Gospel Reflection

March 01, 2013

First Friday – Year of Faith – Lenten Seasons

by Rev. Fr. Joseph “Joey” Faller (Spiritual Director of the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center, Lucban Quezon Province)

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

                         

Reading 1 Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a

Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long tunic. When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.

One day, when his brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem, Israel said to Joseph,  “Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem. Get ready; I will send you to them.”

So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan. They noticed him from a distance, and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him. They said to one another: “Here comes that master dreamer! Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here; we could say that a wild beast devoured him. We shall then see what comes of his dreams.”

When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from their hands, saying, “We must not take his life. Instead of shedding blood,” he continued, “just throw him into that cistern there in the desert; but do not kill him outright.” His purpose was to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father. So when Joseph came up to them, they stripped him of the long tunic he had on; then they took him and threw him into the cistern, which was empty and dry.

They then sat down to their meal. Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum, balm and resin to be taken down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers: “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?  Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R. (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
When the LORD called down a famine on the land
and ruined the crop that sustained them,
He sent a man before them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
They had weighed him down with fetters,
and he was bound with chains,
Till his prediction came to pass
and the word of the LORD proved him true.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Gospel Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:  “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

HOMILY

Today is March 1, 2013, first Friday, and in the calendar of the Catholic Church, officially today, the Pope steps down as the universal leader of the Catholic Church. Wala na po tayo ngayong Papa. But what I can say is - this is a supreme act of humility on the part of Pope Benedict XVI. Imagine - you are at the highest position in the Church, and then you divested yourself of that power. Hindi po madali na tanggalin ang power. Hindi po katulad ng ating mga pulitiko na kapit-tuko. Nakatatlo nang term, ipapasa pa sa asawa (laughs), pagkatapos namang ipasa sa asawa , babalik ulit, pangatlong term ulit, ipapasa naman do'n sa anak, at pagkatapos, babalik na naman. Walang sawa.

This is really a great example of how to use power. Pope Benedict XVI knew that he will not be able to function effectively. Kaya sabi niya, 'Enough is enough. But I will not stop praying for the Church. I will not abandon the Cross. I will accompany you in your pilgrimage, by praying for all of you." Palakpakan po natin si Pope Benedict XVI, (loud applause) for his dedication, for his writings. Napakaganda po ng mga naisulat niya. Kahit po siya ay number one na very strict theologian, nagsimula po siya sa very basic na encyclical. If you must remember, the first encyclical written by Pope Benedict XVI is "Deus Caritas Est", which means "God is love." It is very basic. We are being reminded by Pope Benedict XVI about the tremendous love of God for all of us.

Do you believe that God loves you? (people loudly and firmly say 'YES') Naniniwala po kayong mahal kayo ng Diyos? ('YES') Sa kabila ng inyong mga problema sa buhay, mahal kayo ng Diyos? ('YES') Sa kabila ng iyong mga karamdaman, mahal ka pa rin ng Diyos? ('YES') Sa kabila ng iyong mga utang na di mabayaran (laughs), mahal ka pa rin ng Diyos? ('YES') Ayan....that is the spirit that our God is a loving God.

So we go straight to the First Reading. Alam po ninyo, kung meron pong mala-teleserye na istorya sa Bible, ito po'ng ating First Reading today. Ito po'y one of my favorites, hindi po dahil kapangalan ko si Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob, pero napakaganda po ng kanyang istorya. As you listen to the First Reading, the brothers envied Joseph, because he was the favorite of the father. Kung kaya naman they plotted to kill Joseph. Sabi no'ng isang kapatid na si Reuben, 'Huwag na lang. Itapon na lang natin do'n sa bangin, bahala na ang leon sa kanya at ang mga wild animals'. Pero ginawa ni Reuben 'yon para iligtas si Joseph. Pero maya-maya sabi ni Judah na isa pa rin niyang kapatid, 'Huwag na lang. Ipagbili na lang natin 'yan sa mga darating na tribo.' And Joseph was sold to the tribe of the Ishmaelites.

Then dumating 'yong panahon ng taggutom. And Joseph rose to power. He became one of the influential leaders of Egypt. In fact, siya po ay isa sa may pinakamataas na katungkulan. At dumating 'yong pagkakataon na humingi ng tulong ang kanyang mga kapatid. Mala-teleserye, kung inyong babaybayin. Bago pa nagpakilala si Joseph sa kanyang mga kapatid, medyo dinramahan muna niya. Kinuha 'yong isang kapatid, at pagkatapos ay kinontrol-control niya ang kanyang sarili. Kinimkim-kimkim ni Joseph ang kanyang nararamdaman. Pero no'ng dumating 'yong Tatay niya, at mga kapatid, hindi na niya na-control ang kanyang sarili at nagpakilala na siya. Suddenly, a tragedy became a blessing.

This is how the Lord is dealing with all of us. Sometimes, the Lord will allow us to experience tragedies. And from that tragedy, the blessing of the Lord will come out. This is my story (Father raises his right hand). My healing started from an accident. That accident made my hand look like the hand of Jesus Christ. And from that accident, my ministry of healing came out, nang nabaluktot ang aking daliri. This is the story of Joseph. From tragedy, the blessing of the Lord came out.

Ito rin po ang aking nais sabihin sa inyo. As we celebrate the Year of Faith, we must be able to believe that God is so powerful, that He can transform your problems into a blessing. He can transform your good Friday experience into Easter Sunday. Napakamakapangyarihan ng Diyos, na kahit ang inyong mga problema, magiging mga biyaya. Because in every problem, there is a blessing. In every cross, there is a blessing.

Going to our Holy Gospel for today. Alam po ninyo the Gospel talks about the Kingdom of God. And there are many symbolisms. The land owner represents God. The tenants represent the religious people, the religious leaders, the Scribes and Pharisees. The slaves represent the prophets, the kings, the patriarchs whom the Lord sent. And then the son who was killed, is Jesus Christ. The harvest is the end of the world, while the vineyard is the Kingdom of God.

Ano po ang inyong gagawin kapag naisugo na ninyo ang inyong mga alipin? Nagsugo na kayo nang tatlong beses. Isinugo n'yo ang isa, pinatay. Isinugo n'yo ang pangalawa, patay din. Sinugo 'yong pangatlo, patay din. Will you send your son afterwards, bilang Nanay? Isusugo pa ho ba ninyo ang inyong anak? Syempre hindi na. But the Holy Gospel gives us the idea of who God is. God is a very patient God. He will continue to send. He will continue to wait for all of us, because he is a God of a million chances. So the Holy Gospel talks about the ways of God. Na hindi Niya binibilang ang ating mga pagkakamali. Mahalaga sa Kanya ang ating pagbabalik-loob.

The second point in our Holy Gospel is that we are the vineyard of the Lord. And the Lord is expecting you and I to bear much fruit. Tayo po ang masasabi nating ubasan ng Panginoon. And if we are the vineyard of the Lord, the Lord is expecting you and I to give a great harvest.

Maganda pong itanong natin sa ating sarili. May bunga na ba ang ating pagiging Kristiyano? May bunga na ba ang ating pagiging Katoliko? Ano nga ba ang bunga? Bungang-araw? (laughs) Ano po kaya ang bunga ng ating pagiging Kristiyano?

Today, as we celebrate first Friday, let us reflect on our faith. Ang atin bang pananampalata ay patuloy na lumalago? Patuloy na tumitibay? Do we always ask for a sign for our faith? Let us cease asking the Lord for signs. But just believe that God has a beautiful plan for all of us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

February 28, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

by Rev. Fr. David "Dave" T. Concepcion

(Spiritual Director, Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Center, Guadalupe, Makati City)
6:15 PM Mass, Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace (EDSA Shrine)

                         

Reading 1 Jer 17:5-10

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Gospel Lk 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’“

HOMILY

First, it's good to remember and understand that the Lazarus in the Gospel today is not the same Lazarus who is the friend of Jesus, and the brother of Mary and Martha. They are not the same person. Second, it is good to understand also that not because you are rich, you will go to hell, or because you are poor, you will go to heaven. It is not what the Gospel is all about. Hindi porke ikaw ay mahirap, pupunta ka sa langit, at hindi porke ikaw ay mayaman, ay pupunta ka sa impiyerno. Hindi po 'yon ang pinag-uusapan dito.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, the First Reading says that "Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, and whose heart turns away from the Lord". Cursed is the man. Why? Because if God takes away your breath, you return into clay. Regardless of how rich you are, how intelligent you are, how powerful you are, when God takes away your breath, you will return to clay. Some people will remember you, but in the days to come, all of them will forget you. Walang makaka-alala sa iyo. 'Yong iba nga, buhay pa ang kamag-anak, hindi na naaalala, 'yon pa kayang patay.

What is the challenge of the Gospel of today? The Lenten season is a good time to ask ourselves - who am I, why I am created, and what I have become. Sino ba ako? Bakit nga ba ako nilikha ng Diyos? Ano na ang nangyari sa akin? Mga kapatid, maganda pong pagtuunan ng pansin ito. Kasi minsan po ay nakakalimot tayo. That life is short, and death is certain.

The sin in the Gospel of today is that the rich man refuses to give food to the poor man Lazarus. It is the sin of indifference, the sin of apathy. 'Yon po bang walang pakialam. At marami po sa atin, mayaman man or mahirap, nagsisimba o din man nagsisimba, ang walang pakialam. Bakit ayaw nating makialam? Kasi baka tayo madamay. Baka tayo mapahamak. O kaya'y abala sila sa ating mga gawain.

Kahapon, nagkukuwentuhan kami. Kung napupuna ninyo, sa panahon ngayon, hindi na tumatayo ang mga bata para salubungin o batiin kung sino man ang kanilang mga bisita sa bahay. 'Yong mga magulang dito, napapansin n'yo ba 'yon? Kung minsan hindi mapuknat ang mga mukha ng mga bata sa ano - sa telenovela, o kaya sa paglalaro ng computer. Hindi na bumabati, hindi na sumasalubong ang mga anak sa mga magulang na dumadating sa bahay. Unless sasabihin mo, "Oy, tumayo kayo diyan, bumati kayo." Di po ba? Hindi na - 'yan ang malungkot na kwento. Bata pa lang, wala nang pakialam. Ikatakot n'yo 'yan, mga magulang. Baka sa araw ng inyong paghihingalo, hindi kayo pakialaman.

Kaya siguro maraming matatanda ngayon ang nag-aalaga ng aso. Bakit? At least pagdating mo sa bahay, may sumasalubong pa - 'yong aso. Aso na lang ang sumasalubong. Harinawa, hindi matuto ng computer ang aso (laughs), at baka hindi na rin sumalubong. Hindi po ba?

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, now you may be laughing. But I don't want you to be crying in the time of your own loneliness and sickness, because you have not insisted on your children, that they have to correct their relationships. Life is all about relationships. Mother Teresa of Calcutta have said this, "How you treat the poor, is how you treat Christ." Hindi mo na nga pinapansin, hinuhusgahan mo pa.

Sino ho ba talaga ang nakaka-alam kung ang mga nagpapalimos sa lansangan ay sindikato? Sino po ba talaga ang nakaka-alam? Pag kumakatok sila sa inyong mga sasakyan - sindikato man 'yan o hindi - sana pansinin n'yo man lamang. Kung ayaw n'yong magbigay, huwag na kayong manghusga. Kung mayroong kumakatok sa inyong mga bintana, sabihin n'yo man lamang, "Wala po, pasensiya po." Kaysa hindi n'yo pinapansin, hindi n'yo tinitignan, na para bang bale-wala sila, at para bang hindi sila naninirahan. They seem not to exist. Wala. At ang masakit noon, hindi mo na nga pinansin, hinusgahan mo pa.

Mga minamahal kong kapatid, kaya ayaw nating magbigay, kasi baka tayo abusuhin. Pero ito naman po ang aking paalala. At least ikaw ang nagbibigay, hindi ikaw ang nanghihingi. Yan ang mga nagpapalimos sa lansangan. Ngunit ang mas malungkot na kwento ay, sa sariling tahanan, may mga magulang na nagpapalimos rin sa sariling anak. At ilang beses sinasabi ng magulang, "Anak, masama ang aking pakiramdam." At sasabihin ninyo, "Nanay, itulog n'yo lang 'yan." Hindi ba? Nagbibingi-bingihan. May pang-treat sa barkada, walang maibigay sa magulang.

May mga magulang na nagpapalimos ng ano - renta ng tahanan, pambayad sa kuryente at telepono, nanghihingi ng pansariling gamot. At may anak kang magsasabing, "Hindi naman kasi kayo nag-ipon eh. Sayang." Pero hindi nakapag-ipon ang magulang, kasi ibinigay lahat para sa anak. Ngayon ang anak ang matagumpay, ang magulang na tuloy ang nagpapalimos sa sariling anak.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, it's a sad story. Noong maysakit, ayaw ninyong ibili ng gamot, noong nakakalakad pa, ayaw mong isama. "Matanda ka na Nanay, baka madapa ka." Kung kelan ngayong naka-wheelchair na, tsaka mo pinipilit isamang mamasyal. Naka-wheel chair na nga eh. Hindi na nakapaglalakad. Kung kelan ngayong hindi na nakakakain, tsaka pipilitin ng mga anak, "Nanay, kumain kayo." At kung kelan nakahiga na sa ospital, at hindi na effective ang gamot, tsaka sasabihing, "Nanay, sige na, uminom ka na ng gamot." Para saan?

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, the challenge in today's reading is - Is there any Lazarus in my life? Are there any people begging on my doorstep? Mayroon  bang mga Lazarus sa buhay ko na nagpapalimos, o kaya'y hindi na nagsasalita, nakaupo na lamang sa pintuan ng aking buhay, dahil hindi ko pinapansin, sa gitna ng aking pagpapasasa sa sarili kong kasiyahan? Lent is a time to examine ourselves why we are created, and what have we become.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, life is short, death is certain. Sayang kung sa maiksing buhay, hindi ko man lamang napagtuunan ng pansin, at baka pagdating ng araw, kabilang ako sa isang taong dating mayaman, na ngayon ay naninikluhod sa Diyos na sana po naman, ay malapatan lamang ng isang patak na tubig ang aking nauuhaw na labi.

My dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters, how we live our lives today, will dictate where we are going to spend eternity. Dalawa lang naman po ang ating pupuntahan, di po ba? Smoking....or non-smoking. (laughs) 'Yan lang ang pupuntahan natin pagkatapos dito. Kahit na naninigarilyo kayo, alam kong ayaw n'yo sa smoking area pagkatapos dito.

Gospel Reflection

February 27, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

by Rev.  Fr. Joel Jason (Dean, Graduate School of Theology San Carlos Seminary)

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

                         

Reading 1 Jer 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said, “Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.”

Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16

R. (17b) Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,
as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
But my trust is in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

Gospel Mt 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.”

He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

HOMILY

Can I begin with a short story?

Minsan daw po ay mayroong isang politiko na namatay. Kawawa naman po 'yong politiko ano. And then, at his death, he was given a choice. Ang sabi ni San Pedro, "Ok, pwede kang mamili kung saan mo gustong pumunta - kung gusto mong pumunta sa langit, o kung gusto mong pumunta sa impyerno."

So tiningnan muna ng politiko ang impyerno. Isinakay na siya sa elevator, and then habang pababa nang pababa 'yong elevator, napansin niya, pabango nang pabango. Sabi niya, "Hindi naman pala masama ang impyerno. Ang bango." At no'ng bumukas ang elevator, behold, ang nakita niya, napakagandang tanawin, na para bang napakalawak na golf course. At lahat ng mga kaibigan niya, nandoon. (laughs) Pati lahat ng kanyang kamag-anak, nandoon din. So sabi niya, "O - lahat naman pala ng mga kakilala ko ay nandito. Masaya naman pala." At marami daw pagkain, at lahat ng pangangailangan niya ay nandodoon.
Umakyat naman ang pulitiko at dinala siya sa langit. Pagdating niya sa langit, pagbukas ng elevator, maganda rin naman, pero sabi niya, "Wala akong kilala dito kahit isa." (laughs) "Ang mga kamag-anak ko wala din dito." So sabi niya kay St. Peter, "Pwede po bang doon na lang ako sa impyerno? Ok naman no'ng makita ko. So do'n na lang ako, 'yon na lang ang pipiliin ko."
And so he was brought back to the elevator. At habang bumababa ang elevator, napansin niya, pabaho nang pabaho. And then painit nang painit. At pagbukas ng elevator, nakita niya ang talagang malawak na dagat ng nagbabagang asupre. Talagang ang baho-baho at hindi maganda ang lahat. And then, nakita niya si Satan. So ang sabi niya, "Bakit noong una akong pumunta rito, ang ganda-ganda, ang bangu-bango? Lahat ng mga kakilala ko, nandito. Parang golf course 'yong nakita ko. Pero ngayon, bakit ganito ang dinatnan ko?" Ang sabi sa kanya ni Satan, "Kelan ka ba nagpunta?" Ang sabi ng pulitiko, "I think kahapon lang." At ang sabi ni Satan, "Ahh kahapon....Campaign period noon." (laughs)
Eh di ba ganoon, pag campaign period, langit ang pinapangako eh, 'no? Then pag eleksiyon na, impyerno na ang mararanasan natin ano. (laughs) Bakit kaya ganoon.....Kung meron mang politiko dito, kwento lang po 'yon ho? (laughs) Wala naman akong pinatatamaan.
But it has a certain grain of truth in it. May katotohanan. Gano'n naman di ba? Pag campaign period, ano'ng pinapangako? Langit. Pero pagdating at pagkatapos ng eleksiyon - ayan na. Mararanasan na natin ang impyerno.
Pero bakit natin ginagawa 'yan? Because we are so addicted to power, we will do anything, we will promise everything. "Ipapangako ko sa inyo ang langit at lupa, iluklok n'yo lang ako sa kapangyarihan." And that is what power can do to an individual. Sabi nga natin, power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.
And this is true, not only among politicians. Kahit naman sa simbahan, pwede ring mangyari 'yan. Sa simbahan, meron ding makapangyarihan. Even people in the church can be afflicted by this seduction of power.
At narinig natin 'yan sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayon. Ano'ng sabi ni Hesus? "Pupunta tayo sa Herusalem. At pagdating natin sa Herusalem, doon Ako'y papatayin. Ako'y maghihirap, magdurusa, mamamatay, ipapako sa krus." Pero parang walang narinig ang mga disipulo. Nagda-drama si Hesus pero hindi nila narinig. Ano 'yong request nila kay Hesus after that? Sabi nila, "Lord, can You make sure that when You come into Your Kingdom, one of us will sit - one at Your right, and the other at Your left?" At dito sa version ng Ebanghelyong narinig natin, 'yong Nanay ang nag-request. Meron pang stage mother na lumapit kay Hesus. (laughs)
"Pwede bang 'yong dalawang anak kong si James at si John, 'yong isa po sa kanan Ninyo, at isa po sa kaliwa?" She wanted them to become powerful. But not in the sense of the Kingdom, but in the sense of the world.

Sabi ni Hesus, pupunta tayo sa Herusalem. But their idea of Jerusalem is different. Ano 'yong idea nila ng Jerusalem? 'Yong parang ginagawa natin ngayon na 'Trip to Jerusalem'. Ano ba 'yong 'Trip to Jerusalem'? Di ba unahan - unahan sa pwesto? Ganyan 'yong notion natin ng Jerusalem. Pero sabi ni Hesus, sa kaharian ng langit, hindi ganyan ang Jerusalem. Hindi iyon unahan sa upuan. In fact, dapat ibibigay mo ang iyong upuan.

Maganda sigurong ibahin natin ang 'Trip to Jerusalem' ano. 'Yong pag nagpa-party tayo, baguhin natin. Hindi na unahan sa upuan. Unahan na lang ng pagbibigay ng upuan....ayan ano...That will be a Christianized form of the 'Trip to Jerusalem'.
And that is what Jesus is telling us in the Gospel. Why are we given power? Or why are put in power? We are given power, and we are put in power, not to enrich ourselves, or not to make our importance felt. 'Yon ang sabi ni Hesus sa Ebanghelyo. "It cannot be that way with you." For the Gentiles, they lord it over other people, they make their importance felt. But for Christians, it is the other way around. In the Kingdom of God, it is not a matter of making your importance felt. It is a matter of making others feel important, by the kind of service that you give them. Now, ito po ba 'yong ating idea ng Jerusalem? At ito po ba 'yong idea ng 'power' na ating inaasam-asam?
Our Pope Benedict XVI has given us an example. Minsan nase-senti ako pag naalala ko si Pope Benedict XVI. This will be his last day in office. Tomorrow, he will be resigning in office. He will be giving up the highest power available. But why is he giving it up? He said that he realized that he no longer has the physical capacity to do the work. And he realized that someone younger can fulfill the work that is demanded by the Papacy. He is not addicted to power. He is ready to step down, in order that someone more worthy or maybe more capable, physically and spiritually, can do the work.
As we continue to pray for Pope Benedict XVI who, tomorrow, will be resigning in office, let us also pray for the next Holy Father. Ipagdasal natin na 'yong susunod na mamumuno sa atin ay talagang matuturuan tayo at magiging pastol ayon sa puso ng ating Panginoon. He will be invested with great power. But may he use this power, not in order to bring himself to the authority and power that one longs for, but use this power in order to bring the Kingdom of God in terms of service, and in terms of charity to God's people. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

February 26, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Lenten Season

by Rev. Fr. Simplicio Pugasan, Jr. (Archdiocese of Cebu)

5:30PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Is 1:10, 16-20

Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!

Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Gospel Mt 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen.They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

HOMILY

Our Gospel today gives us a criterion for unconditional love. Unconditional love is one that goes beyond what human laws will define. It is the love that a father has for his children, or a leader for his constituents. It is being able to suffer with those whom we love or serve. Mapagmalasakit sa kapwa. 

Our Christian faith is characterized by having significance on the Cross and the resurrected Christ. That is why all of us see the value of suffering as something redemptive. We believe that at times, we are victims of the sins of others. And God allows us to experience His healing at His own time, so that we can say, "We are no longer victims, we are redeemed." In the order of grace, we become who we are, as a gift from God. 

The Pharisees and those who interpret Jewish laws are in constant struggle to be popularly known as people deserving of honor in the society. These people strictly abide by what human laws give. Jesus is correcting them, and teaching them how to live what they are preaching. But they do not recognize the faith that was given to them, by the mere presence of the Messiah - Christ, the Good Teacher. Jesus sees how untrue they are to what they teach. Jesus corrects them by the example of His Father, who has sent Him to save all people regardless of social status. Jesus corrects them, but they do not listen. To be great, my dear brothers and sisters, is to be a servant to all. This is the message of Jesus to those who are hypocrites. 

It is through Jesus that we come to know the unconditional love of the Father in heaven. That is why we can call God as our Father, because it is through Jesus and with Jesus, that we all become God's beloved children. God is great, and His greatness is shown to us by His fidelity. He is a God who stoops down in order for us to partake of His divine love. 

Jesus does not question leadership, but simply rectifies the manner of serving others. There is nothing wrong if honor is given to someone who deserves it, as a compliment to how efficient or effective one has been as a servant. But let us ask ourselves. Does my service or my example allow others to attain the fullness of their humanity? Does my leadership encourage my people to perpetuate the values that respect humanity? If not, we cannot call ourselves a leader. 

Then we should do justice. If giving up your position is necessary, do so for the greater glory of God. Give up your position. It is only in giving up that you realize how powerless you are, and that there is someone greater up there. Even if you are great in the eyes of the world, you should remember that you are, in fact, powerless. You are always powerless; you are always in need of God. And it is when you are powerless that you come to know that you cannot carry the weight of the world, but you are assured of the redemption or rest that you can only find in the One who has already carried your cross. This is what the Scribes and Pharisees have failed to do. 

My dear brothers and sisters, let us not be like the Scribes and Pharisees. Let us be the source of truth, order and harmony in our society. Let us pursue happiness by allowing God to be our Father. And that is what our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Brother and our Friend, teaches every now and then, especially in the celebration of the sacraments. Jesus is teaching us to be like Him, in view of His redemptive suffering. Maging mapagmalasakit tayo sa iba. Amen.