In today’s evening mass, the priest asked this question as part of his homily: “If you do good things or if you are a good person, does that mean people will notice your goodness? Will they say “ang bait mo naman?”

The priest replied, not always. You can be good with no ill intentions, but that some people will still find something wrong and worse, will spread bad (untrue) things about you.

He connected this to today’s gospel about the prophet Jeremiah, who was thrown into the cistern, but was eventually rescued. He also mentioned this remark from Jesus (in Luke): “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” To that statement, the priest reminded not to consider it literally, but figuratively.

He then mentioned about the persecution of martyrs in biblical stories and of Jesus’ own experience of being persecuted.

That wasn’t very comforting, but the priest was able to deliver his message well and so, his homily was still inspiring. He asked a rhetorical question to the churchgoers if they have experienced being persecuted, maligned or slandered. That if they did, then, one of the best recourses is to seek God for help. This would make you feel at peace.

A peaceful Sunday to all of you. May you have a blessed new week. 🙂