It is 7th April 2017. It is the First Friday of the month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us go for a sincere confession today and participate in the Eucharistic celebration and receive the Holy Communion. We too celebrate the memorial of Saint John Baptist de la Salle, priest and educator. He was an educationalist and founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (the de La Salle Brothers), dedicating much of his life to the education of poor children in France. Thus he is remembered with gratitude as the patron of Catholic schools. The readings are from Jeremiah 20:10-13; and the Gospel from John 10:31-42. The confessions of Jeremiah about how people treated him after his soul stirring preaching. We all can be misunderstood grossly by others for doing good. We must not hesitate or to pull back just because people ridicule, reject or speak ill of what we do. We must accelerate doing good all the more so as to bring the best of our wellspring of our goodness and kindness. Just like the prophet, we all have ‘committed our cause to God.’ (Jer.20:12). The responsorial Psalm prays, “In my anguish I called to the Lord and he heard my voice.” (Ps.17:7). In the Gospel, Jesus claims that He is God. He says: “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30). The oneness of the Father and the Son is in their substance and in their very being. Jesus attracted many opponents for revealing His divine identity. Jesus claimed to be God’s Son, and therefore He is equal (Jn 10:33). When people attacked Him for His claims, He willingly offered His very life to demonstrate the divinity of God in the display of humble humanity. When we are misunderstood, and crucified by the people for doing good and speaking fairly, we must not be afraid to stand for truth. We must continue to speak for the Truth with the charitable works we do. Love of God need to be brought out in everything we do or say even during the time of persecution, accusations, and oppositions. Let us not back off for doing good. Our good works must be the clarifications and demonstrations against evil. May God, bless you to stand for Jesus and His values in every situation. May you have a good day.