Gospel Reflection

September 23, 2012

Sunday

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Caloy Reyes

Mass at EDSA Shrine, Our Lady of Peace Quasi-Parish

Reading 1 Wis 2:12, 17-20

The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

Reading 2 Jas 3:16-4:3

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Gospel Mk 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."

HOMILY

The Gospel today talks about the places in the Kingdom of God. It also answers the question - who can enter the Kingdom of God? Do you wish to enter the Kingdom of God? Do you want to be part of the Kingdom of God? Do you know the secret?
 
Let us take a look now at the reading. The Disciples went on a journey to Capernaum and they were arguing among themselves on who was the greatest among them. We were trained even at infancy to be the best, isn't that correct? At a certain level, this training then becomes almost a part of us - to be the best. That is why now we have the "dog-eat-dog" mentality - that is, taking advantage of our brothers, so that we can be exalted. Sadly, this is what others do, day in and day out. And we see this from practically all levels in the society - in politics, our schools, offices, our families, our relationships. It happens even in our Church - it happened among the Disciples even when Jesus was around.

So in order to emphasize something, what did Jesus do? He asked the Disciples to settle down, and said to them, "The first should be the last of all, and the servant of all." He took a child, placed it in their midst, and put His arms around it, and said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in My name, receives Me. And whoever receives Me, receives not Me, but the One who sent Me." In other words, Jesus said that if we will not convert and become like little children, we will not enter the Kingdom of God.

What is it about a child that the Kingdom of God belongs to it? As a parent, you can say that the best time you had with your child, was when they were infants. Why is it the best time? It's the time when they love you, obey you, and depend on you. It is their relationship with you as infants that made it special. And that is what the God the Father wants - because the Father really wants to take care of you.

Our daily lives become full of challenges, that we are sometimes weighed down. But at the end of the day, we are a child of God. May nahihingahan ako ng loob. Mayroon akong Ama. "Lord, hindi ko na kaya ito, nahihirapan na po ako." And I know that I will always be a child in my Father's arms. We should read Psalm 131. In the arms of my Father, I feel safe and secure.

Don't you want to be like a child? Di ka ba napapagod? Would you like to be a child in the arms of the Father? Sometimes, the Father is also like a mother. As a Father, He will not forget you, like a mother cannot forget a child in her womb. The best love that can approximate the love of God for us, is the love of a mother. Yet, even if a mother forgets the child in her womb, God will never forget us. God loves like us like no other. We should rest in the arms of our Father, as content as a child that has been weaned.

In our daily life, we can be like a child. Defenseless, totally dependent on God, spiritually growing with God. We must be like little children. We must have this special relationship with the Father. And I tell you that the Father loves you. Do not be afraid, and be like Jesus Christ, who is absolute in gentleness and tenderness. The gentleness of God is absolute and once He takes care of you, that's it, you are like an infant, and you will be alright.

 

Today is also the Feast Day of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

St. Padre Pio – Pray for us

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - St. Padre Pio
                                       Gospel Reflection - September 23 by Rev. Fr. Allan Dialogo

Gospel Reflection

September 23, 2012

Sunday

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

by  Rev. Fr. Allan Dialogo

Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Wis 2:12, 17-20

The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8

R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

Reading 2 Jas 3:16-4:3

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Gospel Mk 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."

HOMILY

Magandang hapon muli mga kapatid. Naalala ko noong ako ay nasa elementarya, kasikatan noon ni Bruce Lee, kaya halos lahat ng mga bata, pati mga kaibigan ko, iniidolo namin si Bruce Lee. Ginagaya namin si Bruce Lee, ang kanyang buhok, ang kanyang lakad, ang kanyang porma ang ginagaya ko.

Noong nag-college naman ako ay nakahiligan ko ang pagkanta naman at inidolo ko ang mga Filipino singers na tulad nila Basil Valdez, Nonoy Zuniga, Martin Nievera. Yong mga tapes nila noon - mga cassette tapes pa diba - kabisado ko lahat yan. Pero ngayon po hindi ko na kaya (laughs) at nagbago na po ang aking boses.

Tayo ay may mga idols at ito ay nagiging huwaran natin diba? Lalo na sa mga kabataan, may mga tinitingala tayo na kung minsan ay sinusundan natin, ginagaya natin, kasi nais nating maging kagaya nila. Kung minsan, nag-iimprove ang iyong pagkatao dahil mayroon kang sinusundan. Sa ating mga pagbasa ngayon ay mayroon tayong mga pamantayan - 'yong ating mga modelo. Noong araw sa panahon ng Lumang Tipan, mayroong mga modelo na ang tawag natin ay 'righteous', 'yong mga just. Sino 'yong mga 'just'? Sila 'yong mga nagsasabuhay ng mga alituntunin ni Moses, na tinuturing na batas ng Diyos. Pag ikaw ay matuwid, ikaw ay 'just' - kapag sinusunod mo ang utos ng Diyos. 'Yon ang mga modelo noong mga panahong 'yon sa Lumang Tipan.

Sa ikalawang pagbasa, nakita natin noong panahon ni Hesus, na isinulat ni San Tiago, ang pagbasa ngayon ay nagbigay ng mga pamantayan kung sino 'yong may 'wisdom of God' o karunungan na nanggagaling sa Diyos. Ang karunungan na 'yon ay ang pamantayan din ng isang modelo, na sinusundan din ng mga tao. Ano ang mga katangiang 'yon - mahinahon, nagmamahal sa kapayapaan, matulungin, masipag, nandoon nakalista lahat.

Ang mga pamantayang ito ay nakita natin sa mga santo. Ang dami nating mga santo na pwede nating maging huwaran, maging modelo sa pamumuhay bilang Kristiyano. Si Blessed John Paul II ay naghirang ng napakaraming santo noong siya ang Santo Papa. Bakit niya ginawa 'yon? Kasi nais niya na tayo ay maging banal at maging modelo sa ating buhay Kristiyano. Kaya naman iba't ibang klaseng tao ang hinirang na santo ni Blessed John Paul II - may mangingisda, may nanay, may tatay, may isang ordinaryong teenager. Kaya ang isa sa atin ay pwedeng maging santo - pwedeng maging banal, pwedeng maging huwaran. Hinirang ni Santo Papa ang mga ordinaryong taong ito para wala tayong maging dahilan upang hindi maging banal. Ang mga ordinaryong taong ito ay naging santo kasi nabuhay sila sa pamantayan ng pagiging banal, kaya nga posible sa lahat - lahat tayo ay pwedeng maging banal. Anuman ang estado mo sa buhay - ikaw man ay pari, may-asawa o wala, may pamilya, nagtatrabaho, taxi driver, magsasaka, pwede kang maging santo. Si Blessed Pedro Calungsod ay isang katekista at siya ay magiging santo na ngayong October. Malay natin na ang susunod na magiging santo ay galing sa mga minister, o sa mga collectors, o sa mga kumakantang choir?

May mga modelo tayo na binibigay sa atin ng Simbahan, binibigay sa atin ng Panginoon. Pero kung makikinig tayo dito sa Ebanghelyo, mayroong twist. 'Yong pamantayan ng pagiging banal na ibinigay sa atin ngayon ni Hesus, na modelo o huwaran ay bata. Hindi Nya sinasabing 'yong pamantayan na binigay nila San Tiago, na narinig natin sa Unang Pagbasa ay hindi kasama, ngunit mayroon si Hesus na mas madaling maintindihang ibig sabihin ng pagiging banal - kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagiging anak ng Diyos - kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagiging isang mabuting Kristiyano - at 'yan ay ang isang bata.

Bakit kaya bata ang pinili ni Hesus na maging modelo na siyang dapat nating sundan? Unang-una, ang bata ay napakasimple. Wala 'yang mga ambisyon sa buhay. Simple lang ang pangarap ng mga bata. Ang bata, kendi lang masaya na. Ang mga matatanda naku marami tayong mga ambisyon sa ating mga komplikadong buhay. Sabi nga, ang komplikadong buhay, komplikado ang problema. Pag simple ang buhay mo, simple lang ang problema.

Bakit nais ng Diyos na simple lang tayo? Kasi pag simple ka lang, simple lang ang mga hangarin mo sa buhay mo. Sa mga konting pagpapala, magpapasalamat ka na sa Diyos, masaya ka na. Para sa isang simpleng tao, na simple ang pangarap, simple ang pangangailangan - ang mga simpleng bagay na ibinibigay ng Diyos, nakikilala niya, nakikita niya. Pag kumplikado ang buhay mo, 'yong mga simpleng ipinagkakaloob ng Diyos sa atin sa araw-araw ay nakakaligtaan natin, kasi nakatingin tayo doon sa mga komplikadong kahilingan. Kung ikaw ay simple lamang, you will recognize simple blessings from the Lord. Ang simpleng tao na nakakakita ng mga simpleng bagay na galing sa Diyos, ay madaling magpasalamat sa Diyos. Halimbawa ang simpleng pagkain, ang paggising sa umaga - ito ay mga simpleng biyaya ng Diyos.

Pangalawa, humility. Ang bata ay napaka-humble. Ang bata, alam niya ang kanyang kawalan, na wala siyang ipagyayabang. Kaya nga umaasa lamang siya sa kanyang mga magulang. 'Yon ang nais ng Diyos sa atin - na wala tayong pwedeng ipagyabang sa Kanya. Lahat ng nasa atin ay Kanya. Pwede Niya 'yang kunin sa atin, kahit na anong oras. Kinikilala natin na ang lahat ng biyaya ay galing sa Diyos.

Kung ang bata ay simple at napaka-humble, ang pangatlo, ang bata ay dependent sa kanyang mga magulang. Ang lahat ng kailangan niya ay hihingin niya sa kanyang mga magulang. Ang nais ng Diyos ay maging dependent tayo sa kanya, lalong-lalo na kung tayo ay nangangailangan. Paano tayo magiging dependent? 'Yon ay kung kinikilala natin ang ating kawalan, na wala tayong pwedeng ipagmalaki. Kasi kung mayabang ka, pupunta ka lang sa Diyos 'if you are already pushed to the wall'. Pero minsan sinasabi mo, "Kaya ko ito, hindi ko kailangan ang Diyos." Kasi mayroon kang pride. Ang isang taong mapagpakumbaba at alam ang kanyang kawalan, madaling dumulog sa Diyos. Kahit na maliit na bagay o suliranin, dumudulog siya sa Diyos, dahil alam niyang hindi niya kaya kung wala ang Diyos. 'Yong ang nais ng Panginoon sa atin, that we depend on Him as His children. Pero dapat 'yan ay nakaugat sa ating pagiging mapagpakumbaba. At itong pagpapakumbaba ay nakaugat din sa pagiging simple.

Mga kapatid, sana ang kunin nating mga huwaran ay 'yong mga hinirang na ng ating Simbahan. Hindi 'yong mga hinirang ng mundo. Sana ang kunin nating ehemplo ay 'yong mga banal ng Diyos. Sana ay mayroon tayong mga personal saints na kinilala na natin ang buhay at sinisikap nating sundan ang kanilang buhay kabanalan. Sana pag-uwi po natin ay simulan na nating pagsikapan na isabuhay ang buhay ng mga banal o tulad ng isang bata, na binigay na huwaran ng Diyos.

Today is also the Feast Day of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

St. Padre Pio – Pray for us

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - St. Padre Pio
                                             Gospel Reflection by Rev. Fr. Caloy Reyes

A Holy Life

Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Patron of Civil Defense Volunteers and Catholic adolescents

Feast day – September 23

“I will stand at the gates of Heaven and I will not enter until all of my spiritual children are with me.”

Padre Pio

Saint Padre Pio was born on May 25, 1887, in a village of Pietrelcina in Italy. He was the fourth among the seven sons of peasant farmers, Maria Giuseppa de Nunzio and Grazio Forgione. He was baptized Francesco in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.

At the age of sixteen on January 6, 1903, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone and took the Franciscan habit and the name Pio on January 22, 1903. He was ordained priest on August 10, 1910, at Benevento but because of poor health, he was sent home until 1916 when he entered the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo.

On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio experienced a mystical occurrence. While praying before the cross, a red spot appeared in the middle of his hands accompanied by a sharp pain that went through the soles of his feet. The wounds were similar to the wounds of Jesus when he was crucified on the cross – stigmata. Word spread about Padre Pio and pilgrims came to see him.

Padre Pio spent the whole day hearing confessions. He was instrumental in the conversion of many. It is said that he had a gift to bi-locate, levitate, and heal sickness by just his touch. He founded the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House of the Relief of Suffering) on May 5, 1956, to alleviate the sufferings and difficulties of many families.

Padre Pio’s health deteriorated in the middle of the 1960’s but he continued his daily masses and hearing confessions. The day before he died, he said Mass with a very low voice that he could hardly be heard by the people. In the early morning hours of September 23, 1968, he made confession and renewed his vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He passed away at 2:30 in the morning of the same day at the age of 81

Sources for this article were taken from:  Editorial - Manila Bulletin Feast of St. Padre Pio, September 22, 2011, 11:58pm,

Prayer

Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.

In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. From the blood of his wounds came a perfumed fragrance, a special sign of your Holy Presence. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Through the intercession of Saint Pio, I confidently beseech you to to grant me the grace of (state your petition here). Help me to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that I, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

St. Padre Pio – Pray for us

St. Padre Pio’s prayer for Jesus’ presence

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have
     You present so that I do not forget You.
     You know how easily I abandon You.

Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak
     and I need Your strength, 
     that I may not fall so often.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, 
     and without You, I am without fervor.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light,
     and without You, I am in darkness.

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice
     and follow You.

Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You
     very much, and always be in Your company.

   Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

   Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, 
        I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love.

   Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes;
        death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength,
        so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You.
        It is getting late and death approaches,
        I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. 
        O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!

   Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers. I need You.

   Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread,
        so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness,
        the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.

   Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You,
        if not by communion, at least by grace and love.

   Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it,
        but the gift of Your Presence, oh yes, I ask this of You!

   Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart,
        Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.

   With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth 
         and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity.    Amen