Gospel Reflection

September 27, 2012

Thursday

St. Vincent de Paul, Priest (Memorial)

by Msgr. Bong Lo (Chaplain, Chapel of Eucharistic Lord)

Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Eccl 1:2-11

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun? One generation passes and another comes, but the world forever stays. The sun rises and the sun goes down; then it presses on to the place where it rises. Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north, the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds. All rivers go to the sea, yet never does the sea become full. To the place where they go, the rivers keep on going. All speech is labored; there is nothing one can say. The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor is the ear satisfied with hearing.

What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun. Even the thing of which we say, "See, this is new!" has already existed in the ages that preceded us. There is no remembrance of the men of old; nor of those to come will there be any remembrance among those who come after them.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17bc

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Gospel Lk 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

HOMILY

Some weeks ago, may isa akong friend at sabi niya sa akin "Father 'yong family po namin ay mayroong parang sumpa. We have a kind of genetic, hereditary, physical problem." Sabi ko, "Ano po 'yon?" Sabi niya, "Lahat kaming mga lalaki sa pamilya namin, mula pa sa great grandfather ko, hanggang sa akin, hanggang sa anak ko, lahat kami ay pinapanganak na guwapo...." (laughs) "We are born handsome." So I told him, "You are a medical doctor. You know that on matters as serious as these, you must consult other doctors for a second opinion (laughs) or even a third opinion." (laughs)

My sisters and brothers, the First Reading is from the book of Ecclesiastes, and the introductory passage proclaims strongly, repeatedly and insistently, that everything is vanity. According to the dictionary, vanity is the excessive pride over one's looks, talents, abilities, achievements, status, etc. And focusing on being vain is something superficial and temporary.

My sisters and brothers, sa totoo lang pala ano po, no matter who we are, no matter who am I, no matter what we do, mamamatay din tayong lahat. Pakisabi sa katabi, "mamamatay ka". (laughs) At pakisabi mo "mauna ka naman". (laughs) We say that time is gold, we should not waste time. But no matter how much gold we have, there comes a time when you can no longer buy time. There comes a time when "time is up". We say that "health is wealth", but no matter how much wealth we have, there comes a time that we cannot buy health, when health is simply about to give way.

But if we continue to reading the Book of Ecclesiastes, it reminds us and shows us that with God, everything has value and everything will last. As long as we are rooted in God, even when "time is up", we will no longer need any, because we will already enter eternity. When we are rooted in God, even if health will no longer be there, it's ok, because now, there is the Resurrection - the glorified body, the incorruptible body.

So we must take pride of the fact that God loves us. Let us take more pride that we have been given the grace to know God, to enjoy Him and enter into a personal relationship with Him. Let us take pride in the fact that we are given the grace to be a Christian, to remain Catholic, and to experience the Sacraments. Then truly we can say not everything is vanity. There is something much deeper, there is something that lasts forever. It is not diamonds, it is God and our relationship with Him.

In the Gospel today, Herod wanted to see Jesus. But he was only curious to see Jesus - for Herod, it was only something superficial. When finally he met Jesus, wala lang. He was not open to the invitation of Jesus. He was not open to the grace of conversion. He was not open to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. Let us not simply be curious about Jesus. He is our Lord God. Let us be truly open so that we may respond to God's presence, that we may respond to God's call. If you truly encounter God, you cannot but change for the better, then truly, not everything is vanity.

 St. Vincent de Paul – Pray for us

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - St. Vincent de Paul

A Holy Life

Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

Founder of the Lazarist Fathers and the Daughters of Charity

Feast day – September 27

Saint Vincent was born in 1576 near Dax, south of Bordeaux, of a poor family which survived by means of their labor. It seemed that “mercy was born with him.” When sent by his father to the mill to procure flour, if he met a poor man coming home, he would open the sack and give him handfuls of flour when he had nothing else. His Christian father was not angry; seeing his good dispositions, he was sure his son should become a priest, and placed him as a boarding student with a group of religious priests in Dax. Vincent made rapid progress, and after seven years of studying theology at Toulouse and in Saragossa, Spain, was ordained a priest in 1600. He always concealed his learning and followed the counsel of Saint Paul who said, “I have wanted to know nothing in your midst but Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ crucified.”

Soon after his ordination, he was captured by corsairs and sold as a slave in Tunisia. He converted his renegade master, and escaped with him to France. Then, after a time of study in Rome, he returned to Paris and took for his spiritual director Abbé de Berulle, a famous director of souls. This servant of God saw in him a priest called to render outstanding service to the Church, and to found a community of priests who would labor for its benefit. He told Saint Vincent this, that he might prepare himself insofar as was humanly possible. When Saint Vincent was appointed chaplain-general of the galleys of France, his tender charity brought hope into those prisons where hitherto despair had reigned. When a mother mourned her imprisoned son, Vincent put on his chains and took his place at the oar, and gave him to his mother.

His charity embraced the poor, the young and the aged, the provinces desolated by civil war, Christians enslaved by the infidels. The poor man, ignorant and degraded, was to him the image of Him who became as “a leper and no man.” “Turn the medal,” he said, “and you will see Jesus Christ.” He went through the streets of Paris at night, seeking the infants and children left there to die — three or four hundred every year. Once robbers rushed upon him, thinking he carried a treasure, but when he opened his cloak, they recognized him and his burden, an abandoned infant, and fell at his feet. Not only was Saint Vincent the providence of the poor, but also of the rich, for he taught them to undertake works of mercy. When in 1648 the work of the foundlings was in danger of failure for want of funds, he assembled the ladies of the Association of Charity, and said, “Compassion and charity have made you adopt these little creatures as your children. You have been their mothers according to grace, when their own mothers abandoned them. Will you now cease to be their mothers? Their life and death are in your hands. I shall take your votes; it is time to pronounce sentence.” The tears of the assembly were his only answer, and the work was continued.

The Priests of the Mission or Lazarists, as they are called, and thousands of the Daughters of Charity still comfort the afflicted with the charity of their holy Founder. It has been said of him that no one has ever verified more perfectly than Saint Vincent, the words of Our Lord: “He who humbles himself shall be exalted...” The more he strove to abase himself in the eyes of all, the more God took pleasure in elevating him and bestowing His blessings on him and on all his works. He died in 1660, in an old age made truly golden by his unceasing good works.

Sources for this article were taken from:  Lives of the Saints - http://magnificat.ca/cal/en/saints/vincent_de_paul.html

 

Prayer

O Glorious Saint Vincent de Paul, The mention of your name,
Suggests a litany of your virtues: Humility, zeal, mercy, self-sacrifice.
It also recalls your many foundations:
Works of Mercy, Congregations, and Societies.

The Church gratefully remembers your promotion of the priesthood.
Inspire all Charitable Workers, Especially those who minister,
To both the spiritually And the materially poor.

O Lord, give us the grace, that you bestowed upon,
Your servant St. Vincent de Paul, To relinquish the temptation,
Of material things, In our holy effort, To minister to the poor.

Amen.

St. Vincent de Paul – Pray for us

Gospel Reflection

September 26, 2012

Wednesday – Weekday

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

Lunch Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Prv 30:5-9

Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Add nothing to his words, lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver. Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die: Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need; Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, "Who is the LORD?" Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163

R. (105) Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
From every evil way I withhold my feet,
that I may keep your words.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Through your precepts I gain discernment;
therefore I hate every false way.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Falsehood I hate and abhor;
your law I love.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

Gospel Lk 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them." Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

HOMILY

One time I read, I don't know if this is true. Sabi nila - one of the most painful, or one of the greatest pains that a man can experience, is the pain of childbirth. Di ko alam 'yon - totoo po ba 'yon? Sabi nila, it is equivalent to 26 bones being crushed simultaneously. Kaya sabi nila, this is a proof that women are not the weaker sex, but are actually the stronger sex. Sabi nila, pag lalaki daw ang nakaranas niyan, baka mamatay. Kaya naman noong nabasa ko 'yon, nasabi kong talaga namang mamahalin mo ang mga Nanay, for their ability to go through that kind of pain.

It is part of our human nature to avoid pain, to avoid suffering, to avoid lack or deficiency. That is why when we hear the Gospel today, something in us complains. Bakit parang ang lupit lupit naman ni Jesus sa mga disciples? "When you go, don't bring a second tunic. Do not bring with you a walking staff nor a stick. Do not bring with you money." Para bang lahat na lang ng pagpapahirap ay ibinibigay niya sa mga Disipulo.

What is the point of today's Gospel? Jesus is not merely endorsing an aversion towards everything that is good. Jesus is only telling us and reminding us of a spiritual attitude - a spiritual attitude that the saints call a holy detachment. Ano po 'yong holy detachment ? A holy detachment is an attitude of the heart which can appreciate the goods of this world, and realize that they are not ends in themselves. A holy detachment is an attitude of the heart that recognizes that everything is gift - but beyond this gift is a Giver, and therefore, we should not only find for the gift, but we should also long for the Giver of the gifts.

Hindi naman sinabi ni Hesus sa mga Disipulo na magpaka-dalita kayo. This is a metaphor for Jesus and the Disciples - bring only what you need, and what is excess, forgo it. At alam naman natin na kailangan nating lahat ang ganyang reminder. For all of us are very much attracted to excess.

Just this morning, I read in the news that there are over 5 million new iPhone 5's sold. In just one day of its release, there are already 5 million iPhone 5's sold. Ang tanong po dito - kailangan mo ba talaga ng iPhone 5, kung meron ka nang iPhone 4? Ano ba ang pagkakaiba ng iPhone 5 sa iPhone 4? Mas malaki lang 'yong screen, mas magaan lang. But all of these, when you look at what is happening to the world, with holy detachment, it should be able to tell us - ito bang mga bagay na ito na naglalabasan eh talagang kailangan ko? Or is the consumeristic attitude only feeding in, into my attraction for what is convenient, for what is less painful, or what is more beneficial to me?

Today, the Gospel is reminding us that if this is our domain for happiness, we could not dispense what we call a holy detachment. Without this holy detachment, we will forever be wanting, and wanting, and wanting. Believe me, it will not end with iPhone 5 - magkakaroon pa 'yan ng iPhone 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. For as long as there is in the human heart that longing for more and more and more - hindi matatapos 'yan. It is only with that attitude of holy detachment that we can say "I am contented with what I have. And because I am contented with what I have, then I can begin to be truly happy". Kapag walang holy detachment, you will never be happy - kasi ang ating attitude, there is always something missing - laging may kailangan pa ako, dapat may dumating pa. You will never be happy. It is only with holy detachment that we can recognize that all these gifts that we find in the world, are only reflections of the Giver. And it is when I long for the Giver, that I will begin to have a contented heart. Let us pray for this grace in this Eucharist, Amen.

Gospel Reflection

September 25, 2012

Tuesday – Weekday

by Rev.Fr. Joseph Feng (Spiritual Director and Orientationer, Lorenzo Mission Institute)

Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Prv 21:1-6, 10-13

Like a stream is the king's heart in the hand of the LORD; wherever it pleases him, he directs it. All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart? the tillage of the wicked is sin. The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty. Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares. The soul of the wicked man desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes. When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser; when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. The just man appraises the house of the wicked: there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin. He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

R. (35) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
And I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Gospel Lk 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you." He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

HOMILY

Do you love your family? Yes, we love our family. The family is so important especially to us Asians. We value our family so much. It has become our cultural heritage and a backbone of our growth.

What can we say about the family? Number one, the family is the haven where we grow, where we learn to love. It is where we encounter the most natural things in life - with our parents, brothers and sisters. So it is sacred and precious to us. Number two, the family is a school of virtues. It is in the family where we build up our first qualities - through our parents, grandparents and elders. It is where we develop a set of values, from which we develop our character, our personalities. The family is the first school we learn all these things. Third, the family is the first church where we encounter God. Our family is the domestic church where we grow in faith, with our parents, brothers and sisters. Lastly, the family is a home. where we are free to express ourselves. It is very sad that many families are no longer a home. Sometimes, most of us treat our home as a dormitory - sometimes, family members do not want to go home because of bitter memories. The family no longer becomes a home where love resides.

However, in the Gospel, it is said that the family can be a hindrance to our spiritual growth, when it becomes the center of our world, rather than God. Sometimes, we get so concerned about our families, that we forget that the family is just an extension to bring God's love to the world. We should not put the value of the family over God. The family should build us up toward loving God, to reach out to God, and then to others.

In the Gospel today, Jesus is telling us that there is something greater than our family values, and that is the value of the Kingdom of God, When we do the will of God, then the things of God should be over the family. Once a family values God over everything, and puts God first, our family is blessed, and we become part of the bigger family of God.

Gospel Reflection

September 24, 2012

Monday – Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Rey Reyes (Guest Priest)

Mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel

Reading 1 Prv 3:27-34

Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once. Plot no evil against your neighbor, against one who lives at peace with you. Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm. Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.

The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

R. (1) The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Gospel Lk 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away."

HOMILY

As stated to us in our Gospel, you do not place the lamp stand under the bed or under the bushel basket. Rather, if you have the lamp, especially with light, you put in on a lamp stand, so that it will serve the purpose of giving light to the house, and therefore, the light will help the people inside the house.

 

The Lord is reminding us about something that is part of our spiritual life on a daily basis. That there is in us what we may call the gift of the Lord's presence in our life. This gift is to be considered the lamp of our life. And once we receive the gift of the Lord's presence in our life, we are like a lamp that is shining, and because it is shining, many people would notice that. And I believe that the lives of other people will be blessed.

 

This is a very important aspect - what the presence of the Lord in our life can do to us and to others who may become part of our life. In other words, it makes a big difference when we feel and when we experience the presence of the Lord in our life. Once we feel and experience the Lord's presence in our life, the power of the Lord's presence will shine in our life. Kapag tinanggap natin ang Diyos sa ating buhay, mismong ang buhay natin ang magliliwanag. At ang liwanag na ito ay magniningning at sisilay sa buhay ng mga taong nakapaligid sa atin. And the people around us will also experience the effects of that light in our life.

For example, sa inyong tahanan, kung masaya ang inyong pamilya pag nasa bahay ka, ibig sabihin masaya ang mga kasama mo sa bahay kung nandiyan ka at malungkot sila pag matagal kang mawawala. Your presence makes the difference. Gayon din sa inyong opisina at organisasyon. If people are happy when you are around, you should be proud. Ibig sabihin, iba ang dating mo sa kanila. Ang impact mo ay nadarama ng ibang tao. Ang iyong ilaw at liwanag ay nagniningning sa buhay ng iba. This is what the presence of our Lord in our life makes personally. Iba ang magiging buhay mo pag tinanggap mo si Hesus sa iyong buhay at pagkatao, sapagkat maiiba ka, iba ka na at hindi na tulad nang dati mong pagkatao.

 

From more than 2,000 years ago, when Jesus Christ entered into the world, millions of people had already been changed by the presence of the Lord in our life. So many people have already been proclaimed saints - holy men and women in heaven - precisely because of the presence of the Lord in their lives. Their lives were no longer the same again when Jesus Christ entered into their life. Binago na ng Panginoon ang buhay ng mga taong tumanggap sa kanya. This is an indication to each and every one of us, my dear friends in Christ, more so during this week that we are celebrating the Week of the Laity. It is imperative for us to look into ourselves - what does the presence of the Lord make in me? Ano ang naidudulot ng Panginoon sa aking buhay? There must be a difference, there must be a good and far-reaching result that the presence of the Lord brings into our life.

Kaya tanungin natin ang ating sarili. Masaya ba ang mga tao sa bahay kung nandoon ka, o mas masaya ba sila kung wala ka? Liwanag pa ba ang dala mo sa ibang tao, o dilim na? Anong klaseng impact ang naiiwan mo sa ibang tao? This is an invitation to ask ourselves - what is the effect of the presence of the Lord in my life? Is the Lord's presence working in me, also effective and have a positive result to the people around me? Can I say that the presence of the Lord in my life makes a difference? Once our Lord Jesus Christ has become part of our daily life, we can never be the same again, because the presence of our Lord will change us and the lives of others as well. The presence of our Lord will help us become the kind of person our Lord would like us to be. God bless each and every one of you, Amen.