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

June 30, 2013

Sunday – Year of Faith – 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 1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21

The LORD said to Elijah: “You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah, as prophet to succeed you.”

Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R. (cf. 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;

I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,

you it is who hold fast my lot.”

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;

even in the night my heart exhorts me.

I set the LORD ever before me;

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,

my body, too, abides in confidence

because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life,

fullness of joys in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Reading 2 Gal 5:1, 13-18

Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Gospel Lk 9:51-62

When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.  On the way they entered a Samaritan village  to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.  When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”  Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And to another he said, “Follow me.”  But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”  But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.  But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”  To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

HOMILY

Let us greet each other a good evening, and tell the person next to you, 'God will save you'. (people greet each other) Bakit ayaw n'yo po sabihin? Gusto n'yo kayo lang ang maliligtas. (laughs) Do you believe that God will save you? If you believe that God will save you, then give Him a round of applause. (loud applause) Now the question is - God will save you...on what?

I am teaching now in the seminary, and my first subject in the seminary is salvation history. And my students are first year high school. Salvation history is about the love story of God and man - how God saved man. So I discussed with them - ang lilikot nga lang, ang hirap patahimikin, ang 30 minutes ko pagpapatahimik pa lang. So I ask them - How do you describe God? What is salvation? And then the bell rings. And my students tell me, 'O, Father, saved by the bell.' (laughs) My goodness, 'yon ang paborito nilang salvation.

My dear friends, we celebrate and honor these two great disciples of Jesus Christ, who experienced great salvation from God. Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the greatest disciples of the Church of Christ. We have Peter, called the Rock, in whom Christ built His Church. We have Paul, the fearless messenger and preacher of the Gospel. They were both persecuted; they were both martyrs under emperor Nero. They were persecuted because of their faith.

Peter was crucified upside down because according to him, he was not worthy to die like his Lord. Look at the humility of Peter. Eh tayo minsan konting sakripisyo lang, sasabihin nating it is for Christ. Eh ginawa mo lang naman mahina ang aircon mo, sakripisyo na, for Christ na. Minsang konting sakripisyo lang, feeling natin tinorture na tayo. Mayabang na, ano. But for Peter, he said that he was not even worthy to die like the way of Christ. Kaya upside down siya.

Paul was beheaded. We know how many times Paul was persecuted because of his preaching. The number one persecutor of Christ, became the number one defender of Christ. The number one defender of Christians.

Both Peter and Paul were crucified. They were both persecuted because of Christ, and for the sake of Christ. Now that is their challenge to us. Are we willing to die for Christ? Naku yumuko na lahat. (laughs) Maybe not now. We are so worried. We are so worried to die. Why? Because we have so many anxieties and concerns. Do not forget the word of Christ. Do not forget the Responsorial Psalm today. 'The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.' He will save you. Do not be afraid to die for Christ. Do not be afraid to give your life in the name of your faith, because God will save you.

We are so afraid to lose material things, to lose our name, to lose our title, to lose our position. Why so worried? God will save you. Because these things are not the promise of God for you. He promised more than these things, because He promised heaven for you. Therefore, He will save you forever.

Peter experienced the salvation of Christ in our First Reading. We have heard the story of Peter, how the angel of the Lord saved Peter from jail, from being imprisoned. God rescued Peter - the miracle of Peter. Paul, on the other hand, experienced salvation several times from God. But you know, my dear friends, even before he died, the first experience of Paul being rescued by God is when Christ appeared to him and rescued him from sinfulness. Christ saved Paul from death, from hell.

My dear friends, how many times did you experience the salvation of God for you? When was the last time that you said, 'God, thank you for saving me. You are my savior.' Di ba tayo minsan, if somebody will help us, if somebody will answer our prayer, if somebody will do something good to us, what do we say? 'You're my savior.' We always say that to people among us. But when was the last time that you looked at this man on the Cross and you said, "Thank you for saving me. Thank you. You are my Savior."

God will save you, not only after you die, but every day. Every time you wake up in the morning, there is salvation. God is saving you, because He is giving you another chance to be saved. And so you are still alive. And so my dear friends, do not leave this chapel without thanking God for saving you again. God will save you from poverty, from every illness. Sana naman po, hindi last option si God. Sometimes, we say wala nang pag-asa. Magdasal ka na lang. Pwede ba - bakit napunta sa huli 'yong prayer? Bakit last option na 'yong prayer? Bakit after you go to several doctors and experts - nag-abroad ka pa - tapos uuwi ka at sasabihin mo, wala na eh. Magdasal na lang daw ako. Bakit last?

Do not forget that the Lord is the Divine Healer; He will save you from any illness, from any form of poverty. And God will save you from the people who cannot love you, from the people who cannot accept you, from the people who keep on persecuting you. God will save you from them. Kaya huwag kang matakot maging mabuting tao pa rin. I hope that just like the prayer of Paul in our Second Reading, at the end of our life, we can say, 'Lord, I finished the race. I kept the faith, because You saved me.'

My dear friends, in this Eucharist, God is reminding us that He can rescue in different ways. You know, somebody asked me after I got sick. I had this serious illness and the doctor said, 'You take care, this is your second life.' I said, 'No, this is my third life.' 'How come?' Kasi, ako po ay ipinanganak sa bahay lang, sa midwife. Only my Ate was born in the hospital. Kami ng Kuya ko, nagtipid na, sa bahay na lang. I was born with the midwife, my mama and my auntie. And when my mom gave birth to me, the first word that my auntie said was 'patay'. I was dead, because my mom was supposed to give birth to me on the last week of August, but I was born on October 15. Expired na. Kaya ako po ay expired baby. (laughs) Kaya patay na ako noong ipinanganak. My auntie said, 'patay na'. Sabi ng kumadrona, 'huwag kang maingay'. Ang ginawa ng kumadrona, sinipsip 'yong bibig ko, sinipsip 'yong ilong, at pagkasipsip ng aking ilong, nakuha niya ang maraming dugo. And then pinalo niya nang pinalo ang pwet ko - kaya wala tuloy akong magandang pwet ngayon (laughs). Pinalo nang pinalo ang pwet ko hanggang ako ay umiyak. At 'yong batang 'yon ay nandito na sa harap n'yo ngayon. (applause) When I became a priest, when I was about to be ordained, I looked for Aling Biring, the midwife. She is still alive. And I said, "Aling Biring, kung hindi dahil sa iyo, hindi ako magiging pari. You are my savior.'

As we continue this celebration, my dear friends, do not be afraid to become a savior. Do not let your day end without saving somebody. In your own little way, you can save a life. Like Peter and Paul, do not be afraid. God will save you; just keep your faith. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

February 16, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

by Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang, Prefect of Discipline, Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary, Makati

12:15PM Mass, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, SM Megamall

                         

Reading 1 Is 58:9b-14

Thus says the LORD: If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday; Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails. The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; “Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined homesteads.”

If you hold back your foot on the Sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; If you call the sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable; If you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice Then you shall delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (11ab) Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me,
for I am afflicted and poor.
Keep my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God.
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

Gospel Lk 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

HOMILY

This morning, I was at the Layforce Chapel at the San Carlos Complex in Makati. I was there to give a talk about the healing ministry of Jesus. I gave a talk to our church lay leaders. Punong-puno 'yong chapel. Just like what I do in Quiapo, every time I see a huge or a large number of people, as I look at you now, I always ask myself, "Ano kaya ang hinihingi nito sa Diyos?" Looking at you now, I am asking myself, "What are you asking from God? At this very moment, what is your request? What are you asking for, from God?" 

Perhaps some of you are asking for a good result - exam....medical result. Perhaps some of you are asking for a good deal. Good income. Or a good partner. You know I have a friend and I asked her, "Bakit hindi ka pa nag-aasawa? Why are you still single up to now?" Ang sabi niya, "You know Father, I am waiting for the perfect guy." So I said, "Oh...you're waiting for the perfect guy? Then you go to La Loma and Loyola, they are all there, lying down." (laughs) You cannot find a perfect person here on earth. But you can become one. You can try to become one.

But I am sure we are all asking for good health. Lord, pagalingin mo ako. Please heal me. Pagalingin mo po sila. Heal my husband. Heal my wife. Heal my child. Heal my parents. 

But healing does not just start from 'what'. Healing may also come from 'whom'. Because sometimes our illness is not just about the physical - not just the virus or the bacteria that we got. Sometimes, the illness or the pain that we have now is also caused by somebody, by someone else. 

The call of Levy in our Gospel today has something to do with healing. We have heard the story of the vocation of Levy. He is also Matthew. The people during the time of Christ, even till now, are suffering, not only from body or physical illness, but from moral, spiritual, emotional pain. When Jesus heals the blind, when Jesus heals the lame, when Jesus heals the leper, He is actually healing the people around Him. The people who are indifferent to the poor and the sick, who are uncharitable, who are hypocrites, who are judgmental. Because during the time of Christ, for them, sick people are sinners. 

Sabi nila, kaya may sakit, pinarurusahan ng Diyos. Di ba, until now, we have that mentality? May sakit kasi pinarurusahan ng Diyos. My goodness. God is all good. Walang ginawang masama ang Diyos. Huwag mong isisi sa Diyos ang pagkakasakit mo. Huwag ninyong sabihin na 'galing kay Lord ang sakit na ito'. Huh? Eh nagpapagaling nga Siya. How come He will give you that illness?

Sinners need healing. And we are all sinners. We all need healing. 

This Lent, my dear friends, let us listen to the call of Christ. We are all called by Christ to believe and to repent. Christ is inviting all of us to turn away from our sinful thoughts, from our sinful words, from our sinful actions. Turn away....but turn away, not from the poor. Turn away not from the sick. 

This morning, I told the people at the Layforce Chapel. "Do not just pray for the sick. Pray with the sick. Be with them." Do not turn away from the sick. Do not turn away from the sinners. Turn away from your selfishness and pride. Turn away from your sin and turn back to God. 

As we continue this celebration, just like Levy, listen to the call of Christ. God knows we need healing. We all need healing. After I got sick, my doctor advised me to change my lifestyle. Today, Jesus, the Great and Divine Healer, is calling us to change our lifestyle. Now, He is calling you. Do not be afraid to turn away from yourself, and turn back to God. Amen.