St. Matthew 10: 34-42, 11:1

Let us all remember that we are in the Holy presence of God.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew 10: 34-42, 11:1
Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man “against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will those of his household.” 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; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And 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.” When Jesus finished giving these commands to his twelve disciples, he went away for that place to teach and preach in their towns.

Reflection
In our present time, there a lot of distractions that sometimes we lose track, move us far from our comfort zone, to our loved ones and even to God. As I relate the Gospel reading for today, it continues to remind me of these 2 Bible verses: 1.) ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (NIV, Mark 12:28-30) and 2.) Luke 11:28 (NIV) “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” It also serves as wake-up call for us to be more mindful of thoughts, actions and intentions since God clearly know what is inside us. Everything in this earth is temporary and will come into an end but we can also be constantly reminded that God is control; he sees everything that we do (either good or bad) and in the future we will reap what we have sow in this world. It is indeed a call for us to be always be mindful of God’s commandments and to love God above all things.
When was the last time that you had a mindful and really had a quiet time with God who is the source of everything? My friend, I hope you can make-up for the missed times that we have been far from His loving presence; to continue our best to love unconditionally and give unconditional positive regard for the human person; it is not too late to make those positive actions.

Lasallian Guiding Principle
Based on the LGP book, “Individually and collectively, Lasallians must act to eliminate forms of human suffering that contradict God’s plan of fullness of life.” In carrying out all forms of social development, Actions must always be life-affirming. The goal of social development interventions is to preserve and bring forth the fullness of life. Among all Lasallian schools, we are the only DLS institution who has the Reverence for Life as part of our core values and we strongly practice it not only in the hospital but also in our Academic institution. It is also integrated into the curriculum and we are also extending admirable efforts to reach out to the different communities and promote nurturing health and life.
Indeed, we have a strong appreciation to the gift of life and we affirm human dignity. These are evident when we participate in the events as deemed necessary. In addition, we also uphold the principle of common good. This message also reminds us of the Bible verse according to Romans 8:28 King James Version (KJV) 28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I strongly believe that the goodness you show to others will come back to you a hundred times.
To what extent can you promote the human dignity and promote the principle of common good especially to the last, lost, and the least?

Prayer
ONE COMMITMENT PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
You love us all and make us your brothers and sisters.
You call us to follow you.
You invite us to announce the Good News.
Lord, grant us the courage to live our commitment.
Teach us to go beyond our borders.
Teach us to discover you in the lowliest
Teach us to see with the eyes of faith
Teach us to share our mission with all Lasallians
Throughout the whole world.
We make this prayer through the intercession of Mary,
Queen and Mother of the Christian Schools,
And through the intercession of St. John Baptist de la Salle, patron of teachers. Amen.
St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (sign of the cross) Amen.

VALUE: Reverence for Life (Nurturing Life)
CULTURE THEME: We affirm human dignity
PRODUCTIVITY THEME: Unconditional positive regard for the person
INSTITUTIONAL COMMON VIRTUES (ICV): We uphold the principle of common good

Sources:
(n.d). Daily Gospel retrieved on July 1, 2019, from https://dailygospel.org/AM/gospel/2019-07-15
Guiding principles of the Philippine Lasallian family book
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A28&version=KJV
https://www.christianbiblereference.org/jlovegod.htm

Prepared by: Mia Maila P. Mangoba