Feast of the Holy Family (C)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)?

Solemnity of All Saints

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.

28th Sunday of the Year (B)

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?"

25th Sunday of the Year (B)

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?

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

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."

Mark 5:21-43 tells 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 for his critically ill daughter.  So the Lord 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 hemorrhage for many years.  Doctors could not heal her ailment, and her sickness grew worse. When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him to touch His clothing - believing that just by a mere touch, she would get well. After she did touch the Lord's clothing, her flow of blood dried up. She got well. Jesus learned what happened, and said to the woman, "your faith has cured you." After this incident, Jesus and Jairus finally 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 in chapter 5 of Mark's gospel is really two miracle stories combined into one. Bible scholar Wilfrid Harrington in his book, "Mark", teaches that this is St. Mark's "sandwich" technique. Mark uses two verses (verse 24 and verse 35) to tie up two healing stories into one. Harrington then also adds that this technique of Mark presents "salvation and faith" as the major themes of this twin miracles. "Salvation through healing" was made possible by the touch of Jesus. At Jesus' touch, Jairus' daughter got well (verse 23); and the woman with the hemorrhage was convinced that if she touches the garment of Jesus, she will be made well (verse 28).

All humanity share the human condition of vulnerability to ailments and illnesses. However, the twin miracles from Mark's gospel present to us a God who gives genuine hope for healing. We only have to look at our own personal experiences to see that God provides us with enough strength to help ourselves and reach out to Him in prayer. And to believe that miracles still and do happen. Not only do we have strength to help ourselves, God provides us also with family, friends, and co-workers to help us find means to improve our health.. This is a truth we should value well: that God, in the person of Christ Jesus, gives us all the means, that we may hope in Him for anything, especially for whatever health conditions we, or our family members need..

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

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?"

The gospel presents a miracle story: Jesus stilling the storm. This is how the miracle took place. Jesus and His disciples leave the crowd, and ride in boats further out into the sea. 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 sound asleep. They woke Jesus up, and expressed their alarm - fearing that they would all perish. Jesus immediately responded, rebuked the wind and stilled the sea with a command from His voice. Suddenly, everything became calm. Jesus then said to His disciples, "Why are you so terrified? Why lack in faith?"  A great awe filled the hearts of the disciples, for they have just witnessed something no ordinary man can do - to command the wind and the sea to obey.

In his book, "The Miracle Stories", bible scholar and author Herman Hendrickx says that the previous verses of this gospel passage writes about Christ withdrawing from the crowd. These people flock to Christ whom they have heard to be a healer. But Christ withdraws from certain persons in the crowd whose unclean spirits wanted to make Him known as the "exorcistic Son of God". Fr. Herman Hendricks teaches that Jesus had to withdraw from the crowds because He did not want to be identified as only a "healer-exorcist". And indeed, the miracle of the calming of the storm has proven that the Lord Jesus was more than just a "healer-exorcist". The calming of the storm leads us to see Him in the context of the divine.

It took time before the apostles got to know who Jesus was. It was only with 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 the journey of faith, we will experience many ills and sins healed by God in the sacraments. These are the miracles of grace that we encounter. These are the everyday miracles of faith, courage, hope and holding on to Christ in prayer and the Sacraments. As we experience these "miracles" that save us from the "storms of life", we grow in a deeper knowledge and love of God. It this knowledge and love of God that impelled the apostles to preach the Kingdom. We too, by our baptismal consecration, are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and His apostles.

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ - Corpus Christi

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

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

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

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)

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

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.

Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection

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.

Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper - Holy Thursday

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

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

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

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.

4th Sunday of Lent (B)

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)

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)

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)

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.

6th Sunday Year B

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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.