Gospel Reflection

October 15, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (St. Teresa of Avila)

by Rev. Fr. Paul Marquez (St. Paul Church and Seminary, Bagtikan Street, Makati)
12:15PM Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, (Greenbelt Chapel), Makati

Reading 1 Rom 1:16-25

Brothers and sisters: I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous by faith will live.”

The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes.

Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (2a) The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Gospel Lk 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

HOMILY

Today, we are blessed with a holiday, but sad news just came to us that there was a major earthquake that hit Bohol, Cebu and nearby provinces like Iloilo. Let us pray today for the families of those who were victims, and also for the souls of those who departed because of the earthquake. If you look at it in a positive way, it is good that today is a holiday. At least, there were no children in the school buildings, they were all with their families.

We heard at today's Gospel that Jesus was invited to the home of a Pharisee, and He was invited to sit down and share a meal with the family of the Pharisee. We know very well that a good meal not only provides good nourishment, but it also brings great delight or joy because of our companions during the meal. They say that a good meal has good food and good company. And if you eat in a restaurant, it must also be of good price, good ambience and with good service.

But in the Gospel, rather than giving Jesus an authentic and warm welcome, the Pharisee was actually trying to watch Jesus closely. And the issue against Him was that Jesus did not follow the ritual washing of the hands. In doing so, charity went out of the window. Jesus was more interested in us becoming holy, rather than just being good. The Pharisee, at the moment, was just being good, giving the minimum requirement to God, by following the rules. But God is not calling us to be mediocre, to be 'just good'. He is calling us to be holy in an excellent way.

We heard in the introduction in the life of St. Teresa of Avila, how, in the beginning of her life as a Carmelite nun, she lived a very mediocre life. She was just like the other nuns who were enjoying siesta or afternoon nap for a prolonged period of time. She was just chattering around, about the lives of other people. But at the age of 41, the grace of God struck her, and that marker turned her life around. She decided that this evil should stop. And with the help of St. John of the Cross, they planned together the reform of the Carmelites.

This is a very good reassurance to you and me that even late in life, conversion can still happen. Do not give up on yourself because God is not giving up on us. He will always reach out to us, and try to catch us with His grace of conversion and renewal. Remember that each day is a new day of opportunity, to become, not just good people, but to fulfill our destiny to become a holy people. May the Lord continue to bless us.  

Gospel Reflection

August 17, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Paul Marquez (St. Paul Church and Seminary, Bagtikan Street, Makati)

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

Reading 1 Jos 24:14-29

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and addressed them, saying: “Fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD for the service of other gods. For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. At our approach the LORD drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

Joshua in turn said to the people, “You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the LORD and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you.”

But the people answered Joshua, “We will still serve the LORD.” Joshua therefore said to the people, “You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” They replied, “We are, indeed!” Joshua continued: “Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” Then the people promised Joshua, “We will serve the LORD, our God, and obey his voice.”

So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem, which he recorded in the book of the law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was in the sanctuary of the LORD. And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage.

After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.

Responsorial Psalm PS 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 11

R. (see 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.
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.

Gospel Mt 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

HOMILY

Isa pong magandang maulang hapon sa inyong lahat.

Sa mga araw-araw pong nagsisimba, siguro po'y nasusubaybayan ninyo ang kwento ni Josue o kung sa Ingles ay si Joshua. Siya po 'yong assistant ni Moses. Si Moses po ay namatay sa edad na 120 years old. Kaya ho noong huling birthday niya, siguro kung meron pong kandila sa birthday cake niya, parang masusunog na po siguro ang cake (laughs), at mahihirapan na siguro siyang hipan 'yon (laughs). Si Josue naman po ay inabot ng edad na 110 years.

Sa Reading po kahapon, tinawag po ni Josue ang lahat ng members ng kanyang congregation of the chosen people - the elders, the priests, prophets, citizens. Tinipon niya silang lahat, at inisa-isa niya sa kanila ang mga magagandang ginawa ng Diyos para sa bayan ng Israel. Ito ang kwento kahapon. Joshua traced back the merciful deeds of God for the chosen people.

Ngayon naman pong araw na ito, sa pagpapatuloy ng kwento ni Josue, sinabi niya, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Kasi alam ni Josue na marami pa rin sa mga chosen people ang naliligaw ng landas. Oo nga, naniniwala at nananalig sila kay God the Father na dumampot sa kanila mula pagka-alipin patungo sa Lupang Pangako, pero sabi ni Josue, hindi maaari ang nahahating paglilingkod. Kalahati ng puso nila ay nasa Diyos, pero may mga iniingatan pa rin silang mga diyos-diyosan.

Pag meron pong mga kapatid natin na hindi Katoliko ang nakapasok sa ating chapel, at kapag luminga-linga siya, alam ninyo na ang diyos-diyosan na ituturo nila sa atin ay ito pong imahen ng Inang Maria, ni Padre Pio at mga santo. Tatanungin nila, "Bakit ang dami n'yong diyos-diyosan? Bakit n'yo sila sinasamba?" Hindi po natin sinasamba ang mga 'yan. Sabi nga sa Ingles, we revere them, we honor them. Sila ang nagpapa-alala sa atin sa presensiya ng Diyos, katulad ng ating Mahal na Birheng Maria.

Ang diyos-diyosan na tinutukoy ni Josue ay 'yong mga likha ng Diyos, kagaya ng mga hayop sa lupa at hayop sa tubig na mababangis, na inaalayan nila, kasi natatakot sila. Kapag nag-aalimpuyo ang dagat, iniisip nila na may sea monster doon na ang kapangyarihan ay kagaya ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos. Sabi ni Josue, hindi pwedeng ganoon. Bukod po doon, meron silang mga diyos-diyosan kagaya ng pagiging mainggitin, pagiging mayabang, pagiging hambog, pagiging magagalitin.

Sa panahon po natin, meron din pong mga diyos-diyosan. Nandiyan ang diyos-diyosan ng porma. Kinakailangang beautiful ka, amoy mabango ka. Nandiyan din ang diyos-diyosan ng job security. Kailangang may trabaho. O kaya prestige. Kailangang meron kang pangalan. Ilan lamang po ito sa mga bagong porma ng mga diyos-diyosan na sinasamba ng tao.

Mahalaga din po ito. Sino ba naman ang ayaw magkaroon ng magandang pangalan, ang magkaroon ng magandang hitsura? Pero ang sabi, hindi maaaring 'yan ang mangunguna sa lahat, higit pa sa Diyos. Hindi iyan ang sasambahin ninyo, kung hindi ang Diyos lamang. Hindi po pwedeng nahahati ang paglilingkod. "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Sabi niya sa bayang Israel, kayo na ang pumili.

Dito po sa ating Magandang Balita, na napaigsing Gospel ngayong araw, maraming dinalang bata kay Hesus. Parang sa ating mga parokya, tayong mga Pilipino, inilalapit ang mga bata sa pari at ibe-bless mo sila. Ang sabi ni Hesus, kapag hindi ninyo tinanggap ang mga batang 'yan at maging katulad nila, hindi kayo makakapasok sa Kaharian ng Diyos. Ipinapa-alala sa atin ng Panginoon na sana ay maging bata tayo. Kagaya ni Josue, alam niya kung ano ang kalooban ng Diyos - ang pagiging bata at naka-depende palagi sa Diyos.

Ang bata, hindi mabubuhay nang maayos kung walang nakatatanda na gagabay at susuporta sa kanya. Ang bata ay madali ring turuan. Kaya tanggalin natin ang ating pride, para manatili tayong bata, na nagpapaturo sa ating Panginoon na Dakilang Guro. Ito po ang hamon sa atin ng Ebanghelyo, na sana ay maging bata tayo, at di lamang basta katulad ng bata, kundi tanggapin ang mga kagaya nila sa buhay natin. Sino po ito? Ito ang mga taong maaaring dumepende sa atin. Sila ang mga taong pag ginawan natin ng kabutihan ay walang maibibigay na kapalit para sa atin. Madali kasing gumawa nang mabuti sa mga taong alam mong makakatulong din sa iyo. Pero gagawa ka nang mabuti sa mga taong alam mong walang maibibigay na kapalit. 'Yon ang pagtanggap sa isang tunay na bata.

Kagaya ng ating Mahal na Birheng Maria, siya ay isang tao, isang anak ng Diyos na umasa lamang sa Panginoon sa lahat ng sandali ng kanyang buhay. Siya ay isa sa mga tinatawag sa Bibliya na 'anawim' - the poor of the Lord. Hindi lang basta poor, kundi 'poor of the Lord', sapagkat umaasa siya sa Diyos. Diyos lamang ang kanyang inaasahan. Kaya sa gitna po ng ating kahirapan, di lamang sa materyal na bagay....meron tayong loneliness, search for meaning in life, companionship....sa gitna ng ating mga iba't ibang uri ng paghihikahos sa buhay, sana, hindi lang tayo maging mahirap, kundi tayo ay maging 'mahirap ng Panginoon'. Alam natin na ang ating Panginoong Diyos ay laging aalalay sa atin. Kaya naman kayanin natin ang buhay, sapakat kailan man ay hindi tayo nag-iisa. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

January 26, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith

Memorial of Saint Timothy  and Titus, Bishops

by Rev. Fr. Paul Marquez (St. Paul Church and Seminary, Bagtikan Street, Makati)

12;15PM Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

                         

Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-8

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

or Ti 1:1-5

Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth,
in the hope of eternal life  that God, who does not lie, promised before time began, who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior, to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.

For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.

Responsorial Psalm ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Gospel Mk 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

HOMILY

Ang atin pong selebrasyon ngayon ay karugtong ng kapistahan kahapon, 'yong conversion po ni St. Paul the Apostle, na ipinagdiwang natin kahapon. Si St. Paul po, alam naman natin, ay may humigit kulang na isang daang kasama sa kanyang ministry. At may mga kasama po siyang mga kababaihan. Katulad ng binanggit kanina sa First Reading, kilala niya ang nanay ni St. Timothy na si Eunice, at ang kanyang lola ni si Lois. Kilala sila ni St. Paul, hindi lamang basta sa mukha, kundi personal na may ugnayan siya sa kanila. 

At ang ginamit na paraan ni St. Paul ay very personal na pagsusulat. Sabi nga po natin ay huwag magbabasa ng sulat nang may sulat. Pero iba ho dito sa simbahan. Pinapakialaman natin ang sulat ni St. Paul, nakalagay pa sa Bible. (laughs) 'Yon ho ang nabuhay sa Bible, labing tatlong sulat, at ang sabi po ay kundi man si San Pablo ang may akda, 'yon ay ang kanyang mga disipulos. 

Natatandaan ko po sa seminaryo, noong ako'y highschool, palaging pag may dumarating na sulat mula sa bahay - wala pa kasi hong Facebook noon - sasabihin ng Father Master, "May sulat ka, pero di ko muna ibibigay, mamaya na." Sa hapag kainan, ilalagay pa 'yon ni Father, ipapatong niya, ipapakita sa akin ang sulat ng Tatay ko. Pero hindi pa rin niya ibibigay 'yon, pagkatapos pa ng kainan. Hindi ka pwedeng magdikta, "Ibigay n'yo na sa 'kin, Father. Dali." Maghintay kayo kung kailan ibibigay sa inyo. Iyon ay bahagi ng disiplina. Kasi nga, sabi din sa First Reading, kailangang magkaroon ng 'pagpipigil sa sarili'. Hindi 'yong kung ano ang gusto mo, kukunin mo na kaagad. Pagpipigil sa sarili ang isa sa itinuro ni St. Paul sa kanyang anak na si Timothy.

Sabi ni St. Paul, "Anak-anakan ko itong si Timothy." Dalawa ang sulat niya kay Timothy. Nakasama po ni St. Paul si Timothy sa kanyang journey sa Corinth at sa Thessalonica. Doon po siya nag-serve sa Lystra na malapit sa Turkey ngayon. At si St. Timothy po ay binato hanggang sa siya ay mamatay. Si St. Titus naman ay doon sa Crete sa Greece naglingkod, sa panahon ng simula ng 'formal Church organization'. Doon po nabuo ang idea na kinakailangang may bishop sa isang lugar upang pamunuan at alagaan ang mga nasasakupan. Iniwan siya ni St. Paul sa Crete. 

Si St. Timothy at si St. Titus po ay hindi mga apostles, ngunit sila ay mga disciples. Sabi po sa Gospel ngayon, bukod sa labindalawang apostoles ni Hesus, humirang pa siya ng 72 disciples at malamang na doon po sila kabilang. Meron hong bahagi sa Bible noong panahon ni Moses, mayroon ho siyang ipinagdasal, lumukob ang Holy Spirit, sa 70 disciples. Pero sa labas ho ng tent, meron din doong nilukuban ng Holy Spirit na dalawa. Hindi sila kasali sa grupo - si Eldad at si Meldad. Kaya nga ho 'yon ang hudyat na ang pagliligtas ng Diyos ay hindi lamang para sa isang grupo. Hindi lamang para sa nasa loob ng tent kundi pati 'yong nasa labas. Ano ho ang kahulugan nito? Na ang pagliligtas ng Diyos ay para sa lahat. Hindi pwedeng sabihin ng mga taga-Israel, "Kami lang ang maliligtas." 

Ano ho ang sabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga disciples? Huwag kayong magdadala ng lukbutan, kundi magtiwala kayo sa ibibigay ng Diyos, sa pamamagitan ng ibinibigay ng tao. Sabi Niya sa kanyang mga disipulo na huwag silang papalit-palit ng bahay, at kung ano ang ihain sa kanila, kainin nila. Kung ano ang ihain, matutong tumanggap. Huwag magde-demand. 

Ito ho ay napakahalagang paala-ala sa atin, ngayong taon ng pananampalataya, na tayong lahat ay isinasali ng Panginoong Hesus, bilang Kanyang mga alagad. We are His modern-day disciples. Isali na natin ang sarili natin sa 72 disciples. At sana, masabi rin sa atin na "sa tuwing naaala ko 'yang taong 'yan, I give thanks to God". Kagaya ng sinabi ni St. Paul kay Timothy na, "Alam mo anak, pag naalala kita, di maaaring hindi ako magpasalamat sa Diyos. I am drawn to prayer, kasi naalala ko 'yong maganda nating pinagsamahan. Naalala ko noong in-anoint kita to be a leader, at ibinigay sa iyo ng Panginoon ang spirit of discipline, spirit of courage, not the spirit of cowardice." Kasi ho batang-bata 'yong si Timothy tsaka si Titus. Mayroon hong tendency na 'yong mga nasasakupan nila ay memenos-menosin sila. Sasabihin sa kanila, 'Naku, mas magaling pa ako sa 'yo. Ikaw naman ay may gatas pa sa labi." Pero pinapalakas palagi ni St. Paul ang loob ni Timothy at Titus at ng kanyang mga disciples. Sinabi ni St. Paul sa kanila na kapag ang Espiritu na ang kumilos, you can marvel at what great lengths you can go, kasi hindi na ikaw 'yan, kundi ang Espiritu na ng Panginoon ang pumapatnubay sa atin.

Hilingin natin sa Panginoon na turuan Niya tayo, ipakita Niya sa atin kung papaano tayo maaaring maging tunay na mga tagasunod ng Panginoon. Tanggapin natin ang Holy Spirit sa ating buhay, nang sa gayon, kapag tayo'y titignan ng Panginoon, ang sasabihin Niya, "I cannot but give thanks." Amen.