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Gospel Reading for April 11, 2025 – John 10: 31-42
WITHOUT DOUBT
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.
He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.
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When we see people doing good things: assisting the handicapped and elderly; caring for the sick; comforting the bereaved; sharing their wealth with the destitute; welcoming a new-born baby into the world; celebrating great contributions to mankind, and so on and so forth, it is WITHOUT DOUBT coming from God, who is the source of ALL GOODNESS. We are all made in God’s image and likeness: “So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1: 27)
How great an opportunity if parents could bring out God’s image and likeness in their children at an early age. It is indeed so great an opportunity for parents to teach their children to be good and kind by being these themselves. When we see children doing good, like sharing their “baon” with those who do not have, instead of scolding them for giving away the food we prepared for them, it would help a lot if we affirm the good deed. AFFIRMATION of good acts and attitudes will encourage children to keep repeating them until it will already be a habit to do good. Someday, these children will really be gifts to humankind and to the world! Thanks to those who helped bring out the goodness in them!
Let us ponder on this song, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS –
When you see the rising sun lighting up the sky,
know that I am giving you a brand new day.
When you see the chirping birds, swaying trees and plants,
know that I’m the one who keeps them going.
When you see a gorgeous sunset
bright as colors on a palette,
I’m the artist you have not seen yet.
When the ev’ning ends the day with
stars, the planets and the moon,
I am giving you the time to rest.
When you feel life burdensome,
dreams and hopes all gone,
feeling lonely and depressed without a friend.
Look around, I’m everywhere,
loving you, supporting you.
Know that I am with you always.
Look around, I’m everywhere,
loving you, supporting you.
Know that I am with you always,
always, always!
