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. 

Gospel Reflection

October 19, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

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 Rom 4:13, 16-18

Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith,  so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43

R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations –
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
For he remembered his holy word
to his servant Abraham.
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Gospel Lk 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples:  “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say.  For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

HOMILY

Kahapon ay muntik na po akong mag-collapse. Bilang military priest po kasi ay kasama ako palagi sa tinatawag na quarterly physical fitness test na kailangang ipasa, dahil kung hindi ay matatanggal ka. Noong ako po ay nagpu-push up, tinanong ko po 'yong sundalo. Sabi ko, "Bro, ilan ba ang passing ko? 47 na ako." At ang sabi niya, "Sir, 40 times po. 40 push-ups po ang kailangan." Noong bata pa ako ay kayang kaya ko 'yon, pero ngayong may-edad na ako, eh medyo hindi ko na yata kaya ang 40. Pero pipilitin ko, kasi sa military, hindi na baleng mamatay, huwag lang mapahiya. (laughs)

Noong nagpu-push up ako, sabi ng sundalo kong kasama, "Pit lang, Sir. Pit lang." Ano kayang 'pit' ang pinagsasabi niya? "Pit lang, Sir. Pit lang." Naka-50 push ups ako, tama na, passing na ako. Dumating kami sa sit-ups, kailangan din ng 40 para makapasa. Medyo nahirapan ako sa sit-ups pero sabi ng sundalo, "Sir, pit lang, Sir. Pit lang!" Sa loob-loob ko, ano ba itong pinagsasabi nito? Umabot din ako ng 40 at hirap na hirap na ako, pero nakapasa pa rin. Eto na, takbuhan na. Ang 25 miles ay kailangang tapusin in 21 minutes and 59 seconds. Sige, takbo naman. At sa huling ikutan, sa huling round, sigaw nang sigaw ang sundalo, "Sir, pit lang, Sir. Pit lang!" Bandang huli, natapos ko rin ang pagtakbo, awa ng Diyos, in 20 minutes and 9 seconds. Pasado si Father, awa ng Diyos.

Tinawag ko ang sundalo at sabi ko, "Kanina ka pa sabi nang sabi ng 'pit'. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng 'pit'? At ang sabi ng sundalo, "Sir, lay minister ako sa probinsiya namin. 'Pit' lang ba. Pananampalataya na ligtas ka. (loud laughs) 'Pit'. Faith pala ang sinasabi niya, grabe. (more laughs)

Kahit na masakit ang katawan ko, pinatawag ako ng operations at kasama daw ako sa security advance party sa arrival ng Pangulo. Wala naman tayong magawa sapagkat tayo ay sundalo. Naalala ko ang sinabi sa akin ng sundalo, "Sir, pit lang, Sir."

My dear friends, sa buong linggo pong nagdaan, mula Lunes hanggang kahapon, pinagnilayan po natin ang paniniwala na tayo ay maliligtas sa pamamagitan ng ating pananampalataya kay Kristo. Sa buong Linggo, 'yon ang reflection natin. Sinabi ni Hesus sa isang tagpo, 'Your faith has been your salvation.' Sinabi nga ni Apostol Pablo sa kanyang pagtuturo, ang pangakong binigay sa kanya ng Diyos ay applicable din sa ating lahat na sumasampalataya sa Panginoon. Sa ating spiritual journey of faith, tayo po ay lumalakad, naglalakbay alinsunod sa mga pinagdaanan din ni Abraham.

There are times when things seem to make no sense to us, giving us burdens instead of blessings, sorrow instead of joy, pain instead of comfort. Minsan, pinapupunta tayo ni Lord sa isang situwasyon na kung saan ay mahihirapan tayo at hindi tayo komportable sa buhay. Tinitingnan po kung hanggang saan ang ating pananampalataya. Dinadaan tayo ni Lord sa situwasyon na wari ay walang katugunan o solusyon sa problema. Gayunpaman, may posibilidad na dahil po doon ay talikuran po natin ang ating pananampalataya. Ang Diyos ay tapat sa atin, ngunit hindi po ito guarantee na tayo ay mananatiling tapat din kay Kristo. Paminsan-minsan, we also fall down. Kaya nga sa Ebanghelyo ngayon, si Lord ay nagtuturo ng dalawang paraan na kung saan tayo ay nagkakasala laban sa pananampalataya. One way is to fail to bear public witness to Him, to disown Him in the presence of the people around us, for fear of rejection or because of our desire to gain favor. We may be tempted to deny what we believe. Minsan, dine-deny natin na tayo ay Katoliko, or we compromise our faith. Ito 'yong temptation na dapat ay paglabanan natin. Ipinunla po ng Diyos ang pananampalataya sa ating mga puso, pero kailangan pong pagyabungin ito at ipahayag, ipakita at patunayan, lalo na sa mga pagkakataong tayo ay tinatanong tungkol sa ating pananampalatayang Kristiyano.

Noong isang araw po ay nagdaos ng misa sa isa sa mga nagibang simbahan sa Bohol dahil sa nakaraang malakas na lindol, at ito ay dinaluhan ng napakaraming Boholano. Ito po ay ang pagpapakita ng malakas na pananampalataya sa kabila ng trahedya. Kahit na may unos, kahit na puno ang isipan ng mga Boholano ng pag-aagam-agam kung bakit hinayaan ng Diyos na mangyari ito, nariyan pa rin sila, patuloy na nananampalataya. Napakaganda ng sinabi ng Obispo ng Bohol na ang mga nangyaring ito ay hindi nakaplano, kaya dapat ito ay tanggapin sapagkat dito masusukat ang ating pananampalataya. Hindi sila naghanap ng sisisihin.

Kaya makikita po natin na ang pananampalataya ay napakahalaga. Failure to stand for God and the truth of the Gospel is an offense, not only against faith, but also against truth and love. God cannot bestow His favor on a person, lest he repents. This is what Jesus meant when He said that He will 'restore in the presence of the angels of God'.

Ang isa pang kasalanan laban sa ating pananampalataya ay ang blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Hindi po tinutukoy dito ang offensive na paggamit sa pangalan ng Diyos, kundi mas malalim pa ang tinutukoy dito. It means a refusal to submit to God and to accept His mercy. Isang kasalanan ang magkaroon tayo ng matigas na puso sa Diyos at ang hindi pagbabago at pagsisisi sa ating mga kasalanan. Paano tayo mapapatawad kung wala naman sa atin ang paghingi ng tawad at pagtanggap ng kapatawaran mula sa ating Panginoong Diyos?

Kaya nga po dinadala tayo ni Lord upang maliwanagan ang ating pag-iisip, at magsisi tayo sa ating mga kasalanan, at huwag maging matigas ang ating puso, upang mapunan tayo ng grasya ng Banal ng Espiritu Santo, at ng kaligtasang walang hanggan. Siguro magandang isipin po natin ang mga pagkakataong nasubukan po at pinangatawanan po natin ang ating pananampalataya sa kabila ng mga takot at limitasyon natin sa buhay. Nawa'y patuloy po tayong mabuhay, alinsunod sa ating pananampalataya sa Diyos. Nawa'y matulungan tayo ng ating mahal na Birheng Maria upang matuto tayong tanggapin si Kristo nang may matibay na pananampalataya at tanggapin ang Kanyang awa at habag. Matuto nawa tayong magpakumbaba, aminin ang ating mga pagkukulang, at humingi ng tawad at awa sa Diyos. Mahirap ang pag-amin ng kasalanan nang may pagpapakumbaba sa harap ng Diyos, pero kung ito'y magagawa natin, simula ito ng magandang hakbangin tungo sa pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos. Higit pa nating gamitin ang ating pananampalataya kay Kristo. Sa ngalan ng Ama, ng Anak, at ng Espiritu Santo, Amen.

Gospel Reflection

August 10, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

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 Makati

Reading 1 2 Cor 9:6-10

Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:

He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Responsorial Psalm PS 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Gospel Jn 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

HOMILY

Isa po sa magandang mensahe ng ating mahal na Santo Papa - at madalas ay binabalik-balikan ko - ay 'yong paalala sa mga pari. At ang paalala sa mga pari sa buong mundo ay mamuhay nang simple lang - to live a simple life. At bahagi ng kanyang paalala na 'yong mga pari ay magkaroon ng sasakyan na hindi masyadong mahal, 'yong sapat lamang na pwede siyang maitawid o madala kung saan siya ay pupunta o kung saan siya ay may misyon.

Labimpitong taon na akong pari. At inisip ko na kung inipon kong lahat ang aking savings, mayaman na ako ngayon. Marami na akong pera ngayon. Pero bakit after 17 years of being a priest, wala akong bahay, wala akong sasakyan, wala akong savings, at malamang, pag namatay ako, mamomroblema sila sa pagpapalibing sa akin. Natutuwa ako na maging ang ating mahal na Cardinal Tagle ay napakasimple. Maging siya ay nakaranas na sumakay sa tricycle, walang sariling kotse, walang sariling pag-aaring sasakyan. Meron siya ngayong sasakyan, pero hindi sa kanya 'yon. 'Yon ay service car para dalhin siya kung saan siya pupunta. Wala siyang sariling pag-aari.

Magandang paalala ito sa atin. Hindi mahalaga kung ano ka. Ang mahalaga ay kung ano ang ginusto mo para sa ating Panginoon. It is not important who you are. What is important is who you choose to be, or what you want to be in life.

Hindi po umabot nang pagkapari si St. Lawrence. Hanggang deacon lang po siya. Pero kahit na siya ay deacon, ipinagdiriwang po natin ang kanyang martyrdom. Napakaganda ng kanyang halimbawa. Ika nga, para sa ating lahat ito, hindi lamang para sa mga pari. Si St. Lawrence ay pinagkatiwalaan na maging ingat-yaman ng kayamanan ng simbahan. Pero ano ang ginawa ni St. Lawrence? Ito ay pinamigay niya sa mga mahihirap sa Roma. Even if Lawrence knew that he will be arrested and will most likely be killed like Pope Sixtus II, ang ginawa niya'y higit pa niyang pinagbibigyan at tinulungan ang mga mahirap, ang mga balo, ang mga orphans ng Roma. Binigyan niya ito ng pera, ng salapi galing sa simbahan. He even sold sacred vessels to get money and give them to the poor and the needy. Nang nabalitaan ito ng prefect of Rome, galit na galit siya kay Lawrence at pumunta siya kay Lawrence para hingan ng report. Pero ano ang ginawa ni Lawrence pagdating ng prefect of Rome? He showed them what is most valuable in the eyes of God. He gathered a great number of blind, lame, lepers, orphans, widows - mga inaalipusta at pinabayaan na ng lipunan. And when the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, "These are the treasures of the Church." And for that, Lawrence was greatly punished and tortured to death.

My dear friends, we are reminded by today's Gospel of St. Lawrence's example of not being too much attached to power, prestige, material things and money. God calls us to work in order to feed ourselves and uplift our dignity. He tells us that 'unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat...but if it dies, it produces much fruit'. Our lives, our work, our business, should produce fruits. But the accumulation of such fruits - material things and money - should never be the end. Although we are entitled to the fruits of our labor, it should not be according to our own gain. Kailangan maibahagi natin ito. Kailangan nating tumulong sa ating kapwa tao, lalong lalo na sa last, lost and least - sa mga mahihirap at nangangailangan. Alam ninyong ang inyong community ay parang si St. Lawrence na rin. Sapagkat sa tulong ninyo, ilang daang parokya, ilang daang simbahan ang natutulungan natin dito sa Pilipinas.

Yesterday, I watched the news and felt amazed by what one popular actress did. As a way to celebrate her birthday, she celebrated it with orphans. Di man siya gumastos, malaki ang kanyang ibinahagi doon sa mga orphans. At habang siya ay ini-interview, napatingin siya sa mga orphans, at siya ay naiyak. 'Yon ang tunay na pagtulong sa kapwa tao. These are simple things that make others happy - this is great in the eyes of God. Marami po sa inyo ang gumagawa rin nito. While you have huge earnings, you also have a generous heart to help. I know one popular actress who is also supporting the Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel - our Greenbelt Chapel - silently....Nagbibigay siya ng Php250,000 at a regular basis. She belongs to the generous people with a good heart, like that of St. Lawrence. 'Yong pong pagtulong na may kasamang sakripisyo, 'yong masakit sa atin - 'yon ang tamang pagtulong. Hindi 'yong ating sobra. Kadalasan po kasi ang ibinibigay natin ay 'yong ating sobra, pero 'yong talagang masasaktan tayo, 'yon ang tunay na pagtulong.

The most unhappy, loneliest people in the world are those who only think of themselves - their gains, their whims, their satisfaction, their shopping and their vices, their food and pleasure, their labor and their rewards. Such people care little for those who are in need. And so my dear brothers and sisters, let us heed today's Gospel. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever loses his life in this world, will preserve it for eternal life.

St. Lawrence, even if he was already being tortured, uttered these very words before he died: "Turn yourself over to the Lord." We may not be like St. Lawrence. We may not experience what happened to him who suffered the pain of martyrdom. But we can turn to the Lord by continuously sharing the fruits of our labor. To die to ourselves and not to put our personal desires over the needs of other people. Let us pray in this mass for the grace, that through the example of St. Lawrence, we may learn to help and share our blessings to others. May the Lord, in His loving mercy and generous heart, continue to bless our community, that we may also be a blessing to others. Sa ngalan ng Ama, ng Anak, at ng Espiritu Santo, Amen.

Saint Laurence the Deacon - Pray for us