Gospel Reflection

July 18, 2012

Wednesday
29^th Greenbelt Anniversary Mass

by Bishop Milo Vergara

Greenbelt

First Reading:   Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16

Psalm:             Psalm 94:5-10, 14-15

Gospel:            Matthew 11:25-27

25 On that occasion Jesus Said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed to simple people. 26 Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.

27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

HOMILY

Since it was Greenbelt's anniversary, Bishop Milo emphasized the meaning of being a servant - on fulfilling our mission.
According to Bishop Milo, there are three things that we, servants, should remember:
One is proclamation. We should be steadfast in proclaiming God and His truth, so that people will come back to Him. Whether off season or not, we should share God's word to others.
Second is presence. As servants, we should have a deep personal relationship with God. Before we can be on mission, we should have intimacy with God through prayer. One good example is praying before the Blessed Sacrament. It is when we receive God that we become fruitful and we can make things possible. As we allow God's presence to fill us, we should also make others feel God's love. We should let others feel our reassuring presence, with our loving concern, time, gifts and sense of service.
Third is perseverance. As servants, we should follow God's call with "staying power" - no "ningas kugon". Dapat tuloy tuloy lang tayo, because the Lord will never abandon us. Let us continue to persevere in our faith and continue to serve, helping and reaching out to others, even if we encounter struggles. It's not easy but that is what real mission means. After attending our masses, we should lead a good and holy life. This is how our mission moves on - by becoming fruitful bearers of the grace of God, not only in the mass, but through concrete action in our daily life.

Gospel Reflection

July 18, 2012

Wednesday
Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Joel Jason

Megamall

First Reading:   Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16

Psalm:             Psalm 94:5-10, 14-15

Gospel:            Matthew 11:25-27

25 On that occasion Jesus Said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed to simple people. 26 Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.

27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

HOMILY

The Gospel speaks about the Kingdom of God being revealed, not to the wise or the learned, but to the childlike. The key to today's Gospel is for us to have a childlike disposition.

No matter how intelligent we are, we should leave space for faith. We should look at God - His love, and His ways - with purity and innocence as of a child. As we thank God for making us smart, for making us wise, for making us successful, we should also follow God with humble prayer like that of a child.

 

Gospel Reflection

July 17, 2012

Tuesday
Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Lito Ignacio

EDSA Shrine

First Reading:   Isaiah 7:1-9

Psalm:             Psalm 48:2-8

Gospel:            Matthew 11:20-24

20 Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

HOMILY

The key to today's Gospel is conversion. It is through steadfast faith and repentance (especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation) that we are able to continue our work of evangelization. "If your faith is not firm, you have no faith." We have to be persistent in our faith, whether it is convenient or inconvenient.
Father Lito ended his brief homily by sharing a prayer of Blessed Theresa of Calcutta: "Jesus, in my heart, I believe in Your tender love in me....and I love you". He told us to say the prayer over and over again. For him, this short prayer from Blessed Theresa is a prayer of such humility, faith and love for God.

Gospel Reflection

July 16, 2012

Monday
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial)

by Rev.  Fr. Joed Buenaventura, Diocese of Balanga, Bataan

EDSA Shrine

First Reading:   Isaiah 1:10-17

Psalm:             Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23

Gospel:            Matthew 10:34 -- 11:1 

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

 

HOMILY

The key to today's Gospel is consistency. God does not look on our outward sacrifices and offerings, but on the true state and intentions of our heart. We may have all the best offerings given to the Church, we may have all the money to give, we may have all the talents to share, but if we only do this to show off, it is useless. We may be "holy" in public, but are we also holy inside the privacy of our rooms, when nobody can see us?
In the Gospel, Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace, but the sword. Jesus did not literally mean "sword". Jesus was pertaining to "division" among family, among kin, in terms of consistently upholding God's commands. For example, if your parents tell you to be dishonest, even if you know that it is not the way of God, and your heart knows it is bad, will you still do it? No matter what, we should be consistent in doing good deeds.

Gospel Reflection

July 14, 2012

Saturday
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin (Memorial)

Anticipated Sunday Mass (Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Greenbelt

First Reading:               Amos 7:12-15

Psalm:                         Psalm 85:9-14

Second Reading            Ephesians 1:3-14, or 1:3-10
Gospel:                        Mark 6:7-13

7 And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

HOMILY

Like the apostles, we are modern-day missionaries and should continue God’s loving presence to those around us. But before we do that, in Tagalog he said, “Tulad ng mga Apostoles, dapat  tayong maglaan ng panahon para kilalanin ang Diyos at maranasan ang kanyang pagmamahal bago tayo tumugon sa Kanyang paanyayang magpatuloy ng Kanyang misyon”.

There are three things by which we can respond to God’s call and to share His mission to others. First, like the apostles, we should help in expelling demons and evil spirits that prevent others from being close to God.

It does not mean that we need to be exorcists or authorities in expelling demons. In our own simple way, we can do that by being a GOOD influence and not a bad example to others. We should remind others to stop their bad habits at “huwag maging konsintidor”. We should remind others of their obligation to do good and to be constant witnesses of our faith. Hindi ‘yong tayo pa ang magyayayang mamasyal na lang o manood ng sine kaysa magsimba (Father's example).

Second, like the apostles, we should preach the good news BOTH in word and in deed. Hindi natatapos sa salita lang ang pagshare ng Good News. We should be living witnesses of Christ’s love by our good actions and willing sacrifice for others.

Third, like the apostles, we should bring healing and comfort to others. People have frailties, struggles, and problems. We should comfort our brothers/sisters to alleviate their pain, to give hope and encouragement, and to uplift the spirit. We should extend to them our prayer, care and concern by being present for them and making them feel loved and important.

We should pray for the grace to continue to be modern-day missionaries like the Apostles. We should listen to God’s call and give an affirmative response, by saying “Here I am Lord; I will extend your mission to others and respond to their needs all for Your glory”.

Gospel Refleionct

July 13, 2012

Friday
Votive Mass of the Precious Blood

by Rev. Fr. Chris Habal

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               Hosea 14:2-10

Psalm:                         Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9. 12-14, 17

Gospel:                        Matthew 10:16-23

16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.

HOMILY

God’s love is a forgiving love. Even if we repeatedly sin, He repeatedly forgive us especially through the sacrament of reconciliation. We should, therefore, also touch others with our forgiving love.

Gospel Reflection

July 12, 2012

Thursday
Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Matthieu Dauchez

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9

Psalm:                         Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16

Gospel:                        Matthew 10:7-15

7 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. 9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, salute it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomor'rah than for that town.

HOMILY

Father Matthew said that we should learn to forgive and love without condition, without counting the cost. This is the essence of God’s love for us.

Gospel Reflection

July 11, 2012

Wednesday
St. Benedict, Abbot (Memorial)

by Rev. Fr. Nilo Mangussad

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12

Psalm:                         Psalm 105:2-7

Gospel:                        Matthew 10:1-7

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zeb'edee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

HOMILY

Like St. Benedict and the apostles, we should follow the Lord and not give in to the materiality and allures of the world. Through the wounds of the flesh, we heal the wounds of the soul.

Gospel Reflection

July 10, 2012

Tuesday
St. Veronica Giuliani, Virgin (Feast)

by Rev.  Fr. Joel Jason (Dean, Graduate School of Theology San Carlos Seminary)

12:15pm mass, Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               2 Corinthians 4:6-11, 16, 17

Psalm:                         Psalm 59:2, 10, 17-18  

Gospel:                        Matthew 16:24-27

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 27 For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done.


HOMILY

Father Joel related that he was invited by his uncle one day to go with him at the seminary, because his uncle wanted to take the entrance exams for seminarians. Di pa nga alam ni Father kung ano ang seminary but he accompanied his uncle anyway.

Then his uncle told him, “Joel mag-exam ka na rin katuwaan lang.” In the end, his uncle did not pass the exams but Father Joel did, and he eventually became a priest.

Father Joel shared his story to show us that in life, God will pave the way for us to discover our mission. Sometimes, we pursue something, only because it is our ambition, and not our mission. For example, one would want to be a doctor, only to earn and be popular, but not to be able to help others, especially the poor.

God wants to tell us that we are made, not only for success, but more for significance. We continue to pursue our goals and ambitions, but live them in the spirit of mission. Let us pray that God may help us discover and do our mission for the greater good and for God’s greater glory, not our own.

Gospel Reflection

July 09, 2012

Monday
Weekday

Megamall

First Reading:               Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22  

Psalm:                         Psalm 145:2-9  

Gospel:                        Matthew 9:18-26

18 While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24 he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

HOMILY

In life, there are two events. One is called ‘intrusive events’. These are external events that come from without. Those that come unexpectedly like an illness, problem with a relationship, sudden death, etc. And there is what we call ‘internal upspring’ - those that come from within us, like disappointments, attacks of guilt, anger, etc. Sometimes, it is the intrusive events that bring about the internal upspring within us.

Minsan nga daw sobrang tagal na ng intrusive events, ng mga pagsubok sa buhay na di natin alam kung kailan ba matatapos, kung ano at kailan ang kasagutan.

But let us not lose hope and instead strengthen our faith more. Let us pray that God may guide us through these challenges. Who knows – these events may be God’s way of re-ordering things for us. God is always with us in trying times. And with God, we do not lose, but we become.