Gospel Reflection

February 28, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

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

(Spiritual Director, Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Center, Guadalupe, Makati City)
6:15 PM Mass, Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace (EDSA Shrine)

                         

Reading 1 Jer 17:5-10

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Gospel Lk 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’“

HOMILY

First, it's good to remember and understand that the Lazarus in the Gospel today is not the same Lazarus who is the friend of Jesus, and the brother of Mary and Martha. They are not the same person. Second, it is good to understand also that not because you are rich, you will go to hell, or because you are poor, you will go to heaven. It is not what the Gospel is all about. Hindi porke ikaw ay mahirap, pupunta ka sa langit, at hindi porke ikaw ay mayaman, ay pupunta ka sa impiyerno. Hindi po 'yon ang pinag-uusapan dito.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, the First Reading says that "Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, and whose heart turns away from the Lord". Cursed is the man. Why? Because if God takes away your breath, you return into clay. Regardless of how rich you are, how intelligent you are, how powerful you are, when God takes away your breath, you will return to clay. Some people will remember you, but in the days to come, all of them will forget you. Walang makaka-alala sa iyo. 'Yong iba nga, buhay pa ang kamag-anak, hindi na naaalala, 'yon pa kayang patay.

What is the challenge of the Gospel of today? The Lenten season is a good time to ask ourselves - who am I, why I am created, and what I have become. Sino ba ako? Bakit nga ba ako nilikha ng Diyos? Ano na ang nangyari sa akin? Mga kapatid, maganda pong pagtuunan ng pansin ito. Kasi minsan po ay nakakalimot tayo. That life is short, and death is certain.

The sin in the Gospel of today is that the rich man refuses to give food to the poor man Lazarus. It is the sin of indifference, the sin of apathy. 'Yon po bang walang pakialam. At marami po sa atin, mayaman man or mahirap, nagsisimba o din man nagsisimba, ang walang pakialam. Bakit ayaw nating makialam? Kasi baka tayo madamay. Baka tayo mapahamak. O kaya'y abala sila sa ating mga gawain.

Kahapon, nagkukuwentuhan kami. Kung napupuna ninyo, sa panahon ngayon, hindi na tumatayo ang mga bata para salubungin o batiin kung sino man ang kanilang mga bisita sa bahay. 'Yong mga magulang dito, napapansin n'yo ba 'yon? Kung minsan hindi mapuknat ang mga mukha ng mga bata sa ano - sa telenovela, o kaya sa paglalaro ng computer. Hindi na bumabati, hindi na sumasalubong ang mga anak sa mga magulang na dumadating sa bahay. Unless sasabihin mo, "Oy, tumayo kayo diyan, bumati kayo." Di po ba? Hindi na - 'yan ang malungkot na kwento. Bata pa lang, wala nang pakialam. Ikatakot n'yo 'yan, mga magulang. Baka sa araw ng inyong paghihingalo, hindi kayo pakialaman.

Kaya siguro maraming matatanda ngayon ang nag-aalaga ng aso. Bakit? At least pagdating mo sa bahay, may sumasalubong pa - 'yong aso. Aso na lang ang sumasalubong. Harinawa, hindi matuto ng computer ang aso (laughs), at baka hindi na rin sumalubong. Hindi po ba?

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, now you may be laughing. But I don't want you to be crying in the time of your own loneliness and sickness, because you have not insisted on your children, that they have to correct their relationships. Life is all about relationships. Mother Teresa of Calcutta have said this, "How you treat the poor, is how you treat Christ." Hindi mo na nga pinapansin, hinuhusgahan mo pa.

Sino ho ba talaga ang nakaka-alam kung ang mga nagpapalimos sa lansangan ay sindikato? Sino po ba talaga ang nakaka-alam? Pag kumakatok sila sa inyong mga sasakyan - sindikato man 'yan o hindi - sana pansinin n'yo man lamang. Kung ayaw n'yong magbigay, huwag na kayong manghusga. Kung mayroong kumakatok sa inyong mga bintana, sabihin n'yo man lamang, "Wala po, pasensiya po." Kaysa hindi n'yo pinapansin, hindi n'yo tinitignan, na para bang bale-wala sila, at para bang hindi sila naninirahan. They seem not to exist. Wala. At ang masakit noon, hindi mo na nga pinansin, hinusgahan mo pa.

Mga minamahal kong kapatid, kaya ayaw nating magbigay, kasi baka tayo abusuhin. Pero ito naman po ang aking paalala. At least ikaw ang nagbibigay, hindi ikaw ang nanghihingi. Yan ang mga nagpapalimos sa lansangan. Ngunit ang mas malungkot na kwento ay, sa sariling tahanan, may mga magulang na nagpapalimos rin sa sariling anak. At ilang beses sinasabi ng magulang, "Anak, masama ang aking pakiramdam." At sasabihin ninyo, "Nanay, itulog n'yo lang 'yan." Hindi ba? Nagbibingi-bingihan. May pang-treat sa barkada, walang maibigay sa magulang.

May mga magulang na nagpapalimos ng ano - renta ng tahanan, pambayad sa kuryente at telepono, nanghihingi ng pansariling gamot. At may anak kang magsasabing, "Hindi naman kasi kayo nag-ipon eh. Sayang." Pero hindi nakapag-ipon ang magulang, kasi ibinigay lahat para sa anak. Ngayon ang anak ang matagumpay, ang magulang na tuloy ang nagpapalimos sa sariling anak.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, it's a sad story. Noong maysakit, ayaw ninyong ibili ng gamot, noong nakakalakad pa, ayaw mong isama. "Matanda ka na Nanay, baka madapa ka." Kung kelan ngayong naka-wheelchair na, tsaka mo pinipilit isamang mamasyal. Naka-wheel chair na nga eh. Hindi na nakapaglalakad. Kung kelan ngayong hindi na nakakakain, tsaka pipilitin ng mga anak, "Nanay, kumain kayo." At kung kelan nakahiga na sa ospital, at hindi na effective ang gamot, tsaka sasabihing, "Nanay, sige na, uminom ka na ng gamot." Para saan?

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, the challenge in today's reading is - Is there any Lazarus in my life? Are there any people begging on my doorstep? Mayroon  bang mga Lazarus sa buhay ko na nagpapalimos, o kaya'y hindi na nagsasalita, nakaupo na lamang sa pintuan ng aking buhay, dahil hindi ko pinapansin, sa gitna ng aking pagpapasasa sa sarili kong kasiyahan? Lent is a time to examine ourselves why we are created, and what have we become.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, life is short, death is certain. Sayang kung sa maiksing buhay, hindi ko man lamang napagtuunan ng pansin, at baka pagdating ng araw, kabilang ako sa isang taong dating mayaman, na ngayon ay naninikluhod sa Diyos na sana po naman, ay malapatan lamang ng isang patak na tubig ang aking nauuhaw na labi.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, how we live our lives today, will dictate where we are going to spend eternity. Dalawa lang naman po ang ating pupuntahan, di po ba? Smoking....or non-smoking. (laughs) 'Yan lang ang pupuntahan natin pagkatapos dito. Kahit na naninigarilyo kayo, alam kong ayaw n'yo sa smoking area pagkatapos dito.

Gospel Reflection

February 27, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

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

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

                         

Reading 1 Jer 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said, “Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.”

Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16

R. (17b) Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,
as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
But my trust is in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

Gospel Mt 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.”

He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

HOMILY

Can I begin with a short story?

Minsan daw po ay mayroong isang politiko na namatay. Kawawa naman po 'yong politiko ano. And then, at his death, he was given a choice. Ang sabi ni San Pedro, "Ok, pwede kang mamili kung saan mo gustong pumunta - kung gusto mong pumunta sa langit, o kung gusto mong pumunta sa impyerno."

So tiningnan muna ng politiko ang impyerno. Isinakay na siya sa elevator, and then habang pababa nang pababa 'yong elevator, napansin niya, pabango nang pabango. Sabi niya, "Hindi naman pala masama ang impyerno. Ang bango." At no'ng bumukas ang elevator, behold, ang nakita niya, napakagandang tanawin, na para bang napakalawak na golf course. At lahat ng mga kaibigan niya, nandoon. (laughs) Pati lahat ng kanyang kamag-anak, nandoon din. So sabi niya, "O - lahat naman pala ng mga kakilala ko ay nandito. Masaya naman pala." At marami daw pagkain, at lahat ng pangangailangan niya ay nandodoon.
Umakyat naman ang pulitiko at dinala siya sa langit. Pagdating niya sa langit, pagbukas ng elevator, maganda rin naman, pero sabi niya, "Wala akong kilala dito kahit isa." (laughs) "Ang mga kamag-anak ko wala din dito." So sabi niya kay St. Peter, "Pwede po bang doon na lang ako sa impyerno? Ok naman no'ng makita ko. So do'n na lang ako, 'yon na lang ang pipiliin ko."
And so he was brought back to the elevator. At habang bumababa ang elevator, napansin niya, pabaho nang pabaho. And then painit nang painit. At pagbukas ng elevator, nakita niya ang talagang malawak na dagat ng nagbabagang asupre. Talagang ang baho-baho at hindi maganda ang lahat. And then, nakita niya si Satan. So ang sabi niya, "Bakit noong una akong pumunta rito, ang ganda-ganda, ang bangu-bango? Lahat ng mga kakilala ko, nandito. Parang golf course 'yong nakita ko. Pero ngayon, bakit ganito ang dinatnan ko?" Ang sabi sa kanya ni Satan, "Kelan ka ba nagpunta?" Ang sabi ng pulitiko, "I think kahapon lang." At ang sabi ni Satan, "Ahh kahapon....Campaign period noon." (laughs)
Eh di ba ganoon, pag campaign period, langit ang pinapangako eh, 'no? Then pag eleksiyon na, impyerno na ang mararanasan natin ano. (laughs) Bakit kaya ganoon.....Kung meron mang politiko dito, kwento lang po 'yon ho? (laughs) Wala naman akong pinatatamaan.
But it has a certain grain of truth in it. May katotohanan. Gano'n naman di ba? Pag campaign period, ano'ng pinapangako? Langit. Pero pagdating at pagkatapos ng eleksiyon - ayan na. Mararanasan na natin ang impyerno.
Pero bakit natin ginagawa 'yan? Because we are so addicted to power, we will do anything, we will promise everything. "Ipapangako ko sa inyo ang langit at lupa, iluklok n'yo lang ako sa kapangyarihan." And that is what power can do to an individual. Sabi nga natin, power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.
And this is true, not only among politicians. Kahit naman sa simbahan, pwede ring mangyari 'yan. Sa simbahan, meron ding makapangyarihan. Even people in the church can be afflicted by this seduction of power.
At narinig natin 'yan sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayon. Ano'ng sabi ni Hesus? "Pupunta tayo sa Herusalem. At pagdating natin sa Herusalem, doon Ako'y papatayin. Ako'y maghihirap, magdurusa, mamamatay, ipapako sa krus." Pero parang walang narinig ang mga disipulo. Nagda-drama si Hesus pero hindi nila narinig. Ano 'yong request nila kay Hesus after that? Sabi nila, "Lord, can You make sure that when You come into Your Kingdom, one of us will sit - one at Your right, and the other at Your left?" At dito sa version ng Ebanghelyong narinig natin, 'yong Nanay ang nag-request. Meron pang stage mother na lumapit kay Hesus. (laughs)
"Pwede bang 'yong dalawang anak kong si James at si John, 'yong isa po sa kanan Ninyo, at isa po sa kaliwa?" She wanted them to become powerful. But not in the sense of the Kingdom, but in the sense of the world.

Sabi ni Hesus, pupunta tayo sa Herusalem. But their idea of Jerusalem is different. Ano 'yong idea nila ng Jerusalem? 'Yong parang ginagawa natin ngayon na 'Trip to Jerusalem'. Ano ba 'yong 'Trip to Jerusalem'? Di ba unahan - unahan sa pwesto? Ganyan 'yong notion natin ng Jerusalem. Pero sabi ni Hesus, sa kaharian ng langit, hindi ganyan ang Jerusalem. Hindi iyon unahan sa upuan. In fact, dapat ibibigay mo ang iyong upuan.

Maganda sigurong ibahin natin ang 'Trip to Jerusalem' ano. 'Yong pag nagpa-party tayo, baguhin natin. Hindi na unahan sa upuan. Unahan na lang ng pagbibigay ng upuan....ayan ano...That will be a Christianized form of the 'Trip to Jerusalem'.
And that is what Jesus is telling us in the Gospel. Why are we given power? Or why are put in power? We are given power, and we are put in power, not to enrich ourselves, or not to make our importance felt. 'Yon ang sabi ni Hesus sa Ebanghelyo. "It cannot be that way with you." For the Gentiles, they lord it over other people, they make their importance felt. But for Christians, it is the other way around. In the Kingdom of God, it is not a matter of making your importance felt. It is a matter of making others feel important, by the kind of service that you give them. Now, ito po ba 'yong ating idea ng Jerusalem? At ito po ba 'yong idea ng 'power' na ating inaasam-asam?
Our Pope Benedict XVI has given us an example. Minsan nase-senti ako pag naalala ko si Pope Benedict XVI. This will be his last day in office. Tomorrow, he will be resigning in office. He will be giving up the highest power available. But why is he giving it up? He said that he realized that he no longer has the physical capacity to do the work. And he realized that someone younger can fulfill the work that is demanded by the Papacy. He is not addicted to power. He is ready to step down, in order that someone more worthy or maybe more capable, physically and spiritually, can do the work.
As we continue to pray for Pope Benedict XVI who, tomorrow, will be resigning in office, let us also pray for the next Holy Father. Ipagdasal natin na 'yong susunod na mamumuno sa atin ay talagang matuturuan tayo at magiging pastol ayon sa puso ng ating Panginoon. He will be invested with great power. But may he use this power, not in order to bring himself to the authority and power that one longs for, but use this power in order to bring the Kingdom of God in terms of service, and in terms of charity to God's people. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

February 26, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

by Rev. Fr. Simplicio Pugasan, Jr. (Archdiocese of Cebu)

5:30PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Is 1:10, 16-20

Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!

Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Gospel Mt 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen.They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

HOMILY

Our Gospel today gives us a criterion for unconditional love. Unconditional love is one that goes beyond what human laws will define. It is the love that a father has for his children, or a leader for his constituents. It is being able to suffer with those whom we love or serve. Mapagmalasakit sa kapwa. 

Our Christian faith is characterized by having significance on the Cross and the resurrected Christ. That is why all of us see the value of suffering as something redemptive. We believe that at times, we are victims of the sins of others. And God allows us to experience His healing at His own time, so that we can say, "We are no longer victims, we are redeemed." In the order of grace, we become who we are, as a gift from God. 

The Pharisees and those who interpret Jewish laws are in constant struggle to be popularly known as people deserving of honor in the society. These people strictly abide by what human laws give. Jesus is correcting them, and teaching them how to live what they are preaching. But they do not recognize the faith that was given to them, by the mere presence of the Messiah - Christ, the Good Teacher. Jesus sees how untrue they are to what they teach. Jesus corrects them by the example of His Father, who has sent Him to save all people regardless of social status. Jesus corrects them, but they do not listen. To be great, my dear brothers and sisters, is to be a servant to all. This is the message of Jesus to those who are hypocrites. 

It is through Jesus that we come to know the unconditional love of the Father in heaven. That is why we can call God as our Father, because it is through Jesus and with Jesus, that we all become God's beloved children. God is great, and His greatness is shown to us by His fidelity. He is a God who stoops down in order for us to partake of His divine love. 

Jesus does not question leadership, but simply rectifies the manner of serving others. There is nothing wrong if honor is given to someone who deserves it, as a compliment to how efficient or effective one has been as a servant. But let us ask ourselves. Does my service or my example allow others to attain the fullness of their humanity? Does my leadership encourage my people to perpetuate the values that respect humanity? If not, we cannot call ourselves a leader. 

Then we should do justice. If giving up your position is necessary, do so for the greater glory of God. Give up your position. It is only in giving up that you realize how powerless you are, and that there is someone greater up there. Even if you are great in the eyes of the world, you should remember that you are, in fact, powerless. You are always powerless; you are always in need of God. And it is when you are powerless that you come to know that you cannot carry the weight of the world, but you are assured of the redemption or rest that you can only find in the One who has already carried your cross. This is what the Scribes and Pharisees have failed to do. 

My dear brothers and sisters, let us not be like the Scribes and Pharisees. Let us be the source of truth, order and harmony in our society. Let us pursue happiness by allowing God to be our Father. And that is what our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Brother and our Friend, teaches every now and then, especially in the celebration of the sacraments. Jesus is teaching us to be like Him, in view of His redemptive suffering. Maging mapagmalasakit tayo sa iba. Amen.   

Gospel Reflection

February 25, 2013

Monday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

by Rev.  Fr. Matthieu Dauchez

6:30AM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Dn 9:4b-10

“Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments! We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you. O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against you and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13

R. (see 103:10a) Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Gospel Lk 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

HOMILY

Mga minamahal kong kapatid, huwag kayong humatol. Huwag kayong magparusa. Tayo ay magpatawad. Ito ang dapat nating gawin sa buhay natin. Mabait talaga ang taong hindi marunong humatol. Ito ay hindi ayon sa puso natin, kundi ito ay naaayon sa puso ng Diyos. 

Hindi sapat ang marunong tayong magpatawad. Kasama dito ang hindi paghatol sa ating kapwa. Hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na napatawad na natin ang ating kapwa, ngunit tayo ay may paghahatol pa rin sa ating puso. Isa lang 'yan, magkaugnay 'yan. 

Kapag tayo ay hindi humatol, hindi ibig sabihin na wala tayong pakialam. Ito ay bahagi ng pagmamahal na itinuturo sa atin ng Panginoon. Ipanalangin nating magkaroon tayo ng lakas na magpatawad. Ang tunay na pagpapatawad ay nagsisimula sa pag-iwas ng paghatol. Amen.