Gospel Reflection

October 25, 2012

Thursday – Weekday – Year of Faith

by Rev. Fr. Bob McConaughey (Resident Formator, Lorenzo Mission Institute)

Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Eph 3:14-21

Brothers and sisters: I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19

R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Lk 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

HOMILY

This time next week, there will be no mass here because it is a holiday and the mall will be closed. You will be with your departed loved ones, and you'll pray for them.
 
We don't think about death very much. For us, it is normal. But supposing your guardian angel appears to you one night and says, "The Heavenly Father has a message for you. He wants you to know the day of the week that you're gonna die". Would you want to know? He will tell you perhaps the day of the week, but not the year. And supposing He says, "You are going to die on a Tuesday". That might keep your interest a little bit. And you will say "Ok, well it may be years from now. It will be on a Tuesday, so I will be safe for the rest of the week". But supposing your guardian angel appears the next time and says, "The Heavenly Father has more news for you. He wants you to know the month of the year that you're gonna die." Would you want to know? And supposing your angel said to you, "Here is the final bit of information that you must know. You are going to die on a Tuesday, in November, between 7 in the morning and 7 at night. Might be this year, might be six years from now. No more news, you'll never see me again."  

What do you think it would be like - that last Tuesday of November? What would that day be for you? How will it be different than all the other days? I could see that you probably will have trouble sleeping on Monday night. In the morning, probably at five o'clock you will wake up and before you do anything, you will be into deep prayer. Perhaps you would slowly say the Rosary, asking Mama Mary to protect you during those 12 hours, between 7 and 7. You'll probably try to keep busy during the morning, to make the hours go by quickly, but deep inside, you are constantly being distracted by fear, by worry, by anxiety. And because of your fear or anxiety, you drive in here to the chapel, or to your parish church. And when the priest says, "In order to prepare ourselves to celebrate these sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins". Oh - you will really call to mind all your sins. And you will feel deep, deep sorrow and express that sorrow and really mean it - on the last Tuesday of November.  
 
And when you sit down to listen to the Liturgy of the Word, you will not so much seek to interpret the Scriptures, as much as you will look to have the Scripture interpret you. To give you some clue, some sign of the meaning of your life. And when the time of Communion comes, you receive it and pray, as it may be your last day - "This is what I need from you Lord - to give me peace". You may probably ask something else, like "Lord, this is what I am asking of you, what do you want from me?"
 
After the mass, you probably will go shopping. Things will be very important to you - what you own, what you possess. You can also say, "I can be judged today." And I remember what Jesus said how I will be judged. "When I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink. When I was in prison you came to visit me, naked and you clothed me." And straight from the mall, you will go out, and you will go to all the hungry, thirsty, the strangers - and you will give from the heart - to make a difference. You will do that on the last Tuesday of November.
 
And chances are in the evening, you will ask all those who are closest to you - your family, to have dinner with you. And at the dinner you will tell them things that you have not told them before. You will tell them how much you love and care for them. You will tell them how thankful you are to God that they have been part of your life, you will tell them that. You will not assume they know it. You will be totally open to them - on the last Tuesday of November.
 
Then finally, until 7pm, your heart will be beating very very fast, and suddenly the clock will strike past 7, and you will still be alive, free from fear. But as you would look back on that Tuesday, the last Tuesday in November, you would probably find that, that day that began in fear, in worry, in anxiety, turned out to be the most profoundly meaningful day of the year. When you would have lived your life selflessly, sacrificially. And the way you have lived that day, will cast out your fear.
 
Life is here, and it's scripted. Love's a gift, that we've been given. To give it all away, and have it still - that's God's will. Let's live each day - a little bit - as if it were the last Tuesday in November.

Gospel Reflection

October 24, 2012

Wednesday – Weekday – Year of Faith

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

Lunch Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Eph 3:2-12

Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same Body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.

Of this I became a minister by the gift of God's grace that was granted me in accord with the exercise of his power. To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the Church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens. This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.

Responsorial Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R. (see 3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Gospel Lk 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."

HOMILY

Magandang tanghali po sa inyong lahat.

Sa ating mga pagbasa ngayon, malinaw na malinaw ang paalala sa atin. We are all called to be accountable, we are all called to be responsible. At alam naman natin 'yan na kapag tayo ay may ibinigay, mayroon tayong inaasahang ibabalik. Halimbawa ang mga magulang ano, inaasahan nila ang kanilang mga anak, matapos nilang bigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral, ay maibabalik naman sa kanila ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral nang mabuti at pagtatapos sa pag-aaral.

Parang 'yong kwento ng isang Tatay, noong mag-iiksamen ang kanyang anak, ang sabi ng Tatay. "Anak ha bukas kailangan titignan ko kung ilan ang nakuha mo sa iyong examinations". Dumating 'yong kinabukasan, at ang sabi noong anak sa kanyang Tatay, "Dad, Dad, naka-100 po ako sa test ko ngayon". Ang sabi ng Tatay "Ay mabuti naman kung ganoon. Saan ka naka-100?" At ang sabi ng anak, "Ayun po - 50 po doon sa Spelling at 50 po sa Math". (laughs) 100 nga naman ano. (laughs)

We want to be held accountable, and we want people to be accountable to what we have given them. Alam po ninyo, noong nakaraang Linggo lang ay ipinagdiwang natin ang canonization ni Saint Pedro Calungsod. At nandirito ang kanyang larawan, ang kanyang imahen. Pero di ko alam kung napapansin ninyo na ngayon ay may nauuso na bagong larawan ni Pedro Calungsod. Ang tawag nila dito ay si Pedrito. Ito ay mga maliliit na dolls na Pedro Calungsod, na mukhang Barbie doll (laughs). Na kapag tiningnan ninyo, naku ang cute cute ni Pedro Calungsod.

You know, I was in a discussion with some of the priests at ang sabi ko, alam nyo, maganda nga 'yang mga image ni Pedrito, but I would not encourage us to be so fond of that doll image of Pedro Calungsod. Bakit? Kasi kay Pedrito, parang nati-trivialize 'yong symbol ni Pedro Calungsod. Kasi 'yong mga doll, kung mayroon kang doll, naku pwede mong paglaruan, ang gandang gawing display, ang gandang ilagay doon sa cabinet, ang gandang ilagay sa kotse, na parang 'yong mga asong gumagalaw galaw ang ulo (laughs), parang ginagawa nating ganoon ang image ni Pedro Calungsod. But when you look at the image of Pedro Calungsod, the real image, ay matatakot ka. Bakit? Anu-ano ba ang sinisimbulo ni Pedro Calungsod?

Unang una, the palm. What is the symbol of the palm? That is the symbol of martyrdom. And Pedro Calungsod became a martyr, because he was ready to die for his faith. Alam naman natin kung paano siya namatay hindi ba? Kasi si Padre Diego na kasama ni Pedro Calungsod ay nagbinyag doon sa anak ng isang chieftain. Nagalit 'yong chieftain and so tatagain niya o sisibatin 'yong pari. Ano ang ginawa ni Pedro Calungsod? Hinarang niya at siya 'yong sumalo ng sibat na dapat para doon sa pari. Ang tanong ko sa inyo - kaya n'yo bang gawin 'yon? Ready ba kayong gawin 'yon na saluhin 'yong sibat na para sa pari? Hindi - kayo pa 'yong sisibat do'n sa pari. (laughs)

What does martyrdom mean? Pedro Calungsod was ready to die for the faith. Kay Pedrito hindi natin nakikita 'yan eh - ay ang cute cute ni Pedrito. Pero pag nakita ninyo ang larawan ni Pedro Calungsod - ah, I will be reminded that I should be ready to die for what my faith teaches.

Ano po ang nakita natin? Si Pedro Calungsod ay may hawak na libro - Doctrina Christiana. Ano'ng ibig sabihin niyan? Ah - dapat kong alamin ang aking pananampalataya. No Christian should become a Christian without even knowing what his faith is telling him. That is also a challenge.

Then mapapansin nyo 'yong kanyang kanang paa ay para bang naka-angat. Naka-forward. Bakit naka-angat o naka-forward ang kanyang kanang paa? That is a symbol na hindi siya nahihiya. He is ready to step forward and be identified that he is a Christian, and that he is ready to die for his faith. He has been given much and that is why it is expected to give much.

Alam po ninyo, tayo sa bansang Pilipinas, we have also been given much. Ano ang ibinigay sa atin? We have the title of being the only Christian nation in Asia. And like Pedro Calungsod, we should be ready to step forward and be known as a Christian nation. Kaya lang ano ang sinasabi ng ating mga mambabatas? 'Naku tayo na lang ang bansang walang diborsiyo, nakakahiya'. Hindi 'yan dapat ikahiya. Dapat 'yan we step forward and tell them 'yes, we are the only Christian nation, where divorce is still illegal'. Sabi ng ating mga mambabatas, 'Naku tayo na lang ang bansang hindi legal ang abortion. Nakakahiya naman'. No. On the contrary, it should be a source of our pride, like Pedro Calungsod. And we should step up and be identified that we are the only Christian nation in Asia, where abortion is still illegal. Kaya atin talagang lalabanan ang RH bill, dahil alam naman natin na diyan na rin papunta 'yan.

Today in this mass, we are being reminded that the Philippines has been given much. And because we have been given much, much will be expected from all of us. Sana po ang ating pagiging Kristiyano ay hindi manatiling sa pangalan lamang. As we celebrate the memory of Saint Pedro Calungsod, let that be a challenge that is given to each and everyone of us. We are called to be Christians, not only by name. We are called to be Christians by faith, by practice, with the lives we live each day. Remember what Jesus said in the Gospel today, to whom much is given, much will also be expected. We have been given much, therefore, the Lord also expects much from each and everyone of us, Amen.

 Saint Pedro Calungsod - Pray for us

 

Gospel Reflection

October 23, 2012

Tuesday – Weekday – Year of Faith

by Rev. Fr. Ulysses Navarro (Society of St. Paul)

5:30pm Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

Reading 1 Eph 2:12-22

Brothers and sisters: You were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the Blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his Flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one Body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 9) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD--for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Gospel Lk 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."

HOMILY

From time to time, in our Gospel Reading, or even in the other Scriptures that we read, we are given an insight to the cultural world of the Jews, particularly during the time of our Lord. And many times, this is really reflected in the language used in Scriptures. Although what we proclaim in our Liturgy is in English form, many of these phrases, many of these idiomatic expressions, retained their essential form. In fact, some of these idiomatic expressions also found their way into the English language.

In the Gospel Reading today, we heard Jesus saying to His disciples, "gird your loins". This is a typical term which has reference to the Passover when the Jews were in a hurry to leave Egypt. In fact, they were instructed na kung sila ay kakain, sila ay nakatayo, as if they were in flight or sila ay nagmamadali. In today's usage, the phrase has assumed several meanings, like 'tightening up your belt as you prepare yourself for a series of actions'. Nandoon lagi ang element ng paghahanda ng sarili. The phrase also serves as a warning to 'wear your full armor' as if you are going to a battle. Since in a battle our bodies are exposed, the instruction would be to move always forward.

If you Google this phrase, it refers to the long garments worn by those who go to near Eastern missions, when they "tuck up their loins" whenever they go on a long journey, or whenever they are employed in a particular labor. When servants serve at weddings ganoon din ano. Alam natin na 'yong weddings sa panahon ng mga Hudyo ay hindi isang araw na paghahanda lamang. It takes several days and nights. At 'yong mga light bearers sa mga weddings would have to "tuck their loins" around their waist, always ready to bring out the light.

The search for the meaning of this particular idiom may go on and on. But the basic meaning is simply "always be prepared". 'Yon ang pagiging handa lagi. It is an action that dictates one's readiness to move to a more important action, leaving behind kung ano man 'yong ginagawa mo pansamantala. And being ready is what Jesus is telling us in today's Gospel. If we look at the Gospel, we can see traces of the Parable of the Ten Virgins, because our Gospel for today also spoke about the servants waiting for the return of the Master. Unlike the Ten Virgins though, in our Gospel today, mga lalalaki ang naghihintay, to open the gates when their Master arrives, so that when their Master comes, the servants will be ready to open the gate without any delay, kahit na anong oras pa dumating ang kanilang Master.

In the Gospel today, it is clearly said that there is a reward - a surprising and blessed reward for servants who are prepared, for servants who have been waiting for the return of the Master. When the Master comes back and finds His servants awake and ready, He will seat them at the table and Himself will wait on them. Parang magkakaroon ng reversal of roles. Sa pagdating ng Master, kapag nakita Niyang handa ang kanyang mga alagad, sila naman ang Kanyang paglilingkuran.

 

 

Remember that it is Jesus Himself who have come to serve, and not to be served. He is the One who, as Master and Lord, washed the feet of His disciples. And even when the Master comes in the middle of the night, or before dawn, or at any time of the day, blessed indeed are those servants who are ready for His return. So walang matutulog, walang magre-relax relax, any moment, we wait for the Lord, because we do not know when He will come. Just in case he comes later, an hour from now, two hours from now, around midnight, past midnight, we will be ready to open the door for Him. 

Now my dear friends, this need for readiness should not be a reason for us to be anxious or to be afraid. Maaari kasi nating isipin diba - paano kaya 'yan? Hindi ko naman alam kung anong oras si Hesus darating sa aking buhay. I don't know at what time of the day will He come knocking at my door. Again, let us not be anxious. Reason and experience tell us again and again that the Lord's call comes at the most unexpected time. Therefore, we should not waste time thinking - kailan kaya Siya darating? The most important thing is to be ready here and now, at this present moment, and leaving the future to take care of itself. Remember my dear friends, in our relationship with God, it is always the present which counts.

Last Sunday, we have witnessed the canonization of our compatriot Pedro Calungsod. And it was explained that in the life of a martyr, hindi mahalaga kung ano ang naging buhay niya before the martyrdom. Hindi na kailangang silipin kung anong klaseng tao siya before the martyrdom. Because what is most important was the time when he decided to give his life to the Lord - the present moment when he surrendered his life to God.

Before the canonization, a Jesuit priest was interviewed and was asked why during the rite of canonization, the first names to be called where the martyrs. Dalawa po ang martir doon - isang French priest at si Pedro Calungsod. And the explanation was given this way: "Martyrdom is the highest form of the imitation of Christ." At that moment, Pedro Calungsod was ready when Christ came knocking at His door. Maaaring hindi tayo tawagin sa ganoong paraan, but in our own vocation, sa ating sariling pamumuhay, we must always see to it that just like Pedro Calungsod, and just like what we heard in today's Gospel, we could be servants ready to accept the Lord. May God bless us all.