Impressing People Does Not Impress God

          God our almighty and loving Father, on this first working day of the week, we pray for the grace to be our true selves like St. Paul in the first reading.  Give us the courage to accept who we really are, to accept our weaknesses so that our faith may not rest on human wisdom but on your power, O God.

          Help us not to fall prey into the temptation of impressing people, of being filled with pride and ego, trying to be a messiah when we are simply vessels of your grace.  May we be like your Son our Lord Jesus Christ who is always empty of Himself but filled with the Holy Spirit that your words are fulfilled in hearing.

          Saints like Gregory the Great whose feast we celebrate today were able to fulfill great tasks not because of their own power and strengths but due to their humility before you.  Like the saints, let us simply do what is good, to do what is supposed to be done not for shameful profits or impressions from people around us.  Amen.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by the author taken at the St. Agnes Church in Jerusalem last April 2018.