Gospel Reflection

June 29, 2012

Friday
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (Solemnity)

by Rev. Fr. Chris Habal

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               Acts 12:1-11

Psalm:                         Psalm 34:2-9  

Second Reading:          2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

Gospel:                        Matthew 16:13-19

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

HOMILY

First, like Sts. Peter and Paul, doing good was not just an obligation or a moral standard, but is a personal encounter God. We should do good not out of forced duty but because we have a personal loving relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Second, although Sts. Peter and Paul are considered pillars of our catholic faith, they were also weak individuals, with Paul even being a persecutor of the Church. But it is through these weaknesses that God has transformed them. We should not lose hope or be afraid of our weaknesses, therefore, and instead pray and allow God to use these weaknesses to transform us to perfection.

Third and last, we should continue to be faithful witnesses of God - to be faithful witnesses of God and His Word, whether others accept us or not. Like Sts. Peter and Paul, we should not be afraid of rejection and continue to be undying witnesses of God through love and good actions, that we may lead others to heaven, our eternal home.

Gospel Reflection

June 28, 2012

Thursday
St. Irenaeus, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)

by Msgr. Bong Lo

Megamall

First Reading:   2 Kings 24:8-17

Psalm:             Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9

Gospel:            Matthew 7:21-29

21 "Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.' 24 "Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; 25 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; 27 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it." 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

HOMILY

Even if one is always in the church praying, preaching, serving, but only do these to show a good image to others, then he is just like a zombie – moving, existing but without life. Only by following the will of God for His glory (being good, humble, forgiving, charitable, understanding and more) can we have fullness of life. So let’s continue to do good and inspire others to do the same.