Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Gospel Reflection



May 28, 2013
Tuesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time
by Rev. Fr. Victor Angelo "Gelo" Parlan,
Parochial Vicar, Santa Maria della Strada Parish, Katipunan, Diocese of Cubao, Quezon City)
12:15PM Mass, Mary Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

 

Reading 1 Sir 35:1-12

To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the  commandments sacrifices a peace offering. In works of charity one offers fine flour, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise. To refrain from evil pleases the LORD, and to avoid injustice is an atonement. Appear not before the LORD empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. The just one’s offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High. The just one’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means.

For the LORD is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. But offer no bribes, these he does not accept! Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion. For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.

Responsorial Psalm PS 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Gospel Mk 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

HOMILY

"I have given up everything for you." "Ibinigay ko na ang lahat para sa iyo." Most of the time, we tell this to a person to make him realize how generous we have been. To make him realize how much we have given, how much we have lost, how much we have sacrificed. That is why often, may karugtong ang linyang iyon. "I have given up everything for you. What are you willing to give me in return?" 

Dear friends, sometimes, we find ourselves telling these same words to God. "Lord, I have given up everything to follow You." This is what Peter and the disciples explained to Jesus in the Gospel for today. But they did not have to ask what Jesus was ready to give to them in return. Because Jesus had already answered. Jesus had a promise. "For those who have given up everything for My sake and for the Gospel....they will receive a hundredfold in the present age...and eternal life in the age to come."

Lord, I have given up everything to follow You. I have given up my time, my talent, my treasure, for Your service. Parang utang na loob sa atin ng Diyos ang bawat lakas at kakayanan na ginugugol natin para sa Kanya. But giving up everything to follow the Lord is not about our generosity to Him. Rather, it is about God's generosity to us. Instead of making us realize how generous we have been, how much we have given, how much we have lost for our service to the Lord, Jesus, in the Gospel, tells His disciples, and thus, all of us today, how much God is willing to give us. 

God cannot be outdone in generosity. God's gift will always be greater than what we can give Him. However, my dear friends, this should not hinder us from being generous. Why? Because only those who know how to give of themselves, only those who are willing to sacrifice, can experience the generosity of God. 

Kapag tayo ay punong-puno ng ating sarili, kapag kinakamkam natin lahat, kapag pakiramdam natin nasa atin na ang lahat, wala nang puwang ang kabutihang-loob ng Diyos. Kapag tayo ay punong-puno na, hindi na tayo mapupuno pa ng kabutihang-loob ng Diyos. This is why only those who have given up everything, those who have experienced to be nothing, are the only ones who can hear the promise of God. 

"Lord, we have given up everything to follow You." When we feel tired and spent because of our service to God, when we feel we have given up so much in order to serve God, then let us remind ourselves of the words in today's Gospel. Lord, we have given up everything to follow You. Let these words not be an expression of remorse or selfish motivations. Let these words be a reminder that it is not about our generosity to God. It is about God's generosity to us. Amen.