Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Pedro Calungsod, a young Filipino catechist and martyr whose life reflects the profound truth in today’s readings. The Book of Wisdom (3:1-9) assures us, “The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God,” a promise fulfilled in Pedro’s unwavering faith. In Psalm, we hear, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,” reminding us that God’s presence is a constant source of strength, especially in trials. In the Gospel of Matthew (10:28-33), Jesus encourages us not to fear those who can harm the body but cannot touch the soul. Pedro embodied this courage. At a young age, he left his homeland to share the Gospel in Guam. Faced with death, he chose fidelity to Christ over safety, fully trusting in God’s promise of eternal life. St. Pedro’s life echoes the profound truth: “God is not generous, but he is generosity himself. He is not love, but he is love himself.” God does not merely give—He is the very essence of giving. He does not simply love— he is love itself. Pedro’s martyrdom shows us the depths of God’s love and generosity, a love so boundless it calls us to give everything for him. As we honor St. Pedro Calungsod, may we embrace the courage to live and die for Christ, confident that God’s love will sustain us. Let us reflect on our own faith and ask: Do we trust God enough to surrender all, knowing he is love and generosity himself? Gospel • Matthew 10:28-33 [Luke 12:39-48] Jesus said to the Twelve: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website
MManila Bulletin
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