Gospel Reflection

January 16, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Weekday

by Rev.  Fr. Nilo Mangussad (Rector Our Lady of Peace Quasi-Parish)

12:15PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Heb 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and Flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Responsorial Psalm ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R.(8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Mk 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn,  he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons  throughout the whole of Galilee.

HOMILY

There is a story of a wonderful assistant of a boss who was asked to deliver some extra bonuses for the staff, to which he obliged and gave one by one to them. Now, people have grown accustomed that the assistant will always give a bonus once every two months that eventually, he became popular with the staff. The staff will always say, "Dito tayo dumikit kasi nasa kanya ang pera natin." And he will say, "O, talagang didikit kayo sa akin. Kung hindi kayo pupunta sa akin, hindi ko ibibigay ang bonus n'yo."

My brothers and sisters, how many of us have been victims of this attitude? And how many of us, most probably, wanted to be this?

Jesus knew His priorities in life. When He was asked to cure, He will cure. But He knew that curing is not His primary objective on earth, but to preach throughout the world, to bring the Good News and point to the Father, not to Himself. He was not the one they should worship, but the Father. And what is important to Jesus was not to simply cure a few, but to heal the whole of humanity.

It is good to look into ourselves. What is the true purpose of what we do here in life? Are we doing things because we would like the accolades of others and we would want them to clap their hands on our accomplishments, because we want all the attention for ourselves? Or do we do things because it pleases us to show our love to the Father?

Let us make our choice. Do we glorify ourselves, or do we give glory to our God, the One who gave us life?

Gospel Reflection

January 15, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Weekday

by Rev.  Fr. Matthieu Dauchez

6:15AM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Heb 2:5-12

It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. Instead, someone has testified somewhere:

What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, subjecting all things under his feet.

In “subjecting” all things to him, he left nothing not “subject to him.” Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,” but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death, he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers” saying:

I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.

Responsorial Psalm PS 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (see 7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
O LORD, our Lord,
how glorious is your name over all the earth!
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

Gospel Mk 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,  and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”  Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

HOMILY

My dear brothers and sisters, in the Gospel today, the evil spirit says, "I know who You are. You are the Holy One of God." And Jesus, then, told the evil spirit to be quiet. He rebuked him.
But isn't it the truth? The evil spirit is saying the truth. Yes, he knows the Son of God. So why? Why did Jesus ask the evil spirit to remain silent about the true plan of God? It is because the evil spirit is not worthy of such a divine plan. The evil spirit is not even part of it.
For us, it is exactly the opposite. We are part of the plan of salvation of God. So, if Jesus told the evil spirit to remain silent, for us, He is telling us to announce it at the rooftop of the world. Jesus is God, and our duty is to be messengers of this great news. Even if we remain silent, the disciples of Christ will announce everywhere His salvation.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us be part of this plan of salvation. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

January 14, 2013

Monday – Year of Faith – Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Montecarlo Veloria (Rector, Shrine of the Our Lady of Mercy, Novaliches, Quezon City)

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

                         

Reading 1 Heb 1:1-6

Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways  to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe,

who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: You are my Son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a Son to me? And again, when he leads the first born into the world, he says:

Let all the angels of God worship him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1 and 2b, 6 and 7c, 9

R.(see 7c) Let all his angels worship him.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. Let all his angels worship him.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Let all his angels worship him.
R. Let all his angels worship him.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. Let all his angels worship him.

Gospel Mk 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

HOMILY

Jesus is a communicator par excellence. Sapagkat kung Siya'y nakikipag-usap, Siya ho ay bumababa sa lebel ng Kanyang kausap. Halimbawa, the Gospel says that He was talking to a group of fishermen, and what He said was, "Come, follow Me, I will make you fishers of men." Para sa mga fishermen, ito ay napakaliwanag. "I will make you fishers of men."

Pero magtatanong siguro tayo mga kapatid. Knowing how important, how sublime, and how difficult the mission of Christ is, if He is going to select collaborators in His mission, why choose ordinary people? Available naman ang mga intellectuals, ang mga experts on the Word of God, the Scribes and the Pharisees. Andiyan ang mga powerful. Why not choose them? Rather, He selected ordinary people like fishermen.

Ano kaya ang nasa isip ng ating Panginoon? We cannot say na nagkamali po ang ating Panginoon. No. Tama ho ang Kanyang ginawa. But why? For us, we can just imagine, huhulaan na lang natin.

But I, myself, who belong to a family of fishermen, and a fisherman, myself, can show you the life of a fisherman.

Number one, kami hong mangingisda, 95%, we rely on the mercy of God. Pag-alis pa lamang namin sa dalampasigan, magsasagwan kami patungo sa dagat, we are not sure kung kami ba ay makakabalik nang buhay. 5% is skill and talent. We rely and trust most on the mercy of God. 

 

Number two, fishermen do not follow paths. We follow the waves, and where the fish are. We have no particular way to follow. Wala po. Pumupunta kami kung nasaan ang isda. 'Yan ang gusto ng ating Panginoon. You must not follow a certain path, and just follow the way, and the way is Jesus Himself, because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Thirdly, a fisherman always prepares himself for what he is going to do. Hindi siya bara-bara. That is why when Christ called Peter and Andrew, they were washing their nets. Why? Because they were preparing their nets for their next bout of fishing.

And the fourth one, my dear brothers and sisters, is this. A fisherman is a very patient person. Matiyaga siya. Hindi biro mga kapatid kung kayo ay mamimingwit, maghapon kayong nakaupo, hawak hawak ang hook and line. Kung minsan po halos wala kayong makuhang isda, pero pagti-tiyagaan ninyo. Sometimes, we use nets and draw them, walang laman, pero uulit-ulitin n'yo lang. Ganoon po. Maybe these qualities of simple fishermen and simple people may be the reasons why Christ chose them as His collaborators in His mission.
Yesterday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which reminds us of our own baptism. All of us, my dear brothers and sisters, by virtue of our own baptism, share in the mission of Christ. We are called to share in His work. Through our Gospel today, I hope and I pray that, with God's guidance, we may follow Christ like fishermen.

Gospel Reflection

January 13, 2013

Sunday – Year of Faith

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 

by Rev. Fr. Caloy Reyes

12:15PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Is 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Or Is 40:1-5, 9-11

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.

A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Go up on to a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by a strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10.

R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Or Ps 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30

R. (1) O bless the Lord, my soul.
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
you are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
You have spread out the heavens like a tent-cloth;
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.
You have constructed your palace upon the waters.
You make the clouds your chariot;
you travel on the wings of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers,
and flaming fire your ministers.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all—
the earth is full of your creatures;
the sea also, great and wide,
in which are schools without number
of living things both small and great.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.
They look to you to give them food in due time.
When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.
If you take away their breath, they perish and return to the dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul.

Reading 2 Acts 10:34-38

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites  as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,  what has happened all over Judea,  beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good  and healing all those oppressed by the devil,  for God was with him.”

Or Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7

Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Gospel Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

HOMILY

Today, we celebrate the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the last Sunday of Christmas.

And we ask ourselves why our Lord Jesus Christ had to be baptized when the baptism that John was teaching is the baptism for the forgiveness of sins. And we know that Jesus Christ committed no sin. So how come Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist? Why did He insist on being baptized by John the Baptist?

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist because it was the external sign of His internal disposition, which is to be immersed in the will of God, His Father. His baptism is the external sign of His total obedience and commitment to God.

In our case, there are similarities, and there are also differences between the baptism that we receive and the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. In our case, there has to be some remedial action to be taken, and this is because of the fact that we all have sinned, and that there has to be a certain remedial action before we can be immersed into the will of the Father, as our Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus Christ was baptized, we can see that the heavens opened during the rite of His baptism, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven declaring our Lord Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, and that He is pleasing to God. This thing, we have in common with our Lord. After our baptism, our sins were all forgiven, or deleted or removed - our personal sins and also the original sin - and we were given the grace coming from the Holy Spirit, to be obedient to the will of the Father. And also, we were named as sons and daughters of God the Father. So we became part of God's family, and Jesus Christ is our big brother. 

And these are the effects of our baptism. The main difference is that, first, there has to be a remedial action, as our sins have to be forgiven or removed, and after that, we can obey the will of God.

So for this Sunday, I just want to review the rite of baptism within the Roman Catholic Church. I suppose that most of you were baptized as infants. Lahat tayo bininyagan ng bata ano. And I am sure you don't remember the rites when you were baptized. Sino ang nakaka-alala kung paano siya bininyagan? Ako nga ni picture wala ako noong ako'y bininyagan.

 

So let's go over the rites of baptism. During the early days of the church history, the baptistry was located very near the entrance of the church, malapit sa pasukan ng simbahan. Eh ngayon ang simbahan natin, minsan di natin alam kung saan ang main entrance ano, kung saan ang pasukan. Pagpasok mo noon, ang baptistry, malapit na malapit sa pinto o kaya ay nasa labas ng simbahan. Kasi may mga simbahan po na ang kanilang belfry or bell tower ay nagse-serve din na baptistry. The baptistry is located at the entrance of the church, to symbolize the entrance to a life with God.

Mayroon din pong rite noon ng renunciation of Satan. Karamihan po ng mga simbahan noon ay may tinatawag na East Wall. Ano 'yong East Wall? Pag nakaharap tayo sa altar, nakaharap tayo sa East - sa Silangan, kasi doon sumisikat ang araw, and Jesus is the sun that rises and sets. Tumatalikod tayo sa West, kasi nandoon ang demonyo sa West. So 'yong mga bibinyagan noon ay papasok sa simbahan - kasi matanda na sila - tapos gagawin niya, bago siya pumasok ng simbahan, haharap siya sa West, tapos doon ire-renounce niya si Satanas. Pwede siyang magalit kay Satanas, pwede mo rin siyang duraan, tapos tatalikod siya ngayon sa West, tapos maglalakad siya papuntang East. Hindi na siya haharap ulit sa West. Ganoon ang style ng mga simbahan natin noon. Ngayon parang hindi na nasusunod. Makita mo 'yong St. Peter's, hindi na siya East Wall. Ang St. Peter's ay West Wall. So nabaligtad ano. Ang sumunod ay ang St. Paul, 'yong talagang East Wall pa rin.  

Sa rite of baptism natin ngayon, pag dinala na 'yong bata, ang una naming tatanungin ay kung ano ang pangalan ng bata. We will ask the parents, as you represent the child in the rite of baptism. Ikaw ang sasagot sa kanila. Ikaw ang magulang eh. So dapat ang binibigay ninyong pangalan sa bata ay Kristiyano nang kaunti. Minsan nagugulat na lang ako sa mga pangalang binibigay ng mga magulang.

Then we will ask the parents, bakit kayo naparito? What do you ask God's Church for this child? Minsan ang mga magulang hindi pa rin alam kung ano ang isasagot. Bakit ka ba nagpunta rito? Mag-iisip pa. Syempre gusto mong pabinyagan ang anak mo. At dahil gusto mong pabinyagan ang iyong anak, mayroon kang obligasyon na turuan ang bata tungkol sa pananampalataya, na mahalin ang Diyos at ang kapwa, gaya ng tinuro ni Hesus, at turuan ang bata na magdasal. 'Yon po ang obligasyon ng mga magulang na gustong pabinyagan ang kanilang mga anak.

Sa mga ninong at ninang, tatanungin natin sila kung handa silang tulungan ang mga magulang ng mga bata na palakihin sila bilang Kristiyano. Pag sinabing Kristiyano, hindi born-again Christian. So hindi kayo dapat kumuha ng ninong at ninang na hindi Kristiyano. Hindi pwede 'yon. Paano siya magiging sponsor ng binyag ng Katoliko at may obligasyon siya na palakihin ang bata bilang Katoliko, kung hindi siya Katoliko? Kung gusto mo lang kunin ang boss mo o gusto mo lang mamulitika o magpalakas, o gawa ng pakimkim, para hindi ka na gagastos, aba'y mali ka do'n.
Pagkatapos noon, ang bata ay tatatakan ng krus sa noo, tanda ng ating paghahanda sa pagsunod sa landas ni Hesus. Pagkatapos noon ay ipagdarasal natin ang mga bata. Mayroon tayong prayer of exorcism. Pinagdarasal natin ang bata para matanggal ang lahat ng masama sa kanyang katauhan, para maging handa siya sa binyag. Pag may edad na po ang bibinyagan, tatlong beses po ang scrutiny, at tatlong beses din po ang prayer of exorcism, doon po sa Rite of the Initiation of Christian adults.
Tapos po ay ibe-bless ang tubig at tatanungin ang mga magulang, dahil sila ang sasagot para sa mga anak nila, ng tatlong tanong, dalawang set ng tigatlong tanong. 'Yong una ay 'yong pagtakwil kay Satanas at sa kasalanan, at 'yong pangalawa ay tungkol sa pananampalataya. Gagawin natin 'yon mamaya, para sariwain natin ang ating binyag, para tayo mismo ang sasagot para sa atin.
Do you reject Satan? Sigurado kayo? Baka sama kayo nang sama kay Satanas. Kasi sabi nila pinakamagandang anghel si Satanas. Si Lucifer ay pinakamagandang anghel. Pag nagpakita siya sa iyo na mukhang demonyo, hindi ka sasama, diba? Para makapang-akit ka, kailangan maganda ka. Eh kung ang pangit pangit mo tapos mang-aakit ka, eh susmaryosep (laughs). So si Satanas, maganda si Satanas, mukhang kaibigan, kaya ka niya nahihikayat. 

  

Do you reject all his works? Ano 'yong mga gawain ni Satanas? Sige nga. Oo ka nang oo na naman. (laughs) Unang una, chismis. 'Yong pagnanakaw, kasama rin 'yong pangungupit sa magulang. Kasama 'yon. Cheating sa school, kasama 'yon. Pre-marital sex, kasama 'yon. 'Yong pagmumura, kasama 'yon. Siguraduhin natin - do we reject all his works? Ang sabi dito ay all, kahit 'yong mga maliliit.

Do you reject his empty promises? 'Yong mga pangako ba ni Satanas itinatakwil mo? Bago ka sumagot, tanungin muna natin. Ano ba ang pangako ni Satanas? Ano'ng pangako niya sa atin kaya sumasama tayo? Pangako niya ganito. Sumama ka sa akin at bibigyan kita ng buhay na masarap. Buhay na walang krus, walang problema. Eh kung si Hesus ang maghihikayat sa atin, ano'ng pinapangako ni Hesus pag sumama ka sa Kanya? Sumama ka sa akin, tapos bibigyan kita ng krus. 'Yan ang papasanin mo araw-araw. Huwag mong bibitawan. Tapos maglakad ka papuntang Kalbaryo, sumama ka sa akin. Pag nasa Kalbaryo ka na, ipapako ka na, mamamatay ka ro'n kagaya ko. Pagkatapos noon, mabubuhay ka. 'Yon ang pangako ni Hesus. Pero ang pangako ng demonyo, a life without a cross, without suffering. Meron ba no'n? Wala. Kasinungalingan 'yon.

Then tatanungin kayo tungkol sa pananampalataya. Pag sumagot kayo ng 'oo', bibinyagan na ang bata. Tapos bubuhusan na siya ng blessed water, upang linisin ang bata sa lahat ng kasalanan niya. Dito sa EDSA Shrine sa may baptismal font doon, pwedeng ilubog 'yong bata doon. Ang ibig sabihin kasi ng binyag ay paglulubog - immersion. Pero pwedeng buhusan mo na lang nang tatlong beses ang bata.

Then, ang susunod na simbulo ay 'yong anointing. Kaya tayo tinawag na Kristiyano dahil sa anointing. So pag na-anoint ka na, Kristiyano ka na. Ang nilalagyan ng langis sa bumbunan ay 'yong mga importanteng tao - 'yong mga hari, pari at propeta. So pag pinahiran ka no'n, ang ibig sabihin, ikaw ay kasapi ng isang bayan ng Diyos, na bayan ng hari, pari at propeta. At ikaw, pari ka rin. Pareho tayo. Iba lang ang pagkapari ko sa pagkapari mo pero 'yong pagkapari mo ay pinagsisilbihan ng pagkapari ko. Kaya ako nandito dahil sa inyo. Lahat tayo ay hari - mga prinsipe sa langit - at propeta.

Then pagkatapos ng binyag, dadamitan na ang bata. Ano'ng damit 'yon? 'Yong damit na puti. Ito ay simbulo ng ating dignidad - puting damit. At ito ay binibigay pagkatapos ng binyag. Kaya lang baligtad na ngayon, ang bata nakadamit na ng puti sa simula pa lang ng binyag kaya sinusuotan ko na lang ng puting sumbrero. Pero dapat talaga ang bata ay nakalampin muna tsaka bibigyan ng damit pagkatapos ng binyag - to receive the symbol of Christian dignity. 

Pagkatapos ay magsisindi ng kandila, to receive the light of Christ. Ito ay binibigay sa Tatay. Dapat ang ilaw na ito ni Kristo ay magningning sa buhay mo, huwag mong papatayin. Dito sa Pilipinas ang mga kandila natin, 'yon lang sperma, ang liit liit 'no. Pero sa ibang bansa, ang kandila sa kanila, parang Paschal candle na, tapos may drawing pa ng mga santo, kasi 'yon ang kandila ng iyong binyag, ng iyong buhay, upang maalala mo na ikaw ay ilaw din. Pagkatapos noon ay dismissal na po. 

 

So ganoon po ang binyag. Napakaganda ng binyag. Kaya lang hindi natin basta maipaliwanag kasi ang binyag minsan dito sa Pilipinas, madami. Minsan nagbinyag ako, tatlong daan, di katulad dito sa EDSA Shrine, kaunti lang, mga isa o dalawa lang.

By virtue of our baptism, may we all follow the way of Christ, and be a light of Christ to others. So right now, we will renew our baptism. So please rise, my dear brothers and sisters, and let us renew our baptismal promises.

Gospel Reflection

January 12, 2013

Year of Faith

Saturday after Epiphany of the Lord

by Rev.  Fr. Nilo Mangussad (Rector Our Lady of Peace Quasi-Parish)

Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 1 Jn 5:14-21

Beloved: We have this confidence in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours. If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.

We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin; but the one begotten by God he protects, and the Evil One cannot touch him.  We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One. We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Children, be on your guard against idols.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.  He must increase; I must decrease.”

HOMILY

Humility is a wonderful expression of one's faith in God. John was humble enough to say that he must decrease as the Lord must increase.
In fact, John is trying to tell us in the Gospel that unless you put God in the center of your life - your ministry, your occupation, your projects, your work - no wonderful fruits will come out, as willed by the Father. It is only when we realize the importance of God's hand guiding our actions, that we become fruitful in our activities. If you only let Christ's hand guide us, then, fruits will abundantly flow out.
My brothers and sisters, how many times have we tried to show that it is only through our efforts that we are able to accomplish things? Yet, after a while, everything falls down. But if we do things, not for our own, but because we claim it is God's, and we are just instruments, more fruits will come forth. It is time to make use of true, honest, authentic humility, and to let our actions be guided, so that we can have more produce.
My brothers and sisters, a lot of us have been given a lot of talents different from one another. If only we can make use of these talents for others' benefit, not for personal, then others will also use their talents so that we can also benefit. Can you imagine how the world will be, if all of us will share our talents for each other?
Humility is the most wonderful expression of our faith. John showed how humility can prosper. Can we not do the same?