Enkindle in Them the Fire of Your Love

3rd Sunday of Advent (A), December 12, 2010

2010-12-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

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Inspire in Us the Practice of Good: Reflections for Spiritual Growth and Self-Renewal, 3rd Sunday of Advent (A) - December 12, 2010
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
Psalm 146
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

"Go back and report to John what you hear and see."

St. John the Baptist and Jesus our Lord. Both prophets; both martyred very harshly. John prepared the way for Jesus; Jesus prepares the Way for all of us. John decreases himself, that Christ may increase in the world; Jesus on the other hand commends John for his great role in the history of our salvation. How little we are compared to the stature of these two great men; and yet, we are also called to follow their footsteps in the many ways we can.

By our baptism in the Catholic Church, we share in the prophetic mission of Jesus. A prophet is one who speaks to God's people - one who announces the Good News, and one who denounces the evil of his times. John's prophetic mission was to help people turn from their evil ways and prepare themselves for the coming of Jesus. Then Jesus' prophetic mission was to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and a year of favor from the Lord. By our baptism in Christ, we become a prophetic people. Our prophetic mission as people in ordinary life, is to be the "salt of the earth and the light of the world".

When we imagine what happened to the prophetic life of St. John the Baptist and that of Our Lord, we may say, "how can we follow in their footsteps since our lives are not as pure and as simple as John and Jesus were?" Though there are surely others in the Church who are called to make this same witness as John and Jesus (those who are gifted to become martyrs), our prophetic witness can be as simple as opting to follow and obey the stance of the Church as regards respect for life. By simply respecting life in all its stages (from womb, to its end in the tomb), we stand with Christ and the Church in the mission to see life as sacred and a gift from God.

Points for reflection: How do we already show our respect for life in all its stages? What other steps can I take so that we can show our love for God by our respect for people, who are not of the same class, educational background, culture, or belief as we are?

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2010-02-07T02:21:00.001-08:00

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5th Sunday of the Year (C)

2010-01-29T22:48:00.001-08:00

First reading: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel reading: Luke 5:1-11

"Leave me Lord. I am a sinful man."

The gospel for February 7 is taken from the gospel of Luke. It
tells the story of the call to discipleship of Simon Peter, James,
and John. The story begins with Jesus getting into one of the
boats (the one belonging to Simon Peter) - and after pulling out
a short distance from the shore, began to teach God's Word to the
crowds from the boat. After Jesus finished speaking, He noticed
that Simon Peter had not caught any fish. He thus ordered Simon
to "put out into deep water and lower his nets". At first Simon
was reluctant because they had worked all night and have caught
nothing. But he eventually obeyed. And then to his amazement, he
and his companions caught such a great number that the weight of
the catch was almost near to sink their boats! At this Peter fell
at his knees and said, "leave me, Lord. I am a sinful man". But
Jesus said, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching
men." Simon and his companion fishermen brought their boats to
shore, left everything, and followed Jesus.

Bible commentator Robert J. Karris says that this passage from
Luke is drawn from the gospel of Mark (which was a written source
earlier than Luke's gospel). The huge catch of fish (Lk 5:4-7)
and Simon Peter's reaction to it (Lk 5:8-11) makes Luke's version
a protracted version of Mark's. Karris also points out that the
main message of this gospel story is related to Simon Peter's
vocation and ministry as an apostle. From a simple fisherman,
Christ called Peter to be a "fisher of men" - enlisting him in
His corps of kingdom workers.

Many of us know how difficult it is to make ends meet in these
times of serious global financial crises. Like Peter, we "work
all night" and yet we could not keep up with the food bills, the
household utility bills, our children's educational needs, the
support we give to elderly parents or relatives, and so forth.
For some of us who are humbled by this truth, we sometimes
experience a financial windfall, and then we realize how we took
too much pride in our own strength, our own intelligence, skills
and talents (and connections). But when God blesses us with an
unexpected financial solution, we exclaim like Peter, "leave me
Lord. I am a sinful person." God's great mercy, goodness, and
compassion humbles us and makes us realize that all good things
come from Him; our life as a Catholic individual, family or
community, depends ultimately on Him. As an old proverb teaches
us, "we do our best, and God will do the rest". Let us therefore
thank God for all His goodness and mercy - especially in making
us His children (despite our sinfulness). The Eucharist is a
celebration of thanksgiving. By this great sacrament, our family
is nourished and our faith and hope in God is strengthened, that
we may do His will and share this faith and hope also with
others.

4th Sunday of the Year (C)

2010-01-23T16:02:00.001-08:00

First reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31--13:13
Gospel reading: Luke 4:21-30

"No prophet gains acceptance in his native place."

January 31 is the 4th Sunday of the Year (C). The gospel passage
continues from what was read last Sunday. From Luke chapter 4
verses 21-30, we will discover the various reactions of the people
to the discourse of Jesus in His hometown synagogue: "some spoke
favorably of Him", "some marveled at His appealing discourse",
"others asked, 'is not this Joseph's son?'" And so when Jesus
explained to them that 'no prophet gains acceptance in his native
place', many were filled with indignation. They rose up, expelled
Him from the town, led Him to the brow of the hill, and intended
to hurl Him over the edge. Jesus however went straight through
their midst and walked away.

There is a section in the Bible allotted to the Books of the
Prophets. The prophets Elijah and Elisha, whom Jesus also refers
to in His discourse at the synagogue, are one of the early
prophets in this section of the Bible. Prophets, according to
the meaning intended by the Scripture, are called by God to be
His spokesmen. If we go back to the Bible and read the lives and
mission of these prophets, including Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos (to
name a few), we will discover that their prophetic vocation was
filled with much indignation or opposition from the people. An
example of this was what the people did to the prophet Jeremiah
- they put him in a dry well filled with mud, intending to starve
him to death (Jeremiah 38:1-13). And the last of Israel's
prophets after Jeremiah and others, and before Jesus, was St.
John the Baptist. We know what happened to him.

Jesus is also a prophet in this tradition of Israel's prophets.
He is King, Priest and Prophet. By our baptism in Jesus, we share
in His kingly, priestly, and prophetic functions (as a community
of disciples - a kingly, priestly, and prophetic people of God).
The task of Jesus as Prophet was to announce the Good News and to
denounce what was evil in His time. That was a very dangerous
task. We know that it eventually led to His passion, death and
resurrection. As we are now called to meditate more on the gospel
for this Sunday, let us examine our hearts and see where it
stands. Do we stand with those people who marvel at the discourse
of Jesus and speak favorably of Him? Or do we take a stronger
stance and stand by Jesus and His prophetic vision - "staying"
with Him, even if others "want to hurl Him over the edge?"

3rd Sunday of the Year (C)

2010-01-16T22:55:00.001-08:00

First reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Gospel reading: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

"To announce a year of favor from the Lord."

The gospel for January 24, the 3rd Sunday of the Year, comes from
two sections of Luke's gospel: one from chapter 1, and the other
verses from chapter 4. The first section of the gospel tells how
the evangelist Luke compiled his gospel narrative - receiving the
stories and events on the life of Jesus from original eyewitnesses
and ministers of the Word. Then, the second section of the
gospel (verses from Luke 4), shows us Jesus in the beginning of
His public ministry. Jesus is presented as entering a synagogue
in Nazareth, and after being given the scroll of the prophet
Isaiah, begins to read out to the people inside the synagogue.
Jesus ended the reading from the prophet Isaiah with the words:
"To announce a year of favor from the Lord". As everyone in the
synagogue had their eyes fixed on Him, Jesus then said: "Today
this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

According to bible scholar Robert J. Karris, in his book,
"Invitation to Luke", when Jesus read the passage from the scroll
of the prophet Isaiah, it is like the inaugural speech of a US
President. We know that a US President defines in his inaugural
speech what he plans to accomplish during his term. Jesus,
likewise, makes His "speech" by preaching in His hometown
synagogue that God's promises in Isaiah are being fulfilled in
His ministry. Jesus promises to accomplish the year of favor from
the Lord: "bring good tidings to the poor, the captives, the
blind, and the downtrodden".

This story from the gospel of Luke presents to us a Jesus, who is
a Prophet anointed by the Spirit of the Lord. By our baptism in
the Church, we also share in the prophetic mission of Jesus. As
a family, and as Catholics, we are to bring Christ's prophetic
vision to all, especially the poor, the prisoners, the blind, and
the downtrodden. As we are regularly nourished by God's Word and
Sacrament every Sunday, we are called to renew our baptismal
commitment to follow Jesus and His prophetic mission. We may not
have the opportunity to announce by "word" the favor God gives
to the less fortunate, but we can follow Jesus through everyday
deeds of charity and justice - making Christ's vision fulfilled
more and more each day. Acts of kindness to the family's postmen,
the garbage collectors, newspaper delivery boys, and the vendors
we encounter everyday is like "one little candle" lit to help
dispel the darkness of our times.

2nd Sunday of the Year (C)

2010-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

First reading: Isaiah 62:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel reading: John 2:1-11

"Do whatever He tells you."

The gospel for the Sunday Eucharist on January 17 is also the
second luminous mystery in the rosary: the miracle of the water
turned to wine at the wedding at Cana. The setting for Jesus'
first "sign" is a wedding. His mother Mary was there. He was also
present together with His disciples. At a certain point during
the wedding, Mary perceived through her sensitivity that the wine
ran out. She went to her Son with the problem. Jesus replied:
"Woman, how does this concern of yours involve me? My hour has
not yet come." And then Mary instructed those waiting on table
and said, "Do whatever He tells you." Then Jesus ordered the six
stone water jars to be filled with water to the brim. When they
drew some out of the jars and took it to the waiter in charge,
it miraculously turned out to be a choice wine - the finest of
the wedding ceremony.

St. Louis-Marie de Montfort in his treatise on the True Devotion
to Mary said that "at the wedding of Cana, Jesus changed water
into wine at Mary's humble prayer". Though it is not stated in
the gospel account of the wedding at Cana, because of what we
know of Mary from other events in the gospels as a woman who has
great faith and confidence in God, this miracle and sign at Cana
would also involve her as a woman who takes care of others as if
they were God's and her own children also. And by her humility,
she knew where the power of God truly comes from - from her Son
Jesus. Montfort also continues to state in his book that as
"Jesus began His miracles through Mary, He will continue them
through her until the end of time" (True Devotion #19).

Not all Christians have a devotion to Mary as many Catholics do.
They may not be aware that devotion to Mary is also rooted in
the gospels. And this gospel account of the wedding at Cana is
one among many that presents clearly the important role Mary
plays in the redeeming work of her Son Jesus. Perhaps we can
take this opportunity to reflect and meditate more how this
Christian mystery can help us grow in faith. How strong is my
conviction that devotion to Mary can lead me well to Christ?
Which area of my spiritual life should I give more attention to,
so that I may learn to honor the Mother of God as one of the
anchors of Christian spirituality - one that will help me and
members of my family during times of serious problems, crises,
and instability.

The Lord's Baptism (C)

2010-01-03T15:03:00.001-08:00

First reading: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104
Second reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Gospel reading: Luke 3:15-16,21-22

"He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire."

For the feast of the Lord's Baptism, we have the story presented
from the gospel of Luke. The gospel passage is composed only in
a few verses, but the description of the baptismal account of
Jesus, projects a bright picture of John the Baptist, the people,
and the presence of the Holy Trinity. When John started his
ministry to baptize the people of Israel, the people thought he
was the Christ. John however told them the truth: he is not even
fit to loosen the sandal strap of the Messiah. So when Jesus
Himself went to John to be baptized by him, even though He was
filled with God's glory and divinity, He still underwent John's
baptism as an act of humility. When He was baptized, "the skies
opened", the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove,
and the Father spoke from heaven: "You are My Beloved Son. On You
My favor rests."

In his sermon for the feast of the Lord's Baptism, St. Gregory
Nazianzen explains how we share in that baptism of our Lord. He
says that as Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan river, where
He was baptized by His cousin John, "we and the whole world rise
with Christ". Christ, our Redeemer, entered our human history
so that by His baptism from John, and our baptism "in the Holy
Spirit and in fire", we may be cleansed entirely of all stain of
original sin. St. Gregory Nazianzen continues to add that God
wants us to "become a living force for all" - "radiant lights
shining as we stand beside Christ, the great Light".

For many of us who were baptized as infants, we tend to forget
the importance of our baptism, and how Christ becomes the center
of our life through the sacrament. But this feast of the Lord's
Baptism can now remind us to see Christ not only as central to
our Christian life, but also how He and ourselves are related
to the Trinity. By our sharing in the baptism of our Lord, we
now share in the life of the Trinity. And by our baptism with
Christ, we are called to a continuous cleansing and purification
of our heart from sin throughout our whole Christian life. We can
be reminded of this responsibility every time we celebrate the
Eucharist. The gift of the Eucharist reminds us that God became
man to redeem us from our sinfulness. Christ was faithful until
the end. As a Christian, we can evaluate how we are faithful also
to our baptism, and how we have failed in our responsibility for
the gift of life Christ gives us in baptism. If ever we have been
unfaithful to the Lord, what can I do to regain that faithfulness
God expects of me?

The Lord's Epiphany

2009-12-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

First reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72
Second reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel reading: Matthew 2:1-12

"We observed His star at its rising and have come to pay Him
homage."

Only in the gospel of Matthew do we find the story of the Magis
or the astrologers from the east who came to Israel and inquired
about the newborn king of the Jews. King Herod was greatly
disturbed by the prophecy of this newborn king. He inquired from
the chief priests and scribes where this "newborn King of the
Jews" was to be born. They answered, "Bethlehem". Then he also
asked the Magis from the east and sent them to Bethlehem to get
more detailed information about the Child. So the astrologers
set out, following the star that led them to the Child with Mary
His mother. They paid homage to the Child Jesus with gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh. Afterwards, they did not return
to King Herod when they received a message in a dream.

In a sermon on this feast of the Epiphany, St. Peter Chrysologus
says that the astrologers from the east saw the Child Jesus and
gazed in deep wonder. As they looked upon the Child, the saw
"heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, [and]
One whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny
body". They looked, they believed and did not question. Through
this feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we learn how God chooses
to reveal Himself to the world as a tiny Child born on a stable
in Bethlehem. This tiny baby is God, King, and One who is to
suffer and die on a Cross.

Sometimes, we are tempted to believe that God will only reveal
His saving presence to us in extraordinary ways: through a great
miracle, an extraordinary healing, big signs and wonders, or a
supernatural event of nature. But God also reveals Himself to us
in very simple and ordinary ways. Just as He revealed Himself as
a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger, God reveals
Himself to us when we quietly gather as a family in the Eucharist.
Together with other families, we can gaze and wonder how God also
comes to us through Word and Sacrament. When we receive Christ in
the Eucharist, and enter into deeper prayer, we can be gifted
with an understanding that God wishes to be part of our life in
ordinary and simple events.

Feast of the Holy Family (C)

2009-12-20T18:32:00.001-08:00

First reading: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 84
Second reading: 1 John 3:2, 21-24
Gospel reading: Luke 4:41-52

"Did you know I had to be in My Father's house?"

The gospel for the Feast of the Holy Family (C) is also used as
a source of meditation for the 5th joyful mystery of the rosary:
the Finding at the Temple. This gospel story we already know by
heart since our childhood. The story reminds us of how Joseph
and Mary went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, and did
not know that the child Jesus remained behind. So when Joseph
and Mary noticed that He was not in their company, they went back
to Jerusalem to search for Him. On the third day they found Him
in the temple with the teachers. Mary asked Jesus why He had done
this. And Jesus replied: "did you not know I had to be in My
Father's house?"

The Son of God was incarnated into a human family. Joseph is the
example par excellence of what a Christian father is called to be,
and Mary is the best model of what a Christian mother is called
to be. The gospel also states that Jesus, after His visit to the
Temple, returned with His parents to Nazareth and was obedient
to them. Catholic tradition tells us that Jesus lived a hidden
life with Joseph and Mary at Nazareth (progressing steadily in
wisdom and age and grace before God and men) from the age of 12
until 30. At 30, Jesus started His public ministry - a mission
that was to establish a greater family under God through the
Church.

It is at Christmas time that we are given the opportunity to
reunite again with family and relatives. Our Catholic faith was
cradled in the family. As we grow, mature and take on the
responsibility of adults, those who decide to start a family pass
on the same faith to their children. Maybe this is the time we
can reflect what values we pass on to our children? Are the
values I pass on Christian values or values more related to our
secular lifestyle? What Christian value or virtue do I see in
the Holy Family at Nazareth that inspires me to live out, and
also teach my children? Do I thank the Lord for the gift of
family life and love?

4th Sunday of Advent (C)

2009-12-13T14:29:00.001-08:00

First reading: Micah 5:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80
Second reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel reading: Luke 1:39-45

"Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your
womb."

The gospel for the 4th Sunday of Advent narrates what we know as
the second joyful mystery of the rosary: the Visitation. This
Christian mystery tells the greatness of God's work - how Mary
with the Son of God in her womb, went in haste to Elizabeth, her
cousin, previously childless, but now blessed with a child in
her womb. Mary, knowing that her cousin Elizabeth would need help
in childbirth (because of Elizabeth's age) went in haste to
Elizabeth, despite her being pregnant with Christ, the Messiah.
Upon visiting Elizabeth, Mary was commended well by her cousin:
"Blessed are you who trusted that God's word would be fulfilled."

Many bible commentators would interpret this passage in Luke as
filled with the themes of service, availability, and charity. It
would be remarkable to know that a young Jewish woman would set
our by herself on a journey to a hill country - braving the
dangers of such a journey alone and the risks to her pregnancy,
because of her great spirit of availability, service and charity.
And the great favor and blessing Mary received from God, she now
brings to others: to Elizabeth and her household.

For many of us Catholics who have a devotion to the Mother of God,
we are also blessed and gifted with something unique and singular
in the Christian faith. Contrary to other Christians' perception
of Mary, we know that devotion to her leads us to a greater
devotion to Christ. If we study all the mysteries of the rosary,
from joyful to glorious, we will rediscover why Mary has a
special role in christ's work of redemption. And now that we are
nearing the close of the Advent season, the next important person
in God's salvific plan is a young virgin from Nazareth - whose
immaculate flesh is favored to conceive God's Son in her womb.
Maybe this Christian truth can help us to reflect on the many
ways we have been negligent in keeping our self pure before
receiving Christ in the Eucharist. Also, we can examine if like
Mary, we have shared the blessings of God with others. We can
examine our actions and see if we had made ourselves of more
service to others this Advent season.

3rd Sunday of Advent (C)

2009-12-05T15:13:00.001-08:00

First reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12
Second reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel reading: Luke 3:10-18

"He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire."

The 3rd Sunday of Advent, traditionally called Gaudete Sunday,
presents a gospel passage from Luke. Luke presents John the
Baptist teaching three groups of people to repent in word, heart
and action: people who have extra coats and food to give to those
who have none; for tax collectors to exact nothing over and above
the fixed amount; and for soldiers not to bully anyone, denounce
no one falsely and to be content with their pay. As John taught
these groups of people, he reminded them also that he was not
the Messiah. He only baptizes with water, but the Messiah (who is
mightier than him and whom he is not fit to even loosen a strap
of His sandal) will come to baptize them in the Holy Spirit and
in fire.

Robert Karris, in his "Invitation to Luke", interprets this
passage by saying that those who are called for the Lord's
service, must go beyond lip service and actually produce the
fruits of repentance. He also mentions that this passage (with
its reference to three groups of people) are particular only to
Luke, and not to be found in the other gospels. And the specific
message which Luke gives through this passage is that repentance
from sin in preparation for the Lord's coming, should also show
itself in deeds and acts of justice and care for our brothers
and sisters in need.

In this time of Advent, we can prepare for the Lord's coming by
not only repenting inwardly in our heart and soul for all our
sins but also by acting in justice and care for those around us.
And this begins within the family, our social network of work,
business and profession, and the people in our neighborhood whom
we interact regularly as we fulfill all the responsibilities and
duties of our Christian vocation and state of life. Maybe this is
a good time to examine our conscience and see if our sorrow for
sin, our confessions and penance, bear fruits of justice, care,
and charity for others. What acts of justice, care and charity
can I still do this Advent season as an expression of sorrow
and repentance for my sins?

2nd Sunday of Advent (C)

2009-11-28T20:56:00.001-08:00

First reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126
Second reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Gospel reading: Luke 3:1-6

"Make ready the way of the Lord."

For the Sunday Mass on December 6, the gospel passage is taken
from Luke. The passage introduces the person of St. John the
Baptist - the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. John's mission is
to proclaim a baptism of repentance so that the people will
receive forgiveness from their sins. His preaching and ministry
as the herald of Christ Jesus, fulfills what is written in the
book of the prophet Isaiah: "A herald's voice in the desert,
crying, 'Make ready the way of the Lord'".

Robert J. Karris, in his book "Invitation to Luke", analyzes this
gospel passage from the wider context which includes the arrest
and imprisonment of John by Herod the tetrarch. Karris states in
his book that John gives knowledge to the people that the
salvation of Jesus is meant for all (Luke 3:6), and not only for
the Jews (Luke 3:8). John's mission was to prepare a way for the
Lord's proclamation of the Kingdom of God. John points to Jesus
as the Truth, the Way and the Life. His fidelity to this mission
eventually led him to a martyr's death.

There are many people in our life who prepared us to follow Jesus
and the gospel: our parents, teachers, friends, family, priests,
confessors, and many who have had authority over us. They point
to us a way that would lead us to a more faithful following of
Jesus. As we have listened and saw what applies to our life, we
grew and continue to grow with a wisdom that helps us to serve
God, Church, society and family with generosity. We continually
receive this guidance as we are strengthened through the devotion
we give to the celebration of Word and Sacrament. Because of all
these blessings, graces and gifts, we are entrusted to do the
same for others. Like John, we too have the responsibility to
prepare a way for the Lord, so that others may be shepherded to
Christ. So as we enter more into the Christian mysteries in this
season of Advent, let us take the opportunity to reflect where
we need to prepare more for the Lord's coming: in my own personal
life; in the lives of others in my immediate circle of family,
friends, and co-workers; or in both?

First Sunday of Advent (C)

2009-11-22T01:13:00.001-08:00

First reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25
Second reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2
Gospel reading: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

"Be on guard...be on the watch...pray constantly."

The gospel for the 1st Sunday of Advent (C) is from the gospel of
Luke. In the passage, we find Jesus saying to His disciples to
anticipate what is coming upon the earth before the Son of Man
comes with great power and glory. Jesus speaks in apocalyptic
language (imagery referring to the End Time): "nations will be
in anguish", "the sea and the waves will roar", "the power in the
heavens will be shaken". Then He cautions His disciples to "be
on the watch and pray constantly" so that the Day of the Lord
will not suddenly close in on them like a trap. If they do so,
they will have "the strength to escape whatever is in prospect,
and to stand secure before the Son of Man".

The season of Advent is a short but important liturgical season
in the Church. It is a time for preparation, purification, and
waiting in joyful anticipation. Advent reminds us of both the
First Coming of Jesus (Christmas) and the Second Coming (the Day
of the Lord). It is an opportunity to prepare ourselves
spiritually. In the Church, the faithful are encouraged to go
to Confession, to practice simple acts of mortification, and to
devote more time for prayer, reflection, and meditation. If we
take time to read and meditate on the liturgical readings for
the season of Advent, we can integrate the meaning of the season
well into our daily lives.

In anticipation of the Christmas season, our attention is often
focused on external preparations: putting up the Christmas tree
and lights, placing Christmas decor around the home, and planning
our schedules to meet social obligations with family, friends and
the office parties. We can do all this with no detriment to our
spiritual preparation. We can take time to reflect the meaning of
the season in our Christian lives. Advent signifies the arrival
of something important. Do I give importance to the liturgical
season of Advent? What can I do, so that this season of Advent
can help me grow in my commitment to Christ and better my service
to family, work and parish?

Solemnity of Christ the King (B)

2009-11-15T02:55:00.001-08:00

First reading: Daniel 7:13-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 93
Second reading: Revelation 1:5-8
Gospel reading: John 18:33-37

"My kingdom does not belong to this world."

The Solemnity of Christ the King is also the 34th or Last Sunday
of the Year (B). The gospel is taken from John. It is the story
of Pilate interrogating Christ Jesus - asking if He were the king
of the Jews. Jesus responded with a question, asking Pilate if he
was asking this on his own, or because of what others are telling
Pilate about Him. The verbal exchanges soon led to Jesus telling
Pilate that His kingdom does not belong to this world, and that
the reason why He came into the world is to testify to the truth.

According to George MacRae in his book "Invitation to John", when
Jesus was handed over to Pilate as described in John 18:30, this
created the discussion and verbal exchanges between them. Pilate
represents "the world" and tries to avoid getting involved with
Jesus. This becomes stronger in the following verses after this
gospel passage. Jesus on His part, reveals the truth about
Himself and the kingdom. He ends the first part of His discussion
with Pilate by saying, "Anyone committed to the truth hears My
voice."

If we imagine placing ourselves in this gospel scene, let us try
to capture what thoughts or feelings we might have as an onlooker
to the verbal exchanges between Pilate and Jesus. Where would I
lean towards: on the side of Jesus and His kingdom, or on the
side of Pilate and "the world"? How well do I know Jesus and His
kingdom? Would His being handed over to Pilate bring me closer
to faith in Him and the truth about His kingdom? Do I believe He
is King even if He was "handed over"?

33rd Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-11-09T13:46:00.001-08:00

First reading: Daniel 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16
Second reading: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Gospel reading: Mark 13:24-32

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree."

This is the last passage we will reflect upon in the gospel of
Mark, because next Sunday (November 22) will be the last Sunday
of Year B - the Solemnity of Christ the King. The passage from
Mark chapter 13, verses 24-32, can fire up our imagination as we
hear of Jesus warning His disciples of the End Time: when the
"Son of Man will come in the clouds with great power and glory".
He teaches His disciples how to prepare for this, by learning a
lesson from nature - how the fig tree announces a change of the
season. Like the fig tree announcing a change of the season,
Jesus says that there will be signs in the skies so that people
will know that the Day of the Lord is near.

Hendrickx in his book "The End Will Not Be At Once", says that
this passage of Mark challenges all of us Christians to question
our attitude about the future. The passage leads us to ask
ourselves what appropriate present-day actions and attitudes are
needed in view of that future. Though the gospel images may
arouse a feeling of fear within us because of the description of
"the sun darkening", "stars falling out of the skies", and "the
heavenly hosts being shaken", Hendrickx points to that truth in
the gospel, that in the End, we will ultimately meet the living,
judging, but merciful and saving God.

In practical terms, we often think of the End as really our "end"
- when we pass away from this world and leave everything behind
(our family, friends, and all that we have). But the End is a
reality the gospel points to us as imminent. No one knows what
that End will be - that imminent second coming of Jesus. That is
why our modern attitude (quite far from the biblical outlook)
helps us in building a career, founding a family, and taking care
of our health because we have the assurance that the seasonal
cycles of nature will not cease abruptly. The night will still
be followed by a new day. But the End the gospel speaks of is
also a reality we have to take into account in our present day
living. If Jesus in the gospel teaches us to learn a lesson from
the fig tree, perhaps we can ask ourselves: am I learning about
the mystery of His Second Coming from the changes in the seasonal
cycles around me? What is nature at this time telling me about
this mystery? What am I doing in my Christian life at present,
knowing that anytime, either of both can come first - my "end",
or the "End" (Christ's second coming)?

32nd Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-11-01T13:16:00.001-08:00

First reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146
Second reading: Hebrew 9:24-28
Gospel reading: Mark 12:38-44

"She gave from her want, all that she had to live on."

Last October 25, we reflected on the last passage of chapter 10
in the gospel of Mark for Year B. For November 8, we now move on
to the 12th chapter of Mark. In this passage, we will find the
story of Jesus taking the opportunity to teach a lesson on purity
of intention and generosity. As He sat opposite the treasure of
the synagogue, He observed the wealthy putting in sizable amounts
in the collection box. Then He spotted one poor widow who came in
and put in two small copper coins worth about a cent. Jesus lauded
the action of the poor widow, for compared to those who gave out
of their surplus, this widow gave all that she had to live on.

Harrington, in his book "Mark", says that the mention of two
coins is important for the readers of Mark's gospel. If we were
to analyze more thoroughly the situation of the poor widow, then
we would naturally think that since the widow had two copper
coins (which bible scholars say is called "lepton" - the smallest
common coinage in circulation at the time), she would probably
have kept one for herself. But contrary to what is commonly
expected, the widow instead considered more her state of life in
relation to God. She had let go of every shred of material
security she had and committed herself totally to the Lord. What
a great example of Christian life and discipleship Jesus expects
of us to have in its perfection.

Early in life, many of us who turned to Christ as the Lord and
center of our life, may probably have said, "oh yes, I'm ready to
give all for Jesus". But in reality, we had realized that this is
easier said, than actually lived out in perseverance and patient
endurance. For in the course of life, there will really be times
when we experience a state of poverty or great loss - that we
could not hang on to anything else except to our faith in God.
And this does not happen only to whom God wishes to chastise and
discipline. It can happen to anyone - even to good people. Like
the story of Job, God can test our faith in Him that we may be
purified of attachments to things that are not according to His
will. This gospel on the poor widow gives us an opportunity to
examine our life. Was there ever a time in my life that I felt
like the poor widow in the gospel? Did that state of poverty
lead me to trust in God alone, or did I cling to the little that
I had? What wisdom did I gain from that experience?

Solemnity of All Saints

2009-10-25T16:26:00.001-07:00

First reading: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24
Second reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel reading: Matthew 5:1-12a

"Be glad and rejoice, for your reward in heaven is great."

Since the Solemnity of All Saints coincides with the Sunday Mass,
we will reflect on the gospel of Matthew for All Saints' Day. The
passage from Matthew presents to us an image of Jesus as a "new
Moses", who goes up on the mountainside, and teaches His disciples
the "charter of holiness" - the Beatitudes. Jesus emphasizes how
every disciple of His kingdom will be blessed if they are: poor
in spirit, mournful and in sorrow, lowly and meek, hungry and
thirsting for holiness, merciful, pure and single-hearted,
peacemakers, and persecuted for holiness' sake. Jesus encourages
these "saints" of His kingdom that their reward in heaven is
great.

In his book, "From One Jesus to Four Gospels", Herman Hendrickx
teaches us that the four traditional beatitudes (the poor, those
who hunger and thirst, those who mourn and are sorrowful, and the
persecuted) are joined with four other beatitudes (the meek, the
merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers) in Matthew's
version (because the evangelist Luke also has a version of the
Beatitudes). Hendrickx continues to add that these eight
beatitudes are really a list of virtues or attitudes, that are
to be practiced by all of us, who are invited to respond to the
universal call to holiness. Living these beatitudes will make
us true disciples of Christ in His kingdom.

All of us are aware of the reality of competition. Competition is
good if we bring out the best in ourselves and in others without
destroying the goodness of our competition. And we must also
place this reality of competition within the context of truth
that all of us have been created by the Father for a specific
role and task in the world - equally important and essential in
His eyes and a vital part in His divine plan. Jesus teaches us
eight paths to holiness where we can let His Light, and the power
of the Holy Spirit to shine through us, and make us be our best
for God. Whatever path we take, we have responded to His will
and His command to be "holy as the Father is holy". Let us
therefore thank the Father for the gift of His Son Jesus, from
whom we learn the pathways to sanctity and virtuous deeds and
actions. Let us also thank God for the gift of the many saints
and holy men and women in our Church, who attest to the truth
that holiness is possible if we pray for strength and fortitude,
have faith in the word of Christ and put it into action.

30th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-10-18T14:57:00.001-07:00

First reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126
Second reading: Hebrews 5:1-6
Gospel reading: Mark 10:46-52

"Rabboni, I want to see."

This is the last passage in chapter 10 of Mark we will reflect
upon, before we move on the the 12th chapter on the 25th of
October. The last passage tells the story of the healing of a
blind beggar named Bartimaeus. Jesus was leaving Jericho with
His disciples, when Bartimaeus, who was sitting by the roadside,
called out to Jesus to have pity on him. At first, the people
told him to be quiet. But Bartimaeus pleaded all the much louder:
"Son of David, have pity on me!" When Jesus ordered the public to
let Bartimaeus near Him, He asked the blind beggar, "what do you
want Me to do for you?" As Bartimaeus expressed his desire to see,
Jesus said in reply, "Be on your way! Your faith has healed you!"
And Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

Wilfrid Harrington in his commentary "Mark", makes a parallel
between the request of James and John (verse 36) and the request
of Bartimaeus (verse 51). Harrington interprets the request of
James and John as rooted in selfish ambition, while that of blind
Bartimaeus as one rooted in simplicity and humility. Harrington
sees the healing of Bartimaeus as the evangelist Mark's way of
healing the blindness of the disciples. Mark makes a point thru
the healing of the blind beggar to show that it takes faith to
recognize the mercy and pity of the Son of David and to follow
Him in the Way of humble discipleship. Mark seems to present to
us also that faith in the Way of Christ heals us from the many
forms of blindness caused by our desire for selfish gains in
status and position.

If we look and examine our lives, we will realize that we will
only be healed from infirmities of body and soul, if we
acknowledge that we are in need of healing. Jesus Himself
presents that He came not for the righteous, but for the sick
and sinners. When we have the same spiritual attitude of humility
which Bartimaeus expressed before Jesus, there will be no barriers
to our healing process. Jesus Himself will let us come near Him
and ask us if we want to be healed by Him. And like Bartimaeus,
if we humbly and honestly say to Jesus in prayer that we want to
be healed, Jesus will make us realize that it is our constant
faith in Him that will hasten the healing process of our body and
soul.

Is there anything in us that needs healing? Where do we see
ourselves: in the same shoes as James and John who were blinded
by ambition? or in the same shoes as blind Bartimaeus who was
healed from blindness because of his humble faith in Christ?
What steps must we take so that we may see how Jesus can heal
me in body and soul?

29th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-10-11T13:10:00.001-07:00

First reading: Isaiah 53:10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33
Second reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel reading: Mark 10:35-45

"To give His life as a ransom for many."

We are still on the 10th chapter in the gospel of Mark. This time
we find the story of James and John's ambition to sit at the
right and left of their Lord when He comes into His glory. Jesus
responded to their political intention by asking, "Can you be
baptized in the same bath of pain as I?" The two brothers said
"yes" to this challenge, but Jesus said that their political
request is not in His authority to give. Hearing this exchange
between Jesus and the two brothers, the ten other apostles became
indignant at James and John. Jesus then took occasion to teach
something very important: "Anyone who aspires to greatness must
serve the rest...I came not to be served but to serve. And I will
give My life as a ransom for the many."

In Mark 8:27-35 (24th Sunday of the Year), Jesus made the apostles
aware that if anyone wants to come after Him, they must deny
their self, take up their cross, and follow in His footsteps. It
seems that this teaching that Jesus had given them has not been
understood well by the apostles. So in Mark 9:30-37 (25th Sunday
of the Year), they continue to argue among themselves about who
was the most important. Jesus now re-emphasizes His teaching again
by taking a little child and telling the Twelve about the
importance of welcoming and serving the "little ones". And in
Mark 10:2-16 (27th Sunday of the Year), Jesus again teaches that
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a little child
shall not become part of it.

Many of us are often tempted to take the privilege of a position
of authority without taking into more serious consideration the
self-sacrificing service that is needed to fulfill the
responsibilities of such a role. Whether this position or role
be ecclesiastical, political, corporate, or family, we often
forget that after assuming authority, we have to faithfully
commit ourselves in serving others well. Like James and John,
we are blinded by ambition and do not see the great responsibility
we are committing ourselves into. Let us therefore take this
opportunity to ask ourselves: Am I like James and John who want
to be associated with authority and blinded with selfish ambition?
Am I aware of my self-serving desires when given the opportunity
to lead and to order others? What specific steps can I take in my
daily living so that I may be in the same spirit of service as
Jesus was?

28th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-10-04T15:08:00.001-07:00

First reading: Wisdom 7:7-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90
Second reading: Hebrews 4:12-13
Gospel reading: Mark 10:17-30

"There is one thing more you must do."

Still on the 10th chapter in the gospel of Mark, we are presented
with a passage about the story of the "rich young man". This man
came to Jesus and asked: "what must I do to share in everlasting
life?" When Jesus told the young man to obey the commandments,
the young man replied by saying that he has observed these since
his childhood. Then Jesus said, "there is one thing more you must
do. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor; you will then
have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow Me." The
young man became sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus and His apostles lived a very radical state of life: that
of poor itinerant missionaries, fully trusting in the Father's
providence. The gospels do not mention any "home" from which they
returned to after their missionary journeys. What the gospels
mention is that they dined and stayed in some houses: like that
of Simon the Pharisee; the house of Peter's mother-in-law; the
house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus; and various other homes where
Jesus was requested to heal a sick member of the family. In their
missions, Jesus instructed His apostles and disciples to travel
light: "no food, no traveling bag, not a coin in the purse of
their belts...no second tunic (Mark 6:8-13)." The rich young man
probably had heard of how Jesus and His apostles lived as poor,
itinerant missionaries and therefore in practical terms, cannot
really "do that one more thing" required by Jesus.

This radical state of life Jesus lived is what our clergy and the
religious live - committing themselves totally to the service of
God in the Church. For many of us who chose the lay state of
life, we have to balance ourselves so that our spiritual life may
put in order the secular concerns of family and work. Some may
have the opportunity to "do that extra step" Jesus is asking, by
volunteering for the missions for a temporary period of time
(like one to two years). But the majority of us lay people have
to busy ourselves with building a family and a home. For this lay
state of life, one way to "do that one more thing", is to learn
how to have a holy indifference and a sense of detachment to
earthly things (as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola): preferring
neither honor to dishonour, a long life to a short life, riches
to poverty, nor health to sickness. The context for this holy
indifference and detachment to earthly things is our grounding
in God - to serve and love Him above all. This is not an easy
step to take, but it is possible.

Let us thus take this opportunity to ask ourselves as we reflect
more deeply on the gospel: "Is my attachment to possessions
greater than my attachment to Jesus?" "What must I do so that my
attachment to Christ can help me have a holy indifference and a
sense of detachment to earthly things?"

27th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-09-28T00:52:00.001-07:00

First reading: Genesis 2:18-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128
Second reading: Hebrews 2:9-11
Gospel reading: Mark 10:2-16

"Let no man separate what God has joined."

After reflecting for two Sundays on the 9th chapter of Mark's
gospel, we now move on to the 10th chapter, specifically verses
2-16. In this gospel passage, we will read about how the Pharisees
tested Jesus about his knowledge on the law of marriage. Jesus
was wise by responding with a question: "what command did Moses
give you?" The Pharisees answered by saying that Moses permitted
divorce and the writing of a decree of divorce. Jesus however
replied with something even before Moses existed: "at the
beginning of creation God made them male and female...let no man
separate what God has joined."

We can see from this gospel passage that even in the time of
Moses, the sacred bond of marriage was already under pressure.
And the book, "Journey: Torah", by Msgr. Gervais, approximates
the "time" of Moses to be about 1250 B.C. (that is 3,259 years
ago from our present year). This makes us realize that the sacred
bond of marriage is not only under so many pressures now; it was
and probably even before the "time" of Moses, just as besieged
by many pressures since it was instituted by God and the many
civilizations in ancient history. However, Jesus teaches us and
still points us to the ideal: "let no man separate what God has
joined."

In our contemporary times, what we probably need are more news
and inspiring stories of married couples who keep their sacred
marital bond intact. One way the Catholic Church helps in this
regard is by publicizing the canonization of married couples as
role models for married people today. A couple on the road to
sainthood are the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux: Louis and
Zelie Martin. Louis was denied entrance to the seminary, while
Zelie was also denied entrance to the convent. When the two got
married, they also and still had to suffer the pressures of being
and living together as one. But one reason for their fidelity to
each other is how they rooted their life and marriage in God,
that also led the two to source their strength, resources, and
patient endurance from Him.

26th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-09-20T14:38:00.001-07:00

First reading: Numbers 11:25-29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19
Second reading: James 5:1-6
Gospel reading: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

"If your eye is your downfall, tear it out!"

Still in the 9th chapter of the gospel of Mark, this time we see
John reporting to Jesus about another man who was using the name
of Jesus in casting out demons. (The apostles wanted to stop the
man.) Jesus replied however that anyone who does good using His
name is allied with them. And these too will obtain their reward.
What Jesus wanted to warn His Twelve apostles are those people
who cause scandal and harm the faith of the simple believers.
Jesus also teaches that if any part of our body leads us to sin,
better to "cut it off", enter into life disabled, than to have
the whole body and soul thrown into Gehenna.

It is good that there are scholars and experts in the Church who
study the Scriptures, learn about it in its original languages,
and research the socio-historical contexts in which they sprung
from and were written. These Bible scholars of the Church can
help a great deal so that we can understand a passage more fully
and more deeply and not only in its literal sense. Because if we
read a passage and understand it only in its literal sense, then
we can imagine a scenario where some of us who "sins" would have
one of their hands chopped off, one of their eyes gouged out, or
one of their feet cut off. Bible commentators and saints who
wrote many spiritual treatises on the Christian life simply tell
us that we are to avoid certain occasions and situations, or
certain habits in ourselves and in others, that can lead us to
evil and serious sin.

This passage challenges all of us to continue to get to know
ourselves more and others too, especially members of our family.
For there are certain habits, traits, manners, and ways of acting
(in ourselves and in others), that when they surface in an
interaction, can only bear bad fruit: evil thinking, impatience,
useless anxiety, greed, violent speech or behavior and rashness.
The key message of the gospel, according to Christ, is to avoid
these evils and choose the good. We can learn how to be very
sensitive in avoiding evil and choosing the good well if we
nurture and strengthen our faith in Christ Jesus the Good
Shepherd through the constant guidance of His Word and the
frequenting of the Sacraments.

25th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-09-16T05:56:00.001-07:00

First reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 54
Second reading: James 3:16 - 4:3
Gospel reading: Mark 9:30-37

"Whoever welcomes a child such as this for My sake welcomes Me."

For the 25th Sunday of the Year (B), we are invited to reflect on
a passage in chapter 9 of Mark's gospel. Jesus repeats to His
disciples how He would soon be arrested, put to death, but three
days after rise again. Then when they journeyed back to their
home in Capernaum, the disciples were arguing among themselves
about who was the most important. Once they arrived the house,
and Jesus learned of what happened along the way, He sat down
and took the occasion to teach the TWelve: "If anyone wishes to
rank first, he must remain the last one of all and the servant
of all." Then taking a child beside Him, He said, "Whoever
welcomes a child such as this for My sake welcomes Me."

During the time of Jesus, women and children are not important in
their Jewish culture; only the men counted. That is why in the
miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, the head count was
made among the men - not counting women and children. As Jesus
preached and taught about the Kingdom of God, He created a
reversal of importance from the perspective of our relationship
with the Father. For Jesus, what is really important is the
childlike quality of complete and full trust in someone of higher
rank or authority. To enter the Kingdom of God, we are thus
called to be like children - having full confidence and faith in
One who wielded divine authority and power.

Power struggles and instability can happen in the family, when
its members are focused on other things besides God. Squabbles,
sibling rivalry, rebellion, abuse, disrespectfulness, and envy
results when the household forgets the one thing necessary: their
common faith relationship in God's authority. In relation to
this, that is why the tradition of enthroning the Sacred Heart of
Jesus in a home is vital, because it bring peace and harmony to
all the members of the household. The Sacred Heart reminds us all
that we have to love God above all things and with our whole
being; and to love our neighbor as ourself. Every family member
acknowledges that Jesus is central to their family life and place
their full trust in Him.

Let us therefore take this opportunity to reflect if we have
those childlike qualities Jesus is looking for in us. Do we place
our full trust and confidence in God as a child does to his
father? Or do we rely more on our own strength and intelligence
when we relate to our family and with others? Which direction is
telling me that I am welcoming Christ and His will that we be
children of God?

24th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-09-07T02:50:00.001-07:00

First reading: Isaiah 50:4-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116
Second reading: James 2:14-18
Gospel reading: Mark 8:27-35

"He must deny his very self, take up his cross, and follow in
My steps."

We continue reflecting on the gospel of Mark. The passage for
September 13 narrates the confession of Peter on the identity of
Jesus when they reached the villages near Caesarea Philippi.
Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah led Jesus in turn
to order them "not to tell anyone about Him". After this order
of Jesus, Jesus then foretold how He was to suffer much, be
rejected by the elders and the chief priests, be put to death,
and rise again three days later. When Peter argued strongly
against this, Jesus reprimanded Peter and said: "Get out of My
sight, you satan! You are not judging by God's standards but by
man's!" Jesus then summoned the crowds around Him with His
disciples and took the occasion to teach them that Christian
discipleship entails "denying oneself, taking up one's cross,
and following His steps".

This confession of Peter in Mark can also be found in Matthew
(16:13-23) and in Luke (9:18-20). Although in Mark, Peter was
not praised for his confession, in Matthew, Peter was not only
praised but also made the "rock, on which Christ Jesus will
build His Church". Bible scholars would say that like the rest
of the Jews in the time of Jesus, the apostles too expected a
Messiah who would be "glorious and victorious" - One who will
restore Israel to her original glory (like in the time of King
David). All Jews understood this concept of Messiah. What they
do not understand was the truth that the Messiah would be a
"Suffering Servant". This concept of a Messiah who has to
undergo suffering was foreign to their Jewish religious thinking
and belief. And so Peter made the mistake of judging Jesus by
these standards and received a sharp reprimand from Jesus.

St. Teresa of Avila says in one of her prayer-poems: "Patient
endurance attaineth to all things". Our lives as Christians is
not always easy. We have to suffer the pain of labor and work,
the hardships of supporting our family and loved ones, the
difficulties of sickness, losses, disappointments, separation,
and so many other human afflictions that is part of our human
condition. Jesus teaches us that we have to take up these
crosses in our life-journey. We have to deny ourselves many times
so that our children may have the best education we can afford
and all the basic neccesities a family needs. But the key to
carry these crosses in life is patient endurance, perseverance
and faithfulness to our life commitments until the end. For by
patiently enduring all the "crosses" that come our way, we will
receive in faith and prayer what Jesus promises: our salvation
through our self-sacrificing love of God, Church, and family.

23rd Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-08-28T20:45:00.001-07:00

First reading: Isaiah 35:4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146
Second reading: James 2:1-5
Gospel reading: Mark 7:31-37

"Some people brought Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment."

In this passage from the gospel of Mark, we find Jesus coming
from the Tyrian territory and visiting the district of the Ten
Cities. Some people in that region brought him a deaf man and
begged Him to lay His hand on him that he may get well. Jesus
took the man off by himself, away from the crowd, and put His
fingers on the man's ears. After performing a simple ritual,
Jesus looked up to heaven and said "Ephphatha!" - that is, "Be
opened!" At once the man's ears opened and he could hear and
speak plainly. Jesus told the people not to tell anyone what
happened, but the people's amazement at the miracle was beyond
bounds, that they proclaimed it to many.

Many bible scholars would interpret this passage in terms of the
"Messianic secret" theme in the gospel of Mark - a theme that
speaks of Jesus not wanting Himself to be known. The time when
the Messianic secret was lifted in the gospel was when Jesus
personally asked His apostles, and Peter confessed (in Mark
chapter 8) that Jesus is "the Messiah, the Son of the Living
God." From another angle, we can bring our attention to the
concern the community in the Ten Cities region had for the deaf
man among them. The people who were concerned probably were
friends of the deaf man's family or members of the community who
knew the family of the deaf man. From this angle, we can see that
even before communities were Christianized, people were already
living a community spirit. They were concerned with members of
their community.

Although the nuclear family is the basic cell of any society,
some have extended relationships with other families. In Asian
cultures, like the community in the region of the Ten Cities, and
in Asian cultures who have more pronouncedly extended family
systems, members of the extended family system are sometimes
treated just as important as one's own nuclear family (example is
the "guanxi" of the Chinese). In our parish setting, we also see
this spirit prevailing because of the Christian spirit that has
been inculturated and embodied in many cultures all over the
world. A parish is like one big family composed of many
families. If we are privileged to belong to a Catholic parish,
then let us be thankful, for God sends His "everyday miracles"
through the community network system of the parish.

22nd Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-08-25T15:43:00.001-07:00

First reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15
Second reading: James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27
Gospel reading: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

"Wicked designs come from the deep recesses of the heart."

After reflecting more than a month on passages from the gospel of
John, we now turn to the gospel of Mark. We will reflect on Mark
up to the 33rd Sunday of the Year (with Nov 1, Sunday, as an
exception). For the 22nd Sunday of the Year, Mark tells us about
the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees. The cause of the
conflict arose because the Pharisees saw that Jesus and His
apostles did not observe the ritual cleansing and purification of
cups and jugs and kettles before eating. Jesus retorted by
saying that it is not the food that is eaten that makes a man
impure; rather, it is what comes out from the store of his heart:
wicked designs like fornication, theft, murder, greed, malice,
envy, and other sinful desires.

Many bible scholars who studied well the Old Testament books and
the Jewish liturgical laws that are expressed in them, tell us
that in the time of Jesus, for a Jew to fully comply with the
requirements of the Law, he would need to follow so many rituals
and liturgical actions. This becomes a burden and almost
impossible to fulfill, as these laws number really quite a lot.
This strict adherance to the Law by the Pharisees which they
impose on the people is what Jesus was very much against. Because
for Jesus, what is important is purity of intention and following
the spirit of the Law. He always teaches that the Law is meant to
serve man, and not man to serve the Law. Man's first priority
(according to His teaching), is to serve and love God with his
whole being, and to love his neighbor as himself.

If we examine the laws of our Catholic faith, we are only given
six:

1 to attend Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation
2 to fast and abstain on the days appointed
3 to confess our sins at least once a year
4 to receive Communion during Easter time
5 to contribute to the support of the Church
6 to observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage

Given this six laws, plus the ten commandments of God, the Church
has essentially embodied the spirit of Jesus' teaching in just a
few laws. But as was emphasized by Jesus, what matters most is
not strict adherance to the laws, but the purity of intention and
the spirit of love, reverence, respect and adoration we give to
God in all of our Christian actions. Let us therefore take this
opportunity to examine our conscience and search our hearts if
that spirit of love, reverence and adoration of God is present in
us. If however we see ourselves being legalistic and judging
others, then our heart is likened to the Pharisees. The gospel
calls us to purity of intention and to serve God and neighbor.

21st Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-08-16T02:08:00.000-07:00

First reading: Joshua 24:1-2, 15-17, 18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34
Second reading: Ephesians 5:21-32
Gospel reading: John 6:60-69

"To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

After the Bread of Life Discourse given in two parts to us, the
first one last August 9, and the second part last August 16, we
now have the gospel account of the reaction of many of Christ's
disciples. These disciples remarked, "This sort of talk is hard
to endure! How can anyone take it seriously?" Jesus continued on
to teach that "the words [He] spoke...are spirit and life...and
that no one can come to [Him] unless it is granted by the Father".
With this last statement, many of Christ's disciples broke away
and would not remain in His company any longer. But when Jesus
turned to His Twelve apostles and asked if they want to leave
too, Simon Peter answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have
the words of eternal life."

In the gospel of John, the first miracle Jesus performed was in
the wedding at Cana in Galilee (2:1-12). The second miracle was
the healing of the official's son at Capernaum (4:43-54). And
another miracle performed by Jesus was the multiplication of the
loaves (6:1-15). There were many other signs and wonders that
Jesus performed (like walking on the water) before the Bread of
Life Discourse, but the three miracles mentioned above are the
ones that may have created a large discipleship and following for
Jesus (because the miracles were more public in form and not
witnessed only by His Twelve apostles). The miracles, signs,
and wonders that Jesus performed have awed the crowds greatly
that made some follow Him more closely. However, when it came
to believing in Him as the Bread of Life whose flesh and blood
are to bring them eternal life, many of these disciples found
His saying too difficult to understand and they broke away from
following Him. Only the Twelve remained with Jesus.

In our life journey, like these disciples and apostles, many of
us believe in Christ through the Church because we have a great
respect for God and His authority. The greatness of the Church's
history, its longstanding educational and charitable institutions,
and its roster of Christian heroes and martyrs, creates in us a
sense of awe, wonder and deep respect. However, as we age and are
taught values and principles that are difficult for us to learn
and obey, we begin to doubt and may eventually mistrust the truth
which the Church teaches. If we have not inculcated or developed
a personal relationship with Christ through Word and Sacrament,
then we might be tempted like the disciples in the Gospel, to
abandon the Church. The key to loyalty to Christ through the
Church seems to be related to the degree of our closeness to
God - a closeness (like the Twelve apostles) that connects us to
the very Source of Life. And this Source of Life we are
privileged to encounter as much as we need, in the Eucharist.

20th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-08-10T17:07:00.001-07:00

First reading: Proverbs 9:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34
Second reading: Ephesians 5:15-20
Gospel reading: John 6:51-58

"The man who feeds on this Bread shall live forever."

This is the fourth Sunday that we continue to reflect on the
meaning of bread and Eucharist in our Christian lives. Last July
26, we heard the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and dried
fish for five thousand men. Then on August 2, we learned how the
crowds went out of their way to seek Jesus because they had their
fill of loaves. And last August 9, we heard the first part of
the Bread of Life discourse given by Jesus: how He is the Bread
of Life who came down from heaven. This Sunday, August 16, we
will hear the second part of this discourse on the Bread of Life.
We will learn how the Jews quarreled among themselves because
they were troubled with the question, "how can He give us His
flesh to eat?" Jesus however answered them and assured the many
that whoever feeds on His flesh will have life eternal.

It is quite understandable to see why the Jews could not perceive
the meaning Jesus intended in His discourse. First of all, they
may be thinking only on the level of the natural order - where
food is seen as the flesh of the animals they are permitted to
eat in their Jewish law. Secondly, they perceived Jesus also in
the natural order - Him being the son of Mary and a carpenter by
profession. And thirdly, they saw the sign of the multiplication
of the loaves not in the sense of the Person of the Giver, but
only through the result they needed - they were fed physically.
However, if the Jews saw all these three instances on a spiritual
level, then they may have thought a little more deeply, and
answered the call to enter into the mystery of Jesus as not only
human, but also divine.

We are privileged to have been free from all this quarrels,
troubles, and misunderstanding among the Jews, because we already
have the Eucharist before us. When we hear and read these gospel
passages from John, we know what Jesus really means: He gives
His very Self to us through the Eucharist. We are also able to
see that the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves that
happened two millenia ago, happens to us everyday whenever the
Eucharist is celebrated. The only difference is that whereas the
loaves were multiplied by Jesus to feed five thousand men, now in
the Eucharist He gives Himself to the whole world in the form of
consecrated host and wine. For many of us, we may have become so
familiar with the Eucharist that we forget all the historical
context in which it was born and originated from. Perhaps, these
four Sundays can give us the opportunity to reflect on how the
Eucharist is truly a great gift from Christ, and dwell more on
how it has or will continue to be a miracle too in our lives.

19th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-08-04T20:58:00.001-07:00

First reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34
Second reading: Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2
Gospel reading: John 6:41-51

"The bread I will give is My Flesh, for the life of the world."

Last Sunday, August 2, the gospel account told the story of how
the crowds sought Jesus because they had their fill of loaves
(Jesus had just performed a miracle by multiplying the five loaves
and the two dried fish to feed five thousand men). As the crowds
found Jesus, Jesus took the occasion to teach them about the
importance and value of having faith in His Person - of Him being
the Bread of Life. For August 9's gospel, Jesus continues His
discourse on how He is the Bread that came down from heaven. As
He speaks, even though some Jews started to murmur against Him,
because they knew His earthly origins, Jesus rebuked them and
made a full discourse of how all humanity can live forever if we
believe and have faith in Him.

As Jesus entered our human history, He brought with Him the Good
News of salvation and eternal life. As Moses was instrumental in
forging the old Covenant between Yahweh and the people Israel,
Jesus is like a new Moses, who has forged a new Covenant between
the Father and the new Israel - the Church. In the old Covenant,
the manna provided by Yahweh to the people was perishable food.
As the people Israel ate this food in the desert, they
nevertheless perished. In the new Covenant, the Son of God
Himself gives His own Body and Blood as our food. Being eternal
and divine (coming down from heaven and incarnated in the flesh),
if we eat this food, though our bodies will also perish, we will
nevertheless rise again with Christ and share in the gift of
eternal life.

In life, we experience many things that remind us of death: the
loss of a loved one; the loss of a job or means of living; the
failure of a business; sickness, disability and old age;
shattered hopes and dreams, disappointments, rejection and
abandonment; the loss of prestige, honor, social status, and
power; and a spirit of despair because of our sinfulness and the
realization of our misguided goals and bent paths. In all these
experiences, Jesus will enter our life to give us hope. And He
instituted this gift of hope also in the Eucharist. Even though
we may feel broken, heavy-hearted, burdened, weak, spiritually
dead, guilty, and practically brought down and low by the many
misfortunes and evils that come our way, the Eucharist (and the
sacrament of Reconciliation also) is always there for us. Jesus
will not leave us in our broken state. He gives us hope by
feeding us with His own Body and Blood. When we eat His Flesh,
have faith in Him, and realize that even though He died He had
risen from the dead. Partaking of His gift in the Eucharist,
will grant us the hope of eternal life with Him which will
raise us from our broken state.

18th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-07-29T17:20:00.001-07:00

First reading: Exodus 16:2-4. 12-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78
Second reading: Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
Gospel reading: John 6:24-35

"I Myself am the Bread of Life."

We continue reflecting on the gospel of John. Between this coming
Sunday's gospel passage, and the passage last Sunday, there is the
story of Jesus walking on the water. But the common theme that
links the two Sunday gospels, is the theme on bread and the
Eucharist. After hearing the story of the multiplication of the
loaves last Sunday, we now continue seeing the crowds seeking
Jesus again. When they had found Him, Jesus retorted that they
were looking for Him because they had eaten their fill of the
loaves. Jesus took this occasion to teach them about the
importance of faith in Him, as the One God sent to His people,
to be the Bread of Life (just as God had done so with His people
Israel when He gave them the manna to eat while they were in the
desert). Jesus emphasizes that anyone who comes to Him and
acknowledges Him as the Bread of Life, shall never be hungry or
thirst again.

It is but natural for us human beings to focus on the gift we
receive from others, and sometimes overlook the person of the
giver - especially if the gift we received was something very
valuable and precious. This is what happened also to the crowds
who were following Jesus. After they witnessed His great signs
and had their fill of the loaves, they again looked for Jesus
not because of His Person, but because of the gift of the miracle
they had seen and had benefitted from. They received a great
gift, but overlooked the Giver of the gift - Christ, the Provider.
That is why Jesus taught them to acknowledge God, who is even able
to gift them with imperishable food. This imperishable food is
no other than Jesus Himself. He is the Bread of Life that will
nourish His people so that they will not hunger and thirst as
their fathers did in the desert.

Many are the times we have received blessings and all sorts of
favors from the Lord. But in our poverty, we seek the Lord
because of what He can do for us, and forget to be grateful for
His generosity and goodness as a Person. Perhaps, this gospel
passage is a good occasion to open our eyes again, so that we may
grow more in faith - to see the Lord as the generous Provider
that He really is, and not only as a source of the sustenance
we need in life. He is the imperishable food, the Bread of Life
who deeply nourishes our soul and gives life to our spirit.
As we attend the Eucharistic celebration this coming Sunday, let
us thank the Lord for His generosity and goodness (despite our
sinfulness and failings), and not limit the greatness of His
Person to just the blessings and good favors He gives to our
family and our immediate social network.

17th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-07-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

First reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145
Second reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Gospel reading: John 6:1-15

"A vast crowd kept following Him because they saw the signs He
was performing."

Last Sunday, we saw clearly how Jesus is the Good Shepherd of
Israel - both to His apostles and to His people. That passage of
last Sunday came from the gospel of Mark chapter 6. This Sunday,
the 17th Sunday of the Year, is from the gospel of John - also
from chapter 6. In this passage from John, we will learn about
the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves of bread and the
dried fish, for about five thousand men. How did this crowd who
followed Jesus become so big? Because Jesus was performing many
great signs and cures for the sick, a vast crowd was developing
a following after Him. And this time, in this passage of John,
we find five thousand men following Jesus. Jesus and His two
apostles Philip and Andrew, then felt responsible for this vast
crowd of people and discussed how they would be able to feed them.
Andrew remarked that there was a lad with five barley loaves and
a couple of dried fish. What Philip and Andrew deemed impossible,
Jesus made possible. Jesus made the people recline, and then He
performed another sign that would make the people say, "This is
undoubtedly the Prophet who is to come into the world".

All throughout His public ministry, Jesus performed many signs,
wonders, and miraculous cures. The greatest miracle that is
recorded in the gospels is the miracle of His Resurrection from
the dead. During His public ministry, Jesus has raised many dead
back to life again. And He Himself attests to the power of God,
as a God of Life, who raised His Son from the dead through the
power of the Holy Spirit. From these miracles, we can see clearly
that one important mission of Jesus in building the Kingdom of
God is the mission for life. And this mission for life He begins
with restoring life to the sick (expelling of demons and curing
of the sick) and sustaining life (the multiplication of the
loaves). This mission of Jesus to restore, sustain, and renew
life in His people has finally become instituted in the Sacrament
of the Holy Eucharist. Through the Eucharist, we are restored
(when we say "Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say
the word and I shall be healed"), and our souls are nourished
and sustained once again with the life of grace from the Body
and Blood of Jesus. The Eucharist which Jesus instituted was
meant for us, that we may have life to the full. As we receive
this fullness of life from Him, we also are sent by Jesus
through the Church, to share this fullness of life with other
individuals and families.

In the world that we live in, we are often caught in situations
that lead us to sin and spiritual death. We become unaware of
this unless God opens our eyes to see in what way we have sinned,
and in what way we have lost the life of grace in our soul. We
thus see ourselves as part of that vast crowd of people who
followed Jesus because they sense that there is a great source
of life in Him. But like the vast crowd who followed Jesus not
because of the person of Jesus, but because of the great signs He
performed, we follow Jesus because of what He can do for us. We
focus so much on the gifts and the blessings that we forget the
Source of these gifts and blessings - Christ Himself. In the
Eucharist, God gives us spiritual food that our souls may have
life in Him. If we see ourselves to occupied with gaining more
control, more profit, or more relationships, we might suddenly
see how we have lost our balance and moderation in life. This
is why the Church obligates us and our families to attend the
Eucharist every Sunday. It is only through the grace we receive
in the Eucharist that can help balance our life so that we are
able to see from a wider perspective the ultimate goal of our
life. And that goal and end is Christ - One who restores us to
Himself as we become one with Him and with others in the joy of
the Eucharistic celebration.

16th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-07-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

First reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23
Second reading: Ephesians 2:13-18
Gospel reading: Mark 6:30-34

"He began to teach them at great length."

We continue reflecting this 16th Sunday of the Year on the gospel
of Mark. After the gospel last Sunday presented to us how Jesus
commissioned the Twelve for a mission to expel demons, anoint the
sick, and work cures for the ill, this Sunday continues on from
that story (with a passage in between them telling of the death of
John the Baptizer). The apostles now return to Jesus and report to
Him what they have done. Jesus on the other hand told them to
come "to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little". Because of
the great works they were doing, people were coming to them in
great numbers. So that they could rest, Jesus and the apostles
went off in a boat to a deserted place. But even when they
arrived at the deserted place, many people got to know about it
and went there. Upon disembarking from the boat, Jesus saw a
vast crowd. He pitied them, for they were like sheep without a
shepherd.

If we look closely, we will see three main subjects in this gospel
story: Jesus, the apostles, and the crowds of people. If we look
at the person of Jesus, we will notice how compassionate was His
attitude towards the tiredness and fatigue of His apostles, and
how He was also concerned about the people who needed a leader to
guide them. Then, if we now look at the apostles, we will see how
happy they probably were to report to Jesus the success of the
mission despite their spent energies and lack of rest. And lastly
if we look at the people and the crowds, we shall learn of how
much they are in need of what Jesus can do for them: healing,
direction, and leadership.

At this point of our life, we can examine where we are most
similar in situations with: either with Jesus, or with the
apostles, or with the crowds of people. Are we similar to Jesus
who is very concerned about the people He is responsible for? Or
are we like the apostles who work at our jobs and ministries that
we forget to rest after a successful accomplishment of what we are
supposed to do? Or are we like the crowds of people who feel a
great lack in our life for healing, direction, and guidance? If
we look a little more deeply, perhaps we can situate ourselves,
and see how we are like Jesus in one sense, like the apostles in
another sense, and the like the crowds of people in a certain
situation.

As we get to see where we are in relation to the gospel, maybe we
can learn that when we see ourselves so busy because we want to
help others, or so disoriented because we lack direction and
guidance, then we can stop and refocus ourselves on Jesus. His
message to us in this gospel is clear. He is our Healer, Teacher,
and Good Shepherd - One who is compassionate, One who truly cares,
and One who will guide and teach us the way we should go. We can
then reflect now how we can dispose ourselves so that we may be
still and tranquil, and be able to listen more to the voice of
Christ, our Good Shepherd, and learn much from His wisdom.

15th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-07-07T21:25:00.001-07:00

First reading: Amos 7:12-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85
Second reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Gospel reading: Mark 6:7-13

"Take nothing on the journey but a walking stick."

The gospel for July 12, the 15th Sunday of the Year, is a
continuation from the sixth chapter of the gospel of Mark. Last
Sunday, we learned of Jesus being rejected by His own countrymen,
when He began to teach in the synagogue. This Sunday, we will see
how Jesus summons His Twelve apostles, and gives them authority
over unclean spirits. He also gave instructions as regards what
they are to bring and do in this mission. In short, He told the
Twelve that they are to travel light and to leave in peace in case
the house they visited did not receive them or listen to what they
say. In this mission which Jesus authorized the Twelve, the
apostles were able to expel demons, anoint the sick, and work many
cures.

This gospel passage describes for us how the Christian mission,
at its very root and source, is to be conducted: traveling light,
depending on the people's hospitality, and working to build God's
kingdom through preaching the Good News and healing people from
the evil of sin and sickness. This is why many Catholic persons
who enter a religious life for the missions, do not have much
possessions, and are formed to trust in Divine Providence as they
go where the Gospel has not yet been sown: like in many places in
Asia and in Africa. What they bring to these people who still do
not know Christ, is the power of the Holy Spirit to transform
individuals and families to the likeness of Christ through both
Word and Sacrament.

For us living in a very urbanized and corporate set-up, what does
this mean for us? One basic attitude we can see and learn from
what Jesus instructed His apostles to do, is to "let go, and let
God" work His mission through His instruments. Many of us are
accustomed to seek control of our lives, our families, our jobs,
our businesses, and our possessions. It is also good to have some
moderate control over these things because this leads to order,
organization, and efficient use of resources. However, this
Sunday's gospel teaches us a lesson: that we are to be indifferent
to all these things when it involves going beyond ourselves. When
it comes to bringing the Good News outside the comfort zones of
our home, family and loved ones, we are called to trust more in
God, place all our confidence in Him, and let His Holy Spirit work
well through us. This we can do through the parochial system we
belong to - where families are called to evangelize one another,
to learn Christ from each other, and to support one another in
fulfilling God's will together through the Eucharistic vision of
the parish. Some families may not want to accept what we bring
them in our parish mission, but Jesus teaches us to leave them
in peace - "to shake the dust from our feet" - and to continue
on in finding other families who are willing to follow the
vision of our parish and diocese.

14th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-07-01T16:24:00.001-07:00

First reading: Ezekiel 2:2-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 123
Second reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Gospel reading: Mark 6:1-6

"Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary?"

This coming Sunday, the gospel will pick up from last Sunday's
gospel, where Jesus performed two healing miracles: that of the
woman with a hemorrhage, and the terminally ill daughter of
Jairus. Our story continues with Jesus now going into his own
part of the country, where people know Him as "the carpenter, the
son of Mary". The people also know His relatives: his brothers
James, Joses, Judas and Simon (which holy tradition tells us as
the sons of St. Joseph through Salome, before Joseph became a
widower). Because the people knew the relatives of Jesus, they
did not believe Him even when He performed miraculous deeds and
preached with great wisdom. And because of the people's lack of
faith, Jesus responds to them by saying: "No prophet is without
honor except in his native place, among his own kindred, and in
his own home."

The first reading from the book of Ezekiel also speaks of the
theme of prophet. A prophet in the scriptures is not one we would
associate with today's notion of prophets: those who foretell the
future (like Jeanne Dixon). Unlike this popular notion, the
biblical concept of prophet is one whom God gives His Spirit, and
sends him to speak to His people. The vocation of a prophet is
basically to be God's "spokesman" - who calls all the people back
to God and to be faithful to their covenant with Him. Like the
prophet Ezekiel in the first reading, Jesus too has the Spirit of
the Lord upon Him (Luke 4:18), that He may bring good tidings to
all God's people. Prophets are exceptionally gifted by God to
effect His salvific power upon those who obey and follow His
commands. In our gospel passage for this Sunday, the people who
knew Jesus, could not believe Him as a prophet because there was
nothing exemplary or extraordinary that can be associated with
His being a carpenter and the son of Mary. Also, His relatives
are common and ordinary people.

If we place ourselves in that same time and place in history as
Jesus was, would we have the same reaction as His own people, or
would we be among the few who believe in Him because of the great
things He had performed and of the few sick He cured in His own
country? If we examine ourselves, and search our hearts, we may
predict what would be our response if we were in that same time
and place. If we judge simply by appearances, or go with the
flow of the thinking majority, then we would not believe in
Jesus as a prophet sent by God. However, if we look beyond human
appearances and look deeper, we may be like the few who had seen
a glimpse of the divine in what Jesus is saying and miraculously
doing. One very, very basic truth that can lead us to believe
in Jesus like the few in the gospel story, is that Jesus is like
the prophets of old who were chosen by God to save us and lead us
back to God. One lesson therefore we can learn from this gospel
is to have that spiritual sense to see God in the ordinary,
commonplace, and daily grind of life. Let us pray that we do not
look only at mere appearances but to look more deeply, to search
our hearts, and let it have a vision of Jesus' saving action in
the very milieu in which we live, move and have our being.

13th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-06-23T19:27:00.001-07:00

First reading: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 30
Second reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Gospel reading: Mark 5:21-43

"If I just touch His clothing...I shall get well."

This Sunday, we are given a story of Jesus' healing ministry. It
is the story of Jairus, a synagogue official, who fell at the feet
of Jesus and made an earnest appeal: that Jesus would heal his
critically ill daughter. Jesus went with Jairus, while a large
crowd followed them. As they went on, there was a woman in the
area who had been afflicted with a hemorrhage for many years.
Doctors could not heal her ailment, and her sickness grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him to touch His
clothing - believing that just by a mere touch, she would get
well. And true to her faith, after she did so, her flow of blood
dried up and she got well. Jesus learned of what happened, and
said to the woman, "your faith has cured you." After this first
healing incident, Jesus and Jairus arrived at their destination.
They entered the house and Jesus saw the girl lying in bed. She
took the child by the hand and said, "Talitha koum", which means,
"little girl, get up." The girl, a child of twelve, stood up
immediately and began to walk around.

This healing story is really two miracle stories combined into
one. According to bible scholar Wilfrid Harrington in his book,
"Mark", this is evangelist St. Mark's "sandwich" technique. Mark
uses two verses (verse 24 and verse 35) to tie up the two healing
stories into one. Harrington then continues with his observations
and adds that "salvation and faith are the major themes of this
two-faceted story". And what is common in the two healing stories
is that salvation through healing was a result of "touch": at
Jesus' touch Jairus daughter will be made well (verse 23); and
the woman with the hemorrhage is convinced that if she touches
Jesus' garment, she will be made well (verse 28).

From this healing story, we recognize the concern of Jesus for the
sick. When Jairus came to Him, Jesus responded with availability.
In the story, we also learn that the sick (like the woman with
the hemorrhage) are given by the Lord enough strength to approach
Him so that they can be cured. And also, in the case of the
bedridden girl, God provides family and loved ones to intercede
for a sick family member who cannot help herself.

All of us humans share the human condition of vulnerability to
all kinds of ailments and illnesses. But the miracle story above
presents to us a God who gives us genuine hope for healing. Even
if we are sick, God provides us with enough strength to help our
selves and reach out to Him in prayer - and believing that
miracles still and do happen. Also, if we do not have enough
strength to help ourselves in our sickness, God provides us with
family, friends, or concerned people to work and find means of a
cure for us. This is a very consoling truth to know: that God, in
the person of Christ Jesus, gives us all the means, that we may
hope in Him for anything, especially for our healing and the
healing of our family members and friends.

12th Sunday of the Year (B)

2009-06-15T18:10:00.001-07:00

First reading: Job 38:1,8-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 107
Second reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Gospel reading: Mark 4:35-41

"Who can this be that the wind and sea obey Him?"

For this Sunday's gospel, we will hear proclaimed at the lectern,
a miracle story from the gospel of Mark: Jesus stilling the storm.
The story is briefly described. Jesus and His disciples leave the
crowd, and ride in boats toward the sea. As they were at sea, a
bad squall blew up, and the waves were breaking over the boat. The
disciples became alarmed and went to Jesus - who was in the stern
all this time, and sound asleep. The disciples woke Jesus, and
expressed their alarm - fearing that they would all drown. Jesus
awoke, and rebuked the wind and stilled the sea with His voice.
Suddenly, everything became calm. Then Jesus said to His
disciples, "Why are you so terrified? Why lack in faith?" Then a
great awe overcame all the disciples, for they have just witnessed
how their Master commanded the wind and the sea, and it obeyed
Him.

Bible scholar and author Herman Hendrickx, in his book, "The
Miracle Stories", tell us that the previous verses of this gospel
passage let us see Christ as withdrawing from the crowd, who flock
to Him as a healer. And Jesus also withdraws from persons in the
crowd whose unclean spirits wanted to make Him known as the
"exorcistic Son of God". Fr. Herman Hendrickx teaches that this
withdrawal of Jesus from the crowds, and His escape by boat
towards the sea, was because Jesus did not want to be identified
as only a "healer-exorcist". And indeed, the miracle story we
just witnessed had proven that Jesus was something more than a
"healer-exorcist". The miracle He performed is leading us to see
Him in the context of the divine. So, from this miracle at sea,
the plot builds up until Mark 8:29, when Peter, inspired by the
Father, confesses Jesus as "the Messiah".

It took time before the apostles and disciples of Jesus got to
know who He was. It was only after the descent of the Holy Spirit
at Pentecost that they finally learned the whole truth about their
Master. Like the apostles, we too have to make sense of who Jesus
is for us. In our journey as Christians, we will experience the
healing of many of our ills and sins by God through the sacraments
of the Church. And as we experience the "storms of life", if we
go to Jesus to save us, we will experience peace again, and be
thankful that all has been made well for us. Let us review the
storms of life that we have gone through, and examine in what way
did God calm and still these storms of our life? Did each
resolution of the storm strengthen our faith in God? How certain
am I that Jesus will help me through another storm of life? Is
there something shaking that certainty? What means am I taking
to strengthen my faith in Jesus?

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ - Corpus Christi

2009-06-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

First reading: Exodus 24:3-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116
Second reading: Hebrews 9:11-15
Gospel reading: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

"'Take this,' He said, 'this is My Body'".

From the gospel of Mark, we find a brief account of the Last
Supper. It begins with the scene wherein Jesus' disciples asked
their Master where He wished to celebrate the Passover supper.
Jesus gave His disciples instructions to go into the city, follow
a man carrying a water jar until he enters into a house, and then
ask the owner of the house for a guest-room for them to eat the
Passover meal. As the disciples followed Jesus' instructions,
they found it just as Jesus told them - and they were given an
upstairs room, spacious and all in order. It is in this upstairs
room where Jesus ate the Last Supper with His apostles. This
gospel passage of Mark reflects what we always hear in the Mass
as the bread and wine is consecrated:

"...He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
'Take this,' He said, 'this is My Body.' He likewise took a cup...
He said to them: 'This is my blood...to be poured out on behalf
of many'".

If we place ourselves in the shoes of the apostles, we would
probably not know or understand well what Jesus meant by this
action of His during the Last Supper. In the gospels, we are
always made aware that even the apostles of Jesus did not
understand what He was teaching or doing. They did not understand
the parables of Jesus unless Jesus explained it to them. This is
because Jesus speaks very deeply about the mystery of God, and the
life God has destined for us. And one of the deep mysteries in
which Jesus speaks about before His disciples, is the mystery of
His Body and Blood. This is the mystery and the miracle which we
witness everyday in the celebration of the Eucharist: the
transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and the Blood
of Christ Jesus - "Corpus Christi".

Just as our bodies need nourishment, so that we may obtain the
strength we need to work well, and be at the service of our
family, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, so too our soul
needs to be nourished with spiritual food. Jesus is our spiritual
food. He is the Bread that came down from Heaven. He who eats
this Bread will have eternal life. By the sacrifice of Jesus on
the Cross, He has given us His very self, so that when we eat and
drink His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, we shall also receive
the fruits of the Resurrection: new life, that leads to eternal
life, and communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

2009-06-01T17:21:00.001-07:00

First reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33
Second reading: Romans 8:14-17
Gospel reading: Matthew 28:16-20

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations".

For the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the gospel of Matthew,
chapter 28, verses 16-20, will be proclaimed in the Sunday Mass.
This gospel passage is found at the very end of Matthew's gospel.
Since it concludes his gospel, Matthew has Jesus proclaim a very
important mandate: His missionary mandate to His disciples. And
this missionary mandate to go to all peoples and make disciples of
all nations, by baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is a command not only His
apostles are to carry out, but we also are to follow and obey. By
doing so, we shall have the knowledge and understanding that the
Lord is with us "always, until the end of the world!"

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity, is a doctrine that has been
fought over for us by the Church Fathers of the early Christian
eras. In the early Christian Church, Christian doctrine was
slowly being formed, as these Church Fathers, in docility to the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, discerned how to pass on orthodox
teaching to the succeeding generations. What the Church Fathers
have achieved has become an essential part of our Catholic
tradition. Therefore, even if we do not see the word or term
"Trinity" in the Bible, this is because it has become part of our
Catholic tradition - one that involves the life, prayer, and work
of the apostolic community and their successor bishops and
clergy.

We will know how essential the Trinity is in our life because we
begin every prayer and celebration of the Eucharist by invoking
the Blessed Trinity with the sign of the cross. And also, we
realize how essential this doctrine is when we recall how John
Paul II prepared the Jubilee Year 2000, with a year for the Son
(1997), a year for the Holy Spirit (1998), and a year of the
Father (1999). This is how important the Holy Trinity is in our
Christian lives and for the whole Catholic Church. Our task now
is to teach this important doctrine to our children, so that when
they grow up to be fully mature Catholics, they too will pass on
this very important doctrine and teaching of the Church, to their
own children.

Pentecost Sunday

2009-05-27T17:39:00.001-07:00

First reading: Acts 2:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104
Second reading: Galatians 5:16-25
Gospel reading: John 15:26-27; 16:12-15

"He will guide you to all truth".

This passage from the gospel of John, makes us see Jesus and how
He spoke to His disciples about the coming of the Paraclete - "the
Spirit of truth who comes from the Father". This Paraclete, the
Holy Spirit, will be sent by Christ from the Father, to bear
witness on behalf of Christ's words and deeds. His coming to the
community of the apostles and disciples, will guide them to the
fullness of truth, and about the things that are to come.

Pentecost Sunday is the culmination of the Easter season. The word
"Pentecost", comes from the root word meaning "fifty". It tells
us that between Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday, there is a
span of fifty days. And Pentecost is the solemnity of the descent
of the Holy Spirit upon the apostolic community. As the Holy
Spirit overshadowed Mary and conceived in her womb the Word-made-
flesh (Jesus Christ), so the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary
and the apostles, gave birth to the Church - to all the followers
of Jesus that will continue the work and ministry of Christ thru
the power of the Holy Spirit.

In our Catholic tradition, we learn more again about the Holy
Spirit when a member of our family is being prepared to receive
the sacrament of Confirmation. Through this sacrament, a person
becomes fully "equipped" by the Holy Spirit, for the Christian
struggle against sin and evil in the world. The person becomes
as it were, a "soldier of Christ" - one who belongs under the
standard and banner of Christ, and through His mighty Spirit,
battles against all the evil that he encounters in his life
journey. The Holy Spirit is therefore a spiritual power for good.
He equips the Christian with gifts and strengths to bear and
produce good works in the world. From the Holy Spirit, we receive
wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, strength, fear
of the Lord, justice, temperance, fortitude, prudence, charity,
joy, peace, fidelity, goodness, kindness, patience, generosity,
chastity, modesty, self-control and gentleness. These gifts and
other countless spiritual gifts to build the Christian community,
are given by the Holy Spirit to us, that we may bear witness to
the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. The truth that we are to
bear witness to is a Truth that heals, teaches, saves, and
shepherds to genuine prayer, good works, and acts of holiness.

The Lord's Ascension - World Communications Day

2009-05-18T14:15:00.001-07:00

First reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47
Second reading: Ephesians 4:17-24
Gospel reading: Mark 16:15-20

"Jesus was taken up into heaven and took His seat at God's right
hand."

The account of the Lord's ascension in the gospel of Mark is very
brief. It begins with Jesus appearing to His Eleven apostles and
commanding them to undertake a global mission of evangelization
and baptism. Jesus adds, that belief in the Good News will save
all those who accept the Gospel, but the refusal to believe in the
same, will condemn the unbelievers. The sign by which those who
will believe, will know that they are indeed faithful to the
Gospel, and truly follow Christ, are these: they will have the
power to expel demons; to speak new languages; to handle serpents
without them being harmed; to be unharmed also from poison; and to
heal the sick, and bring them to recovery. After saying all these
things to His Eleven apostles, Jesus ascended into heaven and
seated at the right of His Father. The work of Christ now was to
be continued by the Eleven, and the message they will give to all
people, will be accompanied by the power Jesus granted them to
perform in His name.

The Kingdom of God is not a political power or state. It is a
spiritual force by which the Church journeys to God, by her love
and compassion for humanity. Because of the mission entrusted to
the Eleven, they are sent to bring humanity back to Christ, by
their preaching and baptizing. These Eleven apostles will then
receive the full power of the Holy Spirit, when the Spirit
descends upon them at Pentecost, and lead them to all truth - the
truth about Jesus, & the Kingdom Christ was to establish among us.
Jesus had to ascend up into heaven, so that the Father can send
the Holy Spirit, to be with all His apostles and disciples until
the end of time (in which Jesus will come a second time).

In this mystery of Christ's Ascension, we catch a glimpse of the
glory of God, as it is revealed in Jesus sitting at God's right
hand. The Eleven witnessed this, and we believe in this mystery
also by our faith in the gospel and the traditions of the Church.
When Jesus left His earthly ministry to the responsible hands of
the Eleven apostles, these apostles in turn, share their mission
and ministry with us. The glory that the apostles witnessed in
the ascension of Jesus, will be the glory that we will also share
with Christ, if we accept our share of the responsibility, in the
mission and ministry of the Church, to build the Kingdom of God.
Let us therefore thank the Father, give Him praise and honor
forever, for gifting us with His Son Jesus, that we may share too
in their life of glory - a life of grace that we had lost since
the sin of our first parents. With Jesus, there is always hope
again for all of us.

6th Sunday of Easter (B)

2009-05-11T01:05:00.001-07:00

First reading: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98
Second reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Gospel reading: John 15:9-17

"Live on in My love."

This passage from the gospel of John teaches us about God's act,
and expression of love, through Christ's discourse. According to
Jesus, we are in union with God's love, if we live in His love,
as He also lives in the love of the Father. And with this love of
Christ, our joy will be complete. The measure by which we are to
increase the quality of this love, is the standard Christ gave us
through His own example: that great love is given when one lays
down his life for his friends. And this quality of love will bear
fruit, and will endure, if we continue to obey the command of
Jesus: to love one another.

Bible scholars tell us that the gospel of John has a distinctive
difference with the other gospels. Whereas the other three
gospels can be seen and viewed through common themes (Matthew
and Luke borrow passages from Mark), John's gospel is
structured and themed differently, and the text comes from a
different scriptural tradition. The discourses in the gospel
of John are more lofty, while the synoptic gospels (Mark,
Matthew, and Luke), ground their writing in the humanity
and person of Jesus. What however, brings all these gospel
traditions together, and unites them into a common theme,
is Christ's commandment of love. Mark, Matthew and Luke has
Jesus saying: "Love the Lord God with all your mind, with
all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
strength. Love your neighbor as your self". Each gospel's
tradition may distinguish each one from the other, but the
message of love in their passages all say the same refrain:
we are to love God with our whole being, and to love our
neighbor as our self.

The reality of love that we grew up with is found in many modern
life-situations: in the family, in school, in our work and
professions, with our own family or religious communities, with
people in our neighborhood or in the parish, and with other very
significant persons in our life. We know by experience that love
expressed in these situations, and in the relationships it is
immersed in, is imperfect. It can cause dissensions, conflicts,
misunderstanding, envy or jealousy, chaos, idolatry, sensuality,
worldliness, and so forth. But Jesus teaches us a love that is of
God. It is a love that is pure, patient, not jealous or proud,
not ill-mannered or selfish, not happy with evil, but is happy
with the truth. And the truth God teaches us about love is this:
to have Christ as the source and example by which we are to act
in love and holiness in our state of life.

5th Sunday of Easter (B)

2009-05-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

First reading: Acts 4:26-31
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22
Second reading: 1 John 3:18-24
Gospel reading: John 15:1-8

"For apart from Me you can do nothing."

The gospel passage for the 5th Sunday of Easter, is taken from the
15th chapter of John, verses 1-8. In the passage, Jesus gives a
discourse on how true success is really rooted in our relationship
with Him. He says that He is the vine, the Father is the vine-
grower, and all His followers are the branches. If anyone is not
rooted in Jesus, he would be like a barren branch. But those who
are connected in a personal relationship with Jesus, will bear
fruit, and increase their yield. And it is not our success which
gives us glory. According to Christ, by bearing much fruit in
His name alone, and becoming His true disciple, our success will
ultimately glorify the Father.

Jesus uses familiar images when He speaks to the people of His
time. That is why He speaks of shepherd-sheep iamgery, sower-seed
parables, and things of nature the people truly understand: the
mustard seed, faith that can move mountains, the lilies of the
field and the birds of the air, etc. In today's gospel, He speaks
of vine-branches imagery. He uses this image to make a very, very
essential point in life: without God, even our successes are
empty and barren. However, with God, the fruits we produce will
overflow with a spirit of joy.

In the course of a lifetime, we all experience both successes and
failures. That is really part of being human in our world. In
our early years, especially (for many of us) if we are not yet
spiritually mature, when we experience failure, we often do not
as yet understand what it means in relation to life's mysteries.
But this experience of failure can be an instrument that God can
use to make us seek Him and entreat His help. And once we begin
to establish a good personal relationship with Christ, whether we
experience failure or success, much spiritual fruit can be
harvested from the experience: joy, happiness, fortitude, charity,
perseverance, fidelity, goodness, generosity, and most especially,
wisdom. We can only achieve something, if we rely not only on our
own strength, but on the strength that God is willing to give to
all those who ask it from Him.

4td Sunday of Easter (B) - Good Shepherd Sunday

2009-04-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

First reading: Acts 4:8-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118
Second reading: 1 John 3:1-2
Gospel reading: John 10:11-18

"For this sheep I will give My life."

The first three Easter Sundays narrate to us the Resurrection of
Jesus and His appearances to His followers: the first spoke of the
empty tomb; the second spoke of Him appearing to St. Thomas; and
in the third Sunday, we learned of Jesus reappearing to the
disciples whom He walked with on the way to Emmaus. This fourth
Sunday of Easter, we shall hear proclaimed in the Mass, how Jesus
is our Good Shepherd - One who will lay down His very life for us.
And Jesus does not limit His being Shepherd to our families and
our communities only. He knows that there are also other sheep He
must bring into our sheepfold - so that as they hear the voice of
Jesus, there shall then be one flock, and one Shepherd.

Many of us are familiar with the term "black sheep". And we know
that in some families, the members of those families treat one
member as the "black sheep of the family" - one who has followed
a direction of error and sin. But whether there is a "black
sheep" in some families we know, or even in our own families, we
are not to lose hope or give up on this person. Jesus, the Good
Shepherd does not give up on any one - no matter how sinful or
evil he has become (as long as there is a desire to repent from
his ways and turn back to God). If any sheep has strayed from the
sheepfold of God, our Good Shepherd will go out of His way in
search of that "black sheep".

This is how great the love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has for
each and every one of us: that even while we were still sinners,
He gave the gift of His life, so that we may be saved from our
sins. The Good Shepherd cares for each and every one of His sheep
in the sheepfold, and even goes far and wide, to bring those who
do not belong to the sheepfold, into His own special care, love,
attention, and protection.

As followers of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we too are called to
shepherd our brothers and sisters - to shepherd them to what is
right and lead them to the love of Christ. This we can do in very
simple ways - through creating a space for silence and reflection,
to use words of sincere gratitude, to beam and give a pleasant
smile, or to brighten up the day of others with a friendly and
bright smile.

3rd Sunday of Easter (B)

2009-04-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

First reading: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 4
Second reading: 1 John 2:1-5
Gospel reading: Luke 24:35-48

"You are witnesses of this."

The Sunday gospels in the liturgical season of Easter, are mostly
presentations of Christ's resurrection appearances to His Apostles
and disciples. In this Sunday's resurrection appearance, Jesus
appeared again to the disciples He walked with on the road to
Emmaus. As He always does, His greeting begins with "Peace to
you". When the disciples became alarmed at His presence -
thinking He was a ghost - Jesus invited them to realize that He
had flesh and bones. Then Jesus asked if they had anything to
eat. When they were at table, He again opened their minds to the
understanding of the Scriptures - with particular attention to the
words written by the prophets about Him (that He would suffer and
then be raised from the dead on the third day).

"You are witnesses of this."

Because the apostles and disciples were actual witnesses to the
passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, they were willing to
suffer for the faith, in the same way that their Master did. This
is what baffles many non-Christians. If the apostles and those
close to Jesus were willing to die as martyrs of the faith, then
the impact of Christ's resurrection and the eventual sending of
the Holy Spirit, was a true reality they actually saw and
experienced. And this Spirit of Christ's self-sacrifice out of
love for the Father and for the world, flowed over not only to the
Apostles and the disciples who actually saw Jesus, but also to all
the members of the Church, in her growth and development in
history.

Though we are not actual witnesses of the events that transpired
in the time of Jesus, we can be assured of the same quality of
faith as the Apostles and the disciples had of Jesus, from what
Jesus said to St. Thomas: "Blest are they who have not seen and
have believed". Our faith in the Risen Lord as an individual or
a family, is rooted in the context of the Eucharistic community
we are part of and belong to. Every time we celebrate the
Eucharist with the priest-presider, the readers, the communion
ministers, the choir, and all who contribute to the worship of
the Lord on Sunday, we also become witnesses of Jesus - as the
bread and wine become His Body and Blood.

2nd Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday

2009-04-16T12:20:00.001-07:00

First reading: Acts 4:32-35
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118
Second reading: 1 John 5:1-6
Gospel reading: John 20:19-31

"Peace be with you."

The gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Easter tells the story of Thomas,
who did not at first believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.
He was absent when Jesus, in His Risen form, appeared before His
companions. But when Jesus came back and Thomas was now with his
companions, he came to believe in Jesus rising from the dead. And
Jesus told Thomas, "You became a believer because you saw me.
Blest are they who have not seen and have believed".

One of the tools used by bible scholars to interpret the meaning
of a gospel passage is to count how many times a word or phrase is
mentioned many times over in the passage. In this gospel passage,
we find "Peace be with you" mentioned three times. Then the root
word "believe", and all its word variants, are mentioned five
times. With these findings, we can generally say that the themes
the evangelist John wanted to convey and present to his readers
are "peace" and "faith".

The message of the Risen Lord to His apostles and to us, is a
message of peace. After experiencing so much violence and abuse
on His person, Jesus proved to be victorious by rising again and
teaching us to follow a path of peace. It is indeed very good
and inspiring to know how such great mercy exists in the person of
Jesus of Nazareth - who despite being crucified, forgave His
executioners, and now in His Risen form brings a message of peace.
If we with to really follow Christ, then we too must forgive those
who victimize us, and like Jesus, be a herald of peace. It is
only by God's pure gift of grace that we can do as Jesus did.

The key to being a herald of peace is faith in the person of Jesus
Christ. We are therefore called not to doubt like Thomas, but to
have great faith in the power of the Resurrection. We can be
merciful and forgiving only by being rooted in Christ, the Divine
Mercy. If we learn to be merciful and forgiving every day of our
life, we shall obtain the peace that only Christ can give (and
which our world cannot give in the same manner as Jesus can). Let
us therefore always pray and remember the prayer of St. Francis of
Assisi, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."

Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection

2009-04-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

First reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118
Second reading: Colossians 3:1-4
Gospel reading: John 20:1-9

"He saw and believed."

The gospel for Easter Sunday is taken from the gospel of John. It
narrates the discovery of the empty tomb. The story is familiar
to us:

Mary Magdalene goes out early in the morning to visit the
tomb, and sees the stone moved away from its entrance
Mary Magdalene running (probably with some anxiety) to tell
Simon Peter and John (the disciple Jesus loved) and tells them
the news that Jesus' body had been taken away!
Peter and John running side by side to the tomb area, with
John (who was very much younger) outrunning Peter, and reaching
the tomb first
John now at the entrance of the tomb, bending down to peer in,
and seeing the burial wrappings of Jesus on the ground
Simon Peter finally arriving, entering the tomb (being older
and more responsible), and examining the burial wrappings and the
piece of cloth that covered Jesus' head (which was rolled now up
to one side of the burial place)
John following Peter now and enters the tomb
After seeing all that was in the tomb, John believes

If we place ourselves in this gospel scene using our imagination,
what would we have thought, felt or have done? Imagine ourself
as one of the disciples close to Peter and John. When we hear the
news from Mary Magdalene, what would our reaction be? Probably
like Peter and John: we want to find out what happened. How fast
can we run? Can we outrun John or can we outrun Peter? And as we
enter the tomb with Peter and John, what would be the first thing
that would enter our mind? Would we believe like John, or would we
be like Peter and observe very well what the empty tomb presents?

Faith is a gift. And it is a gift not given to everyone. That is
why we are called to be thankful to God for the gift of faith He
has given us. All throughout His ministry, Jesus has always
emphasized the importance of faith. It was faith in Him that has
healed the blind, the lame, the deaf-mute, and all those who
sought His help in behalf of their sick loved ones

How strong is our faith in Jesus? We must remember that even Peter
sank (for lack of faith) after walking on the water to meet Jesus,
because he lost courage when he saw the waves growing stronger
around him. And we must remember also that John too failed to
keep awake, watch and pray, when he was (together with Peter and
James) with Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. If both
these men who were already close to Jesus, still lacked faith for
a time, then how much more we who are centuries apart from that
historical place and event?

If our faith in Christ may be weak for a time, we can however pray
for the gift of a stronger faith in Him. We should especially
make this prayer more prominent in our lives as Christians when we
experience trials, difficulties, great losses, and the common
storms of life which we all share through our basic human
condition. If we patiently endure the trials we have in life with
faith, pray to God for the strength to bear our crosses, then
eventually, after doing God's will, we will receive His promise of
eternal life. Jesus has become man for our sakes to show us the
Way to Life, i.e.: to deny our selves, take up our crosses and
live a self-sacrificing lifestyle out of love for our family,
respect God and the Church, obey the state and its laws, love our
neighbors as ourselves, and pray for our enemies. By following
this Way of Christ, we shall grow in greater faith every day and
finally when we are called to leave this world, we shall share
in Jesus' heritage and receive God's promise of eternal life.

Good Friday

2009-04-09T14:01:00.001-07:00

First reading: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31
Second reading: Hebrew 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel reading: John 18:1 - 19:42

"Now it is finished."

The gospel passage for Good Friday spans two chapters in the
gospel of John. It starts with Jesus and His disciples going
across the Kidron valley and then entering a garden in that area.
At the end of the gospel passage, there is also mention of a
garden - in which is found an empty tomb for Jesus to be buried.
Between the beginning of this gospel, and up to the end of the
passage, we all know the story by heart. But it is different when
we hear it proclaimed on Good Friday. Good Friday may be seen as
the most solemn day of all the days in our liturgical calendar. It
is so solemn, that everyone behaves accordingly. When we come to
that part where it says: "When Jesus took the wine, He said, "Now
it is finished. Then he bowed His head, and delivered over His
Spirit", the whole congregation is requested to kneel down in deep
respect, and silently acknowledge in our hearts the great self-
sacrificing love God has for each and every one of us.

Jesus had a very short public life. Traditionally, it is said to
be three years (with his death at age thirty-three). But it was a
public life fully spent in the service of all humanity and in
obedience to the Father's will. In those short years, Jesus has
healed so many people - from all sorts of ailments and even from
evil (demonic possession). He has taught and preached so many
times - on top of a mountain, before a very large crowd, and most
often during simple meal gatherings. And the miracles and wonders
He has performed amazed not only His apostles but also others. And
probably His greatest miracle was the raising of Lazarus from the
dead. There is a popular movie that had made this miracle story
into a very dramatic scene in which everyone who views the scene
would feel an intense mixture of great awe, joy, and excitement.

Jesus has said, "Now it is finished". But His mission has not
ended. As we await Him buried in the tomb, to rise again on Easter
Sunday, we will know that what He "finished", we have to continue.
And the first among those who will immediately continue His
mission are the apostles. But that is a story that will have to
wait for now. What we are called to reflect upon this Good Friday
is the great sacrifice God has performed for all of us. For God
so loved all of humanity and all of creation, that He gave His
only Son Jesus, to die on a cross, so that we may realize our
faults and sinfulness, and look to Christ as the source of grace
and salvation.

Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper - Holy Thursday

2009-04-08T22:54:00.001-07:00

First reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel reading: John 13:1-15

"As I have done, so you must do."

The gospel for the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper is a story
on what Jesus did during the last meal He had with His apostles:
He rose from the meal table, took off His cloak, picked up a towel
to tie it around Himself, poured water into a basin, and began to
wash His disciples' feet. When He came to Simon Peter, Peter did
not accede at first. Since he knew Jesus to be his Master, he
refused to be washed. When Jesus however explained that this
action will give Peter a share in His heritage, Peter overreacted
and now wanted his hands and his head washed as well! Knowing
Peter well, Jesus told him plainly that only his feet needed to
be washed. So, Jesus finished this prophetic action, and put His
cloak back on, then reclined at table once more.

This act of washing the apostles' feet, is a concrete expression
of what Jesus had been preaching to His people: "that the Son of
Man came not to be served, but to serve." What is also moving in
this washing of the feet is that Jesus had integrated the truth
of humble service in His institution of the Eucharist. As we will
soon celebrate the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, the priest-
presider will also do what Jesus did: he will wash the feet of
twelve selected members of his parish. He will follow Jesus'
command: "As I have done, so you must do."

What does "washing each other's feet" mean for us today? As we
celebrate the Eucharist more often, we receive more frequently the
Body and Blood of Jesus - the very life-force of God which makes
us all act in humble service towards each other, especially to
the members of our family, the people we work with, and the people
we interact daily as we go about the tasks and responsibilities of
everyday. It is in these interactions with people that will call
us to obey the command of Jesus that we do as He has done. In
imitation of Jesus, we forget our self and see what would be good
to the significant persons in our state of life, and especially
to the poor whom we know in our neighborhood.

Wednesday in Holy Week

2009-04-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

First reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69
Gospel reading: Matthew 26:14-25

"You have said so."

Wednesday in Holy Week is traditionally called "Spy Wednesday"
because we are given a narration of who the betrayer of Jesus will
be.

The gospel begins with Judas Iscariot asking the chief priests
what he will get in return for handing Jesus over to them. And the
chief priests said, 'thirty pieces of silver'. With that answer,
Judas then sought an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples
asked Jesus where He wants the celebration of the Passover to be.
Jesus gave instructions to His disciples and they did as He
ordered. As night time approached, they were all reclined at
table. Jesus then revealed to all, that one of them would betray
Him. One after another they began to say to Jesus, "Surely it is
not I, Lord?" When it was Judas Iscariot's turn to say, "Surely it
is not I, Rabbi?", and Jesus said, "You have said so."

"You have said so." All of the apostles said one after another,
"Surely, it is not I, Lord?". But when it was Judas who said the
same to Jesus, Jesus knew what was in his heart. Jesus can
discern clearly and see through the hidden intentions of Judas.
By Judas' own words, his heart and the darkness of his soul was
revealed.

Loyalty is not perfect. And we see this even among the apostles
of Jesus. When Jesus was arrested, his apostles all fled. Peter
denied Him three times. And Judas was the cause of all this chaos
and commotion. If all had been perfectly loyal to Jesus, then we
might have an entirely different story altogether. But our human
flesh is weak (and Judas was tempted to disloyalty because of
money). And the words we speak betray what is in our heart. Have
you ever experienced saying something to another person and then
suddenly realizing that what you said betrays an inner anger,
envy, jealousy, or enmity? Our words can betray our soul. Let
us therefore take the message of the gospel to examine ourselves:
"In what ways have I betrayed the Lord Jesus? What have I said to
others that has led me to make Jesus suffer?"

Tuesday in Holy Week

2009-04-06T14:18:00.001-07:00

First reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71
Gospel reading: John 13:21-33, 36-38

"And it was night."

The gospel account for Tuesday in Holy Week portrays a scene where
Jesus was at table with His disciples. There are many revelations
made in this gospel passage:

Judas will betray Jesus to the chief priests
The imminent passion, death and resurrection of Jesus
Peter denying Jesus three times

With these revelations, we can reflect on the sinful nature of our
humanity - as expressed in the persons of Judas and Peter.

Sin is often equated with darkness. That is why when Satan
entered Judas, Judas left the table were Jesus and His disciples
were reclining, and walked away into the night. Judas left the
source of Light, journeyed during the night - leading himself into
the direction of sin. The sin of Judas even led him to despair -
making him lose all sense of hope.

On the other hand, Peter's denial of Jesus occured just before the
cock crowed three times - a time when the darkness of night was
soon to turn into the light of dawn. Could this be symbolic of
the truth that Peter's denial of Christ would eventually lead him
to repentance and thus follow the direction of the Light? Whatever
truth this symbol means, what is important is Peter never lost
hope in the forgiveness and mercy of Jesus. He repented.

In our lives as Christians, our sinful nature may sometimes lead
us to be tempted to betray Christ by our sinful actions, and to
deny Christ by our sinful words. What is important is that we
always acknowledge with humility our sinfulness before God and
the Church through the sacrament of penance and reconciliation,
and never lose hope in God's mercy. If we follow this direction,
we will be led to greater fidelity in doing God's will and follow
Him as we deny ourselves, take up the crosses of our state of
life, and imitate Christ's sense of self-sacrificing service to
our family and community.

Monday of Holy Week

2009-04-04T22:15:00.001-07:00

First reading: Isaiah 42:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27
Gospel reading: John 12:1-11

"Many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus."

The gospel for Holy Monday narrates how Jesus spent some time in
the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, just six days before the
Passover. As he was given a dinner in the house, Mary took a
liter of perfumed oil, anointed the feet of Jesus, and dried them
with her hair. This action by Mary elicited an angry response
from Judas Iscariot, who saw only the expense of such an action,
rather than the love Mary expressed to her Master. Jesus then
defended Mary's action, and told Judas that this was to prepare
Him for His burial. This gathering of Jesus and His disciples in
the house of His three friends in Bethany, caught the attention of
the Jews in the area, who also gathered outside the house as a
large crowd, so that they could see not only Jesus, but also
Lazarus who was raised from the dead. Because of this great
miracle Jesus performed in Bethany (the raising of Lazarus), many
of the Jews were turning away from the teaching of the chief
priests, and started believing in Jesus. For this reason, the
chief priests plotted to kill Jesus - and Lazarus too!

This gospel account helps us to see how six types of people relate
with Jesus, in the persons of Martha, Mary, Lazarus, Judas the
Iscariot, the believing Jews, and the chief priests. The way
these six types of people related with Jesus in the gospel can
help us examine and search our hearts, and see its state in
relation to Jesus. Is our heart filled with a sense of service
like Martha? Is it filled with great respect and love like Mary?
Is it filled with special closeness to God like Lazarus? Or is
it filled with concern only for money and material expense like
Judas? Is our heart filled with faith, wonder, and awe like the
believing Jews? Or is it filled with envy, jealousy, and murder,
like the chief priests? We know that if we feel any of the
above towards our brothers and sisters, we are also feeling the
same way in relation to Jesus. For whatever we think, feel, or
do to the least of our brethren, we also do unto Christ.

Holy week is a time for us to be emptied of self and to be filled
with the Spirit of Jesus and more concern for others, especially
our immediate family. It is a time to examine our conscience,
and the state of our heart with regard to God, others, and our
own selves. Instead of the attitude of Judas and the chief
priests, let us instead be like Martha, who was filled with a
spirit of service to God. Or let us imitate the spirit of Mary and
Lazarus who were filled with love and closeness to God. And we
can also be like the believing Jews, who went out of their way to
seek Jesus, and marvel at the wonders God works through His Son.

Passion Sunday (B)

2009-03-29T04:19:00.001-07:00

Passion Sunday, Year B

First reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22
Second reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel reading: Mark 14:1 - 15:47

"Clearly this Man was the Son of God!"

Passion Sunday (traditionally known as Palm Sunday) begins the
holiest week of all the weeks in the Church's liturgical
calendar. The gospel presents a narration of the events leading
to the crucifixion of our Lord. The main events leading to the
crucifixion of Jesus are as follows:

Jesus in the house of Simon with a woman entering and
pouring perfume on the head of Jesus
Judas Iscariot going to the chief priests to hand Jesus over
to them
Jesus celebrating the Last Supper together with His
apostles
Jesus going to the Mount of Olives to pray
Judas arriving accompanied by a crowd with swords and
clubs
Jesus arrested and led off to the high priest
Jesus accused of blasphemy and the abuse done on Him by the
members of the Sanhedrin
Peter out in the courtyard and denying Jesus three times
before breaking down and crying
the Sanhedrin sending Jesus to Pilate for interrogation
Barabbas released in behalf of Jesus who was sentenced by
the people to be crucified
the soldiers abusing Jesus and mocking Him
Jesus starting to journey to Golgotha carrying the cross -
with Simon of Cyrene obliged to help Him carry the cross a
part of the way
Jesus crucified and the soldiers rolling dice to gamble for
His garments
two thiefs sentenced to die with Jesus, are placed - one on
His left, and the other, on His right
Jesus crying out "My God, my God, why have You forsaken
Me?
Jesus crying out His last breath and the sanctuary's curtain
suddenly torn in two - from top to bottom
a centurion who stood guard exclaimed, "Clearly this Man was
the Son of God!
some women and others who came up from Jerusalem, looked
at Jesus from a distance
Joseph of Arimathea arranging for the proper burial of
Jesus

Listening to these events as the gospel is read, or presented in
a form of a short dramatization, and rereading them on our own
when we take time to do so, will help us to contemplate on the
great love God has for humankind and all of creation. If we look
at the crucifix on top of the altar of our parish, just the image
of Jesus wounded, suffering, and dying on the cross, is an image
that will have great impact on our soul, if we let the events
turn over in our minds and impress themselves in our hearts. We
would not only feel the drama of such a turn of events, but truly
and seriously be aware of a reality that has something to do with
God.

Christ's death on the cross is not the end; on the contrary, it
marks a glorious beginning. And as long as we are faithful to
our following of Jesus, any death-related situation or event in
our life will not faze our faith and our hope. Death will not
shock or shake our life, if we view death as - Jesus crucified,
leading us to follow Him in the glory of His resurrection.

As we observe the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the
Son of God, let us take more time to enter into the mystery of
Christ's suffering. And let us ask ourselves, by imagining also,
if I were a witness to all that was happening to Jesus (using
my imagination to be present in the scene of His crucifixion),
what would I do? Would I run and hide like the apostles? Or
would I be with the women along with others from Jerusalem
looking at Jesus from the distance?

5th Sunday of Lent (B)

2009-03-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

5th Sunday of Lent, Year B

First reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51
Second reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
Gospel reading: John 12:20-33

"...If it dies, it produces much fruit."

On March 29, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we will hear of Jesus in
the gospel of John telling His followers that His hour has come.
This hour would mean His passion, death and resurrection. Jesus
uses the imagery of a grain of wheat that falls to the earth and
dies, to speak of His dying, not as a loss, but one that produces
much fruit. And He goes on to teach that if we would like to
serve and follow Him, we would also have to undergo the same
death that will also bear fruit - by living life with our eternal
destiny more in mind.

In this gospel, we become aware that even though Jesus is divine,
He was human also. And He expressed this by saying, "My soul
is troubled now, yet what should I say - Father, save Me from
this hour?" But since Jesus knew He was sent by the Father to
save the world, the Father spoke in a voice from the heavens to
make the people aware that all that would transpire in that hour
is for the glory of God - a mystery so deep only God's wisdom
can fathom the fullness of its meaning.

Some psychologists made a survey in the past of what the greatest
fear of man was. Surprisingly, it was not death but that of
speaking before a crowd of people he does not know. But the fear
of death is also one of the great fears of man - for it is not
known to him. Man fears anything he does not know. But Jesus
helps us to know the truth about death from the viewpoint of
faith in God. Death, according to Christ, is like a grain of
wheat that falls to the earth and dies, and soon produces much
fruit. Human death is as natural as that. But if we have faith
in Jesus, we know that even if we die, we will reap eternal life
if we have faithfully followed His Way. And Jesus teaches us
by example what we are to do in our Christian life, by going
ahead of all of us - with Him being the first fruit of the
Resurrection.

4th Sunday of Lent (B)

2009-03-15T20:28:00.001-07:00

4th Sunday of Lent, Year B

First reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-17, 19-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 137
Second reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
Gospel reading: John 3:14-21

"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..."

The gospel account for the 4th Sunday of Lent this coming March
22, is from the evangelist John. It presents Jesus teaching
Nicodemus about the love the Father has for the world by giving
His only Son...and that whoever believes in the Son will not die,
but have eternal life. Jesus taught that the Son of Man was
sent by God into the world so that people and all of creation
will be saved through Him.

Jesus teaching Nicodemus (a Jewish leader and a one of the
Pharisees) gives us an opportunity to also learn about God's
great love for us - a love expressed in His desire to save all
creation through His Son Jesus. And it also gives us an
opportunity to know who Jesus is. The images the gospel account
presents Jesus to us as: the crucified Savior ("the Son of Man
lifted up"); the Way to eternal life ("all who believe may have
eternal life in Him"); the Light that came into the world, and
the Truth who will set us free ("he who acts in truth comes into
the light...to make clear that his deeds are done in God")

It is truly difficult to fathom the depths of God's love for us.
That is why He sent His Son Jesus to help us know the Way and the
Truth of this Love. As long as we live in God's Love, we are on
the narrow road to salvation - a road which "denies one's self,
takes up one's cross, and follows Christ". Once we however get
sidetracked or backslide from the Way, we risk being lost and
being condemned by our own choosing. Let us therefore take all
opportunities to "come back to the Lord with all our heart", and
then hold fast to Jesus - always acting in truth, that we may be
immersed in His Light and feel assured that our deeds "are done
in God".

3rd Sunday of Lent (B)

2009-03-11T15:34:00.001-07:00

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year B

First reading: Exodus 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Gospel reading: John 2:13-25

"Stop turning My Father's house into a marketplace."

This gospel passage from the evangelist John is perhaps the only
account written in the life of Jesus where He had really
expressed His anger not only in words but also in action: "He
made a kind of whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple
area, sheep and oxen alike, and knocked over the money-changers'
tables, spilling their coins." And He shouted: "Get them out of
here! Stop turning My Father's house into a marketplace!"

Some bible commentators would say that one reason why Jesus got
angry was because many of the merchants who were selling the
animals to be offered for sacrifice were probably cheating their
customers - usually using dishonest scales and measures. The
same goes with the money-changers who were transacting with
foreigners who knew not much of the commercial value of the money
they were exchanging with.

But probably, the better commentary comes from bible scholars
who would explain the prophetic action of Jesus as an emphasis
that the Temple of God is a sacred place of prayer. As such,
noise and worldly activities would profane it and create a
sacrilegiously scandalous scene for people who would like to
visit the Temple to pray and praise Yahweh. And Jesus also took
the occasion to teach that His own Sacred Body is also the Temple
of God. But the Jews did not understand Him because what they
only knew was the physical Temple - the one that took forty-six
years to build.

In the crucifixion account, we will also see how the soldiers
who had crucified Jesus, turned the Temple of His Body into
a marketplace: "We should not tear it (the soldiers said, in
reference to the tunic of Jesus). Let us throw dice to see who
gets it." In the life and ministry of Jesus, what He taught was
for the people to have great respect for the things of God - most
especially the Temple and also the Temple of the Father in person
- His own Sacred Body that was to be sacrificed when His hour
would come to pass.

Many of us are so accustomed to noise that we make our life so
much like a marketplace. We forget the value of the sacredness
of silence and prayer. That is why we are so attracted to the
noise in the world and forget that all this noise is vanity
(as the book of Ecclesiastes teaches us) - leading us to chase
the wind rather than to seek what is eternal. During this
season of Lent, let us seek God's presence more as we choose to
take moments of prayer and silence in His church. And let us
also examine our consciences and see how much we have sought the
marketplace more than the Lord who is always there for us in His
Most Blessed Sacrament.

2nd Sunday of Lent (B)

2009-03-02T14:00:00.001-08:00

2nd Sunday of Lent, Year B

First reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116
Second reading: Romans 8:31-34
Gospel reading: Mark 9:2-10

"This is My Son...Listen to Him."

The gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Lent (B) invites us to
meditate and contemplate on the mystery of Christ's
Transfiguration. Mark describes how Jesus was transfigured
before His inner circle of apostles (Peter, James, John): "His
clothes became dazzlingly white - whiter than the work of any
bleacher could make them...Elijah and Moses appeared and were in
conversation with Jesus...and out of the cloud a voice said
- This is my Son...Listen to Him."

In our Catholic tradition, we are familiar with many popular
images of Jesus: the gospel images of Jesus and Jesus as He is
presented to us through Catholic devotions. It is very rare
though to find an image or painting of the Transfiguration.
Probably because painters or icon-makers may find it difficult
to represent Christ transfigured in "dazzlingly white". But the
vision of Christ transfigured is a vision meant to strengthen
His apostles when they would eventually see Him beaten, crowned
with thorns, crucified, and dying on the Cross

The mystery of the Transfiguration is one of the five light
mysteries of the rosary. If we plumb the depths of this
Christian mystery, we can harvest many spiritual insights into
the nature of Jesus as both God and man. It can teach us to see
that God took our human form (except for our sinful nature), so
that He may walk with us, teach us, heal us of our sins and our
afflictions, and shepherd us to eternal life. What this eternal
life is, we will only know after our death. But in the mystery
of the Transfiguration, Jesus helps us get a glimpse of this life
in God. His transfigured form lets us behold His divinity and His
glory - a glory that He will share with us as we also deny
ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him.

This season of Lent calls us to see our life from a higher
perspective (like what Jesus did in leading Peter, James, and
John up a high mountain). As those called to live in the world
and work amidst the grind of earning a living and building a
family, we tend to forget our higher purpose and get mired too
easily with the concerns of worldly life. As we journey on this
season of Lent, let us ascend from the familiar milieu we are
daily immersed in, and seek God as the Light that will strengthen
us amidst the darkness of our times. As we seek God's Light, He
shall grant us the gift of wisdom and understanding so that we
may see our life better, and viewed from a stronger Christian
perspective. And as we continue our Lenten journey, let us pray
for a true sorrow for our sins, that we may be purified and
purged of all things in our being that prevents us from seeing
Jesus as the Light of our life.

1st Sunday of Lent (B)

2009-02-26T16:26:00.000-08:00

1st Sunday of Lent, Year B

First reading: Genesis 9:8-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25
Second reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Gospel reading: Mark 1:12-15

"He stayed in the wasteland forty days, put to test there by
Satan."

Bible scholars tell us that certain numbers in the text of the
Scriptures have special meaning. Like the number forty. In the
gospel for the 1st Sunday of Lent, we will hear proclaimed to us
that Jesus stayed in the wasteland "for forty days, put to the
test there by Satan." When we look to the other passages of the
Bible, especially in the Old Testament, when God destroyed the
world by flood, He let it rain for "forty days and forty
nights". And also, when Israel as a people, escaped from their
slavery in Egypt, they had to journey in the desert for about
"forty" years. Forty in the Bible is a number that may be
associated with testing, trial, purification, and purgation.
That is why it is also in the Lenten tradition of our Catholic
faith that forty days are designated as a holy season for us
to engage in spiritual exercises that purify and purge us from
our sins.

The gospel of Mark is very brief and concise. It does not give
a graphic description of how Jesus was tempted. It just says
that Jesus "stayed in the wasteland for forty days, put to the
test there by Satan". It is the gospel of Luke which describes
to us in more detail how Jesus was tempted. We will learn more
in Luke's account how Jesus three times was victorious over the
temptations of Satan. But in Mark, what was simply stated was
that Jesus was with "the wild beasts, and angels waited on him."
It is implied in Mark that Jesus passed the test, for God's
angels looked after Him."

Lent is a time for us to follow the example of Jesus - to seek
solitude and and spend more time in prayer. Prayer and solitude
are in themselves occasions for the Evil One to tempt us. He
will tempt us to abandon the time for silence and solitude and
to seek the company of others - thereby destroying the
opportunity for us to strengthen our personal relationship with
God. And also, the discomfort of emptiness, of waiting, of
long prayers or liturgical services, may be the occasion for the
Evil One to distract our focus - making us instead think of
other things to fill the emptiness we feel deep inside us. But
we can triumph over these temptations if we place our focus on
Christ and the example that He gives. He will help us to
persevere and not to give up on our prayer. If we follow Jesus
in His commitment to obey the Father's will by committing
ourselves also to serve God, to follow His will, and to seek His
Wisdom in all things, we will be able to prioritize God above
all other things in our life. So, if ever strong temptations
assail us from our environment or from within us, let us not
trust in our own strength, but let us humble ourselves,
acknowledge our weakness, and trust in the strength of God to
conquer evil. Let us not be tempted to seek ourselves but to
be faithful to our commitments made in God - as we serve and
love Him through our family, in the tasks and responsibilities
of our work, and through the parish community in which we may
have the opportunity to be part of.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

2009-02-17T04:14:00.003-08:00

7th Sunday of the Year, Year B

First reading: Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25 -
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 41 -
Second reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -
Gospel reading: Mark 2:1-12

"That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins."

In the previous Sundays, when we had learned of Jesus' healing
miracles, his reputation grew rapidly. But, with all the good
news that was spread about Him, He did not yet get into conflict
with the scribes of the community. It was because his healing of
the sick and the possessed were purely healings of the body's
infirmities. This Sunday, there is something new He adds to His
healing ministry: the healing also of the paralytic man's sins.
He said to the paralytic man: "My son, your sins are forgiven."
Jesus had brought His healing ministry also to the level of the
human soul and spirit - making His healing a total process of
recovery, both body and soul. However, by performing this miracle
on the paralytic, the scribes judged it as an act of blasphemy,
because in Jewish religious belief, it is God alone who can
forgive sins. But Jesus proved to these scribes that He was sent
by the Father with the authority to forgive sins. So when Jesus
healed the paralytic from his infirmity and forgave the man's
sins, the man amazingly stood up and walked - making everyone
awestruck and exclaiming their praises to God.

The healing ministry of Jesus is a total healing process - it is
a healing of physical infirmity and the purification of the soul.
Jesus knew very well that some human ailments are also linked
with the sickness of the soul. And so, He performed his healing
miracles also with a word telling the one who is sick, that his
sins are also forgiven. The man who experiences the healing
miracle of Jesus was totally renewed - his recovery is a full
recovery. This is something not anymore familiar to our times,
because we go to the doctor for our ailments, and we go to the
priest-confessor for our sins. But in the person of Jesus, we
have both doctor and priest-confessor combined - making the
healing event truly an amazing event, one that has great positive
impact on all those who believe in Jesus.

The key to receive the healing graces of Jesus is faith. It was
great faith that led the paralytic man to have his four friends
open up the roof on the spot where Jesus was, and bring him
directly in front of Jesus. Just like this paralytic man, it will
be our faith in Christ that will heal us of all physical ills and
purge our soul of its sins. As we now approach the Lenten season
(with Ash Wednesday on February 25), maybe it would be opportune
to examine ourselves and see if the level of our faith in Christ
has grown or regressed. If it has regressed or weakened, then
let us take the opportunity to direct ourselves to pray for an
increase of faith by taking more time to strengthen our personal
relationship with Jesus. If however, our faith has grown, then
perhaps we can also help others in their faith journey by sharing
with them how our faith in Jesus has deepened and increased.

6th Sunday Year B

2009-02-10T21:53:00.001-08:00

6th Sunday of the Year, Year B
First reading: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46Responsorial Psalm: Ps 32Second reading: 1 Corinthians 10:31 - 11,1Gospel reading: Mark 1:40-45

"I do will it. Be cured."

The gospel this Sunday presents to us another healing miracle ofJesus. Last Sunday, we learned about how Jesus healed Simon'smother-in-law from a fever, and also how he healed many who wereafflicted and possessed by evil spirits. This time, it is a leperwho approaches Jesus. The gospel describes the leper kneelingdown before Jesus and requesting him: "If You will to do so, Youcan cure me." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand,touched the leper and cured him from his leprosy. Then Jesuswarned the cured leper not to make his healing story public, butonly to present to the priest what is prescribed by their Jewishreligious law. Probably because the cured leper was so overjoyedby his experience of health being restored to him, he proclaimedhis healing story public. As a result of this, people keptcoming to Jesus from all sides of the country.

According to Fr. Herman Hendrickx, in his book, "The MiracleStories", in the combined gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke,there are all in all about 76 passages which deal with Jesus'miracles. Though the Old Testament prophets also performedmiracles, it is only Jesus whom the Bible ascribes with so manymiracles performed by a single person. This researched detailemphasizes to us that these miracles of Jesus are signs of theKingdom He was proclaiming, and that the powers of God's loveand salvific power are at work.

In our present time, those who incur a serious sickness, wouldhave the natural decision to consult a doctor. The doctor wouldprescribe the treatment according to what has been establishedby the medical sciences. For some ailments and sickness, thereseems no cure, only maintenance medicines to prevent furtherdeterioration of health or to stabilize the vital signs of theperson's health (like pills to stabilize blood sugar for diabetes, medications to lessen cholesterol, pills for heart patients,medicines to lower high blood pressure, chemotherapy for cancerpatients, medications for those who suffer from arthritis, and so on). Some however, believe that through those who have beengiven by the Holy Spirit the power to heal, they can be cured.In the Catholic Church, there are some who are officiallycommissioned for a healing ministry. And some of these ministers(priests, nuns or lay persons), have worldwide missions where they are able to cure people through the power of Christ'shealing graces. The healing ministry of Jesus still continuesto function through the healing mission of these ministers in the Church. Foremost among these ministers are those who give thesacraments of healing (penance and reconciliation and thesacrament for the sick), and then also through the healing ministries of charismatic religous leaders who perform miracles of healing.
Miracles are true. They do happen. It is our faith in Christ and His power to heal that we are saved from our ailments (both in the sickness of our soul, and in the ailments of our physical being).

If we, or a member of our family, has a serious ailment, letus continue to place our hope in Jesus. Let us take the humbleapproach of the leper, and kneel before Christ in prayer, andentreat Him for a cure to our ailment or the ailment of a lovedone. And as the gospel teaches us, in our humble approach, andwith prayer and faith in Jesus, Jesus will be moved with pity.He will cure us in time through the ministers of healing in theChurch. Christ has healed so many in the past during His earthlyministry. And He continues to heal in the present through themany ministers of healing following in His steps (includingsome doctors whom the Lord uses for His healing purposes).Through all these ministers, we will eventually discover thehealing presence of Christ in our midst, and be led to a processof wholeness and well-being.

5th Sunday of the Year, Year B

2009-02-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

5th Sunday of the Year, Year B

First reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 147
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel reading: Mark 1:29-39

"That is what I have come to do."

This 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we continue learning about
Jesus and His ministry. The passage of the Gospel clearly speaks
of Him as a Healer: first, healing Simon's (Peter) mother-in-law
from fever; and then as evening drew on, He continued to heal the
ill and those possessed by demons. Rising the next morning, He
went off to the desert to pray. Simon sought Him, and when he
did, he reported that many people were intently looking for Him.
But Jesus replied by saying that they were to move to the
neighboring villages, to proclaim the Gospel there also. He said,
"that is what I have come to do."

The Lord reveals Himself to us as a Healer and Proclaimer of the
Good News. If we read the gospel again, we can learn a part of
what His Christian ministry is all about: healing, proclaiming
the Good News, and praying. Although Jesus was an active
missionary and an itinerant preacher, He never forgets to go off
to a lonely place in the desert to pray and relate with the
Father - from whom He gets His mission to heal and proclaim the
Good News and the coming of the Kingdom.

If this is what the Lord did in His life and ministry, then as
His followers and disciples, we are called to do the same: to
impart healing words and actions; to proclaim the Good News by
our good example in the family and our work environment; and
most important of all, never to forget to set some time for
solitude, silence, prayer, meditation, contemplation and
spiritual reading. It is in our life of prayer (in the manner
of Christ), that we can receive the Lord's Spirit as we follow
what He was called to do in our respective states of life,
professions, and parish communities. Let us not forget where
to receive fully Christ's Spirit for the mission: the
sacraments of the Church, especially Eucharist and the
sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

4th Sunday of the Year, Year B

2009-01-28T11:48:00.001-08:00

4th Sunday of the Year, Year B

First reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 95
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel reading: Mark 1:21-28

"He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him."

In this Sunday's gospel, we continue reading the beginning
passages of Mark's 1st chapter. In this Sunday's gospel passage
we find Peter and Andrew already following Jesus, as Jesus
entered the synagogue and taught the congregation assembled
there. Those in the synagogue were amazed at the words of Jesus
because they were proclaimed with authority, unlike that of the
Scribes. Then, suddenly, amidst all this, there was a man with
an unclean spirit in the synagogue, who challenged Jesus. Jesus
knew the man was possessed, and so He rebuked the man - causing
the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Again, those at the
synagogue were amazed. For Jesus commands even the unclean
spirits and they obey Him. Therefore, Jesus and His reputation
spread everywhere through the whole region of Galilee.

We all know that though Jesus was God made man, there was no
sin in Him. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove
during His baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist.
And as Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert, Jesus was
triumphant against the Evil One and his wiles. Jesus had power
over evil, not only during the tempatation in the desert, but
all along, and everywhere in His ministry with the people.
Wherever He encountered people possessed with unclean spirits
and by demons, He was able to cure them. Just by the power of
His Word, He was able to make the unclean spirits come out of
those whom they were tormenting and abusing. And the man in
the synagogue in our present gospel passage is only one of the
many healing miracles and exorcisms that Jesus had performed.

In our modern times, with all the noise around us, many of us
are not aware anymore of the spiritual forces that are within
us and outside of us. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of
the Jesuits, says in his book "The Spiritual Exercises", that
there are three spirits influencings us: one internal (our
human spirit); and two external (the bad spirit and the good
spirit or angel). If we take on a spiritual discipline of
prayer, silence, solitude, meditation, contemplation, and
sacramental life, we will be made more aware of the spirits
that are influencing us. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit,
we can discern to a certain extent, if the spirit that is
guiding us or influencing us, is good or bad. Our task is
never to rely on our own knowledge or strength alone, but to
depend on the Lord and a confessor or spiritual director -
who will help point us to where the Holy Spirit should be
leading us, and to avoid those occasions where the bad or
evil spirit is tempting us to a direction that is not of
God.

So as we work, pray, and live in the world, even if we are in
the midst of much noise and activity, let us not forget also,
like Jesus, to come away for awhile and to go to a quiet
place (like the adoration chapel), and take moments of
silence and prayer, so that we may discern the way we are
go. Praying for God's help and guidance and seeking those
who can counsel us rightly, will help us hear more the voice
of God and be docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit,
that we may follow a path of simplicity and humility -
avoiding the temptations to covet great riches, honor, and
power.

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

2009-01-20T02:02:00.000-08:00

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle

First reading: Acts 22:3-16
Responsorial Psalm: Ps:117
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Gospel reading: Mark 16:15-18

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel..."

For the Feast of St. Paul's conversion this Sunday, we are given
a passage from the last chapter of the gospel of Mark (chapter
16). The context for this passage is the Resurrection
appearances of Jesus: to Mary Magdalene, to two of His followers,
and finally to the Eleven apostles. As Jesus revealed His Risen
presence to the Eleven, He told them this: "Go into the whole
world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature." These apostles
are then to drive out demons, speak new languages, pick up
serpents with their hands (miraculously not being harmed), and
lay their hands on the sick so they can recover.

Although St. Paul was not originally part of the inner circle of
Jesus' apostles, Jesus also revealed Himself to St. Paul. This
revelation of Jesus to St. Paul caused Paul's conversion from
destroying Christianity to one that builds the Church. As Paul
was zealous before in taking captive the Christians and
imprisoning them, he now was converted to preach the Gospel of
Jesus and make Christians and Christian communities of the
Gentiles.

The example of St. Paul's missionary zeal is a good example for
us to follow. Just as Paul's Resurrected Master was zealous
for bringing back to the sheepfold, the lost sheep of Israel
(during His earthly ministry), Paul also brought many Gentiles
to the fold of the Church, with the same apostolic commitment
as Jesus.

For many of us lay faithful, we may not have the opportunity
like St. Paul to travel to distant lands and faraway places
to preach the Good News of Jesus. However, in the very
situation of life and work that we are immersed in, we can
live and work for the Gospel in the same missionary ardor and
spirit as that of Jesus and St. Paul. With the Holy Spirit
leading us, and with prayer being very much at the heart of
what we are doing, we can witness to Christ and His Gospel
through words and actions that reveal His healing, teaching,
and shepherding Presence to others.

2nd Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year B

2009-01-12T23:42:00.001-08:00

2nd Sunday of the Year, Year B
"Look! There is the Lamb of God!"

1st Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
Gospel: John 1:35-42

After the feast of the Lord's Baptism last Sunday, this coming
Sunday, we will hear the gospel account of how St. John the
Baptist was shepherding his own disciples to the direction of
Jesus. And so, when Jesus was seen walking by among them, John
exclaimed, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" Two of John's
disciples heard this and then followed Jesus. One of the two
of who followed Jesus was Andrew. Andrew then sought out his
brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah!" (for
John had pointed Him out to Andrew). As the two brothers
approached Jesus, Jesus looked upon Simon, and then gave him a
new name: Cephas (which is rendered as Peter).

For many of us seasoned Catholics, we were baptized during our
infancy and learned about the Catholic faith through our parents,
through Catholic schools, or through catechists. But even if
we were initiated already into the Christian life through our
infant baptism, a majority of us have not been really led to
encounter Christ personally and get to know Him in Word,
Sacrament, and through the living of a devout life. What often
happens is we even stray away from the requirements of our
Catholic faith. But usually, God sends persons, significant
people in our life, who help us convert and live a more devout
life in the Church. (Like what St. Ambrose and St. Monica did
for the conversion of St. Augustine of Hippo.)

As we journey on in our Christian life, there will be many
occasions of people (like St. John the Baptist) who will point
out Christ to us and shepherd us to follow Him more devoutly.
These people can be members of our own family, our friends, or
anyone in our social network. When we are given the
opportunity by others to rediscover Christ in our life, we can
then imitate the action done by St. Andrew - who went and
sought out his brother Simon and led him to encounter Jesus
also. We too, like St. Andrew, can shepherd others to Jesus.
And we can do this in many ways - in the very social milieu
in which we live and work. We can shepherd others to Jesus
through: our good example; through charitable advice; through
the giving of moral support; by solving other people's
problems; by visiting the sick; or even by simply radiating
the presence of Christ through random acts of kindness,
goodness, generosity, patience, and peace, wherever we are.

Feast of the Lord's Baptism, Year B

2009-01-09T17:05:00.000-08:00

Feast of the Lord's Baptism, Year B
"You are My beloved Son."

1st Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 29
2nd Reading: 1 John 5;1-9
Gospel: Mark 1:1-11

This Sunday's gospel is taken from the gospel of Mark. The
brief passage tells the story of Jesus being baptized by John
the Baptist. The description of the baptismal scene is filled
with rich imagery. The account tells us that after Jesus was
baptized by St. John in the river Jordan, immediately after
Jesus came up out of the water, the sky "was rent in two" and
the "Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove". And then a voice
came from the heaven, saying: "You are My beloved Son. On You
My favor rests."

Jesus is the perfect model for our Christian life. Though He
was greater than St. John the Baptist, in obedience to the
Father's will, He underwent John's baptism. His baptism sealed
and confirmed His Sonship before the Father - something meant
for us to know. When we are baptized, we also share in the
Sonship of Jesus and become sons and daughters of the Father.
We are also initiated into a life of following Christ - by
obeying the Father's will, as we work and live as Christian
families witnessing to the Father's love for us. And just as
the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, upon our baptism,
we also receive the Holy Spirit, that we may be granted the
grace and the strength to live good and virtuous Christian
lives.

Feast of the Epiphany, Year B

2009-01-03T01:41:00.000-08:00

"They prostrated themselves and did Him homage."

1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72

2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

The feast of the Ephiphany is the manifestation of the Child
Jesus to the world. It was prophesied that from Bethlehem "shall
come a ruler to shepherd" Israel. Astrologers from the East knew
this and they traveled to Jerusalem. King Herod then became
aware of this news from them, and was greatly disturbed (as this
"ruler" could be a threat to his reign). As the astrologers set
out then from Jerusalem, to follow the star...as they saw the
star come to a standstill over the place where the Child Jesus
was, they entered the house, saw Mary with the Child, prostrated
themselves, and did Jesus homage. They presented gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.

Through the gospel passages that we have heard this season of
Advent and Christmas, we find many people and things leading us
to Jesus: St. John the Baptist, pointing out Jesus to us as the
Lamb of God; Samuel telling us that Jesus would bring the rise
and downfall of many in Israel; and the prophetess Anna, talking
about the Child Jesus as the Deliverer of Jerusalem. Also, now
we have a star from Bethlehem leading us to where we can find
the Child Jesus lying in the lowly manger attended to by His
Mother Mary and His foster father Jesus. We have three prophets
and a star leading to Jesus.

People we encounter in life and the signs of the times, also
lead us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Whenever people lead us
to a greater spirit of charity, generosity, kindness, patience,
joy, peace, goodness, and fidelity, it is for certain that we
are led to re-acknowledge Christ and His Spirit as the center
of our lives. And as the star of Bethlehem led the astrologers
from the East to the Child Jesus, wherever there is light in
our present times - that too, will also lead us to the greater
Light who is Christ. So, as we are led by others to Christ, we
too are called to lead others to Jesus - in the same way that
we have been shown the way (through acts of charity, kindness,
patience, mercy, forgiveness, peace, etc.) Even in these times
when we see patches of darkness in our world, let the Church
show us the way to the Light - Christ, our Prince of Peace.
And when we re-discover Christ as the Light of our life, it is
but fitting to pay homage to Him who is our Savior and our King.

Feast of the Holy Family, Year B

2008-12-26T23:10:00.000-08:00

"...They returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth."

1st Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128

2nd Reading: Colossians 3:12-21

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

Like all good Jewish families, Joseph and Mary brought the Infant
Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem, to be presented to the Lord.
For, according to their religious law, "Every male that opens the
womb shall be consecrated to the Lord...and to offer the
sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons". So as
they went on, in the Temple, they met Simeon and the prophetess,
Anna. Upon seeing the Infant Jesus, Simeon made a prophesy
saying that the child is destined for the fall and rise of many
in Israel, and that Mary herself a "sword will pierce". Anna, on
her part, also came forward and gave thanks to God for the child,
who she knew was to be the Redeemer of Jerusalem.

The Child Jesus was not only God incarnated in human flesh, but
He was also born to a human family. Joseph, His foster father,
is from the royal line of King David. And Mary, His mother,
was a simple Jewish maiden, whom God favored and bestowed with
the fullness of His graces (she being immaculately conceived and
without sin). If God blessed mankind by incarnating Jesus in
human flesh, He also blessed the human family through St. Joseph
and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Therefore, God does not call only
individuals to holiness; He also calls the human family to
holiness - through the example of the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph).

The pursuit of sanctity as a family is not easy in our modern
world. But it is possible, if we always look to God's strength,
help, and divine graces. The Holy Family is one source, wherein
families can look up to, for patterning their lives after: thru
the virtues that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus lived while they were
together at Nazareth. The simplicity of their being together,
working together, living together, and especially praying
together, can teach us the Christian ideals of fatherhood
(Joseph), motherhood (Mary), and childhood (Jesus). Let us
therefore thank God for the gift of the Holy Family, from whom
we can seek understanding to life's mysteries, as each of us
journeys as a family, in this world with other families.

4th Sunday of Advent, Year B

2008-12-20T00:24:00.000-08:00

"...For nothing will be impossible for God."

1st Reading: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-11, 16

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89

2nd Reading: Rom 16:25-27

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Now that Christmas will be four days from today, the gospel for
the fourth Sunday of Advent, presents to us how the Child Jesus
was conceived in the womb of Mary: by the power of the Most High
(who will overshadow her). Mary was a simple and humble maiden
from Nazareth, who, because she found favor with God, was visited
by the angel Gabriel to bring her the news that she would bear
Jesus, the Son of God. At first, Mary was troubled, for she did
not understand what the greeting meant. And to add to her state
questioning, she wanted to know how this would happen, since she
was a virgin. As the angel assured her that "nothing will be
impossible for God", Mary gave her fiat: "I am the handmaid of
Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word."

Do you remember a time when you received a great favor from a
person of authority, influence, or great political standing? Was
it your boss offering you a promotion and with higher pay? Or was
it a superior who asked if you would like a foreign assignment -
all expenses paid? If we had followed the spirit of Mary's
humility, we may have been greatly troubled for we do not know
what this would really bring to us. And more than that, we may
have been aware of our limitations and weaknesses. Also, we
may have been even afraid for we do not know the greater
responsibilities we will shoulder, or what sort of culture we
would be immersed in, in our foreign assignment. But if we cling
to God, and trust very much in His Providence, He will assure us
as Gabriel did to Mary - "nothing will be impossible for God".
And in the spirit of Mary's obedience, we too shall say, "I am
the servant of the Lord. May His will be fulfilled."

By Mary's example, we are taught the great value of obedience
to God's will. Mary's fiat, her obedience to be the Mother of
God, is like the quality of humility and obedience of Jesus: who
though He was of divine substance, did not deem equality with
God, but rather emptied Himself, took the nature of a servant,
and even accepted death on the Cross (Philippians 2:6-11). The
ways of God are beyond our human understanding. We know that
great kings and rulers of human civilizations were born in
grandeur and in an environment that we know belong only to
royalty and to those of high social standing. Yet, here we have
something special: we also have a King, a Prince of Peace, who
was born of a virgin, in a lowly manger in Bethlehem. And yet,
we know through our faith, that the Light that emanated from
the Christ-Child, is a Light that far exceeds in greatness to
the light of all the rulers and kings combined in our whole
human history.

Gaudete Sunday, Year B

2008-12-13T13:28:00.000-08:00

Gaudete Sunday, Year B

"...[He] came to testify to the Light."

1st Reading: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11

2nd Reading: 2 Thes 5:16-24

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

As we light the 3rd candle for Advent, we will notice that the
color of the candle is rose - signifying a spirit of joyful
anticipation. Christmas day would just be eleven days away. And
the light in the three Advent candles includes one with a
"brighter" shade - giving our Advent sight a refreshing scene in
the liturgical scene of Advent.

St. John the Baptist is still the prominent figure in the 3rd
Sunday of Advent, Year B. But his humility, despite the strength
of his character, makes him special to us, for the gospel says
that: "he came for testimony, to testify to the Light...he was
not the Light, but came to testify to the Light."

It is but human for us to light up our home with many bright
lights - even colored ones that dance, skip, run, flow, and
alternate in various patterns. This especially brings joy to the
home - that joyful anticipation that Christmas is nearing soon.

Let us suspend for some time our external sight and look deeply
within us. Do I see darkness or light? Is my soul ready to
receive the light of Gaudete Sunday? Is my soul joyful because
Christ is coming and I have, so to speak, set my spirit in order
by receiving healing from praying over the Word, and celebrating
the Sacrament? If so, then let us rejoice and together with St.
John the Baptist, testify to the coming of the Light...the Light
is coming to our world, in our family, and in our hearts.

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B

2008-12-06T01:39:00.001-08:00

"...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

1st Reading: Is 40:1-5, 9-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 85

2nd Reading: 2 Pt 3:8-14

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

During the season of Advent, the readings remind us of the
coming of Christ: both His first and His second coming. The 1st
reading refers to the first coming, with an allusion to the
prophet John the Baptist by Isaiah. The second reading on the
2nd letter of Peter, reminds us of the second coming of Jesus,
which will be cataclysmic: "the heavens will pass away with a
mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire..." And
the gospel shows us how the prophet John the Baptist prepared
for the coming of Jesus by baptizing the people of Israel so
that they will repent from their sins and seek forgiveness from
God.

St. John the Baptist's call to the people to repent from their
sins and seek forgiveness from God is also a call for us today
to repent from our sins and also seek forgiveness from God thru
the sacraments. With all the rush of the Christmas and holiday
season, we may be tempted to neglect the one thing necessary:
(not the external preparations for Christmas, but) the internal
and spiritual preparation we need to prepare our selves for the
coming of Jesus. Advent is a time for us to purify our hearts,
so that by Christmastime, Jesus will find us in His favor and
allow Himself to be born in our hearts that we may be filled
with His Spirit.

As we journey on in this season of Advent, let us be more
immersed in God's Word and Sacrament. Jesus is both present in
His Word and Sacrament, and He invites us during this liturgical
season to allow us to let Him "fall softly into our lives."
Jesus came into our world 'softly' - not with the noise or
fanfare of the rich, the powerful, or the famous. Jesus however
came to us in the form of a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
in the sheer silence of Christmas Eve. So let us heed the call
to come away (for some time) from the noise of Christmas
celebrations and shopping, and take the time to be quiet and
still, and be thankful that God has never given up on us. He
reminds us every year, during this season, that He is sending His
Son to become One with us that we too may become one with Him
in eternal life.

1st Sunday of Advent, Year B

2008-11-29T14:43:00.001-08:00

1st Sunday of Advent, Year B

"Be constantly on the watch!"

Mark 13:33-37

The gospel for the 1st Sunday of Advent, Year B, is a brief one,
but packed with strong emotional undertones. Just listening to
Jesus say, "Be constantly on the watch!" "Stay awake!" "Be on
guard!" catches our full attention and keeps us on our toes. What
is the reason for His warning? It is because He wants to make us
aware that we "do not know when the appointed time will come".
(When the Son of Man will return). He teaches us to be like
servants in charge, to do our tasks well, until the Master
returns - but at which time, we know not when (it can be at dusk,
midnight, when the cock crows, or at early dawn).

Each one of us has a task and responsibility to fulfill in life.
It does not matter whether it be a big or a small task; what
matters is the spirit of charity we exercise our duties. If
we practice charity in all its refinement, then it is akin to
pure gold devoid of all impurities. But the big challenge for
us is that we practice it constantly - for if we do not keep
up our guard, then envy, jealousy, selfishness, evil thoughts,
ill intentions, anger, malice, strife, and all sorts of evil
well be sown in our minds and our hearts by the Evil One. That
is why Jesus says emphatically, "Be constantly on the watch".

Many spiritual masters of our Catholic tradition teach the
importance of constant prayer. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort
even says that constant prayer is a means to obtain God's
wisdom - the Wisdom which makes us realize how finite we are.
Eastern Christianity also have their tradition of constant
prayer in the "Jesus Prayer". It is a prayer that is said
repeatedly with the words - "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner". Those Eastern monks who are
already adept at this spiritual practice have reached a point
when their prayer is already blended and united with their
rhythm of breathing.

For us immersed in an environment with so much noise and so
many distractions from the world, it is really a challenge to
"watch and pray", and to be vigilant, as Jesus enjoins us. But
it is possible. It begins with awareness. When we are aware
of the many things that distract our centering on God, we can
adjust and refocus again - to be aware of the presence of God
in all things and in all situations (even amidst noise and the
many daily distractions we encounter). It is a spiritual
discipline that needs constant practice. The more we practice
it, the more we are spiritually ready to say, "My heart is ready
O God, my heart is ready."

So the key to follow Jesus' warning to "be constantly on the
watch!" is: awareness, constancy, discipline, and focusing.
With these four key elements in our spiritual life, we can
practice a regimen of prayer and sacramental life that will
help us to "to be constantly on the watch for the Lord's
coming". And this season of Advent is the right time to begin.

Feast of Christ the King, Year A

2008-11-22T14:19:00.000-08:00

34th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A - Christ the King

"He will sit upon his royal throne, and all the nations
will be assembled before him."

Matthew 25:31-40

The first time we encountered this gospel for this liturgical Year
A, was last November 2 - the solemnity of the Faithful Departed
(All Souls Day). Since this Sunday is the feast of Christ the
King, then we are given by the gospel a descriptive image of Jesus
who "will sit upon His royal throne" and judge all the nations
assembled before Him. The nations who helped the poor and the
less fortunate, will enter into His Kingdom. And the nations who
neglected to give to the sick, the hungry, the naked, the thirsty
and the prisoner, will be condemned to eternal punishment.

When we reflect on this gospel passage, we see that good deeds
done for others is the moral standard by which Christ will judge
us. And the judgment of eternal punishment does not go mainly to
the one who did bad or evil actions to others, but to those who
"neglected" to do good to the poor and the little ones (given
the context of meaning in this gospel). By the standard of this
gospel account, a serious evil is to be attributed also to
neglect, indifference to others, and lack of concern. So, our
sins of commission (our bad actions) will be compounded with an
even greater evil if we fail to do good (sins of omission).

Families who live in a provincial, rural, or suburban locale are
more fortunate in the sense that they know the people in their
area well. Families are close to one another, they help each
other, and they are there for each other in times of difficulty,
grief, sorrow, loss or tragedy. Individuals and families who
live in a very urban set-up are less fortunate in the sense that
there is a lot of anonymity, transiency, and less stability of
residence. Relationships in this set-up are often formal,
professional, short, superficial and filled with fear, mistrust,
and hostility.

There is a way however by which families in an urban set-up can
get to know each other better: through the structure of
relationships in a Catholic parish. With the basic ecclesial
formation being given by many parish priests to their
parishioners, families and individuals get to know one another
better. And a network of supportive relationships is created to
bridge the gap of indifference, anonymity, and rugged
individualism that goes with a highly urbanized area.

When the parish priest teaches well his parishioners to be
centered on Christ and the Eucharist, all families know that the
head of their household and family is Jesus. There is unity and
harmony in the family when each member lives a good Christian
life and let Jesus be the King of his heart. With Jesus
acknowledged as King, then there will be fear of doing evil and
only a seeking to please the One who has the power to judge us
if we have done good or neglected to do what we should do as
Catholics.

Let us then thank the Father for the gift of His Son Jesus, who
in many ways reveal to us that all dominion, power, glory, and
authority, belong to Him. Let us also thank the Father that our
King is One who know how to be human like us, except for sin.
And lastly, let us thank the Father for giving us a King who
serves as a model par excellence of genuine humility - a
humility exercised even to the extent of giving His life on the
cross, so that we may be saved from our sins of neglect of
others, indifference, apathy, and lack of concern and love.

On a more personal note, let us also examine ourselves very well:
in my day to day living, is Jesus enthroned as King of my heart?
Or are there other things that prevent Him to rule over my
soul? Is it anxiety over our job or finances? Or is it a
structure of relationships that causes us to lose our peace and
focus on Christ? Maybe, as the liturgical year is now at its
end, we can take more time to examine how we have lived the
year. It is not too late to confess that we have not made Jesus
the center of our life and the King of our hearts. There is
always room to progress in our spiritual life. And we can decide
for this by opting for Christ as our King and Savior all the days
of our life.

Subscribing by email

2008-11-19T05:29:00.001-08:00

For those who wish to subscribe to this Sunday post by email,
kindly send "subscribe" in your email message and send to
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Wishing those who read this blog God's blessings and protection.

33rd Sunday Year A

2008-11-15T13:52:00.001-08:00

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

"Come, share in your Master's joy"

Matthew 25:14-30

The 33rd Sunday Year A gospel features another parable of Jesus:
the parable of the silver pieces or talents. It is a parable
preceded by another parable (the ten virgins) and followed by
the account of the Last Judgment (in the 25th chapter of the
Gospel of Matthew). In the parable of the silver pieces, the
story is about a man who went on a journey. But before he left,
he gave silver pieces to each of his three servants, with amounts
according to each of their abilities. Entrusting these amounts
to them, he departed and expected that they invest them to make
a profit until he returns. And as the story goes on, we find
the master returning and discovering his first two servants
making use of their abilities well and providing him with a
profit. The third, however, out of fear, hid his amount under
the ground, and returned it to his master just as it was given
to him. The man was happy with the industriousness of his first
two servants, but condemned the third who did not do anything
with the silver pieces given him.

Although this parable speaks of money being invested and making
a profit out of it, if we also place it in context with the
preceding message of the parable of the ten virgins, and then
with the following account of the Last Judgment, we can see a
broader meaning to the message Jesus wants to teach us in this
Sunday's gospel. All three gospel passages speak of the the
return of the master (Master). But before his return, all are
accountable to him for the time and resources given by him.
The two parables and the Last Judgment account teach us many
lessons: first of all, to be prepared for the return of the
Master - to be on the watch, to be vigilant; second, to wisely
supply ourselves with what is necessary to comply with the
Master's requirements; third, to optimize our use of time and
resources so as to present a profitable return to be given
to the Master; and fourth, to do good and render acts of kindness
and charity to those less fortunate than we are.

So, we shall really come to share in the Master's happiness if
we are like the "wise virgins", the "industrious servants", and
the "charitable people" (the sheep in the Last Judgment account)
of which Matthew speaks of in chapter 25 of his gospel. The
special focus for this Sunday is in being industrious with our
time, talent and resources. In these times of increasing
hardship and difficulty in making ends meet for our families,
are we working harder, praying more intently, finding ways to
save money and profit, growing smarter at solving problems, and
facing life's daily challenges creatively?

Each of us has been given unique abilities and talents. What
Jesus wants of us before we face Him as our King in His judgment
seat, is that we become better than our good, and to use all
that He has given us in life as best as we could for our family
and for others. We will indeed come to share in His joy when
we can offer Him double the good He has given us in life. So
let us therefore never neglect to pray for the gifts of fortitude,
strength, perseverance, prudence, wise stewardship, generosity,
and fidelity to our responsibilities that we may truly please
our Lord with a life industriously lived in His service and His
love.

Feast of Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

2008-11-08T17:12:00.000-08:00

John 2:13-22

According to Catholic tradition and our Church historians, the
Lateran Basilica is the episcopal seat of the pope as bishop of
Rome. It is called the "mother and head of all churches of Rome
and the world." This Sunday is special because it marks the
anniversary of this Church when in November 9, 324 A.D., Pope
Sylvester I dedicated the Church to the Savior, and to St. John
the Baptist.

The gospel for this Sunday presents the account of Jesus
purification of the Temple of Jerusalem from profane activities.
Many translations of the Bible tell us in different words why
Jesus made a whip of cords and drove out all the animals and the
money-changers out of the temple. According to the RSV, Jesus
says that they should not make His Father's house a "house of
trade". Then, according to the GNB, the NAB, and the NRSV, He
judged the situation as a "marketplace". Then also in the JB,
He judged what was happening as a "market". (RSV - Revised
Standard Version; GNB - Good News Bible; NAB - New American
Bible, NRSV - New Revised Standard Version; JB - Jerusalem
Bible).

Jesus was indignant at what He saw not so much because of the
secular situation of a marketplace where goods are traded for
the benefit of people, but because their activity was profaning
and disrespecting what is sacred: like noise, chaotic trade,
or unfair business problems that harm the spirit of prayer in
the Temple. The Temple is a sacred place. And He also took
the occasion to teach the Jews that the Temple of His Body
was also sacred and He knew that it would also soon be
profaned and desecrated upon His impending passion and death
on the cross.

The message Jesus wanted to convey to the Jews by His action
in the Temple was that they were to respect what is sacred and
consecrated - everything set apart for God's purposes. And
this means not only in the physical sense - the Jerusalem
Temple and all that is in it - but also in the spiritual sense
(His Body and Blood, which we now receive at every Sunday Mass
when we celebrate the Eucharist).

On second reflection, we are called to also respect our parish
and everything in its environs. Let us ask forgiveness from
Jesus our Lord and Savior for all the times we turned the
parish into a "marketplace" by the noise of our profane
conversations and all the misbehavior we have committed in
the premises which could have scandalized others. Also, let
us ask forgiveness from Jesus for all the times we have not
prepared well our soul to receive the purity of His gift in
the Eucharist. May we amend our ways and teach especially
our children to respect everything that is of God - the parish
environs and most especially where the Blessed Sacrament is
enthroned.

All Soul's Day

2008-11-01T00:12:00.001-07:00

Matthew 25:31-46

The gospel for this Sunday, Nov 2, is from Mt 25:31-36 - the
gospel for the second Mass of the Commemoration of All the
Faithful Departed.

When we read the passage, we will be reminded of the Last
Judgment, because Jesus speaks of His Second Coming. He says
that when that day comes, He will assemble all the nations and
separate them into two groups: the sheep on the right (those who
did good), and the goats on his left (those who failed to do
good).

The standard of ethics and righteousness Jesus uses in this
gospel passage is very concrete and specific: feeding the hungry,
giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing
the naked, comforting the sick, and visiting the prisoners.
Those who did these kind acts and deeds are the "sheep", while
those who failed to do so, are the "goats". The former will
receive the blessing of God and inherit the Kingdom, while the
latter will reap eternal punishment.

How often have we judged people because they do not fit our
"standards"? Many times perhaps, and judging them many times
over within our hearts and our minds. And we do not have to go
far, we may be guilty of judging people right in our very own
homes, in the places where we work, or in the parish where we
serve. But the Lord stresses an important teaching: "judge not
that you may not be judged".

The Lord is the true Judge of our character. He knows what is in
our heart. We may appear good before others, but the Lord sees
the sinfulness that is embedded in our heart. It is from a heart
filled with sin that foolish words are spewed forth from our lips;
and it is from a heart displeasing God that causes us to be
unwise and imprudent in our actions. Therefore, it is good to
be like the Publican who sets himself right before the Lord when
he admits his unworthiness and sinfulness before God.

When the day of God's Judgment will come, no one really knows.
Even Jesus said: "only the Father in heaven knows". But Jesus
helps us to prepare for such an event. In Luke 22:34-36, He says
that the day "will come upon all who dwell on the face of the
earth. So be on the watch. Pray constantly for the strength to
escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the
Son of Man."

"To stand secure before the Son of Man" may mean for us that
we have followed the two commandments of the Lord which we have
heard in the gospel last Sunday: "to love God with all our mind,
with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength;
and to love our neighbor as ourself".

Since this Sunday is also All Soul's Day, we are invited by the
Church to pray for our departed loved ones who have gone before
us and who, together with us, shall be judged by the Lord on the
Last Day. What is important for us to realize now is to always
keep vigilant; be awake and alert, and be on the watch...to pray
constantly and to obey the commandment of the Lord...so that in
the end, we shall "stand secure before the Son of Man".

30th Sunday Year A

2008-10-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

Matthew 22:34-40

You shall love the Lord your God and your neighbor as
yourself.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they assembled in a body; and one of them, a lawyer, in an
attempt to trip him up, asked him, "Teacher, which commandment
of the law is the greatest?" Jesus said to him:

"'You shall love the Lord your God
with your whole heart,
with your whole soul,
and with all your mind.'

This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like
it:

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

On these two commandments the whole law is based, and the
prophets as well."

The gospel of the Lord.

The gospel for this 30th Sunday Year A is taken from Matthew 22:
34-40. It is a passage where we shall see a lawyer, who is part
of the assembly of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He wanted to
challenge Jesus with a question, asking Him, "Teacher, which
commandment of the law is the greatest?" And Jesus answered:

"'You shall love the Lord your God
with your whole heart,
with your whole soul,
and with all your mind.'

...The second is like it:

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

With that answer of Jesus, we are able to see in so few words,
what all the Ten Commandments and all of the teachings of the Old
Testament prophets and the teachings of Jesus and St. Paul in the
New Testament, are writing about. It is the Christian commandment
summed up in its essential form. Therefore, it can act as a simple
guide for us in our daily Christian living, and when we need to go
to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. It can help us
examine our consciences. Dwelling in this answer of Jesus, we can
let His Spirit search our hearts and see how, by action or
inaction, we have sinned. Three essential relationships are
brought to us for healing in the sacrament: our relationship with
God, with others (especially family and everyday social contacts),
and with ourselves (the way we used our senses, food, drink, etc.).

29th Sunday Year A

2008-10-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Matthew 22:15-21

Give to Caesar the things the belong to Caesar and to
God the things that are God's.

The Pharisees went off and began to plot how they might trap
Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, accompanied
by Herodian sympathizers, who said: "Teacher, we know you are
a truthful man and teach God's way sincerely. You court no one's
favor and do not act out of human respect. Give us your opinion,
then, in this case. Is it lawful to pay tax to the emperor or
not?" Jesus recognized their bad faith and said to them, "Why
are you trying to trip me up, you hypocrites? Show me the coin
used for the tax." When they handed him a small Roman coin he
asked them, "Whose head is this, and whose inscription?"
"Caesar's," they replied. At that he said to them, "Then give
to Caesar what is Caesar's, but give to God what is God's."

The Gospel of the Lord.

In the gospel for the 29th Sunday of the Year, we will see how
the Pharisees were thinking how they could trap Jesus in His
speech. They sent their disciples to Jesus to ask Him: "Teacher,
give us Your opinion, is it lawful to pay tax to the emperor
or not?" Jesus recognized what their intention was in this
question. The question may have been probably related to a
controversy or issue for the Jews living in the Roman Empire
during that time. But Jesus gave the Pharisees' disciples a
wise and prudent answer: He asked for a coin and answered also
with a question - "whose head is in the coin and whose
inscription is in it?" They replied, "Caesar's." And then
Jesus ended what would have been a controversy and issue among
them by saying, "then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, but give
to God what is God's."

When we reflect on this gospel, the controversial question can
be seen to revolve around the elements of government, money,
God, and us. The question challenging Jesus was really meant
to trap Him because the Pharisees see Him as One revolting
against their Jewish law and teaching. But Jesus answered
wisely. And His answer helps us also to think a little more
deeply: do we give to institutions what is due them, and to
God what is due Him? It is true that the face of many leaders
of government are in our currencies. But let us place our
hearts in our imagination: "is the face of God in our hearts?"
If it is, then that is what is due our Lord. If not, then let
us humbly pray and work more that God's countenance becomes
clearer and brighter within the hearts of everyone in our
family and friends.

27th Sunday Year A

2008-10-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

Gospel Matthew 21:33-43

"It was the Lord who did this and we find it marvelous to
behold"

The gospel for the 27th Sunday of the Year, begins with a parable
of a property owner who planted a vineyard, and leased it out to
tenant farmers, and then went on a journey. When vintage time
came, the property owner sent his slaves to obtain his share of
the grapes. But the tenants responded by mistreating his slaves
- some of whom they even killed. When he could not get his share
of the grapes, the property owner sent his son, thinking that the
tenants will respect his son. But the tenants knew that this son
would receive the vineyard as an inheritance from his father, the
property owner. And so they also killed him.

This parable Jesus spoke to the chief priests and elders of the
people was meant to make them discover that He was that son in
the parable, and His Father was the property owner. And the
slaves which the tenants mistreated, were the prophets who were
killed by the people Israel before Jesus became the prophet of
the new Israel.

We will be judged by the Lord by how we steward and shepherd the
gifts He has given us: our family, our work, our possessions, our
formal relationships, and friends. If we mistreat these people
or misuse the material things like the tenants in the parable,
the Lord will bring us to a bad end, and will give His blessings
to those who will take care of the gifts He has given us. The
lesson for us to learn in this parable is to respect everyone in
our social network, to treat them kindly, to be faithful in our
work and service of prayer to God, so that as Jesus inherited the
Kingdom from His Father, we shall also share in His inheritance:
a Kingdom filled with God's blessings, both material, and much
more importantly, spiritual - for both our family and our work.

26th Sunday Year A

2008-09-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

Readings http://www.pcentral-online.net/catholic/lectionary/26th-sunday-a.html

"'No, I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went."

The gospel for the 26th Sunday of the Year, September 28, is about
the parable of the two sons. Jesus presented this parable as a
case for the leaders of His people: the chief priests and the elders.
In the parable, a father ordered his two sons to go and work in the
vineyard. One son said, "Yes", but did not really go. The other son
said, "No", but later on, went to work in the vineyard. The lesson
Jesus wanted to teach through this parable was: even if we have
failed to do what we promised to do, when we have repented, and then
went out to do what we were supposed to do, then we will be have
eventually obeyed the Lord's will.

A popular saying comes to mind when we reflect on this parable:
"action speaks louder than words". In our life as young children, or
even as teenagers, we often disobeyed our parents (or in the case of
the more obedient, only occasionally). Our disobedience is made
more serious when we do an action that we were not supposed to do.
We may have argued with our parents, or we may have even outrightly
shouted, "No", to one of their orders. But this disobedience in word
carried a lot more weight and serious matter when it flowed into an
action displeasing not only to our parents, but most especially to
God.

It is therefore a very important lesson for us to understand that as
adults, who have responsibilities in work and in family, before the
Lord, we are still His children - He being our Father. Let us then
examine the many times we went against our consciences. Did we repent
and do the proper thing? If we did not, then as long as there is
time to do so, then the Father will always be there to receive us
back to Him. And, let us also examine our present active life. Do
we pray to live a more virtuous life? To be more patient, forgiving,
prudent, moderate, just, persevering, generous, and chaste? Although
what we are in prayer before the Lord is also important, we are
called to do what will really please Him. And the Psalmist of the
Old Testament tells us what pleases the Lord: a humble and contrite
heart, that heeds His word, and with the gift of faith, puts it in
action, to serve Him through our family and work.

25th Sunday Year A

2008-09-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

Readings http://www.pcentral-online.net/catholic/lectionary/25th-sunday-a.html

"The reign of God is like the case of the owner of an estate
who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard."

This Sunday, September 21, the gospel will teach through a parable,
about the generosity of God and His justice. Because of the way
God expresses His generosity in this parable, we will see that His
justice in not the way the world practices justice - especially in
the manner of compensating workers, laborers, and employees for the
work they have performed. The parable that Jesus uses to teach this
justice of God, truly makes us see (as the first reading from the
book of Isaiah teaches also), that because of God's mercy and His
generosity, "His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are
not our ways". And, Isaiah also adds one more detail about God:
"God's ways are higher above our ways, and His thoughts are above
our thoughts". (Isaiah 55:6-9)

What is important in our Christian living, is that we never forget
that God is very merciful, very generous with His gifts and blessings,
and just in all His ways. To have faith in this as individuals, or
as family, is a gift we need to ask God in prayer. For despite all
the bad things that may happen to us (even though we always strive
to be good), we will surely at one time or another, suffer some pain
or injustice. But we will suffer all the more if we focus our problem
and look at it solely from a human point of view. If, however, as the
gospel this Sunday teaches, we focus on the generosity and justice
of God, we will be given the gift of understanding and the knowledge
to see God's ways and thoughts as truly above and beyond our own.
The lesson we are taught is not only to rely on our own intelligence
but to trust in the mystery of God's will.

24th Sunday of the Year, Year A

2008-09-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Readings http://www.pcentral-online.net/catholic/lectionary/24th-sunday-a.html

"Not seven times; I say, seventy times seven times."

The theme of the gospel for the 24th Sunday of the Year, is God's
mercy and forgiveness. The gospel begins with Peter asking Jesus
a question: "how many times must I forgive my brother, seven
times?" Jesus replied, "Not seven times; I say, seventy times
seven times." Then, Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the
merciless servant. In this parable, a servant owed his master a
large debt of money. When his master asked that he pay the debt,
the servant pleaded for mercy. The master pitied the servant and
wrote off the debt. But then this servant went to another fellow
servant who also owed him an amount of money. But when his fellow
servant could not pay, the merciless servant had him put in jail.
When the others saw this happen, they reported it to their master.
The master of the merciless servant got very angry with the servant
and handed him over to the torturers - for he was shown mercy but
did not practice it with his fellow servant.

When St. Stephen the deacon, one of the early Christian martyrs,
was about to be stoned to death by his accusers, he forgave them
for what they would do to him. Many of the Christian martyrs also
did the same - forgiving those who were to put them to death. This
is certainly in imitation to the forgiving and merciful nature of
Jesus, who, despite all the physical sufferings he endured from
his torturers, forgave them all. Jesus knew that they did not know
what they were doing.

In the passages of the Wisdom books in the Old Testament, it is
said: "do not repay evil for the evil done upon you. Rather, let
vengeance be upon the Lord's hands, for He will always vindicate
the just. It is but a human reflex and an instinct for self
preservation to hit back when we are harmed. This is a base desire
in our being human. But Jesus was sent to us by the Father so
that we will share in His divinity - especially, that of being able
to forgive those who have caused us pain or evil. We can be able
to imitate Jesus in this sense, when we begin to have greater faith
in Him and His teaching. Just as He forgave those who nailed Him
to the cross, God's justice vindicated Him and He was raised to
life again in the power of the Holy Spirit. So, whenever we have
experienced an injustice, or we have been badly mistreated and
hurt, let us pray for the gift of Christ's humility and patience,
and imagine placing ourselves at the foot of the Cross where Jesus
was nailed. Just as our Master was vindicated for his being
merciful, forgiving and just, so shall we share in the blessing
Jesus received from the Father, if we learn to forgive and be
merciful like Jesus.

In the gospel for the 23rd Sunday of the Year, we will learn of two
sayings of Jesus: one on fraternal correction, and the other on the
power of united prayer. If we were to refer this teachings of
Jesus to how He Himself lived what He preached, then we may obtain
insights into what He really meant by these two sayings.

As we read the gospel of Matthew, especially in the previous
chapters where Jesus is increasingly being set against the
Pharisees, he was already correcting the people's understanding
of what the Law in essence meant: the spirit of love, humility and
mercy should be above the Law. And He made this point through the
teaching of parables - like the parable of the lost sheep (Mt
18:10-14) and the parable of the merciless official (Mt 18:21-35).
As for the saying of Jesus as regards prayer, we know that in the
early chapters of the gospel of Matthew (in the Sermon on the
Mount), Jesus taught His disciples how to pray with the "Our
Father" - a prayer which we can infer Jesus Himself prayed and
which truly expresses our being of one spiritual family, asking
God for what we daily need, and seeking God's mercy for our sins.

In these two sayings of Jesus, Jesus is helping us to understand
that part of being His follower requires us to take responsibility
for our brothers and sisters who are in error, most especially
those who are in a morally wrong situation in life. This is
indeed difficult. The power of our good example is easier to
do, than to speak and preach and teach as Jesus and the prophets
did. But according to the saying of Jesus, we can only win our
brother or sister's heart when what we teach them as morally
right, can be backed up by a life that is also morally upright
and righteous like Jesus. And this we cannot do alone. We also
need the help of others who are also good and morally upright,
and who sincerely desires to bring others to Christ. The best
form of obtaining the power of persuasiveness and of fraternally
correcting with charity and gentleness, is through the united
prayer we do in the Eucharistic celebrations. As one family in
God, we ask the Lord for the graces and the virtues necessary
to shepherd all those who are lost back into the fold of Jesus,
the Good Shepherd. We fraternally correct others as a Church;
and we get the power to do so through united prayer.

23rd Sunday of the Year, Year A

2008-09-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,
After posting at The Nexus Blog, http://www.pcentral-online.net/blog3/ for some time, I will start to resume posting in this original blog where I started. Below is the continuation of the posts from The Nexus Blog.

Readings http://www.pcentral-online.net/catholic/lectionary/23rd-sunday-a.html

"Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst."

In the gospel for the 23rd Sunday of the Year, we will learn of two sayings
of Jesus: one on fraternal correction, and the other on the power of united
prayer. If we were to refer this teachings of Jesus to how He Himself lived
what He preached, then we may obtain insights into what He really meant by
these two sayings.

As we read the gospel of Matthew, especially in the previous chapters where
Jesus is increasingly being set against the Pharisees, he was already
correcting the people's understanding of what the Law in essence meant:
the spirit of love, humility and mercy should be above the Law. And He
made this point through the teaching of parables - like the parable of the
lost sheep (Mt 18:10-14) and the parable of the merciless official (Mt 18:
21-35). As for the saying of Jesus as regards prayer, we know that in the
early chapters of the gospel of Matthew (in the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus
taught His disciples how to pray with the "Our Father" - a prayer which
we can infer Jesus Himself prayed and which truly expresses our being of
one spiritual family, asking God for what we daily need, and seeking God's
mercy for our sins.

In these two sayings of Jesus, Jesus is helping us to understand that part
of being His follower requires us to take responsibility for our brothers
and sisters who are in error, most especially those who are in a morally
wrong situation in life. This is indeed difficult. The power of our
good example is easier to do, than to speak and preach and teach as Jesus
and the prophets did. But according to the saying of Jesus, we can only
win our brother or sister's heart when what we teach them as morally right,
can be backed up by a life that is also morally upright and righteous like
Jesus. And this we cannot do alone. We also need the help of others who
are also good and morally upright, and who sincerely desires to bring others
to Christ. The best form of obtaining the power of persuasiveness and
of fraternally correcting with charity and gentleness, is through the
united prayer we do in the Eucharistic celebrations. As one family in
God, we ask the Lord for the graces and the virtues necessary to shepherd
all those who are lost back into the fold of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We
fraternally correct others as a Church; and we get the power to do so
through united prayer.

It is by virtue of His divinity that Jesus was able to perform miracles.
When Peter saw Him walking on the water towards them on the lake, Peter
spoke up and said, "Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you across
the water." And Jesus said, "Come!" Peter got out of the boat and began to
walk on the water, moving toward Jesus. But when he perceived how strong
the wind was, he became frightened and began to sink, so he cried out,
"Lord, save me!" And Jesus stretched at once his hand and caught him.

The power of faith in Jesus can make us do extraordinary things. In Peter,
he was able to walk on the water moving toward Jesus. For many of us, it
can mean the curing of our long-standing ailments. Or it could mean the
gift of fortitude and courage to dispel fears that hinder us from going
beyond ourselves, beyond our comfort zones, and helping another person
in need - knowing the risk of involvement and the danger it may pose to
our lives or the members of our family. What is important is not so much
the extraordinary or supernatural act that we can be able to perform because
of our faith in Jesus, but the lesson we must learn from Peter's failure
to walk on the water up to where Jesus was. The reason Peter failed was
because his focus on Jesus was diverted by his looking at the strong winds
and the waves under him. He should have kept his gaze straight as Christ
so that his faith was sustained and kept strong.

Whenever we will be placed in situations that may pose some danger to
our lives, like Peter's walking on the water, let us keep our gaze straight
on Christ. Let us focus strongly on the great power by which Jesus can
save us and by which He can let us do what we ought to do in moving towards
Him and doing His will. This takes spiritual discipline coupled with the
gift of faith. But it can be done. We only have to reread all those miracle
accounts in the gospels whereby so many were healed by Jesus because of their
great faith in Him. Faith indeed has the power to move mountains. And in
tandem with charity, it has the power to save lives. It is faith and charity
in a God who saves, that is able to move men and women, who, during times of
emergency and crisis, forget their own safety and save the lives of others.
Like the stories we hear from war or from those saved from acts of terrorism.

post for 15th Sunday of the Year, Year B

2006-07-14T23:31:00.000-07:00

hello friends,
I am currently moving this blog post
to a new blog called "The Nexus".
The blog post for the 15th Sunday
of the Year, Year B, has now been
published. To get to the new
blog, kindly use this link:
http://www.pcentral-online.net/blog3/
Godbless,
Dennis

14th Sunday of the Year, Year B

2006-07-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,
Starting with this Sunday's post and for the
continuing Sundays, the weekly blog post to
Enkindle in Them the Fire of Your Love will
be posted one day earlier. This is to help
those who wish to prepare for the Sunday Mass.

13th Sunday of the Year, Year B

2006-07-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,
I am currently moving this blog to The Nexus Blog
at http://www.pcentral-online.net/blog3/
To find the blog post for the 13th Sunday of the
Year, Year B, kindly go to The Nexus Blog.
Thank you for your patience.

Dennis Emmanuel Cabrera
Catholic Internet Mission
http://www.pcentral-online.net/
+63(2)7463751
email: admin@pcentral-online.net

12th Sunday of the Year, Year B

2006-06-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

<a href="http://enkindlefire.blogspot.com/">Enkindle in Them the Fire of
Your Love</a> Archives

<a
href="http://www.pcentral-online.net/catholic/lectionary/12th-sunday-b.html"
>Lectionary Readings for the 12th Sunday of the Year, Year B</a>

"Why are you lacking in faith?"

In this Sunday's gospel, we see how Jesus had power over the storm and how
he commented on the lack of faith of his apostles - who were, as the gospel
tells us, quite alarmed and thought that all of them may be drowned. This
account in the gospel of Mark was still before that point in the gospel when
the identity of Jesus was known only through the
confession of Peter ["You are the Christ"]. The apostles at this time still
had a vague knowledge of who Jesus was. In fact, we read in the gospel the
last comment of the apostles: "Who can this be that the wind and the sea
obey him?" Since they do not as yet know quite well who Jesus was, they
had not much faith in Him.

For many of us, we are journeying further on into a deeper and greater
knowledge of who Christ is for our lives. Most often, the "storms" in life
come when we do not yet have a personal knowledge of Christ and have not yet
developed a personal relationship with Him. But "storms" come
and arrive - economic storms, stormy relationships, great losses in life [a
loved one, a job, a relationship, divorce, bankruptcy in business], illness,
etc. Since our knowledge of Christ is not enough, we panic and get lost in
our fears and worries and anxieties. We are like the apostles who, after
much fear and anxiety, only then realized that Jesus was with them, but was
only asleep.

In the storms of our life, we often forget that the Lord is with us. He is
there. We are just too caught up in our situation and the stormy
circumstances around us that we become paralyzed by fear. But if we have a
mustard seed of faith, we can act in faith by going to Jesus. And He is
always there. Always ready to listen to us and to help us. He is present
to us through the members of our family, through our friends and loved ones,
and through many people
who may only be our acquaintance but, who, in the goodness, kindness and
mercy gifted them by God's Spirit, are also there to help us whenever we
seek God's help.

At this time of our history, when we are faced with so many hardships and
difficulties - both in the family, in local society, and in the global
scene - little and big storms, climactic and social, will always be daily
fare. But we are called by our Christian vocation to have faith in Christ,
to "Be not afraid", and see Christ as One who has power even over a "global
storm" that may be impending: one
that could disrupt even the peace of our world. Our Christian task is
simple. Keep faith in Jesus. And we take responsibility for nurturing our
faith in Christ. We make it strong by cultivating a personal relationship
with Him that is rooted in strongly bonded relationships with family and
with the institutions of our society, particularly, our parish and our local
government.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Year B

2006-06-17T22:37:00.000-07:00

"During the meal he took bread, blessed and broke it,
and gave it to them."

The universal calendar of the Catholic Church assigns
this day as the 11th Sunday of the Year, Year B. In
the Philippines, for pastoral reasons, the Bishops
assign this Sunday as the Feast of Corpus Christi.
The universal Church on the other hand has already
celebrated Corpus Christi last Thursday, the Thursday
after Trinity Sunday. For the purposes of this blog,
some reflection will be made on both: the feast of
Corpus Christi and the 11th Sunday of the Year.

The synoptic gospels, Mark, Matthew and Luke, plus
a passage in the letter of Paul to the Corinthians,
speak about Jesus saying to His apostles at the
Last Supper the "Eucharistic blessing" that was to
become, through centuries, the words of the consecration
in the Eucharistic liturgy. The words "take", "bless",
"break", and "give", in the scriptures have become
the words of the consecration in the Mass. In
the solemnity of Corpus Christi, we
celebrate this self-donation of Christ portrayed
in the Last Supper, as the Bread and Blood of Life
for us all. We also thank the Father for the
gift of His Son for us to follow and imitate. If
not for Christ giving us His Body and Blood on that
cross at Calvary, we would not have known the love
of God for us and how He wishes to save us from
our sins.

If we ask for the gift of faith to seek Christ in
all that we do in life, we would be like the mustard
seed in the gospel as it is proclaimed for
the 11th Sunday of the Year.
This gospel speaks of the mustard seed, the smallest
of all seeds. It says that even with such a small
seed, it grows into one of the biggest of trees.
Our faith in Christ can be likened to that mustard
seed. If we only have in our minds and in our
hearts, the size of faith as small as that mustard
seed, then, as we pray, discern what is God's
will, and act according to it, our faith will grow
and strengthen, and we will be able to help others
too with their mustard seed of faith.

Our task then is to believe in Christ as the Bread
of Life whom we receive every time we celebrate
the Eucharist with others. By nurturing our souls
through the sacraments of faith, we grow, and are
able to share also our faith with others. In time,
we will attain what the Father wills for us to be:
to be more and more formed and made in the image
of His Son - and doing His work and ministry
of proclaiming the Gospel through the ordinary
and everyday circumstances of our state of life.

Trinity Sunday, Year B

2006-06-10T23:24:00.000-07:00

"Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit"

The mystery of the Holy Trinity is a mystery we will
have a glimmer only of understanding, but which we will
have a full understanding when we enjoy the gift of a
beatific vision after our entry into eternal life.
Saints and doctors of the Church have written about
this mystery and have succeeded to explain it, but
since it is a mystery beyond all human knowledge,
the language they use is symbols and analogies.
It is through their that we can understand to some
extent this holy mystery. And most often, we come to
understand that the mystery of three persons in
one God is really a mystery of love personified
as Father, Son and Spirit.

When we are baptized, we are baptized in the name
of the Trinity. This is a Christian tradition rooted
in Christ's commandment to his apostles. Many Christian
Churches have this Trinitarian formula in their
baptismal liturgy. In Roman Catholic liturgical
norm, when someone wishes to be Roman Catholic, if
he or she is already baptized in a Christina
Church that uses the Trinitarian formula in their
baptismal rite, he or she need not be baptized in
the Roman Catholic baptismal rite anymore. His
baptism already suffices [since he received already
the same Trinitarian blessing].

By our baptism in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, like the apostles
of Jesus, we share in the vocation and mission
to make the gospel known to others. And we can
do this in many ways. Those who are connected
with the parish can help the parish in its mission
to build families and communities of service
and love patterned after the Trinity. While
those who are busy with their working,
professional, and family lives, can introduce
the values of the gospel through their work
and service in the family. Whatever our state
of life, all of us are called to live in the
spirit of love represented by the
Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit.

Pentecost Sunday, Year B

2006-06-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

"As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

After the 50 days of the Easter Season, we celebrate
the birth of the Church - Pentecost. Pentecost is that
event, when the apostles and disciples of Jesus, received
the Holy Spirit after praying in community with one
heart and one mind in the Upper Room. It is also to be
remembered that after the the Resurrection and Ascension
of Jesus into heaven, the apostolic community,
together with Mary, had locked the doors of the
Cenacle room for fear of the Jews. Although Jesus
promised them another Paraclete, another Advocate
to encourage and strengthen them in faith, they were
basically still in fear and lacked the understanding
of Jesus' teachings. However, the descent of the Holy
Spirit upon their community changed all that. After
Pentecost, this apostolic community was transformed
into a preaching community, bold and with much courage
from above, and capable of healing in the power of
Jesus' name.

The Lord Jesus was sent by the Father to preach
His Kingdom, teach wisdom, and shepherd all His
people into one flock and sheepfold - that all
may be saved from sin and receive eternal life in
Him. Now that Jesus has finished His earthly
ministry and has ascended back to the Father,
He sends the Holy Spirit, that all His apostles
and disciples, may also be sent to the whole world,
to preach and teach the Good News, and shepherd
the people into one, holy, catholic and apostolic
Church.

The presence of the Spirit in our lives
grants us the gift of fortitude so that we may
be strengthened in faith despite all the rejections,
hardships, and difficulties of witnessing to a
world that often does not consider Christ as
important in life anymore. We receive this
Pentecost spirit in our baptism. We receive it
all the more in His fullness during confirmation.
Although we may at times lose courage and find
it difficult to witness Christ to others, we
need not be so, since we witness not only
individually but in community - as a Church.

Let us therefore thank the Lord for the gift of
His Spirit - the Spirit that brought forth into
the world, Christ's presence, in a body and community
of believers. Let us pray especially for missionaries
all over the world - those who are in the very frontline
of evangelization, risking their lives for Christ.
And let us pray for those who are called to witness
in places that are hostile to the Christian religion.
May the Holy Spirit continue to gift them with
fortitude, wisdom, strength and holiness, that they
may bring more people, by the power of the Word and
through the sacraments, into the flock of Christ
and His Church.

7th Sunday of Easter, Year B

2006-05-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

"...Not one of them was lost, none but him who was
destined to be lost"

In the Philippines, this Sunday is designated as Ascension
Sunday instead of the 7th Sunday of Easter. Most Catholic
countries follow the universal calendar of the Church,
which designates the Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter
as, Ascension Sunday. However, in the Philippines, for
pastoral reasons, the 7th Sunday of Easter is designated
as Ascension Sunday.

For the purpose of the universal calendar, we will reflect
on the gospel for the 7th Sunday of Easter, Year B.

In the 4th Sunday of Easter, we commemorated Good Shepherd
Sunday. We saw how much the Lord is a Good Sheperd for
all of us - laying down his very life that we may not
be lost in sin but rather gain life through him. Today's
gospel can be connected to that same theme of Christ our
Good Shepherd. We see in this Sunday's gospel how Jesus
prays much that all his followers may be one in him,
and may not be lost. And he tells us that we will not
be lost, as long as we follow Christ, who calls us to
himself and his kingdom - a kingdom where truth, justice,
love, freedom, and all the gospel values are to be
found. We know that we are of Christ, if we see this
world as one in which we live in temporarily, and that
our home is really in God. Let us be reminded of what
St. Augustine states when he realized the truth of
"how our hearts are restless until they rest in the
Lord".

So, the lesson we gain from reflecting on the gospel
this Sunday is, that Christ must be the truth for us to
know. And when we learn how Christ is the truth for us,
we will not be tempted by the illusions proferred to us
by the many things we see all around us. Sometimes,
these illusions may even be within ourselves too. By
Christ's giving of his life to us, he consecrated us
to the truth, that we may not be lost in error. Let us
therefore always thank the Father, for the gift of His
Son, who showed us the path we must take, and the truth
we must pursue.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

2006-05-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

"There is no greater love than this: to lay down
one's life for one's friends"

This passage from the gospel of John is one of the
popular verses that we know in Scripture. It depicts
the image of Jesus who sacrificed his life on the Cross
so that, we, his friends, may be saved from our sinfulness
and gain eternal life. Perhaps no man in the history
of the world has expressed love to its noblest and
its most sublime form as did our Lord Jesus Christ, when
he sacrificed his very life on the Cross out of love
and obedience to the Father. That is why the Christian life continues up to
this day, despite many things in our
modern world that is undermining its influence.
Christianity has survived the test of two millenium, not because of an ideal
or concept of love, but because of a Person, who showed through a very
concrete example,
what love really is: sacrificial, selfless and
life-giving. And this Person has truly made Christian
love a life-giving love by sending His Spirit on the
apostolic community on the day of Pentecost.

For those of us who have always known our Lord by his
example in the Gospel, let us be more attentive in these
times to base our ideal of love not on what the world
of our times teaches us, but more on what the Church
teaches us through its explanation of the Gospel. Let
us be strong and steadfast in our faith in the traditional
meaning of love that has been taught to all peoples
of all nations for many centuries past. If ever we
hear of something being taught that is not what we have
always known to be as the truth, let us be wary and
very cautious in accepting it, since the truth does not
change radically, or dramatically, when it comes to
the mystery of God's love and how he was incarnated in
Jesus. Rather than being swayed and swept by the
winds of contemporary beliefs, let us focus our eyes
more on the truth of the love of Jesus as we have
always known it to be in our Christian tradition.

5th Sunday of Easter, Year B

2006-05-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

"...For apart from me you can do nothing"

Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday. We saw how our Lord
is a good shepherd for all who follow Him. Like Him, we
are also called to be good shepherds to each other -
shepherding people to Christ and His Church.

This Sunday, we see our Lord as the vine, and we as the
branches. And the Father is the vinegrower. For many
in tropical countries, where there is no grapes, they do
not really know how to understand this teaching of Jesus.
However, thanks to education, we learn that in order
for a vinegrower to produce grapes, he has to prune
away every barren branch, and trim clean the ones that
produce fruit, in order for it to bear more fruit. When
we apply this to what Jesus teaches in the gospel, it
really just means that if we continue to commit our
lives to Him, then we shall bear fruit and produce
much abundantly. But the moment we separate ourselves
from Him because of our pride, even if we succeed, we
will realize painfully that all our success means nothing without Christ.

For many of us who live simple and ordinary lives,
all that Christ asks of us is that we never break
our relationship with Him. For we can never really
produce anything or achieve success without relating
to the Lord in prayer and service to others. The more
we give of ourselves to Christ and His gospel, the
more our success will be filled with meaning and
with spiritual benefits that give depth to all
our relationships and material yield.

4th Sunday of Easter, Year B

2006-05-06T02:46:00.000-07:00

"...The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"

<a
href="http://catholic.pcentral-online.net/lectionary/4th-easter-b.html">Lect
ionary Readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter, Year B</a>

We have seen in the Holy Week that has just passed how
Jesus truly lived his mission to be the Good Shepherd.
He called people to listen to His word and be counted
as members of His flock. And the closest to Him in
His inner circle were the apostles. When the time came
for Jesus to lay down His life in obedience to the will
of the Father, the apostles and all disciples who knew
Him, fled and were scattered. This fulfills what is
said in Scripture that when "the Shepherd is struck
down, the flock scatters". But Jesus, with a strength
and faith that is only fit of Him as the Son of God,
truly lived out His role and mission as the Good
Shepherd - laying His life for His sheep.

As Catholics, we have the advantage of a leadership in
the papacy. The late holy father, John Paul II, truly
followed the example of Christ, and suffered a long
illness to show us what the role of leaders in the
Church are called to be: good shepherds in the manner
of Christ. For many of us who lead in simple ways,
shepherding can mean simply to bear the ordinary sufferings
of earning a living, doing liturgical ministry, caring
for members of the family, having a sick or prison
apostolate, or preparing a good homily for the
parishioners. Just the dying to ourselves daily is what
is called of us to be good shepherds in the manner
and example of Christ. And often, just faithfully
living out this call, and suffering the cumulative
pains and aches of doing our responsibilities and
tasks of the day, is gospel enough for us.

So, this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us ask and pray
to Christ, our Good Shepherd, to grant us His Spirit,
that we may obtain the strength to imitate Him in
his mission to shepherd all those in our care and
responsibility. It is not easy but it can be done
with the help and grace of God.

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B

2006-04-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

"...he opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures."

Lectionary Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B

When the disciples beheld the Risen Jesus again in their midst in
this Resurrection narrative, they panicked and were frightened.
They did not understand what was happening and thus created
this fear in them. From a plain human perspective, the disciples knew
that the dead do not rise from the grave. Thus, Jesus had to prove
to them that he was no ghost and that he was made of flesh and blood.
And to really prove it to them, he asked for something to eat. And
this, Jesus knew the disciples will surely understand; because
dead people do not eat!

The fear, the panic, the lack of understanding, on the part of the
disciples, was due to the fact that they forgot what was said about
Jesus in the Scriptures. So Jesus then had to open their minds to
understand, that the Messiah was to die, and rise from the dead
after three days, in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Without this
Scriptural basis for understanding the crucifixion and resurrection
event, the disciples will not really understand what is going on.
Only when their experience of seeing their Master crucified and
then raised from the dead, is seen from the context of the
fulfillment of Scripture, can they see that all this is really
of God, and not just an ordinary human event.

Like the disciples, there are times in our life that we shall
experience much pain, suffering, even illness, a loss of a
loved one or a relationship, or even a job or business. We
will surely not understand all these experiences and life
events, if we see them only from our own limited human perspective.
We may panic, be frightened, and be discouraged in all of
these. However, if we open our minds and our hearts to the
person of Jesus, he will help us understand the meaning of
all the negative things that assail and afflict us. We will
especially understand them better when we listen to him as
he speaks to us in the Word of the Scriptures and as he
makes himself present to us in the Eucharist.

So like the disciples in the resurrection narrative of today's
gospel, let us not be disturbed, let us not panic or be
frightened. Let us rather be open to Christ, who will
open our minds to the divine meaning of his resurrection,
so that we may view life from this Christian mystery,
and have a healthy and positive outlook, even despite
the hardships and difficulties we experience in our day
to day living. When we root our Christian living in the
mystery of the Resurrection, we will share in the life
giving spirit that Christ has won for us, by his victory
over sin and death.

2nd Sunday of Easter, Year B

2006-04-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

"Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!"

Lectionary Readings for the Second Sunday of Easter, Year B

Thomas, one of the apostles, was not present when Jesus
appeared before the apostles. Because he was not there,
he did not believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Thomas
seems to be a man who believed only in what can be seen,
and doubted what cannot be verified by the senses.

Last Sunday's gospel tells us also of Mary Magdalene,
who found the tomb empty and made the conclusion that
"they" took away the body of Jesus. Mary, like Thomas,
also operated on the level of the senses. Peter also
operated on the level of the senses and then engaged
his mind in seeking understanding from what he saw.

In today's world, people would tend to believe what
can be verified only by the senses. This is but a
normal human path of knowledge and understanding.
However, as more and more scientific discoveries
and theories are made, and people would tend to only
believe in them, then the element of faith, spirit
and religion will really be relegated to the background
or even not to be sought for, as a source of knowledge and
understanding.

Science is valid and has a system of understanding
the world and nature. This system solely operates on
the level of what can be seen - what can be tested and
analyzed. Science is good and it gives a great benefit
to mankind and the world, especially when its truths
are applied to the field of medicine and technology.
However, we must know that it can never totally
provide the answers for what we seek for in life.
There comes a point where in any thing to be
tested, analyzed and understood, science still
encounters the reality of mystery - the truth that
man is limited in his capacity to know and understand.

The apostle Thomas in the gospel persisted in
his unbelief because he may have discounted
the reality of the mystery of God in the person
of Jesus. What he saw and perceived in Jesus
was just a man like himself, who could heal people,
teach people, and preach about the Kingdom of God.
However, he soon realized his error and how much he
persisted in his unbelief that Jesus is the Messiah,
and the One really sent by the Father. He was
fortunate that Jesus continued to prove that the
mystery of God in His Risen person, is what will
grant him the faith he needed. This faith
that came from his experience of truly beholding
the Risen Jesus made him exclaim, "My Lord, and my God".
He now believes, because the mystery of God, was
before him.

With this lesson we learn from Thomas, let us now
look at ourselves and see if there is a Thomas
in our person. Let us analyze to what degree we
truly believe, that Christ is risen from the dead.
We may say that we do believe, but whenever it
comes to undertaking difficult tasks already
and when it may involve great pain or suffering,
we may flee like the apostles and undermine greatly
our own faith in Christ. Thomas was one of those who
abandoned Christ when Jesus was led to His crucifixion.
Would we flee to from pain and suffering when
we are called to witness our faith in Christ?
If we believe that Jesus is risen from the dead,
what is the basis of this Easter faith of ours?

Easter Sunday, Years A, B, C

2006-04-15T18:11:00.000-07:00

"He saw and believed"

Lectionary Readings for Easter Sunday, Years A, B, C

There are three characters in the Easter Sunday gospel: Mary Magdalene, Simon
Peter, and the other disciple (the one Jesus loved). In this resurrection
account of John, it is Mary Magdalene who first witnessed that the stone
of the tomb was moved away. And it was she who reported to Simon Peter
and John (as tradition tells us that he is the disciple Jesus loved) that
"they" had taken away the body of Jesus. When Mary mentioned "they", we
are not sure to whom she was referring to, but what really is the focus of
attention and importance, is the loss of the body of the Lord.

We see that Mary Magdalene's report to Peter and John sent the two "running"
toward the tomb. The report of the loss of Jesus' body brought on an
urgent response. As the two ran, the gospel tells us that John outran
Peter, telling us that John was really much younger than Peter. However,
when John arrived at the tomb, he peered and did not enter. It was Peter
who went in when he arrived at the tomb. Peter saw the wrappings and
the piece of cloth which had covered the head of Jesus. As Peter was
examining these, it was then that John entered the tomb. The gospel
tells us his response: "He saw and believed".

Three disciples of Jesus: Mary Magdalene, Peter and John. They were told
by Jesus that He was to rise from the dead after three days. But they
did not as yet understand this and what the Scriptures tell about this.
It was the experience of the "empty tomb" that made them respond in
different levels of faith to what Jesus taught and what Jesus' person
meant to them. Mary's faith was on the level of the senses. Although
she knew that Jesus told all of them that He was to rise from the dead
after three days, her level of faith could not as yet integrate what
her senses perceived. On the other hand, Peter's faith was one that
sought understanding. When he entered the tomb and found that Jesus'
body was not there, he "observed" the wrappings and the piece of cloth
lying there. He wanted to "understand" what this evidences were and
what this event-experience was. As to the disciple Jesus loved, we
are told that "he saw and believed". John's faith in Christ, since
he was closest to Jesus, has reached a level of love. And a faith
that integrates the mystery of love, easily understands the mystery
of God - especially the mystery of God in Jesus of Nazareth.

All of us are Marys, Peters, and Johns in our journey of faith in
the risen Lord. Sometimes, our faith is on the level of the senses
like Mary. We say to ourselves, "nothing in the Scripture explicitly
says Jesus is risen". The resurrection accounts only describe an empty tomb.
Or we may be like Peter who tries to understand and observe everything
in the mystery of the empty tomb. Perhaps we may read the biblical context
of everything reported about the Resurrection of Jesus and meditate
on its meaning, objectively and for ourselves. But, when we have the
level of faith as John, whose faith was rooted in his being close to
Christ, our contemplation on the mystery of Christ will lead us to
exclaim in our hearts: "He is risen".

Passion Sunday, Year B

2006-04-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

"Clearly this man was the Son of God."

Lectionary Readings for Passion Sunday, Year B

The gospel of Mark is dramatic, especially when it depicts Pontius Pilate
interrogating Jesus. Just reading the text of the gospel places in our
mind images of a life that was innocently condemned by a mainline religion
that wishes to save its people from the eyes of a watchful Empire who
does not like anyone of its subjects to "rock the boat" as it were.
Jesus, because of his love for the people, went out of the normal way,
departing from his comfort zone, in order to preach the kingdom of God
in word and deed. His style of mission really just involved healing
people, teaching people and preaching the good News. The reason the
leaders of their mainline religion were against him was because Jesus put
love above the law: healing many people on the Sabbath. This irked the
Pharisees and the scribes because nobody is to act or work on the Sabbath.
Another point they placed against Jesus was the controversial way Jesus
presented himself as God's Son and calling God, "Abba". For the Jewish
religious authorities, this is blasphemous.

The popularity of Jesus rose and many came to him for healing, to be
taught wisdom and to learn of the kingdom of God. Crowds always gathered
around him because they learn of his miracles and many of them have
sick they want to be healed. This large group of people, who probably
regularly followed him, caused fear and anxiety among the Jewish religious
leaders. They fear that Jesus, with his following, may subvert the
peace of the people and cause a revolution. And so, the Jewish leaders
plotted a way to have him arrested. Jesus, knew that his time was to
come, and so prepared himself for this.

The problem with the Jewish religious authorities was their lack of
perception and open-mindedness to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah.
Simple people did not have this problem because they see how Jesus
performed good works with their sick and in their lives. Even the centurion,
who belongs and represented the authority of the Empire, believed in
Jesus because of the manner of death he had underwent. Faith is a gift
not given to all. It is given only to those who open their minds to
the truth about Jesus. The Jewish religious authorities lack the faith
necessary to see the truth because their frame of mind and their mindsets
were dictated by their established law and tradition.

As we enter into Holy Week, let us examine our own frame of mind and our
own mindsets and ask ourselves, "Is my perception of Jesus as the center
of Truth in my life clouded with doubt?" Let us look deep down in our
hearts and reflect with the question, "What is preventing me to truly
believe in Jesus: denying myself, taking up my cross, and following Him?"

5th Sunday of Lent, Year B

2006-04-02T03:43:00.000-07:00

"If it dies, it produces much fruit."

Lectionary Readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Year B

Jesus knew that his "time" was about to come. This "time" that he
was speaking about to his disciples is known only to him, since his
disciples as yet did not understand that he was to suffer and die
on the cross for the salvation of all. This "time" he was referring
to was not easy for him to accept, as it involved his Father's will
and an act of obedience on his part to be like the wheat that falls
on the ground and die. But, if he were to accept this mission that
is entrusted to him, like the wheat he speaks of, his death will
bear much fruit. In fact, it will save humankind from their sins.

In his ministry, Jesus always calls all people to follow him. We
hear him say: "If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me." This call to discipleship will
find its best example in Jesus himself, who, in obedience to the
Father's will, truly denied himself and carried the cross to
Calvary and died so that all who believe in him may be saved. It
was not easy for him as we will learn when we read the passage
of the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani. His great act of
humility cost him his life; but it produced such a great impact
on others that it led to the foundation of the Christian faith.

During this season of Lent, let us continue to examine ourselves
and see how we have not followed Jesus in denying ourselves and
"taking up our crosses" in life. Especially now, when many of
us are working, and very much into the many comforts that the
professional lifestyle can offer, we can easily forget that others
are not as easily privileged as we are. By following the regimen
of Lent: abstaining, fasting, praying and practicing mercy, we
can be more sensitive to the suffering of others. Christ and
his sacrifice will take a more central part in our lives, and
our responsibility to others will take its rightful priority
in our decisions and work. And more than the requirement of
Lenten spiritual practices, we can also take extra pains to
be of greater service to those whom we are directly responsible
for.

4th Sunday of Lent, Year B

2006-03-26T00:50:00.000-08:00

"That the world might be saved through him."

Lectionary Readings for 4th Sunday of Lent, Year B

In today's gospel, we are given a parallel meaning of Jesus' death
on the cross from the Old Testament. The passage that is made
parallel in meaning to Jesus' salvific death on the cross, is the
Old Testament passage, which speaks of Moses lifting up the serpent
in the desert, so that those who were bitten by the serpents, may
be saved from dying. It is this symbolic image which medical
practitioners use in their medical profession.

Many of us forget that Jesus' life and death is meant for us sinners,
so that we may return back to the Father's love. And many of us
fail to see that it is in a life lived with much sacrifice and
pain for the good of others, that will lead us to be like Jesus
more and more, and to follow Him as our Lord and Master.
If we do not sacrifice our lives for others, we will not be able
to see the love of God for us and how much He wishes to save us
from a life of sin, perdition and destruction. God gave His
only Son that we and the whole world might be saved through him.

During this time of Lent, we are given the opportunity to
examine ourselves, and the lives we have been living in the past
months since last Lenten season. We can examine how much we
have returned indeed to the love of the Father and followed the
injunction of the Lord to love others as we love ourselves.
Let us take much time before the Lord to see where we have
also failed in following the great commandment. And if we see all
those times in which we have failed to do so, let us not despair,
but rather continue to have faith in the richness of the goodness
and mercy of God, and approach the sacrament of reconciliation.
Let us remember that the Lord forgave even those who have
killed Him. The Lord knows that His mission is not to kill
but to save those who have sinned and are lost, and that
includes for certain, ourselves, at one point of time
or another.

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year B

2006-03-18T16:25:00.000-08:00

"Stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace!"
Lectionary Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year B

In the gospel readings, we see Jesus getting angry with those who
are using the Temple for business activities. His anger is rooted
in the love He has for the Father's temple as the dwelling place
of God's Spirit. As the people questioned His authority, He then
relates it to the coming event of the destruction of His own body,
which the Spirit will raise up in three days. The people misunderstood
what He meant, because they were thinking in terms of the Temple in
the material world, rather than that of the temple of Jesus' body.

This gospel reading is a reminder for all of us to respect the
Temple of the Lord, His Church. Often, especially those of us who
are so familiar with the parish, we are frequently tempted to speak
and socialize with others who are also active in the parish. We
forget that the parish is a place of prayer and that the Spirit
of God leads all those inside the Church to prayer. When we engage
so much in speaking about secular matters in the parish when people
are praying, in a way, we turn the Church into a "marketplace" where
instead of the spirit of prayer consuming us, it is the spirit of
mammon leading us.

Let us then always remember to respect our parish as the house
where the Lord God lives. Probably, the best way to remind ourselves
is to see the Eucharist as one in which we are led to become more
the Temples of God's Spirit. When we realize how we are made the
Temple of God's Spirit through receiving the Eucharist in the Church,
then we shall truly the parish which houses the body and blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we always invoke the Lord God in
His Temple, His Spirit comes to dwell in us and leads us more and
more into a spirit of prayer: one that reminds us that Christ's
body contains the Spirit of Life - a Spirit which calls us to
the service of respect and praise.