Gospel Reflection

August 10, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

by Rev. Fr. (Major) Daniel D. Tansip, VHS (Vicar Forane, Vicariate of Palawan, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines)

12:15PM Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt Makati

Reading 1 2 Cor 9:6-10

Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:

He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Responsorial Psalm PS 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Gospel Jn 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

HOMILY

Isa po sa magandang mensahe ng ating mahal na Santo Papa - at madalas ay binabalik-balikan ko - ay 'yong paalala sa mga pari. At ang paalala sa mga pari sa buong mundo ay mamuhay nang simple lang - to live a simple life. At bahagi ng kanyang paalala na 'yong mga pari ay magkaroon ng sasakyan na hindi masyadong mahal, 'yong sapat lamang na pwede siyang maitawid o madala kung saan siya ay pupunta o kung saan siya ay may misyon.

Labimpitong taon na akong pari. At inisip ko na kung inipon kong lahat ang aking savings, mayaman na ako ngayon. Marami na akong pera ngayon. Pero bakit after 17 years of being a priest, wala akong bahay, wala akong sasakyan, wala akong savings, at malamang, pag namatay ako, mamomroblema sila sa pagpapalibing sa akin. Natutuwa ako na maging ang ating mahal na Cardinal Tagle ay napakasimple. Maging siya ay nakaranas na sumakay sa tricycle, walang sariling kotse, walang sariling pag-aaring sasakyan. Meron siya ngayong sasakyan, pero hindi sa kanya 'yon. 'Yon ay service car para dalhin siya kung saan siya pupunta. Wala siyang sariling pag-aari.

Magandang paalala ito sa atin. Hindi mahalaga kung ano ka. Ang mahalaga ay kung ano ang ginusto mo para sa ating Panginoon. It is not important who you are. What is important is who you choose to be, or what you want to be in life.

Hindi po umabot nang pagkapari si St. Lawrence. Hanggang deacon lang po siya. Pero kahit na siya ay deacon, ipinagdiriwang po natin ang kanyang martyrdom. Napakaganda ng kanyang halimbawa. Ika nga, para sa ating lahat ito, hindi lamang para sa mga pari. Si St. Lawrence ay pinagkatiwalaan na maging ingat-yaman ng kayamanan ng simbahan. Pero ano ang ginawa ni St. Lawrence? Ito ay pinamigay niya sa mga mahihirap sa Roma. Even if Lawrence knew that he will be arrested and will most likely be killed like Pope Sixtus II, ang ginawa niya'y higit pa niyang pinagbibigyan at tinulungan ang mga mahirap, ang mga balo, ang mga orphans ng Roma. Binigyan niya ito ng pera, ng salapi galing sa simbahan. He even sold sacred vessels to get money and give them to the poor and the needy. Nang nabalitaan ito ng prefect of Rome, galit na galit siya kay Lawrence at pumunta siya kay Lawrence para hingan ng report. Pero ano ang ginawa ni Lawrence pagdating ng prefect of Rome? He showed them what is most valuable in the eyes of God. He gathered a great number of blind, lame, lepers, orphans, widows - mga inaalipusta at pinabayaan na ng lipunan. And when the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, "These are the treasures of the Church." And for that, Lawrence was greatly punished and tortured to death.

My dear friends, we are reminded by today's Gospel of St. Lawrence's example of not being too much attached to power, prestige, material things and money. God calls us to work in order to feed ourselves and uplift our dignity. He tells us that 'unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat...but if it dies, it produces much fruit'. Our lives, our work, our business, should produce fruits. But the accumulation of such fruits - material things and money - should never be the end. Although we are entitled to the fruits of our labor, it should not be according to our own gain. Kailangan maibahagi natin ito. Kailangan nating tumulong sa ating kapwa tao, lalong lalo na sa last, lost and least - sa mga mahihirap at nangangailangan. Alam ninyong ang inyong community ay parang si St. Lawrence na rin. Sapagkat sa tulong ninyo, ilang daang parokya, ilang daang simbahan ang natutulungan natin dito sa Pilipinas.

Yesterday, I watched the news and felt amazed by what one popular actress did. As a way to celebrate her birthday, she celebrated it with orphans. Di man siya gumastos, malaki ang kanyang ibinahagi doon sa mga orphans. At habang siya ay ini-interview, napatingin siya sa mga orphans, at siya ay naiyak. 'Yon ang tunay na pagtulong sa kapwa tao. These are simple things that make others happy - this is great in the eyes of God. Marami po sa inyo ang gumagawa rin nito. While you have huge earnings, you also have a generous heart to help. I know one popular actress who is also supporting the Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel - our Greenbelt Chapel - silently....Nagbibigay siya ng Php250,000 at a regular basis. She belongs to the generous people with a good heart, like that of St. Lawrence. 'Yong pong pagtulong na may kasamang sakripisyo, 'yong masakit sa atin - 'yon ang tamang pagtulong. Hindi 'yong ating sobra. Kadalasan po kasi ang ibinibigay natin ay 'yong ating sobra, pero 'yong talagang masasaktan tayo, 'yon ang tunay na pagtulong.

The most unhappy, loneliest people in the world are those who only think of themselves - their gains, their whims, their satisfaction, their shopping and their vices, their food and pleasure, their labor and their rewards. Such people care little for those who are in need. And so my dear brothers and sisters, let us heed today's Gospel. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever loses his life in this world, will preserve it for eternal life.

St. Lawrence, even if he was already being tortured, uttered these very words before he died: "Turn yourself over to the Lord." We may not be like St. Lawrence. We may not experience what happened to him who suffered the pain of martyrdom. But we can turn to the Lord by continuously sharing the fruits of our labor. To die to ourselves and not to put our personal desires over the needs of other people. Let us pray in this mass for the grace, that through the example of St. Lawrence, we may learn to help and share our blessings to others. May the Lord, in His loving mercy and generous heart, continue to bless our community, that we may also be a blessing to others. Sa ngalan ng Ama, ng Anak, at ng Espiritu Santo, Amen.

Saint Laurence the Deacon - Pray for us

Gospel Reflection

August 09, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Ernie M. Cruz, SDB - Rector, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati

6:30AM Mass, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati

Reading 1 Dt 4:32-40

Moses said to the people: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever since God created man upon the earth; ask from one end of the sky to the other: Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of?  Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live? Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, with his strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors, all of which the LORD, your God, did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? All this you were allowed to see  that you might know the LORD is God and there is no other. Out of the heavens he let you hear his voice to discipline you; on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard him speaking out of the fire. For love of your fathers he chose their descendants and personally led you out of Egypt by his great power, driving out of your way nations greater and mightier than you, so as to bring you in and to make their land your heritage, as it is today. This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 77:12-13, 14-15, 16 and 21

R. (12a) I remember the deeds of the Lord.
I remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I remember your wonders of old.
And I meditate on your works;
your exploits I ponder.
R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.
O God, your way is holy;
what great god is there like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
among the peoples you have made known your power.
R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.
With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
You led your people like a flock
under the care of Moses and Aaron.
R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.

Gospel Mt 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

HOMILY

Our First Reading today is a reminder and an encouragement of Moses to his people on how they should think, reflect, and open their hearts to see the daily miracles taking place in their lives. And then he enumerated everything that has taken place - how they were freed from Egypt, the food that they ate, the support that God has given them towards their enemies. He narrated these all, for them to realize that God will not desert them. That is why Moses said, 'fix it in your heart'.

I think it is also a reminder to us. There are many miracles and the support that we have received from God. Let us fix them in our hearts that God, in many occasions in our life, did not let us down. That there is no other way that we can explain certain happenings in our life, except the miracle that was performed to us by God.

This is in order to prepare ourselves also, in moments when difficulties would come. The carrying of the cross will always be present in our life. Some of the crosses that we bear are light. Di masyado, inconveniences lang. Sometimes, wala ka lang ng kaunting ganito, walang kaunting ganyan. These are certain inconveniences, that we, sometimes, have been accustomed to. But there are certain crosses that are heavy. Certain crosses are seemingly so difficult to carry - whether crosses from problems, finances, physical injury or illness - but they are big crosses. And our constant reminder to ourselves of what God has done to us, of the daily miracles that take place in front of us in the Holy Eucharist, will allow us to go through life peacefully, all because we know that the God we believe in, is a God who is always with us.

As we continue our celebration this morning - and during the day - it is good to count the many good things that we receive, the many miracles, big or small, that we have encountered in our lives, showing that God cares. Even the small things - when we put them together - they are part of a big puzzle in our lives where God has a direct role. One who tries to always see and view the daily experiences in his life in God's eyes, would find so many instances where the hand of God is always present. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

August 08, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

by Rev. Fr. David "Dave" T. Concepcion

(Spiritual Director, Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Center, Guadalupe, Makati City)
5:30PM Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

Reading 1 Nm 20:1-13

The whole congregation of the children of Israel arrived in the desert of Zin in the first month, and the people settled at Kadesh. It was here that Miriam died, and here that she was buried.

As the community had no water, they held a council against Moses and Aaron. The people contended with Moses, exclaiming, “Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the LORD’s presence! Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this desert where we and our livestock are dying? Why did you lead us out of Egypt, only to bring us to this wretched place which has neither grain nor figs nor vines nor pomegranates? Here there is not even water to drink!” But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate.

Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them, and the LORD said to Moses, “Take your staff and assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron, and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters. From the rock you shall bring forth water for the congregation and their livestock to drink.” So Moses took his staff from its place before the LORD, as he was ordered.  He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock, where he said to them, “Listen to me, you rebels! Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?” Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the people and their livestock to drink. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel, you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them.”

These are the waters of Meribah, where the children of Israel contended against the LORD, and where the LORD revealed his sanctity among them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tested me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Gospel Mt 16:13-23

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

HOMILY

Before reflecting on the Gospel, I would like to go back first to the First Reading, because I think even some of you, if asked, why Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land, some of you will answer, because he struck the rock twice. The answer is no. Why? Because there was no instruction at the very beginning that you will strike the rock twice. God said Moses will not enter. Why? God said, "Because you were not faithful to Me in showing forth My sanctity before the children of Israel...." God did not say 'you failed to obey My instruction'. God was saying Moses was not faithful to Him in showing forth His sanctity before the children of Israel. How? Because before striking the rock, Moses uttered, "Listen to me, you rebels. Are we - take note...Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?" Are we? It is one way of saying that Moses is claiming that He is also part of the One allowing wonders to come forth from the rock. Hindi siya kasali. He is not part of God. Moses was God's spokesperson. Pero dinamay niya ang sarili niya sa pangalan ng Diyos.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, it is good to ask ourselves. Do we really understand who we really are before God? Do we understand? The question is - "Who am I to you?" or "Who do you say that I am?" or "Sino ba Ako para sa iyo?" Because answering the question will determine our relationship to God. And if we know our relationship to God, then we will know our role.

Minsan, marami sa atin ang nagdadasal na para bagang sa iyong pagdarasal ay naintindihan mo talaga ang loob ng Diyos. Nagagalit ka sa Diyos kapag hindi binibigay sa iyo ng Diyos ang iyong mga panalangin. Kaya magandang itanong - sino ba ang Diyos para sa atin? "Sino ba Ako para sa iyo?"

Halimbawa, sa relasyon natin sa ating kapwa. Halimbawa, ako'y pari. Pag tayo'y lumalabas, sino ba ako sa inyo? 'Ikaw po'y pari.' Kaya huwag ninyo akong kakaladkarin. Nakuha po ninyo? Hindi po ako pwedeng pumunta sa kahit saang lugar na gusto ninyo akong pumunta. Sapagkat ako ay pari. Kuha ninyo? Ano pa? Ang mag-asawa. Kung ikaw ay misis o mister, aba'y umasal ka bilang may asawa. Dahil alam mong ikaw ay may asawa, hindi ka pwedeng mag-asal binata, kahit saan. Maliwanag po 'yon. Pag ikaw ay sumisigaw sa iyong magulang, ang tanong sa iyo ng iyong magulang, "Sino ba ako?" "Kayo po ang aking magulang." "Eh bakit mo ako sinisigawan?"

There must be clarity on our role in life, so that our relationship will be clear. Kapag ang isa ay hindi malinaw....Hindi malinaw sa mga anak kung sino ang magulang sa anak. Kapag may hinihingi ang anak sa magulang, kung makasigaw ang anak. If you know that they are your parents, then respect must be there. If it is clear to you that you are a husband or a wife, then faithfulness must be there. Hindi kayo kikilos dalaga o binata, kasi hindi ka na dalaga, at hindi ka na binata. Ako po ay pari, wala akong asawa, pero hindi ako binata. Hindi ako binata. I am not available. (laughs) Kasal ako sa simbahan. Nakuha po ninyo?

Kasi nagtatampo ang mga tao, 'Si Father, ang hirap imbitahin. Kakain lang naman, eh.' Aba'y kung pwede, bakit hindi? Tapos pag sama nang sama sa inyo ang pari, sasabihin n'yo, 'Kaladkarin 'yang si Father'. (laughs) Pag hindi sumama, ang sungit ni Father. Di ba? Mga minamahal kong mga kapatid, sa panahon ngayon, wala nang paring namatay sa gutom. (laughs) Madalang na nga kayong makakita ng paring payat, eh. (laughs) Di po ba? At karamihan ng sakit ng pari, kundi diabetes, alta presyon. Sobra sa kain. (laughs) Dahil may mga taong walang tigil ang pakain. (laughs) Lalong lalo na pag piyesta. 'Konti lang, Father, konti lang.' Feeling ba nila eh maraming bituka ang pari. (laughs) Kaya mahirap maging pari ngayon. Pag sumama sa babae, babaero. Pag lalaki ang kasama, bakla. (laughs) Pag sumama sa mga bata, pedophile siguro 'yan. (laughs) Sino ako sa inyo? Who am I to you?

Noong buhay pa po ang aking mga magulang, pag bumibisita ako sa bahay, syempre bago kumain, magdarasal. Sasabihin ng Tatay ko, 'Yong pari ang magbe-bless ng food'. Ang sagot ko doon eh, 'Yong Tatay po ng tahanan ang mangunguna sa pagdarasal'. Sasabihin ng Tatay ko, 'Eh, pari ka na, eh.' Ang sagot ko do'n eh, 'For you, I have become a priest, but with you, I remain a son'. Dapat malinaw ang relasyon. Because if the relationship is not clear, then we fail to play our role towards each other. Kaya sabi ni Cardinal sa kanyang Facebook, sa aming mga pari, 'Hindi ka artista, hindi ka singer, hindi ka contractor, pari ka. Magpaka-pari ka.' Tama naman ho 'yon.

Mga minamahal na mga kapatid, it's good to ask ourselves. Ako bilang magulang, bilang anak, bilang asawa, ginagampanan ko ba ang aking tungkulin? Kaya nga nakakalungkot ang tanong ng isa. Sabi niya, "Father, hanggang kailan ko ba susustentuhan ang aking matandang magulang?" Malungkot na tanong. Hindi ko sinagot kung kailan. Ang tanong ko ay, "Gaano mo sila kamahal?" Gaano mo sila kamahal? Sapagkat dapat malinaw sa inyo kung ano ang inyong relasyon sa kanila. At sana, ang relasyon na 'yan ay hindi dahil sa obligasyon, kundi sa pagmamahal. Sapagkat kapag nawala na ang pagmamahal, magsisimula na tayong magkwentahan sa bawat isa.

The 'God-question' will lead us to 'man-question'. Who do you say that I am? Sino ba Ako para sa iyo? Kaya kapag mayroon tayong problema sa ating mga relasyon - sino ba siya para sa atin? Sino ba ako para sa kanila?

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, ask yourself. Malinaw ba sa akin kung sino ako? Ikalawa, nagagawa ko ba ang aking tungkulin sa aking kasama? Sa harapan ng Diyos, sino ako, at sino Siya? Kung maliwanag sa inyo, hindi ka magrereklamo kung bakit kailangan mong magdasal, at hindi ka magrereklamo kung bakit kailangan kang magsimba.