Youth for Christ Sto. Tomas Cluster

010612, Friday

1 John 5:5-13/ Psalm 147

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

I AM WELL PLEASED

Today is the first Friday of the year. It is also the Friday before we celebrate the Lord’s Epiphany. The gospel talks about John the Baptist at the Jordan River. 

Having served in the ministry of the CFC Youth for Christ as a leader for four years, I was brought to a question of whether the Lord was really pleased and glorified through my acts of service. After countless youth camps that I have been through, talks that were delivered, immeasurable sacrifices, through the pains, sufferings, and every day actions; the big question was, did I glorify Him? 

It was then I remembered the time I had a walk outside our house and tried to meditate on the things that have happened in my life. At first I tried recalling ten hurts, then after a while it was then the blessings I tried to recall. I was amazed, because it just came and came. The blessings in my life were overflowing. 

With all these blessings, how can I have ever thought that the Lord displeased? I realized that if we were being a blessing to other people, then the Lord was also pleased and glorified. It may be through service in a ministry, a generous act for the poor, or even a simple act of kindness to our loved ones. 

As I looked up at the night sky, it was as if the Lord was whispering to me: “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.” –Mark 1:11- Jhobs Ko