Gospel Reflection

May 31, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

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

 

Reading 1 Zep 3:14-18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.

Or Rom 12:9-16

Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.

Responsorial Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R. (6) Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Gospel Lk 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me,that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

HOMILY

Please be seated for a moment. Magandang tanghali po sa inyong lahat.

One time, ako po ay nasa sasakyan, and I was listening to the radio. During the program, the DJ was reading out some text messages, and then he said, "We want to thank all our watch-eners for tuning in." Sa loob-loob ko, ano'ng sinabi no'ng DJ? I want to thank all our 'watch-eners'. (laughs) Sabi ko, meron bang gano'ng word? 'Watch-eners'? And then I realized, kasi ngayon ang mga radio program, hindi na lang nadidinig. Pwede mo na ring panoorin. Kasi they are beamed live via streaming. So while they are doing the radio program, we also watch them. Kaya ngayon, hindi na lang listeners. Meron nang watch-eners. Sino ba 'yong mga watch-eners? Watch-eners are those people who not only listen, but also watch and also observe.

Why did I remember that? I think the word watch-ener is someone that fits our Blessed Mother. She is not only one who listens to the Word of God; she also observes the Word of God. And when I say observe, I do not only mean watching in a passive way. Because in real language, the word 'observe' means to act on the Word of God. One who observes the Word of God, is one who acts on it. And our Blessed Mother is someone who, not only listens to the Word of God, but also observes it. She acts on it. Kaya siguro kung 'yong Ebanghelyo ngayon ay babasahin, let us look at our Mother, the watch-ener of the Word.

Now - what does it really demand of us, if we are to become watch-eners of the Word of God? Pope Francis, in one of his general audience address, always praised our Blessed Mother as a model of the new Christian. And according to him, the new evangelization is the task of every Christian. And if you are a watch-ener of God's Word, you have to be a new evangelizer. Paano ba tayo magiging new evangelizer? Who is the new evangelizer?

Number one, the new evangelizer is someone who is joyful. Paano ba tayo makaka-evangelize? We should be joyful. Dapat po marunong tayong ngumiti. Minsan tayong mga Kristiyano, ang tingin ng mundo sa atin, tayo ay malulungkot na mga tao. Ang tingin ng mundo sa mga Kristiyano, mga killjoy. Kaya hindi tayo maka-attract ng ibang tao, eh. Kasi ang ating image na pino-project sa ibang mga tao ay para bang to become a good Christian, dapat lagi kang nasa loob ng adoration chapel. Eh kapag ganyan ang nakikita lang ng mundo, they will not be attracted to Christ.

Pag nakakita ka ng pari, at 'yong paring 'yon laging nakasimangot, hindi marunong ngumiti, hindi attractive 'yong pari na 'yon. Pag nakakita ka ng mga madre - di ba ang daming mga madre ngayon dito - at pag nakita mo 'yong mga madre laging nakasimangot (laughs) hindi tayo ma-a-attract na pumasok sa kumbento. Pero pag nakita mo 'yong mga madre katulad ng nakikita natin ngayon ano, ang gaganda (laughs)...laging nakangiti, o tingnan n'yo sila....ayan na-conscious na tuloy (more laughs), hindi ba there is something naturally attractive to that? And sometimes, we do not even have to literally evangelize. Once you exude the joy that comes from following the Lord, you are already becoming an evangelizer - a new evangelizer.

So siguro ganoon ano, let us smile more often. Katulad ng ginawa ng ating Blessed Mother, she visited her cousin Elizabeth and shared the joy that comes from being the Mother of God. Kaya nga sabi ni Elizabeth, naku narinig ko pa lang ang tinig mo, natuwa na agad ako, at 'yong sanggol sa aking sinapupunan ay nagtatalon na. Sana gano'n din tayo, kung meron kayong makakasalubong na buntis (laughs), 'yong kanyang anak ay magtatatalon din ano, (laughs) because you exude the joy of being a follower of the Lord. So being a joyful Christian, smile more often, and infect the world with the joy of the Gospel.

Secondly, a true evangelizer is someone who knows the faith. Eto ang medyo magiging challenging. We should know what our faith teaches. And to know what our faith teaches does not only mean that we know what the Church teaches. Dapat alam din natin why the Church teaches what she teaches. Kaya maganda na ang bawat Kristiyano ay laging nag-aaral tungkol sa kanyang pananampalataya, dumadalo ng misa, nakikinig sa Salita ng Diyos, nakikinig ng Homily, uma-attend ng mga recollection, uma-attend ng mga formation. These are the means that we come to know what our faith teaches. We cannot share what we do not have, and therefore, we should know what our faith is. The new evangelizer knows what the faith teaches.

Third, the new evangelizer shares the faith. Ibinabahagi ang pananampalataya. Katulad ng ginawa ng ating Mahal na Ina sa Banal na Ebanghelyo, noong unang-una niyang marinig ang Salita ng Diyos, ang sabi ng Ebanghelyo, Mary went in haste. Nagmamadali upang ibahagi ang Mabuting Balita.

Alam ho ninyo, at no time in the history of the world is it easier to share the Gospel. Napakadaling magbahagi ngayon. Di mo na kailangang maging pari. Di mo na kailangang maging madre. Ano lang ang kailangan? Kailangan mo lang ng Facebook account. (laughs) Sino po dito ang may Facebook account - itaas nga ang kamay. (people raise their hands slowly) Bakit parang nahihiya kayo? (laughs)

I am sure most, if not all of you, have a Facebook account. Pero ang tanong - ano po ang nilalagay ninyo sa inyong Facebook account? Ano 'yong mga post ninyo at mga status ninyo? Baka naman puro lang, 'now eating breakfast - yum yum'. (laughs) Ayan o - mamaya pagpunta ninyo sa Robinson's, kukunan ng picture 'yong kakainin at ipo-post 'Ito ang lunch ko ngayon.' (laughs) Minsan ganyan lang ang nilalagay natin sa ating mga Facebook account. Walang kapararakan. (laughs)

Ma'nong gamitin natin ang ating Facebook account to become an instrument of evangelization. Halimbawa, after this mass, kung may napulot kayo sa Homily na ito, compose your own one-paragraph reflection, and post it in your Facebook account. 'This is what I learned at mass today.' Ilang libong tao ang makakabasa niyan. And by simply doing that, you have become a new evangelizer. Siguro mas marami pang matututo kaysa sa mga nakinig ng Homily ko ngayon. Iilan lamang kayo. Pero kung ang bawat isa sa inyo ay ilalagay ito sa kanyang Facebook account, can you imagine how many thousands of people can learn and be inspired by the Word of God? It doesn't take much to become a new evangelizer nowadays. To become a new evangelizer simply means to make use of what God is giving us in this day and age.

As we celebrate the Feast of Mary's Visitation to Elizabeth, let us ask the Lord that we may become agents of the Gospel. That we may become men and women of the new evangelization. Katulad ni Maria, ibahagi natin ang Ebanghelyo nang may saya, nang may bibig. Harapin natin ang ating pananampalataya, and let us make use of all the technology, that we may become simple but effective evangelizers of the Word. Amen

Gospel Reflection

May 30, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Rolando B. Briones

(OFM Capuchin, Parish Priest, St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, Mandaluyong City)
6:00PM Mass, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (Megamall Chapel)

 

Reading 1 Sir 42:15-25

Now will I recall God’s works; what I have seen, I will describe. At God’s word were his works brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them. As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the LORD fills all his works; Yet even God’s holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the LORD, Though God has given these, his hosts, the strength to stand firm before his glory. He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their innermost being he understands. The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come: He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him. Perennial is his almighty wisdom; he is from all eternity one and the same, With nothing added, nothing taken away; no need of a counselor for him! How beautiful are all his works! even to the spark and fleeting vision! The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, For each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor?

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6a) By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
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. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
For upright is the word of the LORD
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask;
in cellars he confines the deep.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all who dwell in the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it was made;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.

Gospel Mk 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”  And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

HOMILY

We are now on the seventh day of our Novena for our Eucharistic Lord, in preparation for the fiesta mass on June 2. And our Gospel for today is about the healing of the blind man, Bartimaeus. The Gospel serves, first, as a commentary to the preceding Gospel of Mark which starts from Chapter 3, Verse 2, and second, as an introduction to the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. This Gospel of the healing of the blind man serves as a hinge of two Gospels, which means that it is very important in the Gospel of Mark. Although blind, Bartimaeus recognized the presence of Jesus when He arrived, as he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." It is because Bartimaeus had a deep, strong faith in God. Matindi ang kanyang pananampalataya Kay Hesus. He saw Jesus through the eyes of faith, which is contrasting to the actions of the disciples who lacked faith. Even during the Passion of Christ - sa gitna ng paghihirap ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo - Jesus' apostles and disciples abandoned Him, and recognized Him again only after His Resurrection. This is what St. Mark wanted to emphasize in this Gospel.

In relation to the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem, I want to stress about the importance of the Eucharist. First, the Gospel of John stresses the Crucifixion and Death of Christ. And in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, importance is given to the Last Supper. These two important events are the same, isa lang po 'yon. The Eucharist is both an event and a Sacrament that commemorates the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist as a Sacrament, we are renewing Jesus's sacrifice, as members of the Church. The Eucharist, then, is both a renewal and a celebration.

In the renewal and celebration of the Eucharist, we see Jesus, both as a victim and priest. Bilang pari, si Hesus ang nag-aalay, at Siya rin ang iniaalay. And we, as members of the Church, are called the mystical Body and Blood of Christ. Therefore, kasali po tayo, first, in the offering of Jesus Christ as a priest and as a victim, and second, in the offering of the mystical Body and Blood of Christ. And as part of the Body of Christ, with Jesus as the Head, each one of us is also a priest and a victim, dahil nasa sa atin po 'yong tinatawag na universal priesthood, by virtue of our baptism. Napakahalagang tandaan po that the Eucharist happens to us every day in our celebration and our renewal as priest and a victim. Baka po kasi akala ninyo po, kami lamang ang mga pari. Lahat po ng bumubuo ng simbahan ay mga pari. Dito po natin makikita na ganito po kaganda ang Eukaristiya.

Once there was a mass celebrated by St. Padre Pio. And while Padre Pio was celebrating the Holy Eucharist. one of the parishioners noticed that he had a crown of thorns.  And when the parishioner told Padre Pio about it, ano'ng sinabi ni Padre Pio? It is because the Eucharist is the celebration of the Passion, Death, and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is real. Sabi nga, mas mananatili pa tayong buhay kahit hindi sumikat ang araw, pero 'yong mawala ang Eukaristiya sa araw-araw ay maaari nating ikamatay. Without the Eucharist, we will not also have the Church. Mawawala din po ang Simbahan.

Napakaganda din po ng ating Eucharistic celebration because it is a conversation. That is why we are called to participate and respond during the celebration. Unless, hindi kayo sumasagot. Marami pong ganoon na habang nasa misa ay nakatingin lang, hindi rin kumakanta. It is important for all the faithful to participate in the mass, as it is conversational, from beginning to the end. Tayo po ay kumakausap sa Diyos at ang Diyos ay tumutugon sa atin. God is talking to us, the Holy Spirit is talking to us, the priest is talking to us, and we respond in return. That is why the Eucharist is alive. It is the celebration of the Holy Trinity. Malungkot po na ang Diyos ay nakikipag-usap sa atin and yet, hindi po tayo sumasagot, hindi ba? Halimbawa sa kasal, minsan po ang inuuna ay ang damit, ikalawa ay ang picture-taking. Minsan po punong-puno na ng photographers ang altar, minsan po ay katabi ko na sila. They are not aware of these things. It is important for us to remember that the Eucharistic celebration is a memorial of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.That is why Jesus told His disciples to "Do this in memory of Me.".

After the Resurrection, the apostles recognized Jesus only during the breaking of bread. Sana ganoon din po tayo, that every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ lives in us....na ang Panginoong Hesukristo ay nabubuhay sa atin, kasama natin. Tayo ay kaisa ni Hesus sa Eukaristiya kaya sana ay huwag nating iwanan ang Panginoong Hesukristo. Jesus personally gave to us His Body and Blood, and all of us are also here as the mystical Body and Blood of Christ, that is why hindi tayo pwedeng paghiwalayin in the celebration of the Eucharist. It is our sanctification, as followers of Christ, na magkaroon tayo ng matinding pagmamahal sa ating Panginoong Hesukristo, gaya ng pagmamahal Niya sa bawat isa sa atin. Let us ask the Lord to help us, and to enlighten us, and to guide us.

Gospel Reflection

May 29, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

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 Sir 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17

Come to our aid, O God of the universe, look upon us, show us the light of your mercies, and put all the nations in dread of you! Thus they will know, as we know, that there is no God but you, O Lord.

Give new signs and work new wonders.

Gather all the tribes of Jacob, that they may inherit the land as of old, Show mercy to the people called by your name; Israel, whom you named your firstborn. Take pity on your holy city, Jerusalem, your dwelling place. Fill Zion with your majesty, your temple with your glory.

Give evidence of your deeds of old; fulfill the prophecies spoken in your name, Reward those who have hoped in you, and let your prophets be proved true. Hear the prayer of your servants, for you are ever gracious to your people; and lead us in the way of justice. Thus it will be known to the very ends of the earth that you are the eternal God.

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

R. (Sirach 36:1b) Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.
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. Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.
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. Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.

Gospel Mk10:32-45

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “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 who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, ‘What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, ‘We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

HOMILY

Magandang tanghali po sa inyo lahat.

There was this famous cardiologist who usually appears on television and is, most of the time, interviewed in CNN. I remember one time, he said, that for you to become a physician, you have to be very arrogant. Sabi niya, kailangan daw maging mayabang ka. But it is a controlled type of arrogance, according to him. Sabi niya, "It takes arrogance to cut someone into half, take out his heart, and believe that you can cure him." Kailangan daw malakas ang loob mo para gawin 'yon. "....And when you have cured him, you give thanks to God and pray to Him, because you know that it is only through the grace of God that you were able to go through it."

Maganda 'yong sinabi niya, ano. Alam nyo, no'ng pinagninilayan ko 'yong sinabi niya. sabi ko sa sarili ko, siguro kung ako'ng doktor, madali siguro akong yayabang din. Biro mo hahatiin mo 'yong dibdib ng isang tao, kukunin mo 'yong puso niya at ooperahan mo. And then you are able to cure the person of his ailment. At kapag nagawa mo 'yon, siguro ang pakiramdam mo talaga'y Diyos ka. But according to him, once you have done that, you can only thank God and pray to him, because it is only through the grace of God that you are able to do it.

In our Gospel for today, the message is very simple. In our Gospel, we can see two conflicting world views. Ano 'yong unang world view? It is the selfless world view. Ang sabi ni Hesus, tayo ngayon ay pupunta sa Herusalem. At pagdating natin sa Herusalem, the Son of Man - referring to Himself - will be handed over to the Gentiles. And there, He would die and rise again. So, ano ang pinapakita ni Hesus? It is the attitude of offering yourself to the other.

Ano 'yong nakita nating world view ng mga disipulo? Habang nagsasalita si Hesus about his impending death, the disciples were arguing among themselves who is the greatest. At ito pang si James at si John, ano 'yong kanilang request sa Panginoon? Can you grant that one sits at Your left, and the other at Your right? While Jesus was talking about the selfless world view, the disciples were pre-occupied with the selfish world view. Magkaiba ang pananaw nila. And at the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells us that it cannot be that way with you. Anyone who wants to be first must be the last. And anyone who wants to be last should be the first. That is the paradox of Christian discipleship.

Siguro sa tanghaling ito, I want to offer two practical recommendations, so we can adopt this selfless world view. Ano po 'yong una? Number one, let us not take ourselves too seriously. Don't take yourself too seriously. Kilala ninyo si Pope Francis, at alam nating marami tayong nababasa tungkol kay Pope Francis. Alam ninyo 'yong kanyang mga security officer, nalilito na. Lahat sila ay gulong-gulo na. Bakit? Every now and then, every morning, they will not find Pope Francis in his private quarters. Minsan magugulat sila, si Pope Francis matatagpuan nila, naglalakad doon sa Vatican. One time, matatagpuan nila si Pope Francis na nandoon sa ordinary room ng parish, uupo doon sa adoration chapel, doon sa likod, kasama ng mga tao. And then 'yong mga tao magugulat. Pag lingon nila, ang katabi nila ay si Pope Francis. Just imagine, kung halimbawa nakaupo kayo diyan sa adoration chapel, and then, pagkagising mo - dahil natutulog ka na - (laughs), makikita mong katabi mo na si Pope Francis. Pope Francis does not take himself too seriously. Walang mga assi-assistant, walang pasecu-security.

Kaya nga mayroong isang anecdote in the Vatican. Pinapagalitan daw si Pope Francis. Ang sabi daw ng protocol officer, 'hindi ka umaayos, hindi ka kumikilos katulad ng isang Santo Papa'. And then ang sabi daw ni Pope Francis "When I accepted the papacy, I was told that I was to be the successor of the poor fisherman in Galilee, not of the Roman Emperor'. Maganda 'yong sinabi niya. He does not take himself too seriously.

Eh tayo - do we take ourselves too seriously? Nabigyan lang tayo ng kaunting posisyon, ang pakiramdam natin, we own the world. Siguro in this mass, let it be one practical question that we can ask ourselves. Do you take yourself too seriously? Pag hindi mo nakukuha 'yong gusto mong makuha, nagdi- 'divah moment' ka ba? (laughs) Marami sa atin, pag hindi lang natin nakuha 'yong ating gusto, eh we go into an emotional feat, ano? Mga 'divah moments'....

Second recommendation - celebrate the presence of other people in your life. Alam ho n'yo, si John Stockton is the NBA all-time leader in assists. Para sa mga hindi naglalaro ng basketball, 'yong assist po ay 'yong pag ipinasa mo 'yong bola sa iyong kakampi...at dahil sa ipinasa mo 'yong bola sa iyong kakampi, naka-shoot ang iyong kakampi. That is an assist. Tayong mga nanonood ng basketball, kung hindi natin naiintindihan 'yong laro, ang nakikita lang natin ay 'yong sumu-shoot, at ang pinapalakpakan lang natin ay 'yong nakaka-shoot. Ang sabi ni John Stockton, "In every goal is a hidden assist." We can ask ourselves - what are the goals that we have accomplished in our life? And have you acknowledged the hidden assist that was given to you in every goal that you were able to accomplish? Minsan ang nakikita lang natin 'yong goal...hindi 'yong nagbigay ng assist.

In this Holy Mass, let that be the grace that we will ask from the Lord. The grace not to take ourselves too seriously, and secondly, the generosity to celebrate the presence of other people in our lives. Remember, it was pride that turned angels into devils. And it is humility that turns men into angels. Ang tanong ng Ebanghelyo sa atin ngayon - What are you turning out to be, or what do you want to turn out to be?