Gospel Reflection

May 27, 2013

Monday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Juancho "Choy" Ramos (Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Parish of Sta. Cruz, Manila)
12;15PM Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

 

Reading 1 Sir 17:20-24

To the penitent God provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth. Return to him and give up sin, pray to the LORD and make your offenses few. Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin, hate intensely what he loathes, and know the justice and judgments of God, Stand firm in the way set before you, in prayer to the Most High God.

Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High in place of the living who offer their praise? Dwell no longer in the error of the ungodly, but offer your praise before death. No more can the dead give praise  than those who have never lived; You who are alive and well  shall praise and glorify God in his mercies. How great the mercy of the LORD, his forgiveness of those who return to him!

Responsorial Psalm PS 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

R. (11a) Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.

Gospel Mk 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell,  and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

HOMILY

'Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." That was the response of the man who was asking for salvation, or how he can inherit eternal life. And as we heard from the Gospel, he did all the commandments. But Jesus said that there is one thing that the man did not do in his life, and that is to sell what he has, his treasures, and give it to the poor.

Oftentimes, we might think that this particular Gospel is only addressed to the rich. But I believe it is not. It is addressed to all of us. In one way or another, we have some attachment. Ito ay pinapahalagahan natin sa ating buhay. And once we try to let go of that attachment that is precious to us, we find it very difficult. Nahihirapan tayong pakawalan ito.

It reminds me of my grandmother, who is so good in keeping things. Mayroon siyang porcelain collection na laging naka-display sa cabinet niya. Ginagamit niya lamang ito kapag may bisita siya sa pamilya, o kung may espesyal na okasyon. And after the event, dahan-dahan niya ulit itong itatago at walang makakahawak ng mga gamit na 'yon.

One time, ang aking isang brother ay nagkaroon ng bisita, kaya kinuha niya ang mga glasses and cups na kailangan niya from the porcelain collection of my grandmother. At ito na ngayon ang Lola namin, nagwala siya in front of my brother. Para sa akin, at that time, ang sabi ko, wow - talagang mahal na mahal ng Lola ko ang mga gamit na 'yon. At ang Lola ko ay paladasal. Palagi siyang nagsisimba, palagi siyang nasa okasyon na kung saan ay mayroong religious event, at hindi siya nawawala sa loob ng simbahan. Pero deep within me, sabi ko, mukhang magkaiba ang kanyang pananampalataya at ang kanyang aksiyon.

My dear friends, this is just one of those concrete actions that probably, in one way or another, show that we have this attitude of attachment. Maaaring hindi tayo attached sa salapi, maaaring hindi tayo attached sa mga bagay, pero attached naman tayo sa tao. Na kung minsan, hindi natin mapakawalan ang tao na 'yon dahil mahalaga siya sa ating buhay. It could be in terms of family, in terms of friendship, in terms of work, in terms of things that are so dear to us. But the challenge here is - is this really my focus or priority in life?

The challenge is to take God as our primary focus in life. Siya ang priority ng ating buhay. Anuman ang ating mithiin, anuman ang ating galaw, anuman ang ating gawin, kapag siya ang sentro ng ating buhay, lahat ng meron tayo ay magkakaroon ng kahulugan. This is our prayer in this celebration. I hope that as we receive Jesus during Communion time, let us ask ourselves - Lord, ano nga ba ang priority ko sa buhay ko? Ikaw ba ang sentro ng aking buhay, o ano nga ba ang gusto kong mangyari sa aking buhay? If our answer is 'yes', then we are close to the entrance of heaven. Let us challenge ourselves to make sure that Jesus will be the center of our lives. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

May 26, 2013

Sunday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

The Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

by Rev. Fr. Rufino "Jun" C. Sescon, Jr. - Chaplain, Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel (Greenbelt Chapel), Makati
6:00PM Anticipated Sunday Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, (Greenbelt Chapel) Makati

 

Reading 1 Prv 8:22-31

Thus says the wisdom of God: "The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; from of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water; before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth; while as yet the earth and fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.

"When the Lord established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep; when he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth; when he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command; then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the human race."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (2a) O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place —
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
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. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
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. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

Reading 2 Rom 5:1-5

Brothers and sisters: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Gospel Jn 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

HOMILY

Once again, good evening po sa inyong lahat. (people greet Father Jun a good evening)

As a sign of our welcome and observance of our May flower offering to the Blessed Lady, we have with us the pilgrim image of the Our Lady of Guidance, Nuestra Senora de Guia. Let us give Our Lady a welcome applause. (warm applause) As was mentioned earlier, she - of course not this particular image, but the one in Ermita - is the oldest Marian image venerated in the country. It is believed that during the time of Magellan, she was already brought, and for some reason, she was given to Cebu, then brought to Manila, and when Legazpi came, to their surprise, they saw the natives paying homage to an image, and they found the image of Our Lady over a pandan shrub. Doon po siya natagpuan. And from then on, the Spanish colonizers transferred her to the church. It is believed that when she was being paid homage by the natives, they found her very powerful, but they did not immediately understand who she really was. It was only later on that she was referred to as Our Lady, when she was eventually rediscovered by the Spaniards. She is the patron, not only of seafarers, but also of travelers, the voyagers. At dahil malapit siya sa Ermita, sabi nga ng parish priest, siya na ngayon ang ex-officio patrona ng mga nag-a-apply ng US visa, kasi malapit siya sa US Embassy. Kaya bago ma-interview, ay dumadaan muna sila upang manalangin, magpasalamat o humingi ng tulong sa kanya, dahil tungkol din naman 'yon sa paglalakbay. Later on, I hope you could join us in our Marian procession in honor of Our Lady.

Before I begin our reflection, let me give you a little test. I call this the 'age test'. Doon daw natin malalaman kung sino sa inyo ang may edad na. (laughs) (The picture of a cassette tape is shown on the projector screen). So 'yan ho ang unang una. Alam n'yo ho ba 'yan? Ang mga bata ho siguro ay hindi nila alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin niyan, ano. Unang una, ano po 'yong nasa taas? Cassette tape. Mga bata, alam n'yo pa ba ang cassette tape? At 'yong sa baba naman po ay lapis. Ano'ng kinalaman ng cassette tape at lapis? (people explain it to father) Mukhang marami nang matatanda dito sa misang ito, ano. (laughs) Napaghahalata. So 'yong mga bata, nagtataka kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila. Sa ganitong bahagi, ginagamit po ang lapis na pang-rewind pag hirap nang i-rewind ang ribbon ng cassette tape. (most youth laugh)

The next slide shows the picture of a floppy disk. Para saan po ang floppy disk? Ito ay pang-store ng data. Pero ngayon, ano na ang ginagamit na pang-store ng data? USB. 'Yan. Meron pa ba kayong floppy disk sa bahay? (laughs) 'Yong thesis ko, nakalagay pa sa malaking floppy disk. Ngayon ay pamaypay ko na lang 'yan. (laughs) Mga bata, tingnan n'yo na 'yang maigi dahil sa susunod ay sa museum n'yo na sila makikita, ano? (laughs)

Then...next slide...(laughs and mixed comments/conversations) Ayan....gusto ko 'yan....Unahin natin 'yong pahaba. Ano ho 'yong pahaba? TV. Mga bata, alam n'yo ba, noong unang panahon, wala pang remote control. 'Yong bunso ang remote control. (laughs) Dahil siya ang inuutusang magpihit ng channel. At siguro, mai-imagine n'yo. Papaano ako makakapanood ng HBO? (laughs) At ng Solar Sports? Eh hanggang 13 lang ang channel. So 'yon po noong unang panahon. Naghahanap po ako ng TV na may pintuan sana, ano. (laughs) Naalala ko dati, may bintana pa 'yon, ano, para di maalikabukan.

At 'yong nasa gawing kaliwa po naman ay ang lumang telepono. Ganoon pala ang hitsura ng telepono, 'no? Mga bata, kung makikita ninyo 'yong ABC sa teleponong 'yan, 'yon 'yong counterpart ng cellphone n'yo. Kaya kung ang number mo ay zero (0), aabutan ka nang siyam-siyam, dahil hihintayin mong kumonekt muna siya. I remember I was conversing with some young people, we were talking about party line. Sabi nila, ano 'yong party line, Father? May party kayo sa telepono? Sabi ko, ang party line noong unang panahon, ay mortal enemy number one, dahil siya ang umuubos ng oras, kung gusto mong tumawag. Kaya pag kilala mo kung sino ang party line mo noong unang panahon, nilulusob, inaaway, para ibaba nila ang kanilang telepono.

I showed these to you, because these are the things that the kids - our future generation - will never know anymore. They are already considered museum pieces. Now, why am I mentioning this? These are items the future generation will never get to see. But you know, there are also words that the future generation will never get to hear or encounter anymore. This we find funny. But in a study of the words that our kids will never know later on, it would be alarming.

The other week, in New York Times, David Brooks had an article on what our words tell us. And he had a little research with the help of Google, in trying to determine what are the words which are less being used by the generations now. He gathered some statistics and had other researches for...48 years, from 1960 to 2008. And you know what he discovered over those 48 years? If some words and phrases are now being used more frequently, some words and phrases are now being used less frequently. And what are those words?

It was discovered that in this present generation, these words and phrases are being used more frequently: PERSONALIZED, SELF, STAND-OUT, SELF UNIQUE, I COME FIRST, I CAN DO IT MYSELF. On the other hand, words like COMMUNITY, SHARE, COLLECTIVE, TRIBE, UNITED, BAND TOGETHER, COMMON GOOD were less and less being used. And this is alarming, because eventually, there was the study which came to the conclusion that there is a rise of individualism by the words we use. Our society is becoming more and more individualistic.

Another study was found out by Mr. Brooks in his article. The study found out another set of words being used less frequently, and another set of words being used more frequently. And what are these words? DEPENDABILITY, DISCIPLINE, PREFERENCES, SUBJECTIVITY, PSYCHOLOGY, INFORMATION. Mas madalas na daw pong ginagamit 'yan. At ano naman po 'yong mas kaunti na lang? DECENCY, VIRTUE, CONSCIENCE, HONESTY, PATIENCE, COMPASSION, FORTITUDE, MODESTY, WISDOM, OUGHT, EVIL. And other words which describe values and virtues. Other words which refer to morality like BRAVERY, HUMILITY, GRATITUDE, KINDNESS. The words 'dependability', 'discipline', etc are about production and exchange. And that is why David Brooks came to a second conclusion by analyzing the words we say. Because the words we say reveal who we are. And the second story is the rise of demoralization. The rise of individualism and demoralization can be found in the words we use.

Perhaps we will say, "Gano'n ba 'yon? Masyado yatang OA naman Father. Simpleng mga salita lang, gano'n na kaagad ang conclusion." Panic mode kaagad tayo. But remember, the words we use reveal who we are. And I find it interesting because when I read the article, David Brooks said that individualism and demoralization come together. The more individual you are, the more demoralized you become. And I find that very, very crucial because of what we celebrate today. Today, as we all know, we celebrate the solemnity of the Blessed Trinity - Father, Son, and Spirit. And whenever we celebrate the Blessed Trinity, the Church gives us another language, the original language from which we are born. If the world today is telling us that our language speaks of individualism, the Blessed Trinity talks about communion. If our language today talks about demoralization, the Blessed Trinity talks about selfless love. The Church, every time we celebrate the Blessed Trinity, is offering us the antidote to what is destroying the world today.

Now, some people ask, "Bakit ba tayo magbe-Blessed Trinity? Nakakain ba 'yan? Bakit ang simbahan mahilig sa mga doctrine, Blessed Trinity, nakakasagot ba 'yan sa kahirapan? May kinalaman ba 'yan sa karahasan, sa kawalan ng katarungan? Now, we realize, the answer is 'yes'. Because whenever we affirm our belief in the Blessed Trinity, we also affirm who we are. That we are all born in the image and likeness of God, the Blessed Trinity. Therefore, we are born for selfless love. We are born for communion. We are born for teamwork.

Napakaganda po ng sinasabi sa atin. Kaya nga sa bawat galaw natin, we say 'In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' Hindi 'yan magic. Ang pag-antanda ng krus at pagsambit ng pangalan ng Santisima Trinidad, ay hindi po nakagawian lang natin. Kaya po natin 'yan sinasambit...para ipa-alala sa 'tin na tayong mga tao...dapat matulad sa Diyos. Ang Diyos, oo, iisa, pero hindi siya nag-iisa. Ang Diyos ay isa, AT nagkakaisa. And here we see in the readings, the beautiful dynamics between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They are all powerful, but never did we hear the word 'power' whenever we talk of the Blessed Trinity. We only hear of the word 'love'. The exchange of love. Hindi nagpapaligsahan ang Ama, Anak at Espiritu Santo. Hindi pinag-uusapan kung sino ang mas magaling, kung sino ang dapat makapangyarihan, kung sino ang dapat na mas mataas. Unfortunately, in our world today, our language is competition. Who should be in control. Who should be in power. But the Blessed Trinity is telling us, that is not originally ours. Our real language is selfless love. Learning to yield, learning to sacrifice, learning to search for a common good. Dahil 'yan po ang ipinapakita sa atin ng Diyos.  

That is our language, brothers and sisters. Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. Yes, so many things change. The gadgets of today will be museum pieces of tomorrow. The language of today may sound archaic in the future. But the Blessed Trinity, the divine language in which we are made in God's image and likeness, will always be there. And that is why we pray that we may never forget the language of the Blessed Trinity.

Sana po, pag tayo ay nag-aantanda ng Krus, lagi nating na-aalala ang wika ng Diyos. Ang wika ng Banal na Santatlo. Dahil sa mundo ngayon, sari-saring wika ang nais palitan ang wika ng Diyos.

You know, when I meet some Filipinos abroad, sometimes I just smile inside. Nakatagpo na ba kayo ng Pilipino na....pag-uwi dito galing abroad...minsan dito sa Greenbelt, may lalapit sa akin after mass, "Father, eng geleng geleng mow"....(Father, ang galing galing mo.) Pero minsan pag tinanong mo naman kung gaano na siya katagal sa Amerika, isang buwan pa lang naman pala, kararating lang, kababalik lang. (laughs) Minsan po meron tayong ibang kababayan, akala mo kung kalimutan na ang wika, dahil may narinig nang ibang wika. I like aydowbow (adobo) and haylow-haylow (halo-halo). Napunta lang sa Australia, "Good die." (Good day.) (laughs) Pero pag nagulat naman sasabihin, "Naku pu!" (laughs) Barriotic din pala ano ho. (laughs) 'Yong mga ganoon ho ano, pa-impress. Kasi gusto lang nilang sabihin na bago na ang wika nila. Gano'n din minsan ang tao, dahil mayroon din tayong bagong wika - individualism, materialism, consumerism, relativism. Nakakalimutan na natin ang original nating wika.

I remember one time, I met a Filipino community in Spain. Kinukuwento sa akin ng kaibigan ko, "Father 'yan, kararating lang dito, kung mag-Kastila, akala mo kung sino 'yan.... Kami ditong matatagal na." So that's why they play a joke on this lady, because this lady wants to pretend that she is very proficient in Spanish. They told me this joke. They were having an assembly, lumapit daw 'yong ale, then sabi ng isa, "Use 'fuera' in a sentence." Sumagot naman 'yong isa para gumanti. "Mis amigas son hermosas." My friends are beautiful." Sabi no'ng ale, "Nasaan ang fuera do'n?"...."Fuera ka." (laughs) Brothers and sisters, in this mass (laughs)....baka ma-puwera kayo, ingat kayo....

We pray...Lord, remind us always of the Blessed Trinity. Remind us always that we were not born for competition, but for selfless love. We were not born for ourselves alone, but we were born for communion. We were not born simply for success; we were born for love. Dear Lord, whenever we trace ourselves with the Sign of the Cross, whenever we invoke the name of the Blessed Trinity, remind us of our mission, of our vocation, that we were made in Your image and likeness. In this mass, Lord, there are many things that change in our lives. But we pray that one thing may never change - our remembrance that we were created in Your image and likeness. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

May 25, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Ernie M. Cruz, SDB - Rector, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati

6:30AM Mass, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati

 

Reading 1 Sir 17:1-15

God from the earth created man, and in his own image he made him. He makes man return to earth again, and endows him with a strength of his own. Limited days of life he gives him, with power over all things else on earth. He puts the fear of him in all flesh, and gives him rule over beasts and birds. He created for them counsel, and a tongue and eyes and ears,  and an inventive heart, and filled them with the discipline of understanding. He created in them knowledge of the spirit; With wisdom he fills their heart; good and evil he shows them. He put the fear of himself upon their hearts, and showed them his mighty works, That they might glory in the wonder of his deeds and praise his holy name. He has set before them knowledge, a law of life as their inheritance; An everlasting covenant he has made with them, his justice and his judgments he has revealed to them. His majestic glory their eyes beheld, his glorious voice their ears heard. He says to them, “Avoid all evil”; each of them he gives precepts about his fellow men. Their ways are ever known to him, they cannot be hidden from his eyes. Over every nation he places a ruler, but God’s own portion is Israel. All their actions are clear as the sun to him, his eyes are ever upon their ways.

Responsorial Psalm PS 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18

R. (see 17) The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Man’s days are like those of grass;
like a flower of the field he blooms;
The wind sweeps over him and he is gone,
and his place knows him no more.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Gospel Mk 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

HOMILY

Yesterday afternoon, the parish organized a procession. It was a little different because it was a procession of children. Father Dennis chose 24 titles of the Blessed Mother, and made the children put on the attire of the Blessed Mother according to the title. Iba't iba. Mayroong isang title...'yong parang chef 'yong kanyang ulo. 

But one thing was very interesting. They were walking along Glorietta 5 ending in the chapel of Glorietta....or Greenbelt ba 'yon? And then when they arrived after some time of singing, each of those "Ineng Maria" offered flowers to the statue of the Blessed Mother in the chapel. It was so beautiful, when I was just facing them, because some of the kids would place the flowers, and look at the statue, and some of them will even close their eyes in short prayer. Ang gandang tignan, kasi parang very limpid ang tingin ng mga bata. It is so nice to see; very uplifting. 

Our Gospel today talks about children - how Jesus loves children, and how the Church places importance on children, because they are the treasure and future of the Church. Very often, we will encounter ourselves people with certain comments. Comments like, "Ang childish naman ng taong ito. Ang tanda tanda na, parang bata pa." But then, there are also comments like, "Ang ganda ng aura ng taong ito, parang very childlike." These are two opposites in the spectrum of human relationships. One connotes selfishness, anger, the attitude of 'this is mine', 'this is my right', 'everything is for me', 'akin lang ito'. While on the other, you will find the opposite of it - a person able to enjoy, one who is open to the wonders of nature. Parang open sila sa wonder and awe. Everything is beautiful. They are open to anything that connotes trust. 'Yon 'yong attitude ng mga bata whom Jesus was referring to when He said, 'Unless you become like these again, you will not enter the Kingdom of God." 

One can only understand the First Reading of today with an attitude of openness. That there is something different. When a person is open to anything, the sweetness of a child is irresistible. Sabi nga noong isang araw ng aking dating kasamahan sa parokya...he was actually the parish council president in the parish where I came from...noong nagka-apo siya, tawag siya nang tawag, sabi niya, "Ang sarap, Father. Ang sarap magka-apo." Paulit-ulit 'yong salitang sarap. "Ang sarap Father, tinitignan ko lang siya. Paminsan-minsan nakakangiti siya, ang sarap sarap. Parang gustong-gusto kong palaging nagpupunta sa bahay ng aking anak para hawakan ko lang ang apo ko." Even the simplicity of the child is transferred to the grandfather. 

A child does not have status. A child does not have position, not even intelligence. A child is always as he is, facing the people. And this is what the Lord expects from us. We cannot offer anything to the Lord, we offer ourselves as we are. And aware that although we have grown, we still are the same person wanting to see the Lord, wanting to experience everything that comes from the Lord - everything that brings us to awe and wonder, and that is the goodness of God.

We cannot present anything else other than ourselves, and the Lord is already contented seeing the very us, in relating with Him. That we just face Him with our own nothingness. The Lord really would like to see that in us. 

As we continue our celebration today, let us look into our actuation - sometimes our attitude - into the opposite side of relationships. That opposite side of the beauty of being childlike. In the Gospel, the Lord embraced the children and touched them. The Lord was attractive to the children, all because of that aura. When one does not have anything to pride himself of, there is only the goodness of God that comes out of him. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.  

Gospel Reflection

May 24, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Feast of Mary Help of Christians

by Rev. Fr. Benjamin “Benjo” Fajota (Vice Rector of the EDSA Shrine)

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

 

Reading 1 Sir 6:5-17

A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings. Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him. For one sort is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress. Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame. Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes. When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants; But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you. Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends. A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35

R. (35a) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
In your statutes I will delight;
I will not forget your words.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Gospel Mk10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

HOMILY

"Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment." Dahil sa katigasan ng inyong mga puso.....
Kadalasan ganito rin po tayo sa ating pananampalataya. Sinasabi nating tayo ay Katoliko, pero sinusunod lang natin kung ano 'yong convenient sa atin, kung ano 'yong palagay nating tama para sa atin. Pero hindi tayo nakikinig kung ano 'yong ating mga dapat na ginagawa, ang mga alituntunin natin para sa misa, para sa ating pananampalataya. Madalas, tayo ay nagmamatigas, dahil ito ang nakasanayan na, ito ang ating gustong gawin, kaya ito ang ating ipinipilit, kahit hindi tama, kahit baluktot. Kaya kadalasan ay nagagalit sila sa pari kapag nagtuturo ito, kapag iwinawasto ang pagkakamali.
Ngunit ito ang napakalinaw. Wala na sigurong mas lilinaw sa sinabi ni Hesus, "...because of the hardness of your hearts...." That is why Moses was forced to give this commandment of divorce.
Pero ano ang sinabi ni Hesus? "But from the beginning of creation, God made them man and woman...Whoever divorces a woman and marries another, commits adultery against her." Napakalinaw. Ano pa kayang language ang gusto natin para maintindihan natin, para maunawaan natin ang sinasabi ni Hesus? Hindi Siya payag sa diborsyo. Kung sino ang pinagsama ng Diyos, walang sinumang tao ang maaring maghiwalay nito. Kahit na ano pa po ang ibigay nating kadahilanan, hindi ito pinapayagan ng Diyos. Unless, of course, the impediments were already there before the marriage was conducted. Ibig sabihin, bago pa nagkasal ay talagang walang bisa na ang kasal. Doon nagkakaroon ng tinatawag na annulment. Ibig sabihin, sa simula't simula pa ay hindi na valid, o hindi na dapat ang kasal ng mag-asawa.
Kapag ako po ay nag-i-interview ng mga ikakasal, I would always ask the couple: Would you know the reason why couples separate? And then I tell them, according to surveys, the number one reason why couples separate is because of a third party. But then I will advise the couple to have a 'third party' in their relationship, and it is no other than God, of course. Couples think that their love for each other is enough to keep their marriage intact, to make their marriage strong and lasting. Nakakalimutan nila na kahit anuman ang ating itinatayo, gusali man ito o istraktura, o isang relationship, ang pinakamahalaga dito ay ang pundasyon. And the foundation of marriage is none other than the love of God. If we do not put God as a priority in our married life, and in whatever relationship we are in, kapag hindi ito binasbasan ng Diyos, ito ay hindi magtatagumpay. Kaya't ang kanilang sinusulong na same-sex relationship dahil marami nang gumagawa nito, ito ay hindi pagpapalain ng Diyos. Because this is not in accordance with the intention of God when he created man and woman.
Nakakalimutan na rin po siguro ng ating mga kapatid na mga kababaihan, that motherhood is the essence of a woman. Kaya nga ginawa kayo na may sinapupunan, para kayo ay magdalang-tao. Tao ang dinadala sa sinapupunan, hindi kung anong mass o dugo lang. (pause)
Kaya sana, huwag matigas ang ating mga puso kapag narinig natin ang Salita ng Diyos. Hindi lamang ito magandang pakinggan, hindi lamang ito dapat nating i-reflect kung ano ang nararapat, kundi dapat natin itong isinasabuhay. Wisdom comes from humility. The first step to gaining wisdom is humility. Kababaang-loob na tayo ay wala, kapag wala ang Diyos. Na kapag hindi natin sinunod ang Salita ng Diyos, hindi tayo magtatagumpay, hindi tayo magkakamit ng tunay na kaligayahan. Amen.