Gospel Reflection

January 26, 2014

Sunday – Ordinary Time

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang (Parochial Vicar, Holy Spirit Parish, Santa Cruz, Manila)
6:00PM Anticipated Sunday Mass, Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel (Greenbelt Chapel), Makati

 

Reading 1 is 8:23-9:3

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom  a light has shone.You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

 

Responsorial Psalm ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

R/ (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

Reading 2 1 cor 1:10-13, 17

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”  or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

 

Gospel mt 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

HOMILY

This morning, in our minor seminary, we just had the first batch of applicants for interview. These are minor students, applying for first year or second year high school. So we had the first set of those who are dreaming of becoming a priest.

I was surprised with this young boy, when I asked him the very basic question, "Why do you want to enter the seminary?" You know what he said? "Because I want to become independent." Huh? Again? "Yes, Sir. I want to become independent." I asked him how old he was and he said he is just 11 years old. Wow. Siguro hindi niya gusto ang ulam sa bahay nila. (laughs) I was surprised that an 11-year old boy can already decide like that. Siya mismo ang nag-decide, kaya niyang magdesisyon.

Kayo kaya - let me ask you. When was the last good decision that you have made? Can you still make your own decision? Are you happy with your decision? What is the best decision that you can still remember? Let me ask you. If your answer is 'yes', you have to clap your hands. Tama po ba ang desisyon ninyo nang pinakasalan ninyo ang asawa n'yo? (The people laughed at first, but a lot clapped.) Akala ko ayaw n'yong pumalakpak ha. (laughs) Sabi nga noong isa, "Hoy, katabi mo na ako, hindi ka pa pumapalakpak." (laughs) As a child, are you happy with your decision to follow your parents? (A lot clapped.) Pero 'yong ibang mga bato, o, parang nagdadalawang-isip. (laughs)

Tonight, let us reflect on our decisions in life. Each one of us has the ability to decide, young or old. Actually, hindi n'yo pa nga isinisilang ang anak n'yo, nagdesisyon na kayo. Nakaka-awa nga lang ang iba, hindi naging maganda ang naging desisyon para sa kanila.

All of us can make our own decisions. We have the chance to make our own decisions. And every day, we make choices in life. And every decision, every choice that we have to make, entails sacrifice. You have to leave something. May kailangang iwan, may kailangang itigil, may kailangang talikuran. For example, kung gusto mong pumayat, tantanan mo 'yang ice cream. Kung gusto mong pumayat, bawasan mo 'yang softdrinks. Kung gusto mong pumasa sa school, if you want to graduate, study well, bawasan mo 'yang paggamit ng gadgets, bawasan mo ang lakwatsa.

In theology, we have this term 'metanoia', which means 'a radical change'. Isang radikal na pagbabago, na kailangan nating tanggapin at gawin, kung gusto nating sumunod sa Diyos. In our Gospel, that is the first requirement of Christ. If you want to follow Me, repent. Iwan mo na, tigilan mo na, bitawan mo na. Do not be afraid to leave everything for the Kingdom. Bakit ba takot na takot ka? God is giving us now a good reminder. If you really want to have a good life, do not be afraid to take 'metanoia'.

Many wanted to follow Christ, but many were not able to follow Him. Why? Because they had so many excuses. Let me bury my father first. Let me say goodbye to my parents first. Let me finish this first. In the end, hindi sila nakasunod. But we have good examples in our Gospel. We have Peter, James. When Christ saw them, when Christ called them, immediately, they left their boat, they left their family, and followed Christ. That is radical change - that you can do sacrifices in the name, and for the sake of Christ.

Kung 'yong iiwan natin, ang kapalit naman ay si Kristo, bakit magdadalawang-isip tayo? Kaya lang sa panahon natin ngayon, mas mahirap na po. Ang dami nang ka-kompetensiya ni Kristo sa atin. Lalo na kung maganda ang trabaho mo, malaki ang sweldo mo. Sometimes, nakakalimutan mo na rin ang pagiging Kristiyano, at nakakalimutan mo na si Kristo. That is why we are now facing a difficult time to decide and to choose.

But this is the good news. Christ will never stop from calling us. God will never stop from giving us the chance to say 'yes' to Him. My dear friends, do not wait for your turn. We have an invitation here at the Greenbelt Chapel to become a lector, lay minister. Pero sinasabi natin, saka na, pag wala na akong trabaho. Saka na, pag retired na ako. Ginawa n'yo naman pong retirement house ang Greenbelt Chapel. Kailan ka pa susunod? Are you sure you still have tomorrow?

When you want to follow Christ, do it now. Do not wait for your turn. You make your turn. Because every day, God is giving us the turn to follow Him. Take the turn to follow Christ. Do not be afraid to change. People might question you. People might not believe you. Huwag n'yo po silang pansinin. If in your eyes, you are down because of your past, because of your sinfulness...if in their eyes, you are down, in the eyes of God, you are not yet done. You may be down, but you are not yet done. Because every morning, when you wake up, God is giving you one more chance. And God hopes that this time, you will choose Him. Do not be afraid to choose Christ. Do not be afraid to abandon everything in this world for the Kingdom of God.

Every first Sunday, I celebrate mass at the Manila City Jail. Doon ko po nakita at doon ko po naramdaman ang awa at pagmamahal ng Diyos para sa mga taong gustong magbago. Why? One time, I was about to say mass in Quiapo church. I was riding a jeep and I was in front of a mother with two daughters. Hawak ko po 'yong cellphone ko na Jurassic na, na pag iniwan ko po nang 2 days, pagbalik ko, nandoon pa rin, may extra load pa (laughs), may note 'Mahiya-hiya naman kayo, huwag n'yong iwan.' (laughs) When I was near the church, I was surprised may lalaki sa harapan ko, and he was talking to the mother. Ang sabi niya, 'Akin na 'yang jewelry mo.'

Naku hold-up. First time. Ninerbiyos ako. Niyakap ko pa 'yong cellphone ko, bongga ang lakas ng loob ko ano. (loud laughs) Eh hindi naman ako pinapansin. Siguro sabi ng mama, wala siyang mahihita sa cellphone ko. Umiiyak na ang babae, tinatanggal ang alahas niya. Tapos sabi ko, "Mama, para, para!" At noong bababa na ako, bumaba na rin ang holdaper, pinauna ko pa, nakalimutan ko na holdaper nga pala siya. (laughs) Natakot pa ako kasi baka akalain kasama ako kasi sabay kami bumaba! (loud laughs) Pero noong ako'y dumating nang simbahan, talagang ako'y namumutla. Sabi nila, "Father, what happened to you?" Sabi ko, "Na-holdap ang jeep." "Ano'ng nakuha sa 'yo, Father?" "Wala naman." (laughs) Pero 'yong ale, nakuha ang alahas niya.

And I was so depressed and down during the mass. It was a Father's Day. Sabi ko, mukhang Tatay 'yong holdaper. Kaya kayo po, huwag ninyong pinipilit kapag hindi kayang bilhin o ibigay kaagad. Baka mag-isip nang kung anu-ano.....

When I was giving Communion, there was this guy with tattoos, holding a baby. When I said, "The body of Christ...", hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. Sabi niya, "Father, hindi po ako magko-Communion." "Eh, bakit?" "Father, nakalimutan mo na ba ako? Ako 'yong commentator mo sa city jail. Malaya na ako!" Sasabihin ko nga sana, "Malamang, nasa labas ka na, eh." (loud laughs) Sabi niya, "Father, hinanap lang talaga kita. I just looked for you to say thank you." Sabi ko, "God bless you. God has given you another life. You live a better life now, ok?"

I just realized that there is a man - a father, might be - starting to destroy his life. While there is another man, trying to start a new life. It is your choice.

As we continue this celebration, huwag na kayo magbingi-bingihan. When are you going to choose God? When are you going to choose the Kingdom? Huwag po tayong magpaka-kampante. We're not sure of tomorrow. The past is over; what we have is the now to choose Christ. Do not be afraid to choose Christ. Do not wait for your turn; take your turn. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

January 19, 2014

Sunday – Ordinary Time

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Most Rev. Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D., S.Th.L (Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cubao)
6:00PM, Tagalog Sunday Anticipated Mass (Sto. Nino Fiesta High Mass)
Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel (Greenbelt Chapel), Makati

Reading 1 is 49:3, 5-6

The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

 

Responsorial Psalm ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

R/ (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R/ Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

 

Reading 2 1 cor 1:1-3

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Gospel jn 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

HOMILY

We are reminded, my dear friends, that Christmas does not end on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Christmas takes place in the heart. Whenever we proclaim or manifest God's love, it is Christmas. Pakiusap lamang po, to those who still have Christmas decorations in their homes, you can keep the trimmings in the boxes, but please don't keep Jesus in the box. Carry Jesus in your heart, for that is what the world needs now. Jesus as our light, Jesus as our only hope, Jesus as our only teacher.

The Feast today reminds us that we should continue the work of Jesus. There is a beautiful song that goes like this, "When the songs of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the princes and kings are back home, when the shepherds are back to their flocks, then the work of Christmas begins...to find the lost, to heal the broken, to give peace to those who are in trouble, and to make music in the heart." Do you know that song? No? Then I will sing it for you. (loud laughs, even Bishop laughs) So, sana po, we will continue the work of Christmas.

Kasi po, I notice, after the Christmas holidays, everything is gone. Sayang naman. I am sure we received so many graces. And like Mary, we should ponder the blessings that we have received during Christmas, and continue to nurture these graces so that they may grow.

In the Feast that we are celebrating today, the Feast of the Child Jesus, I am reminded of one image that Jesus uses to describe the Kingdom of God, and that it is like a mustard seed. It is one of the smallest seeds, and yet, when it is planted, it grows into a big tree, so much so that the birds of the air can take shelter under its leaves. That's the image of the Kingdom of God, and that is what I think about our devotion to the Child Jesus. Our faith in God may start with something small but we hope that through the years, it will continue to grow as we nurture it through prayer, through the sacraments, through the Word of God. Devotions are meant to nurture our faith; however, sometimes, we get so comfortable with some of our devotions. Hanggang doon lang tayo. And we are challenged to grow each year. 

In our culture, we have a strong love for children, isn't it? That is why one of the favorite devotions in the Philippines is the devotion to the Child Jesus. And yet, we are reminded that this Child will continue to grow, advance in grace, wisdom and age. It is now 2014, and it is another year in our age. Have we grown in grace with God and men? Have we grown in wisdom, o ayaw pa rin? God wants us to grow in our personal relationship with him. And so our devotion to Sto. Nino is an important vehicle, an important means of precisely maturing in our Christian faith. Our faith should not just be me, myself and my God - tapos. No. We are asked to share this faith. The joy of encountering Jesus is meant to be shared to the world. 

I am sure many of you remember the Gospel yesterday, if you went to mass or go to church every day. And what was the Gospel yesterday? It is about the paralytic. There was a paralytic who was carried by four of his friends. And they could not just enter the house where Jesus was, because there was a thick crowd. So they tried to pass through the roof. And what did we hear in the Gospel? Jesus was touched by their faith. It was the faith of the friends, and perhaps even the paralytic's little faith, that moved Jesus to heal him and to forgive his sins. What's my point? Again, our faith is an important factor in helping people grow in their faith. That is the beauty of growing in our devotion - becoming more and more devoted to Jesus. 

Let us not forget that Jesus grew up and matured, until He offered Himself on the Cross. We are challenged to follow the footsteps of Jesus, and what is one way? We need to imitate children. Jesus, Himself, tells us that unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Perhaps we can reflect on some of the qualities that we may have given up, and perhaps must reclaim for ourselves. What are those qualities? 

Number one - simplicity. Today, we have made life very complicated. Children are very simple; they don't look for fame, power, authority, wealth, riches. Tayo pag malaki na, minsan ang sinasabi natin, "Kilala mo ba kung sino ako?" Ayan. Does it ring a bell? (laughs) But who are we? We are all sinners before God. We cannot brag about anything. We live in the mercy and love of God. Who are we before God? We must be simple. Let us remember who we are - sinners who are dependent on God's love, compassion and mercy. Simple. Not after fame, walang paligsahan. Sometimes, in the corporate or business world, minsan tapakan sila. And when we step on each other, we destroy each other. Remember - when you put someone down, you are putting down your very self. Because all of us are members of the one great family of God. So live a simple life; let not riches block our personal relationship with Jesus. What do you consider your treasure? What is valuable to you - faith, your relationship with Jesus, people? When children look at us, they will not tell you that you are a doctor, or a bishop or a priest. No. Pare-pareho ang tingin ng bata sa atin. Simple lang - tao kang dapat mahalin, tao kang dapat igalang. 'Yon ang tingin ng bata sa atin. They are very spontaneous, sincere, simple. 

Another quality of children that we should reclaim is trust. Trust in the Lord, trust in friends. Minsan wala na tayong tiwala o paniniwala kung minsan. I remember this story - one time, there was a problem with rain in a particular place. The priest asked the community to pray for rain because there is drought. They were afraid that if the drought continues, they will not be able to harvest, and there will be famine in their community. So ngayon, the parish priest spoke and said, 'Let's invite the people to the plaza and pray for rain.' So they all went to the plaza. But something struck the priest which he did not see in himself. There was one person who came. It was a small, young boy. They were praying for rain, but the boy is already carrying an umbrella. (laughs) So nakita n'yo, simple lang ang panalangin ng bata, na siya ay pakikinggan ng Panginoon. Trust. 

How much trust in the Lord have we? Sometimes, we want to control or change the mind of God. Let us stop manipulating God. God will always be there for us, no matter what happens. This is what the Second Reading tells us. Let us not cease giving thanks to the Lord for He will always be there to support us, to give us life. If God does not support us, we will turn into nothing at this moment. If we are able to breathe, we are able to pray, we are able to participate in this Eucharist, it is because God continues to sustain us with His love. God continues to give us life. Kailanman ay hindi tayo iiwanan ng Diyos. Lagi tayong binubuhay ng Diyos. Let us have a trusting heart like children. 

How is your faith? How is your trust in God? How is your personal relationship with the Father? Let's pray that through the Child Jesus, we may grow in grace and reclaim the important traits of a child of God - simplicity, spontaneity, and having deep faith and trust in God. God always desires what is best for us. Believe, trust, and you will always be happy and free. Amen. 

Gospel Reflection

January 18, 2014

Saturday – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. (Major) Daniel D. Tansip, VHS (Vicar Forane, Vicariate of Palawan, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines)

12:15PM Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel (Greenbelt Chapel), Makati 

Reading 1 1 sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1

There was a stalwart man from Benjamin named Kish, who was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite. He had a son named Saul, who was a handsome young man. There was no other child of Israel more handsome than Saul; he stood head and shoulders above the people.

Now the asses of Saul’s father, Kish, had wandered off. Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go out and hunt for the asses.” Accordingly they went through the hill country of Ephraim, and through the land of Shalishah. Not finding them there, they continued through the land of Shaalim without success. They also went through the land of Benjamin, but they failed to find the animals.

When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD assured him, “This is the man of whom I told you; he is to govern my people.”

Saul met Samuel in the gateway and said, “Please tell me where the seer lives.” Samuel answered Saul: “I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today. In the morning, before dismissing you, I will tell you whatever you wish.”

Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head; he also kissed him, saying: “The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage. You are to govern the LORD’s people Israel, and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.

“This will be the sign for you that the LORD has anointed you commander over his heritage.”

 

Responsorial Psalm ps 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (2a) Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
For you made him a blessing forever;
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.

 

Gospel mk 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

HOMILY

Marami po sa ating mga Pilipino ang madasalin. Marami po sa atin ang relihiyoso. At makikita natin ito sapagkat marami sa atin ang nagsisimba, hindi lamang tuwing Linggo, kundi araw-araw. Marami rin sa ating mga Pilipino ang namamanata. Kaya naman malapit sa puso ng mga Pilipino ang debosyon sa Black Nazarene. Nakita natin noong January 9 ang napakaraming deboto sa Nazareno. Kahit na sila ay nasasaktan, sila ay nagtitiyaga, makahipo lamang sa Nazareno.

Marami din po sa atin ang deboto ng ating patron sa Greenbelt Chapel na si Sto. Nino. Sa Cebu, siguradong bukas ay punong-puno ang simbahan ng mga deboto ni Sto. Nino. Sana po ang debosyong ito ay hindi mauwi sa isang palabas lang, na hindi naman nagpapalawig ng ating ugnayan sa Diyos. Ito po ay hindi isang agimat. Sana hindi lamang po manatili sa pamamanata ang ating debosyon. Ito ay dapat magpalalim ng ating pananampalataya, na siyang magiging daan upang maging mabuting tao tayo. Pagkatapos ng piyesta, ano na? Balik ka ba sa dating gawi, o may nagbago sa iyo? Maging aware po tayo kung saan na po ba tayo dinadala ng ating pagsisimba o pagdarasal. 

Ngayon ay binuksan na po natin ang bagong panahon sa ating simbahan - ang Ordinaryong Panahon, pagkatapos ng panahon ng Kapaskuhan na natapos sa Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Ang Ordinaryong Panahon po ay 7 1/2 weeks na paghahanda bago ang Lenten season. Ano ang gagawin natin? Ano ang paghahandaan natin? 

Nakikipag-usap sa atin si Kristo at dahil dito ay nagkakaroon tayo ng kakayahan na magkaroon ng transformation to His image and likeness - an image of godliness, with a God-like attitude. The Ordinary Season will prepare us toward the Lenten season and will keep us aware of the presence of Jesus within us. Ang Ordinaryong panahon ang magdadala sa atin sa pagninilay sa mga salita ni Kristo at tulad ng sa ating mga Pagbasa, ay magpapa-alala po sa atin na lahat po tayo ay tinawag na maging disipulo ng Panginoon sa iba't ibang pamamaraan. At tinitiyak ng Panginoon na tayo ay makatutugon sa pagtawag Niya. At sa patuloy ng pagninilay ng Kanyang Salita, sa ating araw-araw na pamumuhay, bibigyan Niya tayo ng kakayanan na sumunod kay Kristo. 

Kaya magandang tanungin natin sa simula ng ating paglalakbay sa Ordinaryong Panahon - paano tayo magiging tapat sa ating bokasyon? Una ay ang pagpapatuloy sa pakikinig ng Salita ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagsisimba. Ikalawa ay ang pagsasabuhay ng gospel values, ng Salita ng Diyos na na-aayon sa nais ng Diyos na mangyari sa atin bilang mga binyagan ng Diyos at mga tinawag Niya. Ikatlo ay ang pagpapatuloy na pagdarasal araw-araw. Minsan po ay naiisip natin na paulit-ulit lang ang ating dasal. Ngunit huwag po tayong manghinawa, huwag po tayong mapagod, huwag po tayong mawalan ng gana, kapag tayo ay nagdarasal. Kahit na tayo ay nasa Ordinaryong Panahon sa ating Simbahan, ang ibig sabihin ay walang masyadong pagdiriwang, gamitin po natin ang pagkakataong ito upang personal na maghanda ng ating sarili nang sa gayon, kapag pumasok na ang panahon ng Kuwaresma o Lenten season, masasabi nating totoo nga na napaghandaan natin ang paanyaya ng Diyos sa ating lahat na tinawag Niya. Sa ngalan ng Ama, ng Anak at ng Espiritu Santo. Amen.