYO: LUCAS 10:38-42

Pumasok si Jesus sa isang nayon at pinatuloy siya ng isang babaeng nagngangalang Marta. May kapatid siyang babae na tinatawag na Maria. Naupo ito sa may paanan ng Panginoon at nakikinig sa kanyang salita. Abalang-abala naman si Marta sa mga pagsisilbi kaya lumapit siya at sinabi: “Panginoon, hindi mo ba napapansing pinabayaan ako ng aking kapatid na babae na magsilbing mag-isa? Pakisabi mo naman sa kanya na tulungan ako.” Sumagot sa kanya ang Panginoon: “Marta, Marta, abala ka’t balisa sa maraming bagay; isa lang naman ang kailangan. Pinili nga ni Maria ang mainam na bahagi na hindi kukunin sa kanya.”

PAGNINILAY:

“Pinili ni Maria ang mainam na bahagi.” Ano nga kaya ang nais ipabatid sa atin ni Hesus sa bersikulong ito? Narinig natin sa Mabuting Balita kung gaano ka-busy si Marta sa pag-aasikaso ng mga bagay-bagay para kay Hesus. Nakiusap pa siya kay Hesus, na sabihan ang kanyang kapatid na si Maria, na tulungan siya. Kung iisipin, natin, tama naman si Marta, di ba? Bilang mga Filipino, kilala tayo sa pagiging hospitable o pagiging maasikaso sa mga panauhin. Ito’y isang kaugalian, na napakagandang ibahagi sa iba. Pero kung minsan, nakakalimutan nating itanong sa ating mga bisita kung ano ang pakay ng kanilang pagbisita.  Mapapansin natin ito, sa ating pagdiriwang ng Pasko. Setyembre pa lamang ay pinaghahandaan na natin ang dakilang araw na ito, at napakarami nating pinagkaka-abalahan bago sumapit ang Pasko. Kaya minsan, nakakalimutan ng ilan sa atin, that Jesus is the reason for the season.  Birthday ni Hesus ang ipinagdiriwang natin. Naitanong ba natin sa Kanya, “Ano po ang birthday gift na gusto Mo, Panginoon?”   Marahil ganito din ang nangyari kay Marta. Napagod siya sa paghahanda, samantalang si Maria naman ay parang walang pakialam na nakikinig lamang kay Hesus. Pero sinabi ni Hesus kay Marta: “Pinili ni Maria ang mainam na bahagi, na hindi aalisin sa kanya.” Mga kapanalig, sa ating pagnanais na makapaglingkod, naranasan ba natin ang tunay na kaligayahan? Kung hindi, baka hindi ito ang nais ipagawa ng Panginoon sa atin, bagkus nais Niyang makipag-usap muna tayo sa Kanya. Kaya, makabubuti na itanong muna natin sa Kanya: “Ano ang nais Mong ipagawa sa akin Panginoon?” Sana po, sikapin nating tuklasin ang kalooban ng Diyos sa kaibuturan ng ating puso. Ngayong panahon ng pandemya, mas higit nating kailangang makinig sa tinig ng Panginoon sa ating panalangin at sa mensaheng nais Niyang ipabatid, sa Kanyang mga Salita.

– Sr. Divinia de Claro, FSP | Daughters of St. Paul

GOSPEL POWER l OCTOBER 4, 2021 l MONDAY

27th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 10:25-37 25

A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must  I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in  the law? What do you read there?” 27He answered, “You shall love  the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and  with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as  yourself.” 28And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do  this, and you will live.” 29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my  neighbor?” 30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem  to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat  him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest  was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the  other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw  him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling  came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He  went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine  on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an  inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii,  gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I  come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36Which of  these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the  hands of the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.”  Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”   

Although kindness to strangers is commanded in Lv 19:34,  the experience of the Babylonian exile has made the  Jews at the time of Jesus more cautious, so that “neighbor,”  for most of them, is restricted to a fellow-Jew. When Jesus replies  with this parable to the self-justifying lawyer who is testing him, he  wants to invite him to move beyond his narrow mindset — which  is what metanoia means. Jesus draws from him a verbal admission  that someone who is regarded by Jews as an enemy can, in fact, be  a neighbor. For Jews are hostile to Samaritans because of age-old  conflicts. But in testing Jesus, who is Truth-in-person, the lawyer  finds himself in an awkward reversal of roles. Now it is Jesus who  interrogates him, leading him to a humble recognition of the truth  that anyone who responds with compassion to the need of another is  a neighbor, regardless of the labels we attach to that person.

 Lord Jesus, may we never waste the opportunities that come our way to  be neighbors to the needy. Amen.

MABUTING BALITA | OKTUBRE 4, 2021

Lunes sa Ika – 27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon | San Francisco de Asis, relihiyoso

EBANGHELYO: LUCAS 10:25-37

May tumindig na isang guro nang Batas upang subukin si Jesus. “Guro, ano ang aking gagawin upang makamit ang buhay na walang hanggan?” “Ano ba ang nasusulat sa Batas, at paano mo ito naiitindihan?” “Mamahalin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buo mong puso at nang buo mong kaluluwa at nang buo mong lakas at nang buo mong pag-iisip. At nasusulat din naman: Mamahalin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.” “Tama ang sagot mo. Gawin mo ito at mabubuhay ka.” Ngunit gustong mangatwiran ng guro ng Batas kaya sinabi niya kay Jesus: “At sino naman ang aking kapwa?” Sinagot siya si Jesus: “May isang taong bumaba mula sa Jerusalem papunta sa Jerico at nahulog siya sa kamay ng mga tulisan. Hinubaran siya ng mga ito at binugbog at saka iniwang halos patay na. Nagkataon namang may isang paring pababa rin sa daang iyon. Pagkakita sa kanya, lumihis ito ng daan. Gayundin naman, may isang Levitang napadaan sa lugar na iyon; nang makita siya’y lumihis din ito ng daan. Ngunit may isang Samaritano namang naglalakbay na napadaan sa kinaroroonan niya; pagkakita nito sa kanya, naawa ito sa kanya. Kaya’t lumapit ito, binuhusan ng langis at alak ang kanyang mga sugat at binendahan. Isinakay nito ang tao sa kanyang sariling hayop at dinala sa isang bahay-panuluyan at inalagaan. Kinabukasan, dumukot ang Samaritano ng dalawang denaryo, ibinigay sa may-ari ng bahay-panuluyan at sinabi: ‘Alagaan mo siya; sasagutin ko ang anumang karagdagang gastos pagbabalik ko.’” At sinabi ni Jesus: “Sa palagay mo sino sa tatlong ito ang naging kapwa sa taong nahulog sa kamay ng mga tulisan?” “Ang nagdalang-habag sa kanya.” Kaya sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya: “Humayo ka’t ganoon din ang gawin mo.”

PAGNINILAY:

Sino ang ating kapitbahay? Ang kuwento ng mabuting Samaritano ay nagtuturo sa atin na ang ating kapitbahay ay ang sinumang nangangailangan ng ating tulong. Hindi kailangan ang boundary; kahit saan, kahit sino na kayang abutin ng pagdamay natin ay kapitbahay kung tawagin.  Ang tanong ko? Anong klaseng kapitbahay naman ako? Una: Mahabagin o Compassionate – mahabagin dahil nararamdaman ko rin ang sakit na nararamdaman ng aking kapwa, at nais ko silang tulungang makalabas sa sitwasyong ito.  Ikalawa: Mapagbigay o Generous- tunay akong mapagbigay kung kaya kong ibigay ang kahit anong mayroon ako, kahit ito ay kailangang-kailangan ko din. Mas importanteng matugunan ko ang pangangailangan ng iba, kaysa sa pangangailangan ko.  Ikatlo: Nagbibigay kahit hindi hinihingian at hindi naghihintay ng kapalit o Gratuituous- parang isang ama o ina na laging masaya at taos-pusong nagbibigay sa anak nang walang hinihintay na kapalit. Mga kapanalig, nakita ko ito sa kuwento ng mabuting Samaritano: nahabag, nagbigay ng panahon at pera at higit sa lahat hindi naghintay ng kapalit.  Sana ganito tayong lahat. Sana all ng nagsasabing sumusunod siya kay Kristo ay ganito tumulong sa kapwa!

PANALANGIN: Mapagmahal naming Ama, sa patuloy na paglaganap ng pandemya sa buong daigdig imulat mo ang aming kamalayan. Maging bukas nawa ang aming mga puso at tahanan upang maging kaisa kami ng aming mga kapatid na apektado ng kalamidad, maging bukas-palad kami sa pagtulong ayon sa aming kakayanan at sa bawat pagtulong huwag kaming maghintay ng kapalit na kabutihan. Maging simbolo nawa ng pag-asa at pagtitiwala ang aming pakikilakbay sa kanila. Ang lahat sa mundong ito ay may katapusan, nawa ang pandemyang Covid-19 ay magwakas na. Amen

Sr. Narci Peñaredonda, SJBP | Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd/Pastorelle

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI  | PATRON OF THE ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENT

Feast Day: OCTOBER 4

Hello friends! Do you want to be a saint someday? Well, It isn't impossible! We will discover that saints were also imperfect like us but they have superpowers which we also possess! Welcome to “At Home with the Saints!” Here we will explore the saints’ superpowers, better known as virtues, through brief stories of their lives that highlight and define these special characteristics! Each episode will also consist of reflection questions and prayer to help each of us grow in virtue. Today’s Saint is St. Francis of Assisi whose exemplary virtue is poverty.

During this time of pandemic, what can you give up to follow Jesus so you may be able to share to the poor and those in need?

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Want to know more saints and discover more virtues? Grab a copy of the book, How to be a Hero, Train with the Saints and learn about the different kinds and categories of virtue so that you can hone your gifts and become a hero of virtue as well! Visit eshop.paulines.com.ph to get your copy!

See you next week for another episode of “At Home with the Saints here at Paulines Radio PH facebook page. Have a happy and blessed day!

GOSPEL POWER l OCTOBER 3, 2021 l SUNDAY

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mk 10:2-16 

2 Some Pharisees came, and to test Jesus they asked, “Is it lawful for  a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses  command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a  certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5 But Jesus said to them,  “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for  you. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and  female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and  be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they  are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined  together, let no one separate.” 10Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this  matter. 11He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries  another commits adultery against her; 12and if she divorces her  husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 13People were bringing little children to him in order that he  might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But  when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the  little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these  that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does  not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”  16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and  blessed them. 

God is the God of unity. Our being created in the image  and likeness of God, who is One in three distinct  persons, implies that we are meant to reflect the divine  oneness in three by living united in diversity. Marriage, the union of  two different individuals, is the oldest God-ordained institution for  living and growing in unity-in-diversity. Jesus tells us that divorce is  a compromise resulting from the hardness of the human heart. But  it is a defiance of the Creator’s original intention from the beginning.  The price that has been paid, in terms of broken relationships and  wounded lives, is too great to estimate, yet the human race has not  learned until now. Jesus remains unrelenting in saying that, “what  God has joined together, no human being must separate.” The last word  will still be “unity,” and with his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus gives us  the assurance that it shall be so.

 Lord Jesus, forgive the stubbornness of the human heart and guide us  toward the unity that we so yearn for. Amen.

MABUTING BALITA | OKTUBRE 3, 2021

Ika – 27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

EBANGHELYO: MARCOS 10: 2-16

Nagtungo si Jesus sa kabilang ibayo ng Jordan at muli niya silang tinuruan gaya ng dati. At lumapit ang ilang Pariseo na gusto s’yang subukan at tinanong nila siya: “Pinahihintulutan bang diborsiyuhin ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa sa anumang dahilan?” Itinanong naman ni Jesus: “Ano ang iniutos ni Moises?” At sinabi nila: “Ipinahihintulot ni Moises na paalisin ang babae pagkabigay sa kanya ng kasulatan ng diborsiyo.” Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanila: “Alam ni Moises na matigas ang inyong puso kaya isinulat niya ang kasulatang ito. Ngunit sa simula’y ginawa sila ng Maykapal na lalaki at babae, at dahil dito, iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina at magiging iisang katawan ang dalawa. Kung gayo’y hindi na sila dalawa kundi iisang katawan lamang kaya huwag paghihiwalayin ng tao ang pinagbuklod ng Diyos.” Nang nasa bahay na sila, tinanong siyang muli ng mga alagad. At sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kung may lalaking magpapaalis sa kanyang asawa at saka magpakasal sa iba, nakiapid siya. At kung ang babae naman ang magpaalis sa lalaki at magpakasal sa iba, nakiapid din siya.” May nagdala kay Jesus ng mga bata para hipuin niya sila, ngunit pinagalitan ng mga alagad ang mga taong may dala sa kanila. At pagkakita ni Jesus, nagalit siya at sinabi sa kanila: “Pabayaan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata, huwag ninyo silang pigilan, sa mga tulad nga nila ang kaharian ng Diyos. Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi papasok sa kaharian ng Diyos ang di tumatanggap dito gaya ng isang maliit na bata.” At pagkakalong sa kanila ni Jesus, ipinatong niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay para basbasan sila.

PAGNINILAY:

Nakalulungkot isipin na sa panahon ngayon kapag pinag-uusapan ang pag-ibig o maging ang pag-iisang dibdib ng mga Kristiyano madalas itong tinatalakay sa mga pormal na pamamaraan. Madalas pa nga na nalilimitahan ang pag-ibig sa nararamdamang init ng kalooban o maging sa pisikal na pagkaakit. Itinuturo sa atin ng karanasan, na hindi lamang feeling o emosyon ang pag-ibig. Kundi isa itong desisyon o pagpapasya; isang pagpili na manatiling tapat at nagtataya sa sinumpaang pangako bawat araw – isang kasunduan na tatagal panghabambuhay. Higit sa lahat, isa itong sakramento na tumatawag sa ating magpaka-banal.Mga kapanalig, kahit anupaman ang mga pagsubok na dumating sa pag-ibig, kasal at pamilya, panghawakan natin ang pangako ng Diyos na naririyan siya kasama natin. Tulad nang naroon si Hesus at tumulong sa kasalan sa Cana, tiyak na naririyan din Siya sa panahong sugatan ang ating puso o maging kung umaapaw ito sa kagalakan. Sa ating pagtanggap sa Kanya sa Banal na Eukaristiya, hindi lamang Siya papasok at dadaan sa ating mga katawan, bagkus mananatili Siya sa ating puso at kaluluwa.

- Fr. Cris Robert Cellan, SSP | Society of St Paul

GOSPEL POWER l OCTOBER 2, 2021 l SATURDAY

26th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 18:1-5, 10  1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the  greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he  put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and  become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the  kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name  welcomes me.  . . . 10“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones;  for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my  Father in heaven.” 

Humility is always associated with truth. In describing a  child as “humble,” Jesus must be making a statement  regarding a child’s unspoiled relationship with truth.  All human beings pass this stage of innocence, when one is still  untouched by the deceptiveness and lies of the world. Unthreatened  by the truth, a child has no need to distort it, in order to protect itself  from a threatening situation. This unpretentiousness makes a child  great without even trying. For true greatness is bestowed, not earned.  And those who do not have ambitions of becoming great are the truly  great ones, because the truth of being creatures willed into existence  by a loving God suffices for them.

 Lord Jesus, may we never aspire to greatness, except in the eyes of God.  Amen

MABUTING BALITA | OKTUBRE 2, 2021

Sabado sa Ika – 26 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon | Paggunita sa Mga Banal na Anghel na Taga-tanod

EBANGHELYO: MATEO 18: 1-5, 10

Lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at tinanong nila s’ya: “Sino ang mas una sa Kaharian ng Langit?” Tinawag ni Jesus ang isang maliit na bata at ipinagitna sa kanila, at sinabi: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo na hanggang hindi kayo nagbabago at nagiging katulad ng maliliit na bata hindi kayo makapapasok sa Kaharian ng Langit. At nagpapakababa gaya ng maliit na batang ito, siya ang pinakamalaki sa Karihan ng Langit. At tinatanggap naman ako ng sinumang tatanggap sa batang ito nang dahil sa aking pangalan. Huwag sana ninyong hamakin ang isa sa maliliit na ito; talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na laging nasa harap ng aking Ama sa Langit ang kanilang mga anghel sa Langit.”

PAGNINILAY:

Isa sa mga dasal na una kong natutunan noong ako ay bata pa, ay ang panalangin sa ‘guardian angel’ o anghel na taga-tanod.  At hanggang ngayon, ito’y aking dinadasal tuwing ako ay maglalakbay, o natatakot, o nangangailangan ng tulong o gabay. Naniniwala ako na ang bawat isa sa atin ay may nakatanod o nakabantay na anghel.  Paano ko naman ito nalalaman?  Maraming pagkakataon na kapag meron akong kailangan o problema o pag-aalinlangan, tumatawag ako sa aking ‘guardian angel’, at nagkakaroon ng kasagutan ang aking panalangin.  Hindi ko makakalimutan noong nabubuhay pa ang nanay ko, na may sakit na cancer at naubusan na kami ng pambayad sa kanyang pang-araw-araw na radiation therapy. Hindi na sana kami pupunta sa ospital.  Pero merong biglang kumatok sa bahay namin para mag-abot ng pera.  Iyon daw ay bayad sa inutang nya sa nanay ko noon pang nakaraang taon.  Hindi ba’t ito ang sagot sa aming panalangin?  Sino ang bumulong sa taong nagpunta sa amin para magbayad?  Tama ka kapanalig! Wala nang iba kundi ang guardian angel.  Sila ay pinapadala ng Diyos upang tayo ay bantayan, tulungan at gabayan.  Sila ay nandi dyan sa anyo ng mga tao na tumutulong sa atin.  Minsan naman, ang guardian angel ay gumagabay sa pamamagitan ng isang inspirasyon o liwanag ng isipan.  Kung bubuksan lang natin ang ating mga puso at isip katulad ng mga bata, madali nating makikita ang pag gabay sa atin ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ‘guardian angels.’  Ikaw kapanalig, paano mo nararamdaman ang kanilang paggabay sa iyong buhay? - Sr. Mary Anthony Basa, PDDM | Disciples of the Divine Master

Joseph, Spouse of Mary And Father of Jesus | Word and Songs

“God's mercy is from age to age…he casts the mighty from their thrones and raises up the lowly ones!” We cannot contemplate the great things the Lord has done in Mary’s life without at the same time contemplating Joseph, her spouse. We do not hear a word from Joseph in the scriptural narratives, but it is not difficult for us to imagine how he may have lived alongside Mary and Jesus, as a loving husband and a tender father. From the time the angel assured him in a dream that what Mary conceives is from the Holy Spirit and that he will save God’s people from their sins, he let go of all his hesitations and took full responsibility of his family. As a husband Joseph was “just” which means faithful, and so alongside Mary, he also said his own “yes” to God’s plan for him to be Mary’s husband and Jesus’ foster father. He was also faithful to Mary, caring for her needs while they waited for the baby to be born, protecting her and moving her away from harm. He was a steady companion and faithful traveler with Mary on the journey of marriage.

Joseph was not only faithful to Mary, he was also faithful to Jesus – he protected him when he learned of Herod’s plan to kill the child; and when Jesus was growing as child, he faithfully and devoutly took care of him, loving Jesus as his very own. As a father, we can imagine Joseph giving his share in the household duties, in taking care of their son Jesus, in helping him walk and talk, in teaching him to pray, in passing on to him the values that he had: love and faith in God, simplicity, gentleness, serenity, love for work, self-sacrifice. Through and through, he was a guardian or a protector of his family. Pope Francis, in one of his addresses said: “Being a guardian is the distinctive trait of Joseph: Being the guardian is his great mission . . . We look to Joseph as the model educator, who watches over and accompanies Jesus as he grows ‘in wisdom, age and grace,’ as the Gospel says. He was not Jesus’ father: the father of Jesus was God, but he was a father to Jesus, he was a father to Jesus in order to help him grow. And how did he help him grow? In wisdom, age and grace.” God has done wondrous deeds not only in Mary, but also in Joseph, her faithful spouse.

Script: Sr. Melba Grace Lobaton, fsp | Daughters of St Paul

GOSPEL POWER l OCTOBER 1, 2021 l FRIDAY

26th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 10:13-16  

Jesus said, 13“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the  deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they  would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But  at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for  you. 15And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you  will be brought down to Hades. 16“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you  rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” 

Great privilege entails great responsibility. A blessing that  does not yield its desired fruit can turn into a woe. The  three Galilean towns that have caused Jesus deep sadness  were the centers of his ministry, the so-called “evangelical triangle.”  Their inhabitants were the first hearers of the Gospel proclamation  and the first beneficiaries of Jesus’ powerful deeds. But like a barren  fig tree, they failed to bear the fruit of metanoia — the abandonment  of old habits, mindset, and patterns of relationship. Too attached to  their accustomed ways of thinking and being, they had no room in  their hearts for the newness of the coming Kingdom. They had the  enviable opportunity of being visited by God himself in the person  of his Son. It was kairos, but they let the opportunity slip away. Thus,  the blessing turned into a woe.

 Lord Jesus, help us to recognize every blessing and to make it fruitful in  our lives. Amen