Gospel Reflection

October 02, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

by Rev. Fr. Jose Alan V. Dialogo, Parish Priest, Saint John of the Cross Parish, PEMBO Makati City
12:15PM Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

Reading 1 Neh 2:1-8

In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. As I had never before been sad in his presence, the king asked me, “Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.” Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king: “May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been eaten out by fire?” The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?” I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king: “If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, to rebuild it.” Then the king, and the queen seated beside him, asked me how long my journey would take and when I would return. I set a date that was acceptable to him, and the king agreed that I might go.

I asked the king further: “If it please the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of West-of-Euphrates, that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah; also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park, that he may give me wood for timbering the gates of the temple-citadel and for the city wall and the house that I shall occupy.” The king granted my requests, for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.

Responsorial Psalm PS 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
Though there our captors asked of us
the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
“Sing for us the songs of Zion!”
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
How could we sing a song of the LORD
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!
May my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
ahead of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

HOMILY

Good afternoon, brothers and sisters. Sino po ang naniniwala sa mga guardian angels, taas ang kamay (almost everyone raised hands). Mabuti naman at marami pa tayong naniniwala. Ang iba kasi hindi na naniniwala sa guardian angel.

Kilala n'yo ba ang guardian angel ninyo? (People say 'yes'.) Sino? May pangalan ba siya? (People say 'yes'.) Wow, may mga pangalan ha. Ang guardian angel ko ay 46 feet tall, kulot ang buhok. He is an angel of worship. Siguro dahil pari ako, kaya ang binigay sa aking guardian angel ay angel of worship. Siguro kung kayo ay masungit, ang guardian angel ninyo ay angel of patience.

According to our catechism, God sends us his angels. Each one of us has its own guardian angel. If Satan sends a dark angel, God has given us our guardian angel to watch over us and protect us in our life. It is sad because sometimes, we take our guardian angels for granted. When I was a newly ordained priest, I always call on my guardian angel. When I have masses outside the parish and I will already be late, at wala akong masakyang taxi, I call my guardian angel. I tell him, 'My guardian angel, male-late na po ako. Kapag hindi mo ako kinuha ng taxi, bahala ka kay Lord. (laughs) Pag na-late ako, isusumbong kita kay Lord, kasi ikaw ang guwardiya ko'. Alam n'yo, after one minute, nandiyan na ang taxi. This may be seemingly insignificant, but I have many simple experiences with my own guardian angel. They are there to guard us, they are there to protect us. We just have to call them, and ask for their help. I always travel to Bicol, and most of the time, I drive alone, and travel during midnight. I always call on my guardian angel to protect me and to guide me from all harm. I believe that my angel is always there. Maniwala po kayo, may guardian angel tayo.

Our guardian angels are real expressions of God's love for us, to protect us. They are expressions, manifestations that God continues to care for us, kahit na tayo po ay makasalanan. Our angels are God's gift to us, that we may not fall into Satan's hand. But we have to recognize them. We have to call them. We have to ask for their help, for their guidance and protection. Kasi, baka gusto nilang lumapit sa iyo para tulungan ka, pero ayaw mo naman, o hindi mo siya tinatawag. Tawagin n'yo sila, and you will feel their presence in our lives. God loves us; hindi Niya tayo pababayaan, hindi Niya hahayaang tayo ay mapariwara, that is why our guardian angels are always there. Huwag natin silang bale-walain. Let us call them, most especially in moments of temptation, in moments of confusion. Sometimes, we are blinded by our own minds, our own hearts, and our own values, so let's call on our own angels, our personal guardian angels.

Today, we also honor our 'Ina', Our Lady of Penafrancia, as we celebrate the last day of her stay here in the Shrine. Like the guardian angels, 'Ina' is also a gift to us by God. 'Ina', Our Lady of Penafrancia, is also God's manifestation of His unceasing love for us. 'Ina' is always there to be our mother. I remember an experience when I was in Lourdes, France. While waiting for my friend priests, may nakatabi akong isang matandang babae na Caucasian, at nagkwentuhan kami. And I discovered that the lady is a Buddhist and that her husband, a Singaporean, is an atheist. So I asked them why there were at the Our Lady of Lourdes. The lady told me, 'Your God has also given us Mama Mary.' Di ba, tinawag din niyang Mama Mary, ang Mama natin ha. She said, 'Mama Mary has been so good to us. Mama Mary loves us also, even if we are unbelievers of your God'. In my own reflection, even among the non-believers, God manifests His love for them through Mama Mary. That is why even non-Catholics or non-believers experience Mama Mary's love - God's love through her.

Our dear 'Ina', Our Lady of Penafrancia, is known for her 'manto' or cloak. I have been a devotee of 'Ina' since I was a child. Lumaki po ako sa Naga kaya nakilala ko na po si 'Ina'. And I can attribute my vocation to 'Ina'. She is known for her 'manto', and in the history of the Our Lady of Penafrancia, marami na pong gumaling sa 'manto' ni 'Ina'. That is why even in other countries, they request the 'manto' of 'Ina'. In fact, I have named a project of mine - a children's village - after 'Ina'. I, myself, have experienced the love and protection and assurance of 'Ina'. I always come to 'Ina' whenever I am in crisis, whenever I experience difficulties in life, whenever I need the embrace of a mother, and I experience extraordinary peace. And today, we will also experience the 'manto' of 'Ina' - our Lady's mantle of love - which is God's manifestation of love for us. You can ask the intercession of 'Ina' for your own healing, not only physical, but also spiritual and emotional healing for yourself, and that of your loved ones, even if they are not here. In this mass, we ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Penafrancia, as we honor her in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Gospel Reflection

September 23, 2012

Sunday

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

by  Rev. Fr. Allan Dialogo

Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Wis 2:12, 17-20

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

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

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

Reading 2 Jas 3:16-4:3

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

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

Gospel Mk 9:30-37

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

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

HOMILY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Padre Pio – Pray for us

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

Gospel Reflection

  

July 28, 2012

Saturday

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by  Rev. Fr. Allan Dialogo

Megamall

First Reading:               Jeremiah 7:1-11

Psalm:                         Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Gospel:                        Matthew 13:24-30         

24 Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the householder came and said to him, `Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?' 28 He said to them, `An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, `Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, `No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

HOMILY

Gospel about the wheat and the weeds growing together. He said that each of us have our bad side. We are fortunate that God allows us to change and to reform. Let us pray for the grace so that we can remove our ‘weeds’ step by step, and let our ‘wheat’ grow. Every day, God gives us this chance to make ourselves better and to bear much fruit.