Gospel Reflection

September 29, 2012

Saturday

Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (Feast)

by Rev. Fr. Jade Licuanan (Head, Youth Ministry, San Carlos Seminary)
(Guest priest)  Morning Mass at EDSA Shrine, Our Lady of Peace Quasi-Parish)

Reading 1 Dn 7:9-10, 13-14

As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

or Rv 12:7-12ab

War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
"Great is the glory of the LORD"
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Gospel Jn 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

HOMILY

This mass is so significant to me, because today, I celebrate my 11th anniversary as a priest. This place (the EDSA Shrine) is so significant to me, because it was in this place where I finally decided to enter the seminary in 1996, sa Holy Apostles po. I would often go here to visit the Blessed Sacrament. At that time I was in a period of discernment, whether to enter the seminary or not. When I passed at the bulletin board, among the many, I saw this medium-sized poster that says, "If you don't take risks, you won't do great things for God". I was struck right then and there, because I realized that I was so afraid to take risks. I was afraid to go to the unknown, when I have to leave my profession, my friends, my family, everything that I own, and enter the seminary. And it was a moment of grace for me because reading those words was a moment when God touched me and gave me the courage to enter into the unknown, to take the risk, and just rely on what lies ahead in the hands of God.

Eleven years after, as I celebrate my anniversary, still it is unique because it is the first time that I am celebrating my anniversary not in my own parish. Eight months after my ordination, I was assigned as a parish priest in a church in Pasay - Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Since then on, I celebrated my anniversaries with the parish community. It was just last August 4 when I left, and stayed with the seminary because I was asked to work full time for the Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese. So, when I was looking at you, I said, "it was so different in a parish setting".

I realize in the character of my priesthood, that I was ordained on the day of the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Though they were archangels, although they occupied a certain position or power in the hierarchy of angels, just like any angels, they would always work at the background - behind the camera. 'Yon ang characteristic ng mga anghel, di po ba? Hindi naman talaga sila ang bida eh. They are just supporting roles. For example Gabriel - he was a supporting role to Mary when the Good News was announced to her.

And I realized just now that the role that I have is just to work at the background - behind the camera - at ang totoong bida ay ang Diyos, at ang bayan ng Diyos - the people of God. And because of that, I should be comfortable with it. I should always be grateful for that position, for that role, for that task, for that particular character of my priesthood. Today should be a celebration for me, as I recall how God has been so generously filling my life with all the beautiful things and the wonders of His love.

And this applies probably to all of us. As we are all called by God to be disciples, we should be willing to work at the background - behind the camera - at ang totoong bida ay ang ating Panginoon. Even parents - their children succeed in society - pero sino ang naging dahilan o daan sa kanilang naabot - hindi po ba ang mga magulang? But the parents are comfortable, just being behind the limelight, just being at the backstage when their kids are being honored. Just like the Archangels, we should be willing and ready to work behind the camera, working behind the limelight, at ang bibigyan natin ng karangalan ay ang Diyos at ang mga taong ating minamahal.

My brothers and sisters, please join me in thanking God for this beautiful vocation of being a priest, together with my nine other brothers, who are now in their own assignments. Join us in thanking God for the gift of being a servant - willing to work full time behind the limelight, behind the camera.

O God, You have given your Angels in charge of us

To keep us in all our way

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - St. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels