24/08/2026
God Speaks August 23, 2026 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Chapel of the Archangels, Opus Mall, Pasig
“Know Jesus, Love Jesus, Follow Jesus”
Attending Mass every Sunday with family is truly God’s grace. I often hear good friends in our community express this same sentiment:
“I cannot imagine going through the week without hearing the Mass.”
“Namiss ko yung time na halos araw-araw ako nakakapag-Mass… iba lang.”
“Grasya ang pagsisimba pag Linggo, lalo na pag kasama ang pamilya mo.”
This perspective is a far cry from my younger, less mature days. As a kid, I was notorious for not participating in the Mass—easily distracted by people around me, looking for my crush, stuck in "spectator mode" during the homily, and eagerly waiting for the "Peace be with you" so we/I could finally go home. Back then, I chose comfort and distraction over seeking the deeper purpose of the Holy Sacrifice.
During the homily, the priest celebrant summarized the Gospel into three core themes: Know Jesus, Love Jesus, and Follow Jesus.
He opened by asking us, "Who am I? You know my name because it was announced, but do you really know who I am?" It made me reflect on our relationship with the Lord: Who is Jesus to us?
It all begins with that initial step where Jesus makes a way for us to know Him. He reaches out through our community, parents, siblings, and friends who introduce Him into our lives. From there, everything flows—we come to love Him knowing that God Loved us first, and ultimately, to follow Him and build His Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
Transitioning through these stages takes effort, sacrifice, suffering, joy, and resilience. Yet, it has always been about Jesus. Today, I stand present, active, and fully engaged at Mass, following Him alongside my family. If given the choice, I would repeat this journey of knowing, loving, and following Him again and again for the rest of my life.
To my dear BLD Youth Manila brothers and sisters in Christ:
"Who do you say Jesus is to you?"
My answer? I am Yours. What's yours? Have a blessed Week!
Allow us to offer this prayer to you:
Lord, thank You for the grace to know You through my parents, family, siblings, friends, and community. I love You because You loved me first. Your life defines us; You are Love, and I am loved. Guide us as we follow You this week, for the rest of our lives, always and in all ways. Amen.
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Emmanuel Salvador D. Nana (Kuya Emmans)
FE 52 & 77 | YE 13 | YLSS 15 | SE 36 | ME 297 | LSS 24
BLD Covenanted Member, Youth Ministry Coordinator
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:9-12
