Gospel Reflection

May 30, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Rolando B. Briones

(OFM Capuchin, Parish Priest, St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, Mandaluyong City)
6:00PM Mass, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (Megamall Chapel)

 

Reading 1 Sir 42:15-25

Now will I recall God’s works; what I have seen, I will describe. At God’s word were his works brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them. As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the LORD fills all his works; Yet even God’s holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the LORD, Though God has given these, his hosts, the strength to stand firm before his glory. He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their innermost being he understands. The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come: He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him. Perennial is his almighty wisdom; he is from all eternity one and the same, With nothing added, nothing taken away; no need of a counselor for him! How beautiful are all his works! even to the spark and fleeting vision! The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, For each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor?

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6a) By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
For upright is the word of the LORD
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask;
in cellars he confines the deep.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all who dwell in the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it was made;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.

Gospel Mk 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”  And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

HOMILY

We are now on the seventh day of our Novena for our Eucharistic Lord, in preparation for the fiesta mass on June 2. And our Gospel for today is about the healing of the blind man, Bartimaeus. The Gospel serves, first, as a commentary to the preceding Gospel of Mark which starts from Chapter 3, Verse 2, and second, as an introduction to the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. This Gospel of the healing of the blind man serves as a hinge of two Gospels, which means that it is very important in the Gospel of Mark. Although blind, Bartimaeus recognized the presence of Jesus when He arrived, as he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." It is because Bartimaeus had a deep, strong faith in God. Matindi ang kanyang pananampalataya Kay Hesus. He saw Jesus through the eyes of faith, which is contrasting to the actions of the disciples who lacked faith. Even during the Passion of Christ - sa gitna ng paghihirap ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo - Jesus' apostles and disciples abandoned Him, and recognized Him again only after His Resurrection. This is what St. Mark wanted to emphasize in this Gospel.

In relation to the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem, I want to stress about the importance of the Eucharist. First, the Gospel of John stresses the Crucifixion and Death of Christ. And in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, importance is given to the Last Supper. These two important events are the same, isa lang po 'yon. The Eucharist is both an event and a Sacrament that commemorates the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist as a Sacrament, we are renewing Jesus's sacrifice, as members of the Church. The Eucharist, then, is both a renewal and a celebration.

In the renewal and celebration of the Eucharist, we see Jesus, both as a victim and priest. Bilang pari, si Hesus ang nag-aalay, at Siya rin ang iniaalay. And we, as members of the Church, are called the mystical Body and Blood of Christ. Therefore, kasali po tayo, first, in the offering of Jesus Christ as a priest and as a victim, and second, in the offering of the mystical Body and Blood of Christ. And as part of the Body of Christ, with Jesus as the Head, each one of us is also a priest and a victim, dahil nasa sa atin po 'yong tinatawag na universal priesthood, by virtue of our baptism. Napakahalagang tandaan po that the Eucharist happens to us every day in our celebration and our renewal as priest and a victim. Baka po kasi akala ninyo po, kami lamang ang mga pari. Lahat po ng bumubuo ng simbahan ay mga pari. Dito po natin makikita na ganito po kaganda ang Eukaristiya.

Once there was a mass celebrated by St. Padre Pio. And while Padre Pio was celebrating the Holy Eucharist. one of the parishioners noticed that he had a crown of thorns.  And when the parishioner told Padre Pio about it, ano'ng sinabi ni Padre Pio? It is because the Eucharist is the celebration of the Passion, Death, and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is real. Sabi nga, mas mananatili pa tayong buhay kahit hindi sumikat ang araw, pero 'yong mawala ang Eukaristiya sa araw-araw ay maaari nating ikamatay. Without the Eucharist, we will not also have the Church. Mawawala din po ang Simbahan.

Napakaganda din po ng ating Eucharistic celebration because it is a conversation. That is why we are called to participate and respond during the celebration. Unless, hindi kayo sumasagot. Marami pong ganoon na habang nasa misa ay nakatingin lang, hindi rin kumakanta. It is important for all the faithful to participate in the mass, as it is conversational, from beginning to the end. Tayo po ay kumakausap sa Diyos at ang Diyos ay tumutugon sa atin. God is talking to us, the Holy Spirit is talking to us, the priest is talking to us, and we respond in return. That is why the Eucharist is alive. It is the celebration of the Holy Trinity. Malungkot po na ang Diyos ay nakikipag-usap sa atin and yet, hindi po tayo sumasagot, hindi ba? Halimbawa sa kasal, minsan po ang inuuna ay ang damit, ikalawa ay ang picture-taking. Minsan po punong-puno na ng photographers ang altar, minsan po ay katabi ko na sila. They are not aware of these things. It is important for us to remember that the Eucharistic celebration is a memorial of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.That is why Jesus told His disciples to "Do this in memory of Me.".

After the Resurrection, the apostles recognized Jesus only during the breaking of bread. Sana ganoon din po tayo, that every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ lives in us....na ang Panginoong Hesukristo ay nabubuhay sa atin, kasama natin. Tayo ay kaisa ni Hesus sa Eukaristiya kaya sana ay huwag nating iwanan ang Panginoong Hesukristo. Jesus personally gave to us His Body and Blood, and all of us are also here as the mystical Body and Blood of Christ, that is why hindi tayo pwedeng paghiwalayin in the celebration of the Eucharist. It is our sanctification, as followers of Christ, na magkaroon tayo ng matinding pagmamahal sa ating Panginoong Hesukristo, gaya ng pagmamahal Niya sa bawat isa sa atin. Let us ask the Lord to help us, and to enlighten us, and to guide us.

Gospel Reflection

May 29, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

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 Sir 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17

Come to our aid, O God of the universe, look upon us, show us the light of your mercies, and put all the nations in dread of you! Thus they will know, as we know, that there is no God but you, O Lord.

Give new signs and work new wonders.

Gather all the tribes of Jacob, that they may inherit the land as of old, Show mercy to the people called by your name; Israel, whom you named your firstborn. Take pity on your holy city, Jerusalem, your dwelling place. Fill Zion with your majesty, your temple with your glory.

Give evidence of your deeds of old; fulfill the prophecies spoken in your name, Reward those who have hoped in you, and let your prophets be proved true. Hear the prayer of your servants, for you are ever gracious to your people; and lead us in the way of justice. Thus it will be known to the very ends of the earth that you are the eternal God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 79:8, 9, 11 and 13

R. (Sirach 36:1b) Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
R. Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. Show us, O Lord, the light of your kindness.

Gospel Mk10:32-45

The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “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 who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, ‘What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, ‘We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

HOMILY

Magandang tanghali po sa inyo lahat.

There was this famous cardiologist who usually appears on television and is, most of the time, interviewed in CNN. I remember one time, he said, that for you to become a physician, you have to be very arrogant. Sabi niya, kailangan daw maging mayabang ka. But it is a controlled type of arrogance, according to him. Sabi niya, "It takes arrogance to cut someone into half, take out his heart, and believe that you can cure him." Kailangan daw malakas ang loob mo para gawin 'yon. "....And when you have cured him, you give thanks to God and pray to Him, because you know that it is only through the grace of God that you were able to go through it."

Maganda 'yong sinabi niya, ano. Alam nyo, no'ng pinagninilayan ko 'yong sinabi niya. sabi ko sa sarili ko, siguro kung ako'ng doktor, madali siguro akong yayabang din. Biro mo hahatiin mo 'yong dibdib ng isang tao, kukunin mo 'yong puso niya at ooperahan mo. And then you are able to cure the person of his ailment. At kapag nagawa mo 'yon, siguro ang pakiramdam mo talaga'y Diyos ka. But according to him, once you have done that, you can only thank God and pray to him, because it is only through the grace of God that you are able to do it.

In our Gospel for today, the message is very simple. In our Gospel, we can see two conflicting world views. Ano 'yong unang world view? It is the selfless world view. Ang sabi ni Hesus, tayo ngayon ay pupunta sa Herusalem. At pagdating natin sa Herusalem, the Son of Man - referring to Himself - will be handed over to the Gentiles. And there, He would die and rise again. So, ano ang pinapakita ni Hesus? It is the attitude of offering yourself to the other.

Ano 'yong nakita nating world view ng mga disipulo? Habang nagsasalita si Hesus about his impending death, the disciples were arguing among themselves who is the greatest. At ito pang si James at si John, ano 'yong kanilang request sa Panginoon? Can you grant that one sits at Your left, and the other at Your right? While Jesus was talking about the selfless world view, the disciples were pre-occupied with the selfish world view. Magkaiba ang pananaw nila. And at the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells us that it cannot be that way with you. Anyone who wants to be first must be the last. And anyone who wants to be last should be the first. That is the paradox of Christian discipleship.

Siguro sa tanghaling ito, I want to offer two practical recommendations, so we can adopt this selfless world view. Ano po 'yong una? Number one, let us not take ourselves too seriously. Don't take yourself too seriously. Kilala ninyo si Pope Francis, at alam nating marami tayong nababasa tungkol kay Pope Francis. Alam ninyo 'yong kanyang mga security officer, nalilito na. Lahat sila ay gulong-gulo na. Bakit? Every now and then, every morning, they will not find Pope Francis in his private quarters. Minsan magugulat sila, si Pope Francis matatagpuan nila, naglalakad doon sa Vatican. One time, matatagpuan nila si Pope Francis na nandoon sa ordinary room ng parish, uupo doon sa adoration chapel, doon sa likod, kasama ng mga tao. And then 'yong mga tao magugulat. Pag lingon nila, ang katabi nila ay si Pope Francis. Just imagine, kung halimbawa nakaupo kayo diyan sa adoration chapel, and then, pagkagising mo - dahil natutulog ka na - (laughs), makikita mong katabi mo na si Pope Francis. Pope Francis does not take himself too seriously. Walang mga assi-assistant, walang pasecu-security.

Kaya nga mayroong isang anecdote in the Vatican. Pinapagalitan daw si Pope Francis. Ang sabi daw ng protocol officer, 'hindi ka umaayos, hindi ka kumikilos katulad ng isang Santo Papa'. And then ang sabi daw ni Pope Francis "When I accepted the papacy, I was told that I was to be the successor of the poor fisherman in Galilee, not of the Roman Emperor'. Maganda 'yong sinabi niya. He does not take himself too seriously.

Eh tayo - do we take ourselves too seriously? Nabigyan lang tayo ng kaunting posisyon, ang pakiramdam natin, we own the world. Siguro in this mass, let it be one practical question that we can ask ourselves. Do you take yourself too seriously? Pag hindi mo nakukuha 'yong gusto mong makuha, nagdi- 'divah moment' ka ba? (laughs) Marami sa atin, pag hindi lang natin nakuha 'yong ating gusto, eh we go into an emotional feat, ano? Mga 'divah moments'....

Second recommendation - celebrate the presence of other people in your life. Alam ho n'yo, si John Stockton is the NBA all-time leader in assists. Para sa mga hindi naglalaro ng basketball, 'yong assist po ay 'yong pag ipinasa mo 'yong bola sa iyong kakampi...at dahil sa ipinasa mo 'yong bola sa iyong kakampi, naka-shoot ang iyong kakampi. That is an assist. Tayong mga nanonood ng basketball, kung hindi natin naiintindihan 'yong laro, ang nakikita lang natin ay 'yong sumu-shoot, at ang pinapalakpakan lang natin ay 'yong nakaka-shoot. Ang sabi ni John Stockton, "In every goal is a hidden assist." We can ask ourselves - what are the goals that we have accomplished in our life? And have you acknowledged the hidden assist that was given to you in every goal that you were able to accomplish? Minsan ang nakikita lang natin 'yong goal...hindi 'yong nagbigay ng assist.

In this Holy Mass, let that be the grace that we will ask from the Lord. The grace not to take ourselves too seriously, and secondly, the generosity to celebrate the presence of other people in our lives. Remember, it was pride that turned angels into devils. And it is humility that turns men into angels. Ang tanong ng Ebanghelyo sa atin ngayon - What are you turning out to be, or what do you want to turn out to be?  

Gospel Reflection

May 28, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Victor Angelo "Gelo" Parlan,

Parochial Vicar, Santa Maria della Strada Parish, Katipunan, Diocese of Cubao, Quezon City)

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

 

Reading 1 Sir 35:1-12

To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the  commandments sacrifices a peace offering. In works of charity one offers fine flour, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise. To refrain from evil pleases the LORD, and to avoid injustice is an atonement. Appear not before the LORD empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. The just one’s offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High. The just one’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means.

For the LORD is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. But offer no bribes, these he does not accept! Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion. For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.

Responsorial Psalm PS 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
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 Mk 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

HOMILY

"I have given up everything for you." "Ibinigay ko na ang lahat para sa iyo." Most of the time, we tell this to a person to make him realize how generous we have been. To make him realize how much we have given, how much we have lost, how much we have sacrificed. That is why often, may karugtong ang linyang iyon. "I have given up everything for you. What are you willing to give me in return?" 

Dear friends, sometimes, we find ourselves telling these same words to God. "Lord, I have given up everything to follow You." This is what Peter and the disciples explained to Jesus in the Gospel for today. But they did not have to ask what Jesus was ready to give to them in return. Because Jesus had already answered. Jesus had a promise. "For those who have given up everything for My sake and for the Gospel....they will receive a hundredfold in the present age...and eternal life in the age to come."

Lord, I have given up everything to follow You. I have given up my time, my talent, my treasure, for Your service. Parang utang na loob sa atin ng Diyos ang bawat lakas at kakayanan na ginugugol natin para sa Kanya. But giving up everything to follow the Lord is not about our generosity to Him. Rather, it is about God's generosity to us. Instead of making us realize how generous we have been, how much we have given, how much we have lost for our service to the Lord, Jesus, in the Gospel, tells His disciples, and thus, all of us today, how much God is willing to give us. 

God cannot be outdone in generosity. God's gift will always be greater than what we can give Him. However, my dear friends, this should not hinder us from being generous. Why? Because only those who know how to give of themselves, only those who are willing to sacrifice, can experience the generosity of God. 

Kapag tayo ay punong-puno ng ating sarili, kapag kinakamkam natin lahat, kapag pakiramdam natin nasa atin na ang lahat, wala nang puwang ang kabutihang-loob ng Diyos. Kapag tayo ay punong-puno na, hindi na tayo mapupuno pa ng kabutihang-loob ng Diyos. This is why only those who have given up everything, those who have experienced to be nothing, are the only ones who can hear the promise of God. 

"Lord, we have given up everything to follow You." When we feel tired and spent because of our service to God, when we feel we have given up so much in order to serve God, then let us remind ourselves of the words in today's Gospel. Lord, we have given up everything to follow You. Let these words not be an expression of remorse or selfish motivations. Let these words be a reminder that it is not about our generosity to God. It is about God's generosity to us. Amen. 

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.