Gospel Reflection

July 10, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

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

12:15PM Mass, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (Megamall Chapel)

 

Reading 1 Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a

When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them. When the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the cities that had grain and rationed it to the Egyptians, since the famine had gripped the land of Egypt. In fact, all the world came to Joseph to obtain rations of grain, for famine had gripped the whole world.

The sons of Israel were among those who came to procure rations.

It was Joseph, as governor of the country, who dispensed the rations to all the people. When Joseph’s brothers came and knelt down before him with their faces to the ground, he recognized them as soon as he saw them. But Joseph concealed his own identity from them and spoke sternly to them.

With that, he locked them up in the guardhouse for three days.

On the third day Joseph said to his brothers: “Do this, and you shall live; for I am a God-fearing man. If you have been honest, only one of your brothers need be confined in this prison, while the rest of you may go and take home provisions for your starving families. But you must come back to me with your youngest brother. Your words will thus be verified, and you will not die.” To this they agreed. To one another, however, they said: “Alas, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us.” Reuben broke in, “Did I not tell you not to do wrong to the boy? But you would not listen!  Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” The brothers did not know, of course, that Joseph understood what they said, since he spoke with them through an interpreter. But turning away from them, he wept.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
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. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Gospel Mt 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

HOMILY

Hindi ko po alam kung kayo ay nanonood ng programang 'The Voice of the Philippines'. Ako hindi nanonood noon eh. (laughs) Meron po akong nakitang clip sa Facebook ng 'The Voice'. Ito po pala ay isang singing contest. At nakita ko po doon na kapag may contestant na kumakanta, 'yong mga hurado ay nakatalikod. Hindi nila nakikita o napapanood 'yong nag-o-audition. The purpose is kailangang marinig ng mga hurado 'yong tinig - the voice alone - so they will not be influenced by the looks, the sex, kung paano manamit. So they only listen to the voice. 

And then noong nabasa ko 'yong headline, ang sabi ng headline - Contestant sa 'The Voice', pinaikot ang upuan ni Lea Salonga'. Sabi ko, ano ba ang ibig sabihin no'ng 'pinaikot ang upuan ni Lea Salonga'? 'Yon pala, kapag ikaw ang judge at nagustuhan mo 'yong boses ng contestant, pipindot ka and then iikot ka at haharapin mo na 'yong voice, 'yong tinig. At pag hinarap mo 'yong voice o tinig, ibig sabihin ay kukunin mo siya para tulungan, na siya 'yong panalo para sa iyo. And in that particular clip, nakita ko, not all the judges turned around. It was only Lea Salonga who turned around dahil botong-boto siya doon sa contestant na 'yon. 

I think that it is also a beautiful image of our relationship with God. Because we can also describe God as the Voice who is calling us. And that is what we heard in the Gospel for today - Jesus calling the 12 disciples, and giving them a mission to fulfill. Lahat po tayo ay tinatawag ng Panginoon. And I'm sure all of us hear the same voice. At lahat tayo ay nagsisimulang nakatalikod. But many of us do not make that turnaround, in order to face the Voice that is calling us. Many of us are intrigued by the Voice. Parang naaakit tayo ng tinig na 'yon, but for one reason or another, we do not want to face the Voice. Because we know that once we make that turnaround, it would demand something from us. It will demand from us a decision that we have to make. 

'Yong pagtawag na 'yon, ito ay hindi lamang po sa mga magpapari o magma-madre. Pag narinig kasi natin ang kwento ng pagtawag ni Hesus sa mga disipulo, 'ay para sa mga pari 'yan, para 'yan sa mga madre'. No. This is an illustration of our collective vocation. Every day and every moment of our life, there is a voice that calls us, and we are also called to make a decision. Are we going to make a turnaround? Are we going to face the Voice that is calling us? 

Iba-iba din ang pagtawag sa atin, eh. For some of us, God may be calling us to conversion. And that is what the Voice is telling us - conversion from a particular vice, from a particular sin. At marami sa atin, siguro naririnig natin ang tinig na 'yon, pero nagdadalawang isip tayo. Haharapin ko ba 'yon, or will I continue to ignore it, because I know that once I face it, it will demand from me a decision. At alam natin ang ibig sabihin when we make a decision, and that means there should be no turning back. 

Eh gano'n naman po talaga ang ibig sabihin ng salitang 'decision'. The word decision comes from the Latin word 'decaedere'. Ano ang ibig sabihin ng 'de'? It means 'about' or 'of'. Ano 'yong 'caedere'? It means 'to cut' or 'to kill'. So literally, to decide means 'to kill'. That is why we have the word suicide, which means killing the 'sui' or the self. Homicide means you are killing the 'homo', the man. The word 'cide' or 'caedere' means 'to kill'. And when you are making a decision, analogously speaking, you are killing other options, and the only one option that is in front of you is the one that you will pursue. That is why when a man decides to marry a woman, in a subtle way, the man says that all other women are already dead in front of me, kasi isa na lang ang aking susundan. At gayon din naman 'yong babae. Pag nag-decide na pakasalan niya ang isang lalaki, ibig sabihin, all the other suitors are dead in front of her, because she has decided to marry this particular man. When you decide, you kill all other options and you pursue the voice that is calling your attention. 

Siguro sa misang ito, magandang tanungin natin ang ating mga sarili. Number one - do we listen to that Voice? Or even if we hear that Voice, are we hesitant? Parang may pag-aalinlangan pa - iikot ba ako, tatalikod ba ako, o haharapin ko ba 'yong tinig na tumatawag sa akin? And lastly, the more important question is - what is the quality of your decision? Can people rely on your decision? Can people rely on your word? When you make a decision, is it truly straightforward or committed?

In this Holy Mass, we pray for that grace, that just like the apostles, may we open our hearts to the Voice that calls us continuously, and let us also pray for the courage, that when we make a decision, it is a decision marked by commitment, conviction and perseverance. Amen. 

Gospel Reflection

July 09, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Benjamin “Benjo” Fajota (Vice Rector of the EDSA Shrine)

5:30PM Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine

 

Reading 1 Gn 32:23-33

In the course of the night, Jacob arose, took his two wives, with the two maidservants and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had taken them across the stream and had brought over all his possessions, Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled. The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” The man asked, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” Jacob then asked him, “Do tell me your name, please.” He answered, “Why should you want to know my name?” With that, he bade him farewell. Jacob named the place Peniel, “Because I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.”

At sunrise, as he left Penuel, Jacob limped along because of his hip. That is why, to this day, the children of Israel do not eat the sciatic muscle that is on the hip socket, inasmuch as Jacob’s hip socket was struck at the sciatic muscle.

Responsorial Psalm PS 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15

R. (15a) In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee from their foes.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.

Gospel Mt 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

HOMILY

For us Filipinos, the late Harriet Tubman does not ring a bell. In American history, she is known as the freedom fighter who freed a lot of slaves during her time. She belongs to a family of a certain tribe in Ghana, whose grandparents were kidnapped in 1725 and was brought to the United States to work as slaves. Harriet belongs to a third generation of those slaves. But then she found out that they were going to be sold to another group of leaders for slavery, and, as if their hardships were not enough, they will be working all throughout their lives, and they did not have any chance to see their families again.

One time, Harriet escaped. She traveled from the Southern part of the U.S. to the Northern part, and as far as Canada. She hid in bushes and ate only the food that she saw along the way. She traveled thousands of miles for freedom. This is remarkable enough for a woman who was able to do so alone. But what was more outstanding was she went back several times and freed other slaves like her. And when she was asked how she was able to do it, she only answered, "I could have freed thousands more, if they only realized that they were slaves."

Brothers and sisters, we live troubled lives in these troubled times. That's why when Jesus looks at us, He looks at us with pity, like sheep without a shepherd. A lot of us are confused; a lot of us do not know the meaning of their lives. Some of us try to outdo each other, finding out how fastest to make money, or how to be happy in our lives. But upon realizing that these successes are empty, then we fall into this culture of nothingness or emptiness in life. A lot of people nowadays try to be smart and search happiness in technological gadgets, but all of these would be empty because God is not with it.

My dear brothers and sisters, a lot of times, we are called to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God. We are all tasked. No one can say, "I am not a theologian. I am not a catechist. I am not averse with the Scriptures; that is not my job." By virtue of our baptism, we have the duty, the obligation to proclaim the Kingdom. And if we are humble enough to accept this task, we can also free a lot of people from their slavery, the slavery of sin. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

July 08, 2013

Monday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Prudencio 'Jun' T. Solomon, Jr., Parochial Vicar, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Sampaloc, Manila

12:15PM Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

 

Reading 1 Gn 28:10-22a

Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night. Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot. Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s messengers were going up and down on it. And there was the LORD standing beside him and saying: “I, the LORD, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants. These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south. In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.”

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, “Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it!” In solemn wonder he cried out: “How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head, set it up as a memorial stone, and poured oil on top of it. He called the site Bethel, whereas the former name of the town had been Luz.

Jacob then made this vow: “If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I come back safe to my father’s house, the LORD shall be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God’s abode.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 91:1-2, 3-4, 14-15ab

R. (see 2b) In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
For he will rescue you from the snare of the fowler,
from the destroying pestilence.
With his pinions he will cover you,
and under his wings you shall take refuge.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress.
R. In you, my God, I place my trust.

Gospel Mt 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

HOMILY

Sino sa atin dito, ang minsan, sa kanilang buhay o sa kanilang pagdarasal, ang humawak o humipo sa isang imahen? Ilan po sa atin dito ang sa pagdarasal ay lumalapit sa mga santo at bago lisanin ay hinahawakan o hinihipo ang banal na imahen?

Bakit natin ginagawa 'yon? Marahil kaya natin ginagawa 'yon ay sapagkat gusto nating ipakita ang konkretong paraan ng ating pagkapit sa ating pananalangin, sa ating pagsamba, sa ating pagbibigay galang, sa ating pagpupugay. Ito ang konkretong paraan ng ating pagpapahayag ng pananampalataya. Hindi lamang natin gustong maramdaman 'yong ating kinakapitan. Naniniwala ako na gusto nating maramdaman na sa ating paghipo't paghawak ay dumadaloy sa atin ang biyaya ng Diyos. Di po ba?

Mga ginigiliw kong mga kaibigan, ito ang nasa isip ng babaeng lumapit kay Hesus sa Kanyang likuran, nang sabihin niyang 'mahipo ko lang ang Kanyang damit, ako ay gagaling'. Lumapit siya at kanyang hinipo ang laylayan ng damiit ni Hesus. Ito'y isang pamamaraan ng kanyang pagpapakita ng pagkapit sa paniniwalang ang kapangyarihan ni Hesus ay dadaloy sa kanya. At siya'y hindi nagkamali. Sinabi ng Panginoon, "Lakasan mo ang loob mo, humayo ka, iniligtas ka ng iyong pananampalataya."

Mga kapatid, ang damit o balabal ni Hesus ang hinipo ng babaeng lumapit sa Kanya. At sa ating Simbahan, iniwan ni Hesus ang Kanyang damit. Iniwan ni Hesus ang Kanyang balabal upang ating mahawakan. At iyon ay walang iba kundi ang mga banal na Sakramento. At hindi lamang natin nahahawakan. Sapagkat sa mga Sakramento, sa pamamagitan, lalo na, ng pagbabalik-loob natin, ay naririnig natin ang salita ni Hesus. Sa banal na Eukaristiya, hindi lang natin nahahawakan, kundi atin pang natitikman at nalalasahan si Kristo. Sa pagpahid ng banal na olyo sa maysakit, nararamdaman natin ang pagpatong ng kamay ni Hesus sa mga may karamdaman. Sa binyag, nararamdaman natin ang pagtanggap ni Kristo sa mga bata o sa atin na nabinyagan. Ang balabal, ang damit ni Hesus, ay iniwan Niya sa ating Simbahan, upang tayo ay lumapit din, upang tayo ay humipo at humawak.

Mga ginigiliw kong mga kaibigan, sana ay mas lalo nating ipakita ang konkretong paraan ng ating pagkapit kay Hesus sa pamamagitan ng paglapit natin sa mga banal na Sakramento. Sa damit na ito na iniwan ng Panginoon, tayong lahat ay makakaramdam at magkakaroon ng kagalingan, hindi lamang ng pangangatawan kundi ng ating kalooban.