I Take off the MASK!

Truth can never be sacrificed in the name of peace, for there can be no true peace without righteousness. – Jocelyn Soriano

Say not that peace can be attained by silencing the voice of truth. To have the truth silenced is to silence justice also. It is to suppress what’s right and to deprive others what is due to them.

People must be free to voice out their needs and desires. They must be able to cry when they’re hurt, to ask for justice when their rights are trampled upon. They must have that freedom of knowing they will not be disrespected or threatened when they speak.

True peace is being whole, it is a rest that comes after giving to each person the dignity and freedom they deserve.

Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs out of the earth… Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps. – Psalm 85, WEB

Don’t choose the lesser evil; choose the greater good. – Jocelyn Soriano

It is dangerous whenever we get ourselves used to the idea of choosing the lesser evil. At the end of the day, evil does not become less. Evil grows, and it grows in proportion to the consent we give it whenever we think we have no other choice.

There is always an option for good. If that wasn’t so, God wouldn’t have commanded us to avoid sin.

Always choose goodness. Even if it were just a tiny spark or a small flame. By choosing what is good, we allow that flame to grow strong. That flame enlightens another, and soon, many are blessed with its light and warmth.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8, WEB

God wants you to be in the world but so different from the world that you will change it. Get cracking. – Mother Angelica

Never think that you can’t do anything to change the world. You can always do something, and you can always start where you are.

Sometimes we tend to think that only the big people can change the world – the rich ones, the influential ones, the powerful ones.

But you have power deep within you. Power from above which no one could ever take away.

You can do something. You can change from within you and be that spark of hope you wish to see.

Remember that it took but one Man to overcome death forever and save all mankind. It took but one Man to restore paradise and blot out sin forever.

Wake up from your slumber and make an offering of yourself. Do everything you can. And leave the rest to Him who can still make miracles happen.

But God’s grace is much greater, and so is his free gift to so many people through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ… So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life.– Romans 5:15,18 (WEB)

Fix your gaze on Jesus. That’s where your victory rests upon.

Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
-Matthew 14:29-31, WEBBE

Let us fix our gaze on Jesus. Look to no other. Do not be swayed to turn either to the left or to the right. Do not be disheartened by the many voices that move you to be anxious and afraid. Keep your eyes on Christ for only His loving gaze can help you. – Jocelyn Soriano

Many times, we become tempted to look at things that rob us of courage and take away our peace. We become curious to look back at the things of the world, at the problems that threaten us, and instead of holding on to hope, we become so immersed in it we could hardly turn away.

Never make the mistake of lifting your eyes away from Jesus. Never think that by your own strength you can defeat the foes that surround you or the darkness the looms ahead.

Looking at our troubles often magnifies them and we do not see them for what they really are. But when we look at our Lord, we see how much bigger He is than all our problems and sufferings altogether. We find strength when we look at Christ. Fix your gaze on Jesus. In Him is our hope and our peace.

Let us … remember Peter: three times he denied Jesus, precisely when he should have been closest to him; and when he hits bottom he meets the gaze of Jesus who patiently, wordlessly, says to him: “Peter, don’t be afraid of your weakness, trust in Me.” Peter understands, he feels the loving gaze of Jesus and he weeps. How beautiful is this gaze of Jesus — how much tenderness is there! Brothers and sisters, let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God! – Pope Francis

Therefore let us also… lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2, WEB

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Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the free e-book 366 Days of Compassion.  Get it from Amazon free – click here.