Gospel Reflection

July 27, 2012

Friday

Weekday

by  Rev. Fr. Matthieu Dauchez

Megamall

First Reading:               Jeremiah 3:14-17

Psalm:                         Jeremiah 31:10-13
Gospel:                        Matthew 13:18-23

18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

HOMILY

The parable of the sower means we have to bear fruit every day. We have to be consistent in bearing fruit and in leading others to being the same.

Gospel Reflection

July 26, 2012

Thursday

Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial)

Megamall

First Reading:                Sirach 44:1, 10-15

Psalm:                          Psalm 132:11, 13-14, 17-18
Gospel:                         Matthew 13:16-17

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

HOMILY

We should always honor our parents, kahit na may maysakit na sila o di na makaalala. Kahit na nasaktan nila tayo, igalang at mahalin natin sila, in the spirit of love, forgiveness and reconciliation.

On the other hand, all parents should teach God’s love to their children and lead them to holiness. 

Gospel Reflection

July 25, 2012

Wednesday

St. James, Apostle (Feast)

Megamall

First Reading:               2 Corinthians 4:7-15

Psalm:                         Psalm 126:1-6
Gospel:                        Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

HOMILY

Today’s Gospel is about the essence of servanthood. Kung napanood daw natin ang SONA ni President Noynoy Aquino noong Monday, it speaks of accomplishments, promises unfulfilled, of blaming others. Ganoon din daw ang karamihan sa atin. Proud tayo sa ating mga accomplishments but alongside that, marami tayong unfulfilled promises – mga pagbabagong di natin alintana kung tayo ang may pagkukulang.

Kung may SONA, dapat daw tayong magkaroon ng ating SOSA – our State of the Soul Address. When did we last have a check on our conscience? When we did last have our SOSA? With our SOSA, we will realize that there is nothing we can claim as our own – everything comes from God. Wala tayong magagawa kung wala ang Diyos sa buhay natin.

As servants, we should let go of our pride and self-interests. Instead, we should strive to do good for the benefit of many and to share to others that God is the foundation of truth and our identity as Christians. As St. Thomas Aquinas said, to be a good servant is to achieve three things – humility, humility and humility.

In the end, once we do our SOSA, dalawa lang ang ating sasabihin sa Panginoon: “Salamat po sa lahat ng biyaya”, at “Ako po ay isang makasalanan Panginoon, patawarin mo po ako”.

Gospel Reflection

July 24, 2012

Tuesday
Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Bob McConaughey

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:   Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Psalm:             Psalm 85:2-8

Gospel:            Matthew 12:46-50

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother."

HOMILY
Most of us want things be done our way - let our will be done, and not God's. But that is not the way things should be. In everything in our life, most especially in major decisions that we have to make, we should ask God's guidance, and seek His will.
But how do we do it? How do we seek God's will? According to Father Bob, we should ask the Lord for discernment. And there are three ways by which we can do this.
First, we should have an open heart. In prayer, let us first approach God and tell Him "Lord, here I am. I am giving my heart to You, and trust in Your grace. Please show me Your will."
Second, with our mental capacities, we should think things through. We should gather as much information about the problem, situation or decision that we need to make. Here, Father Bob suggests that we seek the advice of people close to us - those who know us, and those we trust, those who we know are genuinely concerned about us and will be there to help us. If needed, we should also seek the counsel of a priest or someone who is not personally attached to us - so that person can give us a neutral opinion. Then balancing these, we should be able to make a stand or be more firm in what option we would like to take.
Third and finally, once we are already able to think things through, we should come back to God, and present our heart to Him, saying "Lord, this is what I believe is best. Please show me what is Your will". According to Father Bob, as we seek God's will, He will find a way to communicate it to us. Sometimes, we may still even make a mistake in our decision. But what is important is we sought God's guidance first, and in His time, He will show us the way.

Gospel Reflection

July 23, 2012

Monday
Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Roland Roberto ( Diocese of Cubao )

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:   Micah 6:1-4, 6-8

Psalm:             Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23

Gospel:            Matthew 12:38-42

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nin'eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

HOMILY
The problem with people today is that we always look for signs. Normally, we want to see something solid - something concrete first, before we believe. Faith in God is not like that. Sometimes, God's miracles are found in the very ordinary things of life - when we wake up in the morning alive and well, when we are able to help a friend in need, when we kiss our loved ones as we go out of the house, when there is unpoisoned air to breath, and unpoisoned water to drink - these are all God's miracles. It is through these small, ordinary things that God's grand works are done. The problem is we miss the point, as we have become too busy, too materialistic, too demanding of signs.
Fr. Roland shared a story of a man and woman who became sweethearts - both are already very sick. But still, they always manage to go out to stroll, to go on a date, to hold hands and be sweet to each other. One day, the girl told the boy "You know, I have always traveled and have also held hands with my other lovers. I have also gone out on dates, and have spent money to enjoy with friends. But now I know the difference - and that is, this time, I paid attention".
Let us pray for God's grace, that we may appreciate God's great works even in the most ordinary things - to believe, even if we do not see. Beyond our sights and senses (eyes, ears, nose, etc), let us pay attention and let our hearts see God's love and miracles every day.

Gospel Reflection

July 22, 2012

Sunday

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Caloy Reyes

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:               Jeremiah 23:1-6

Psalm:                         Psalm 23:1-6

Second Reading           Ephesians 2:13-18
Gospel:                        Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

HOMILY

We need a shepherd because we need salvation. We cannot save ourselves. We need Jesus to save us. As a shepherd to His sheep, Jesus will never abandon us. Para kay Hesus, walang iwanan. That is why in moments of struggles, of problems - in our lowest moments, we should not be afraid, for Jesus our Shepherd will always be with us.

Kung ano ang nararamdaman natin, nararamdaman din ni Hesus. Kung may problema tayo, may problema din si Jesus. Kung nawawala tayo, hahanapin tayo ni Jesus para ibalik sa piling Niya. Our obligation then is to listen to God’s call and to pray that we may also be good shepherds to each other.

Gospel Reflection

July 21, 2012

Saturday
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest, Doctor of the Church (Feast)

Anticipated Sunday Mass (Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

by Rev. Fr. Jim Ferry

Greenbelt

First Reading:               Jeremiah 23:1-6

Psalm:                         Psalm 23:1-6

Second Reading           Ephesians 2:13-18
Gospel:                        Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

HOMILY

We should be good and loving shepherds to one another like Jesus is to us. As responsible shepherds, we should care for one another and pray for God’s grace so that we can be good examples of God’s love. He admonished parents to be good role models to their children. We should bring people closer to God, and not drive them away from God’s love.

Gospel Reflection

July 19, 2012

Thursday
Weekday

By Rev. Fr. Matthieu Dauchez

Edsa Shrine

First Reading:   Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19

Psalm:             Psalm 102:13-21

Gospel:            Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

HOMILY

God is calling us to come to Him and cast our burdens on Him. Let us not do things by ourselves, as it is only in God's love and mercy that we we can truly find rest, and accomplish everything. When our hearts grow tired and weary, let us come to God and He will always renew us.

Gospel Reflection

July 18, 2012

Wednesday
29^th Greenbelt Anniversary Mass

by Bishop Milo Vergara

Greenbelt

First Reading:   Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16

Psalm:             Psalm 94:5-10, 14-15

Gospel:            Matthew 11:25-27

25 On that occasion Jesus Said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed to simple people. 26 Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.

27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

HOMILY

Since it was Greenbelt's anniversary, Bishop Milo emphasized the meaning of being a servant - on fulfilling our mission.
According to Bishop Milo, there are three things that we, servants, should remember:
One is proclamation. We should be steadfast in proclaiming God and His truth, so that people will come back to Him. Whether off season or not, we should share God's word to others.
Second is presence. As servants, we should have a deep personal relationship with God. Before we can be on mission, we should have intimacy with God through prayer. One good example is praying before the Blessed Sacrament. It is when we receive God that we become fruitful and we can make things possible. As we allow God's presence to fill us, we should also make others feel God's love. We should let others feel our reassuring presence, with our loving concern, time, gifts and sense of service.
Third is perseverance. As servants, we should follow God's call with "staying power" - no "ningas kugon". Dapat tuloy tuloy lang tayo, because the Lord will never abandon us. Let us continue to persevere in our faith and continue to serve, helping and reaching out to others, even if we encounter struggles. It's not easy but that is what real mission means. After attending our masses, we should lead a good and holy life. This is how our mission moves on - by becoming fruitful bearers of the grace of God, not only in the mass, but through concrete action in our daily life.

Gospel Reflection

July 18, 2012

Wednesday
Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Joel Jason

Megamall

First Reading:   Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16

Psalm:             Psalm 94:5-10, 14-15

Gospel:            Matthew 11:25-27

25 On that occasion Jesus Said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed to simple people. 26 Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.

27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

HOMILY

The Gospel speaks about the Kingdom of God being revealed, not to the wise or the learned, but to the childlike. The key to today's Gospel is for us to have a childlike disposition.

No matter how intelligent we are, we should leave space for faith. We should look at God - His love, and His ways - with purity and innocence as of a child. As we thank God for making us smart, for making us wise, for making us successful, we should also follow God with humble prayer like that of a child.