Couples for Christ - Banga Chapter

13/05/2024

RISEN CHRIST – OUR TRUE AND LASTING PEACE!

First Reading
Acts 19: 1-8
1While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came [down] to Ephesus where he found some disciples. 2He said to them, “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit.” 3He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” 4Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6and when Paul laid [his] hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7Altogether there were about twelve men. 8He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the kingdom of God.

Psalm
Psalm 68:2-7
2May God arise; may his enemies be scattered; may those who hate him flee before him. 3As the smoke is dispersed, disperse them; as wax is melted by fire, so may the wicked perish before God. 4Then the just will be glad; they will rejoice before God; they will celebrate with great joy. 5Sing to God, praise his name; exalt the rider of the clouds. Rejoice before him whose name is the LORD. 6Father of the fatherless, defender of widows—God in his holy abode, 7God gives a home to the forsaken, who leads prisoners out to prosperity, while rebels live in the desert.

Gospel
John 16: 29-33
29His disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 30Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Reflection

The road to Easter is very experiential, stimulating, and tangible because of the different traditions, activities, and practices, especially in the Catholic Church. It’s as if we’ve journeyed with Jesus physically for a week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. To some, Holy Week is a time to spend with family. For others, it is a perfect time for “me time” or to rest. However, after Easter Sunday, most of us tend to go back to our old ways, relax our fasting, and revert to our daily routine. Prayer time is easier said than done. However, it is made a little easier during Holy Week, when work is off and other forms of entertainment are unavailable. When our hectic lives resume, prayer time, going to mass, and receiving the sacraments become less important and more difficult to fit into our schedule. When we return to our everyday routines, so do our anxieties and frustrations. As if we’ve forgotten that Jesus has risen.

As humans, we have a tendency to prioritize accumulating worldly possessions and adhering to worldly ideals. Many times, we give in to these “worldly lures”, and this causes us to lose our peace. We are easily rattled when things do not go the way we planned. We get emotionally dependent on how we project ourselves or how others perceive us. When our circumstances overwhelm us, we tend to choose the easiest way out, like, “I am choosing myself for peace of mind” or “I am going to travel so I can heal and have peace.” We get lost in the noise of the world that inflicts fear and doubt, forgetting that Christ conquered the world and that He Himself is peace.

Let us stop relying so much on our strengths and capacities. Let us bring the Risen Christ with us in our circumstances. In this way, we can have true and lasting peace. (DHQ, Metro Manila)

What are the worldly ideals that hinder me from choosing Christ’s peace?

07/07/2023

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪

First Reading
Genesis 27:1-5.15-29

1When Isaac was so old that his eyesight had failed him, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “Son!” “Yes, father!” he replied. 2Isaac then said, “As you can see, I am so old that I may now die at any time. 3Take your gear, therefore--your quiver and bow--and go out into the country to hunt some game for me. 4With your catch prepare an appetizing dish for me, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my special blessing before I die.” 5Rebekah had been listening while Isaac was speaking to his son Esau. So when Esau went out into the country to hunt some game for his father, 15Rebekah then took the best clothes of her older son Esau that she had in the house, and gave them to her younger son Jacob to wear; 16and with the skins of the kids she covered up his hands and the hairless parts of his neck. 17Then she handed her son Jacob the appetizing dish and the bread she had prepared. 18Bringing them to his father, Jacob said, “Father!” “Yes?” replied Isaac. “Which of my sons are you?” 19Jacob answered his father: “I am Esau, your first-born. I did as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your special blessing.” 20But Isaac asked, “How did you succeed so quickly, son?” He answered, “The LORD, your God, let things turn out well with me.” 21Isaac then said to Jacob, “Come closer, son, that I may feel you, to learn whether you really are my son Esau or not.” 22So Jacob moved up closer to his father. When Isaac felt him, he said, “Although the voice is Jacob’s, the hands are Esau’s.” 23(He failed to identify him because his hands were hairy, like those of his brother Esau; so in the end he gave him his blessing.) 24Again he asked him, “Are you really my son Esau?” “Certainly,” he replied. 25Then Isaac said, “Serve me your game, son, that I may eat of it and then give you my blessing.” Jacob served it to him, and Isaac ate; he brought him wine, and he drank. 26Finally his father Isaac said to him, “Come closer, son, and kiss me.” 27As Jacob went up and kissed him, Isaac smelled the fragrance of his clothes. With that, he blessed him, saying, “Ah, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field that the LORD has blessed! 28“May God give to you of the dew of the heavens And of the fertility of the earth abundance of grain and wine. 29“Let peoples serve you, and nations pay you homage; Be master of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you.”

Psalm
Psalm 135:1-6

1Hallelujah! Praise the name of the LORD! Praise, you servants of the LORD, 2Who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God! 3Praise the LORD; the LORD is good! Sing to God’s name; it is gracious! 4For the LORD has chosen Jacob, Israel as a treasured possession. 5I know that the LORD is great, our Lord is greater than all gods. 6Whatever the LORD wishes he does in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the deeps.

Gospel
Matthew 9:14-17

14Then the disciples of John approached him and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast (much), but your disciples do not fast?” 15Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. 17People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Reflection

It hasn’t been easy for me to move on from unfavorable experiences and things that I have lost. Sadly, this has greatly affected my confidence and has hindered me from valuing what I have. I would usually talk about the hardships that I have encountered, which would heighten my suffering. I would compare myself to others, feeling entitled that I should’ve received my own share of blessings too. At the same time, I have difficulty letting go of things that I treasure but are of no use to me anymore.

Most of the time, I prefer doing things the way I am most comfortable with. I am afraid to try new ways of doing things. But by God’s grace I am learning to recognize that to walk as a disciple of Jesus is to experience a whole new joy of a relationship with Him.

The Lord gives us wisdom so we can make the best use of both the old and the new. He doesn’t want us to hold rigidly to the past and to be resistant to the new work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He wants our minds and hearts to be like new wine skins — open and ready to receive the new wine of the Holy Spirit.

What are my ‘old’ ways of thinking? How can I break away from it, in order to accept Christ’s Word? Purge your closet of items that you haven’t used in the past year. Share them with those who may need them more than you do. ctto in his steps

01/07/2023

TAKING CARE OF OUR BRETHREN

First Reading
2 Kings 4:8-11.14-16
8One day Elisha came to Shunem, where there was a woman of influence, who urged him to dine with her. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he used to stop there to dine. 9So she said to her husband, “I know that he is a holy man of God. Since he visits us often, 10let us arrange a little room on the roof and furnish it for him with a bed, table, chair, and lamp, so that when he comes to us he can stay there.” 11Sometime later Elisha arrived and stayed in the room overnight. 14Later Elisha asked, “Can something be done for her?” “Yes!” Gehazi answered. “She has no son, and her husband is getting on in years.” 15“Call her,” said Elisha. When she had been called, and stood at the door, 16Elisha promised, “This time next year you will be fondling a baby son.” “Please, my lord,” she protested, “you are a man of God; do not deceive your servant"


Psalm
Psalm 89:2-3.16-19
2The promises of the LORD I will sing forever, proclaim your loyalty through all ages. 3For you said, “My love is established forever; my loyalty will stand as long as the heavens. 16Happy the people who know you, LORD, who walk in the radiance of your face. 17In your name they sing joyfully all the day; at your victory they raise the festal shout. 18You are their majestic strength; by your favor our horn is exalted. 19Truly the LORD is our shield, the Holy One of Israel, our king!


Second Reading
Romans 6:3-4.8-11
3Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. 8If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. 10As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. 11Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.


Gospel
Matthew 10:37-42
37“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple-amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”


Reflection

The gospel today is a beautiful reminder to us not only of our mission to surrender our life completely to Christ but also the importance of taking care of our Christian brethren, especially the religious and lay missionaries.

Through my life as a Christian, I have met so many amazing priests and nuns from around the world who have been pivotal in strengthening my faith. They not only were wise spiritual advisers to me but also became good friends who’d share dinner and lovely, inspiring conversations with us. Truly, our religious have a profound effect in changing the world for the better. They might be people who we are close friends with, someone we may be following and watching on social media, and others who we ask intercessions from our dear saints.

Just as amazing are our lay missionaries who set aside their personal dreams and comforts in life, to establish communities and ministries outside of their comfort zones. Though they battle with bouts of homesickness throughout their mission, they know that bearing their cross is worth so much more than returning home to their families, for it is the Good News of Salvation that they bring to the least of our brethren.

Let us praise God and honor all our religious and lay missionaries around the world!


What can I do to support the vocation of the religious and lay missionaries? Reach out to friends and even acquaintances in the religious vocation or lay missions and tell them how much you appreciate them.

01/06/2023

THE DUTY TO BEAR FRUIT

First Reading
Sirach 44:1. 9-13
1I will now praise the godly, our ancestors, in their own time, 9Of others no memory remains, for when they perished, they perished, As if they had never lived, they and their children after them. 10Yet these also were godly; their virtues have not been forgotten. 11Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants. 12Through God’s covenant their family endures, and their offspring for their sake. 13And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out;

Psalm
Psalm 149:1b-2. 3-4. 5-6a and 9b
1Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2Let Israel be glad in its maker, the people of Zion rejoice in their king. 3Let them praise his name in dance, make music with tambourine and lyre. 4For the Lord takes delight in his people, honors the poor with victory. 5Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, cry out for joy on their couches, 6With the praise of God in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hands, 9To execute the judgments decreed for them— such is the glory of all God’s faithful. Hallelujah!

Gospel
Mark 11:11-26
11He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 12The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. 13Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. 14And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it. 15They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 16He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. 17Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have made it a den of thieves.” 18The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19When evening came, they went out of the city. 20Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. 21Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. 23Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. 25When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

Reflection

It is quite perplexing to witness Christ’s actions towards the fig tree just before the cleansing of the temple. Is it not the duty of a tree to bear fruit? So, does Christ subscribe to the view that worth is correlated to work? St. Mark demonstrates, in the sequence of events of the Gospel, that clearly this is not a philosophy Christ subscribes to. It’s not the work that gives value but rather the fruits borne out of what one has done. In this case, quite literally, shown by the fruits (or lack thereof) of the Fig Tree. St. Mark interestingly inserts the Cleansing of the Temple in between the encounter with the Fig Tree in the Mount of Olives specifically to demonstrate this.

The duty of the priests in the temple was rooted in piety, yet the fruit they borne was the fruit of sacrilege, tolerance to sin, and abuse in the marketplace, and profit from unethical practice. It was not the presence of the marketplace in the temple that angered Christ but rather the purveying attitudes of abuse, cheating, and stealing that enraged Him. Just as the fig tree, whose presence was rooted in production of fruit was barren so, too, was the fruit of the Pharisees and Scribes who oversaw the affairs of the temple.

We, too, can work all we can and produce much, but if our produce is the fruit of barren and evil works, then before God it is worthless and abhorrent. But if our fruits, no matter their size, are borne out of virtue and love before God, it is more precious than even the greatest of worldly glory.

What kind of fruits does my daily labor produce?

31/05/2023

30/05/2023

25/05/2023

FROM PHILIA TO AGAPE

First Reading
Acts 25:13-21
13When a few days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. 14Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix. 15When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. 16I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. 17So when [they] came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. 18His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. 19Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. 20Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. 21And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”

Psalm
Psalm 103:1-2.11-12.19-20
1Of David. Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! 2Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, 11For as the heavens tower over the earth, so his mercy towers over those who fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. 19The Lord has set his throne in heaven; his dominion extends over all. 20Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in strength, acting at his behest, obedient to his command.

Gospel
John 21:15-19
15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Reflection

I have always wondered why Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, not once, not twice, but thrice. They say it was equivalent to the number of times that Peter denied Jesus. But according to Aleteia.org, there is another interpretation if we consider the original Greek text.

The Greek language has different words to express love. In the first two times that Jesus asked Peter, He used agape, which is considered as the highest form of love. The best example of it would be God’s love for mankind. However, Peter responded with philia, which is one’s love for friends. For the third time around, Jesus used philia, to meet Peter where he was coming from. Peter seemed to notice the verb change, so he tried to assure Jesus by saying, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” But still, Peter used philia.

To carry out his mission as the leader of the Church, which is to tend and feed Jesus’ flock, Peter needed to move from philia to agape. We all know that He eventually did, as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles. Just like St. Peter, Jesus calls us to love Him and His people deeply. Not an easy task, but He is with us every step of the way.

If Jesus asks me right now if I love Him, how would I respond? Reaffirm your commitment to a relationship with Christ through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

24/05/2023

SEND ME

First Reading
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
30The next day, wishing to determine the truth about why he was being accused by the Jews, he freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. 6Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; [I] am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” 7When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. 9A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, “We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue him from their midst and take him into the compound. 11The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.

Psalm
Psalm 16:1-2.5.7-11
1A miktam of David. Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge. 2I say to the Lord, you are my Lord, you are my only good. 5Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you have made my destiny secure. 6]Pleasant places were measured out for me; fair to me indeed is my inheritance. 7I bless the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart exhorts me. 8I keep the Lord always before me; with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken. 9Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure, 10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor let your devout one see the pit. 11You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

Gospel
John 17:20-26
20“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. 22And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. 24Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. 26I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

Reflection

Being young, adventurous, and carefree, it has been my desire to go on mission outside of my country. Since 2009, I prayed to be able to share God’s goodness as a lay missionary in Africa. For a time, I thought God had forgotten to answer this prayer of mine, so I focused on serving my local community and instead answered the call to another vocation.

Years passed and despite being married, I really couldn’t ignore my longing to serve God more. This time I began praying to go on mission not by myself but with my growing family.

Lo and behold, 10 years later, God has brought my whole family to the Native American Reservation Area in Arizona. We were tapped to sing and do volunteer work for the church and the locals in the area. A Franciscan Priest once said, “You are not only OFWs, but you are also called to be missionaries in this foreign land. The people here are blessed to have all of you.” Another Franciscan Brother also said, “I have been praying for our church to have a choir for so long. You (Filipinos) are my answered prayer.”

Looking back, God wasn’t ignoring me all those years of praying as a single woman. Instead, He was paving the way for me and my family to the place that He will be sending us. Truly, when the time is right, the Lord will answer our prayers in His most perfect way.

What have I been praying for that the Lord has yet to answer? Am I truly ready to accept God’s reply? If you are waiting for a sign to go where the Lord is sending you to share of His goodness, this is your sign.

23/05/2023

HOW TO PRAY FOR OTHERS

First Reading
Acts 20:28-38
28Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood. 29I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. 32And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. 33I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. 35In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, 38for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

Psalm
Psalm 68:29-30. 33-35a. 35bc-36ab
29Summon again, O God, your power, the divine power you once showed for us, 30From your temple on behalf of Jerusalem, that kings may bring you tribute. 33You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; chant the praises of the Lord, Selah 34Who rides the heights of the ancient heavens, Who sends forth his voice as a mighty voice? 35Confess the power of God, whose majesty protects Israel, whose power is in the sky. 36Awesome is God in his holy place, the God of Israel, who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

Gospel
John 17:11b-19
11And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. 12When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 14I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.

Reflection

In one of His last moments here on earth, Jesus took the time to pray for His disciples. He prayed that the Father would increase their faith, protect them from evil, and consecrate them in the truth. Just like Jesus, we also ought to pray for other people.

To help purify our prayer intentions, Pope Francis made a simple prayer guide that is easy to remember: The Five Finger Prayer. It starts with the thumb and ends with the pinkie. The thumb represents the people closest to us. Since they are the easiest to remember, we can start praying for them first. Next would be the index finger, which symbolizes the people who teach, instruct, and heal us. For them to continue to guide us and others, let us pray that they will have the wisdom and support that they need.

The middle finger is the tallest, which reminds us of people who lead us. We pray that the Lord will guide them so that they can lead us well, too. The ring finger, being the weakest, represents the needy, sick, and vulnerable. Lastly, the smallest finger symbolizes our own selves. When we pray for others first, we can see our needs from a better perspective. The smallness of the pinkie also reminds us to come before God with humility.

Whenever we pray, may we always do it with a humble and trusting heart, just like Jesus.

What is the posture of my heart whenever I pray to God? In your personal prayer time, follow the “Five Finger Prayer” as a guide.