Gospel Reflection

January 24, 2014

Friday – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

by Rev. Fr. Benjo Fajota, Vice Rector, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)
12:15 PM Mass at the EDSA Shrine

 

Reading 1 1 sm 24:3-21

Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.

David’s servants said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; do with him as you see fit.’” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, as to lay a hand on him, for he is the LORD’s anointed.” With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way. David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’? You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed and a father to me.’ Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life. The LORD will judge between me and you, and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case. I shall not touch you.
The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’ So I will take no action against you. Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea! The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you. May he see this, and take my part, and grant me justice beyond your reach!” When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And Saul wept aloud. Saul then said to David: “You are in the right rather than I;  you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm. Great is the generosity you showed me today,  when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me. For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day. And now, I know that you shall surely be king  and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession.”

 

Responsorial Psalm ps 57:2, 3-4, 6 and 11

R. (2a) Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
I call to God the Most High,
to God, my benefactor.
May he send from heaven and save me;
may he make those a reproach who trample upon me;
may God send his mercy and his faithfulness.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

 

Gospel mk 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach  and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter;  James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,  that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;  Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

HOMILY

Yesterday, we defined 'jealousy', and we saw how King Saul was so jealous of David, because David was becoming more popular than he was. Also, the Pharisees and elders of the church were so jealous of Jesus Christ for people were flocking to Him more than they were going to the temples or synagogues. 

Today, we have one word to define, and that is 'magnanimity'. Magnanimity is the general feeling of goodness, devoid of any retaliation or revenge. It comes from two Greek words, 'magna' and 'anima', which means 'great soul'. That is why a magnanimous person is one who has a great soul. 

Now we can see opposites - the jealousy of King Saul and the magnanimity of David, who pardoned and did not do revenge upon King Saul, even if he wanted to kill him. This is one of the great events recorded in the Old Testament. Probably David knew that a thousand years after him, Jesus will teach about love of enemies. 

Although so great is the magnanimous act of David, the magnanimity of God cannot be measured. God called 12 disciples to be with Him, but we see who these disciples were. They were tax collectors, cheats, they were ordinary fishermen, a group with a lot more questionable character. 

God's magnanimity is also prevalent in us today. We are all sinners, but God calls us to be with Him. That is why He is also teaching us not to judge people. Let us not look at other people's mistakes, at their wrongdoings, their weaknesses, their faults. A person who is judgmental or is a fault-finder has a low esteem of himself, that is why he passes on his negativity to other people. God is telling us that no matter how sinful we are, we belong to His flock. We are all loved, we are all gathered, because of the mercy of God. Amen. 

Gospel Reflection

October 25, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Leo Nilo C. Mangussad, - Rector, Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine) 

12:15PM Mass at the EDSA Shrine

Reading 1 Rom 7:18-25a

Brothers and sisters: I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.

Gospel Lk 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

HOMILY

Everybody wants peace. But the problem is we seek our peace from the outside, not from the inside. As Jesus said in the Gospel, we are good at seeing things, and reading signs around us and from other people. But we cannot read the signs inside our hearts - our pains, our sufferings, our resolutions, our faith in God. The Lord is telling us to look from deep within us, for us to use our intellect to see what is happening inside of us, before we start healing others. 

Just like in the First Reading, we want to do good, but the bad continues to take over us. If we are able to master this, peace will come. We do not need to look for it; it will come, because peace must come from within us first, before it can be felt by others. 

The question we must ask ourselves is - I am very good at interpreting signs outside of me, but am I capable of interpreting what I have inside my heart?

Gospel Reflection

October 18, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist

by Rev. Fr. Benjo Fajota, Vice Rector, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)
7:00 PM Mass at the EDSA Shrine

Reading 1 2 Tm 4:10-17b

Beloved: Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.

Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching.

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R. (12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Gospel Lk 10:1-9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

HOMILY

An English poet once said that the saddest moment for an atheist is when he is really so thankful, but has no one to thank to. Ang dami-daming biyaya na kailangang ipagpasalamat, pero walang tao o walang siyang Diyos na kinikilala, na pagpapasalamatan.

One of the greatest attitudes of being a missionary is one of gratitude. Gratitude begins from our heart, from our acknowledgment, that we are nothing if God is not with us. In the Gospel, we heard about 72 disciples being commissioned to do the work similar to that of the Apostles. There were three things that they were to do - to trust totally in God, to proclaim the Kingdom, and to bring about healing.

However, although the harvest is abundant, the laborers are few. Ramdam na ramdam ko po ito. Pang-ilang misa ko na po ito sa araw na ito. (laughs) Nag-umpisa ang aking araw sa misa nang 6:30 nang umaga, nagmisa ng 7:45am sa Poveda, nag-office blessing nang 9:30, nagbinyag nang 11:00am, nagmisa nang 12:15, nagkasal nang alas-tres (shocked reaction from the people), nagbinyag nang 4:30, nagmisa nang 5:30 kanina, at ngayon. Hindi po ako nagrereklamo, humihingi lang po ng pang-unawa. Kadalasan, tao rin naman kami, napapagod din, umiinit din ang ulo. Kung minsan, napipilitan ding magreklamo. Meron pang Veritas mamaya, alas-onse nang gabi hanggang alas-dos nang madaling araw.

But our lives must always be at the service of the Gospel. We cannot complain. That is why in the Gospel, there is an urgency of the message. Carry no money bag, carry no sack cloth, proclaim the Kingdom, because it is at hand. This is what challenges us. But most of the time, when we are asked to proclaim the Kingdom and share the Good News, ang ating sasabihin, hindi ko trabaho 'yan. Trabaho 'yan ng mga pari, ng mga relihiyoso, ng mga katekista. My dear brothers and sisters, there is no one else to proclaim the message of God, but us. We are the 72. We are God-sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God through our lives. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

October 11, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Jomar Burgos, LRMS - Dean of Seminarians and Vocation Director, Lorenzo Mission Institute
12:15PM Mass, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (SM Megamall Chapel)

Reading 1 Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2

Gird yourselves and weep, O priests! wail, O ministers of the altar! Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! The house of your God is deprived of offering and libation. Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, Into the house of the LORD, your God, and cry to the LORD!

Alas, the day! for near is the day of the LORD, and it comes as ruin from the Almighty.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and somberness! Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a people numerous and mighty! Their like has not been from of old, nor will it be after them, even to the years of distant generations.

Responsorial Psalm PS 9:2-3, 6 and 16, 8-9

R. (9) The Lord will judge the world with justice.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High.
R. The Lord will judge the world with justice.
You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
their name you blotted out forever and ever.
The nations are sunk in the pit they have made;
in the snare they set, their foot is caught.
R. The Lord will judge the world with justice.
But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has set up his throne for judgment.
He judges the world with justice;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord will judge the world with justice.

Gospel Lk 11:15-26

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

HOMILY

I do not see many students attending this mass because we have class outside, but even if most of us are not students, at least, most of us have been students. And as a student, I know that we are all familiar with what we call a deadline.

Deadlines are very famous in school. For example, our history teacher would assign us a research paper on a certain topic, say, World War II, and our teacher will tell us to submit it after one month. So we have to work on it for a month, and, therefore, the day that the paper is due is what we call the deadline. Those who fail to submit on time will be penalized, or would have to face the consequences. Either you fail the subject, or you get a low grade. However, we also know that in some rare cases, the teacher may also adjust the deadline and extend it a little bit.

We know that deadlines are not only given in the classroom. Deadlines are a part of our life. We catch the deadline, whether we are paying income taxes, submitting the budget for the company, submitting articles in the newspaper or magazine, or when we have to process our passports and visas when we travel abroad.

Going back to a student, what kind of attitude does a student have to possess when it comes to deadlines? Based on experience, I was not that faithful when it comes to deadlines. When my teacher tells us that we need to submit a project by the end of the semester, I'll be counting. I still have 4 months to make it. When one month passes, I tell myself that I still have 3 months to make it, then 2 months. And later on, I just find out that it is already 2 days before the deadline. And what happens? There is cramming. And what does cramming do to us? There is no quality in our work. And it also affects our health. Wala nang tayuan, wala nang tulugan. The quality is affected because of cramming.

Why am I saying all of these things? It is because the First Reading, which is taken from the book of the prophet Joel, also speaks of a deadline. Hindi lang po siguro natin narinig ang term na 'deadline'. Who is the prophet Joel? He was the last prophet in the Old Testament. And in the First Reading, he tells his contemporaries that God has set a limit for them to be converted. And he calls the deadline 'the day of the Lord'. The day of the Lord is coming, therefore, they have to change their ways, they have to live their life to the fullest.

The prophet Joel was speaking to the people from the Southern part of Israel. During that time, the kingdom of Israel was divided into two - the Northern part, which is Samaria, and the Southern part, which is Judah. The prophet Joel was speaking to the people of Judah, because at that time, the Samarians were already captured by the Assyrians, so the prophet Joel was telling the people of Judah that if they will not change their ways, the same thing will happen to them. He warned them that there is an impending judgment from God, because Joel realized that the people already forgot God, and they were living evil lives.

In our Gospel today, we are also being reminded that the Kingdom of God is at hand. So what are we supposed to do? We should repent and believe in the Gospel. It is the same thing.

Therefore, today, we are called to be like students. Not the cramming students, but the good ones. Because when a good student hears the deadline, he listens and acts immediately. Just like us, we always hear the Word of God. But do we take it seriously? Yes, we hear in the Gospel that we should forgive and love our enemies, but do we follow it? Do we act on it? When the priest, during the mass, tells us, 'Let us offer each other the sign of peace', madaling gawin 'yan sa kaliwa. Pero sa kanan, pag nakita mong kaaway mo o kasamaan mo ng loob ang taong iyon, kaliwa na lang uli - 'Peace be with you.' (laughs) We cannot forgive, but that is what the Gospel tells us.

A good student, a good Christian, a good disciple, is someone who not only listens to the teachings of the Lord, but also acts on them. If the prophet Joel appears to us now and says the day of the Lord is near, would we be rattled? Will we be cramming? Or will we be relaxed? Tapos ko na 'yan. I have been doing that ever since. Hopefully, we can say we are relaxed. Today, let us ask the Lord that every time we hear his Word, we try to listen with seriousness of heart, and act on them. Amen.