Gospel Reflection

August 18, 2012

Saturday

Anticipated Sunday Mass (Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Greenbelt

First Reading:               Proverbs 9:1-6

Psalm:                         Psalm 34:2-7

Second Reading:           Ephesians 5:15-20

Gospel:                        John 6:51-58    

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever."

HOMILY

The Sunday Gospel is about “Jesus as the Living Bread. Whoever eats this Bread will live forever”. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus loves us so much that He shared His Body and Blood to us. Every time we take His Body and Blood, we are in communion with Christ and receive the blessings and miracles of God’s love. We are in God and God is in us, kaya like Jesus, huwag tayong magdamot sa ating kapwa at maging mabuti sa iba.

Gospel Reflection

August 18, 2012

Saturday

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by Rev. Fr. Joseph Gil Alonso, Parochial Vicar, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati

Mass at the Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

First Reading:               Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32

Psalm:                         Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19

Gospel:                        Matthew 19:13-15         

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 14 but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

HOMILY

The Gospel is about “the Kingdom of God belonging to little children”. People see children as insignificant, irrelevant and a nuisance. But for Jesus, they are role models for discipleship. Kasi sila ay obedient (and even imitate God), helpless and dependent on God, hindi nagpapaligsahan sa posisyon, hindi nagtatanim ng galit.

We have to have the traits of little children and recognize our limitations – na ang lahat ay magagawa natin dahil sa Diyos at dahil kasama natin Siya. Yes may kakayahan nga tayo at galling, pero ang lahat ng ito ay binigay sa atin ng Diyos. At the same time, gabayan din natin ang lahat ng mga bata para sundin ang commandments ni God. Tulungan natin sila sa kanilang mga pangangailangan at maging mabuting ehemplo tayo sa kanila.

Gospel Reflection

August 17, 2012

Friday

Weekday

By Rev. Fr. Richard Babao (Ecumenical Minister)

Megamall

First Reading:   Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63 or Ezekiel 16:59-63         

Psalm:             Isaiah 12:2-6     

Gospel:            Matthew 19:3-12                       

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?" 4 He answered, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry." 11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."

HOMILY

The Gospel today focused on our commitment to our vocation, whether it be single-blessedness or religious, but great emphasis was given to husbands and wives. No husband should divorce his wife. Those who are meant to accept ought to accept.

God loved Israel so much that He remains faithful to it up to this day, even if Israel has become conceited or self-centered in the past. Such should be the commitment and faithfulness that couples should devote to each other.

Ano man ang maging vocation mo, just be faithful and committed to do good. 

Gospel Reflection

August 16, 2012

Thursday

Weekday

by Rev. Fr.  Allan (Immaculate  Conception Church – Las Pinas)

Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

First Reading:   Ezekiel 12:1-2   

Psalm:             Psalm 78:56-59, 61-62

Gospel:            Matthew 18:21 -- 19:1                

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; 25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; 33 and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

HOMILY

The Gospel talks about Jesus saying that we should forgive, not only seven times, but seventy-times seven times. Nais ni Hesus na yon ang gawin natin – ang magpatawad sa kapwa, hanggat siya ay nagsisisi. Kasi yon ang ginagawa ni Hesus sa atin. In fact, God entered into six covenants with man. Kahit nasira ng tao ang mga covenants na yun ay pinatawad pa rin tayo ni God. At ang final covenant nga sa atin ni God ay si Hesus mismo.

Kung marunong tayong magpatawad, kailangan din na tayo ay matutong magsisi sa ating mga pagkakamali at humingi ng tawad. We have to be contrite and sincerely sorry for our sins. We should seek God’s forgiveness and change our ways.

 

Gospel Reflection

August 15, 2012

Wednesday

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity)

by Rev. Fr. Nilo Mangussad

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10

Psalm:                         Psalm 45:10-12, 16

Second Reading:          1 Corinthians 15:20-27

Gospel:                        Luke 1:39-56                

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." 46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever." 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

HOMILY

Father Nilo focused on the Assumption and informed that the Dogma of the Assumption came late in the 1950's, because the Pope then wanted to make sure about the proclamation. The Assumption of Mama Mary speaks of our faith, as we believe that we will also be assumed into heaven - (could be body only, could be soul only, we don’t know) - if we also submit ourselves to the will of God like Mama Mary did.

Mama Mary was a perfect example of fully submitting to God’s will. If Mama Mary asserted herself as a human, and did not trust and obeyed God, then maybe Jesus wasn’t born.

Father Nilo asks us to examine ourselves – how much of Mama Mary’s virtues are we putting in our lives? Are we willing to submit to the will of man or of God?

Gospel Reflection

August 14, 2012

Tuesday

St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest, Martyr (Memorial)

by Rev. Fr. Edward Castro (Rector Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Makati)

Megamall

First Reading:               1 John 3:13-18

Psalm:                         Psalm 116:10-13, 16-17

Gospel:                        John 15:12-17              

12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.

HOMILY

The Gospel today says ‘unless we become like children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven’. Like children, we should be humble and open to accept God’s love and to assimilate God’s word, that it becomes part of our being.

Only by being little children are we able to openly welcome God, depending on Him fully, and follow His Ways without question, without reservation. It is only by being little children that we can also willingly share God’s blessings to others, without expecting anything, and become life-giving. Let us pray for the grace to become God’s little ones despite difficulties, so that when  time comes, we may deserve to enter the sweet Kingdom of Heaven.

 

St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe – Pray for us

Gospel Reflection

 

 

August 12, 2012

Sunday

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Caloy Reyes

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               1 Kings 19:4-8

Psalm:                         Psalm 34:2-9

Second Reading:           Ephesians 4:30 -- 5:2

Gospel:                        John 6:41-51    

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." 42 They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, `I have come down from heaven'?" 43 Jesus answered them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."

HOMILY

The Gospel for this Sunday is still about Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus is the true and ultimate Sacrificial Lamb and through His most loving sacrifice and giving of His precious Body and Blood, He has drawn us back to the Father and saved us. And if He saved us then, He will save us now.

Si Jesus ay laging nasa atin every time we partake of His Body in Holy Communion. Nasa loob na natin si Hesus pag na-receive na natin Siya sa Holy Communion kaya wala nang makakapaghiwalay sa atin sa Kanya. Dahil nasa atin si Hesus, ang lahat ng nararamdaman at nararanasan natin ay nararamdaman at nararanasan din Niya. Kaya di daw tayo dapat mawalan ng pag-asa.

We need to ALWAYS recognize Jesus in the host so that as He nourishes us in the Eucharist, our hope and strength are renewed.

 

Gospel Reflection

August 11, 2012

Saturday

St. Clare of Assisi, Virgin, Foundress of II Order (Feast)

by Rev. Fr. Joseph Gil Alonso, Parochial Vicar, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati

Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz, Greenbelt Chapel, Makati

First Reading:               Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 or 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18

Psalm:                         Psalm 45:11-12, 14-16

Gospel:                        John 15:4-10    

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

HOMILY

Tungkol pa din sa faith ang theme ng Gospel. Sabi ni Hesus, ‘kung ikaw ay may pananalig nang kahit 'sing liit ng mustasa, walang hindi mo mapangyayari”.

Ang tibay ng pananampalataya sa Diyos at pagmamahal ng mga Pilipino sa kapwa ay pinalalalim ng mga bagyo sa ating buhay. Kahit nahihirapan tayo, nakangiti pa rin tayo, walang bitterness. We take things with hope, because of our faith in God, kahit na raw may Rumaragasang Habagat or RH, sabi ni Father J

Kailangan nating samahan ang ating pananampalataya ng pagdarasal at pag aayuno. We have to constantly persevere to pray at hayaan natin ang Panginoon na gumabay at tumugon sa atin, sa ating pagdarasal.

St. Clare of Assisi – Pray for us