Gospel Reflection

June 14, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Msgr. Bong Lo (Chaplain, Chapel of Eucharistic Lord)

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

Reading 1 2 Cor 4:7-15

Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 116:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

R. (17a) To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I believed, even when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
I said in my alarm,
“No man is dependable.”
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Mt 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

HOMILY

There is a saying in English that goes, "If others can, so can I." Kung kaya ng iba, kaya ko rin. Pero parang mas maganda ang sinasabi ng kaibigan ko na, "If others can do it, let them do it." (laughs) Why should I do it? Kung kaya nilang gawin, di gawin nila. Bakit ako ang gagawa? (laughs)

My dear sisters and brothers, our First Reading for today from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, tells us that St. Paul, just like countless human beings, including you and me, went through a lot of difficulties, trials, persecutions. Marami siyang pinagdaanan. Marami siyang problemang hinarap, marami siyang krus na pinasan. Pero ang lahat ay pinasan niya, sinuog niya, pinasok niya, at ito ay nalampasan niya, napagtagumpayan niya. In our Reading, St. Paul says that "We are afflicted in every way but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

It is good to know na hindi lang ikaw ang may problema, na hindi lang ikaw ay may pagsubok sa buhay. Misery loves company, ano. (laughs) It is much better to know na ang lahat ng pagsubok ay pwedeng pasahan, pwedeng lampasan, pwedeng pagtagumpayan. 

Of course, it is sad to know na may mga taong bumigay. May mga taong hindi nila nalampasan. They were driven to despair. We have no right to judge them; we have no right to condemn them. We have to pray for them, and offer them our compassion and support. But we should never forget that we are not alone in facing the challenges of life, and we can learn from others. 

St. Paul, in the First Reading says, 'We hold this treasure in earthen vessels.' Ang ibig sabihin nito ay palayok, na gawa sa clay, very fragile, breakable, madaling mabasag. But within this breakability, this fragility, there is a treasure within us, and that is the surpassing power of God. God's presence and graces are always with us, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness or in health, not only until death, but even beyond. So this fragility of our being earthen vessels, sa kabila ng ating mga kahinaan, karupukan, kadukhaan bilang mga palayok, within us is that power, that grace, that strength from God that we can always access.

On the other hand, the Gospel Reading talks about marriage and divorce. Again, we have no right to judge or condemn those couples who have separated and who have married again. Our duty is to pray for them, to extend to them our understanding, support and compassion. But we know what is the ideal. And with the grace of God, let us do our best to help one another to uphold and fight for the ideal. Alam nating may mga taong nakayanan nila. If they can do it, so can we. Of course, we have different personalities, different circumstances, but we all have that treasure of God's presence and grace in us, to help us. We need to commit and communicate at a deeper level, para tanggapin ang dapat tanggapin, at baguhin ang dapat baguhin. 

In the Sermon of the Mount, in the fifth chapter of Matthew, God said, blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. And according to biblical scholars, to be pure of heart means to be focused, to be committed, hindi divided ang attention. Focused, committed. Focused on God. Kung papansinin mo 'yong ibang aspekto ng buhay o pagkatao ng asawa mo, eh talagang madidismaya ka. We really need to focus our attention and to re-commit ourselves. 

Sabi ng Panginoong Hesus, 'anyone who looks at a woman with lust, has committed adultery'. Pero dapat gender-sensitive na rin ngayon, ano. Any woman who looks at a man with lust also commits adultery, ano po? (laughs) Hindi lang mga lalaki ang tumitingin na may lust. Pati mga babae din. (laughs) Dapat fair din, ano po? There are really different ways of looking, of seeing. We say that the eyes are a window of the soul. Mayroong tingin na talagang very loving, very respectful. Pero mayroong tingin na magtatanong ka nga kung paano ba ang tingin niya sa iyo, ano. How does the person look at you? May galang ba o wala? May malasakit ba o galit? 

Finally, in the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, chapter 4 verse 8, St. Paul said, "Brothers and sisters, whatever is truthful, whatever is holy, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is noble, whatever deserves praise, think about it." Dapat daw po ang ating isip should be filled with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, noble and deserves admiration. Let us be like this. Magandang 'yan ang ating iniisip.

It is said - Plant a thought, and harvest words. Plant words, and harvest actions. Plant actions and harvest habit. Plant habit and harvest character. Plant character and harvest destiny.

Gospel Reflection

June 13, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church

by Msgr. Bong Lo (Chaplain, Chapel of Eucharistic Lord)

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

Reading 1 2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6

Brothers and sisters: To this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel, but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. And even though our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 10b) The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

Gospel Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:  “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

HOMILY

How would you translate this English word into a Tagalog word? The English word is 'light' - L-I-G-H-T. Ano po sa Tagalog? (A majority say 'liwanag', 'ilaw', Mammu says 'magaan'.) So, most of you answered 'liwanag' or 'ilaw', which is correct, pero may isa o dalawang boses akong narinig na ang sabi ay, 'magaan', which is also correct.

It is very interesting to note that when there is light, when we are enlightened, when we see things clearly, when we see the bigger picture, when we see with a clearer vision, we can feel a lot lighter. Kung maliwanag ang ating pang-unawa, maliwanag ang ating paningin, nakikita natin ang iba't ibang aspekto ng isang bagay, mas magaang ang dating. The less we are enlightened, the less we see things clearly, the less we see the bigger picture, the narrower our vision, mas mabigat ang kalooban.

In the First Reading of today, in the letter of Paul to the Corinthians, sabi niya, the Jews during his time who listen only to Moses but do not listen to Jesus are people who are veiled. Napipiringan ang mga mata, natatakpan ang paningin. Hindi sila makakita ng liwanag, they are in the dark. Whereas those who believe and listen to Jesus are truly unveiled. Sila ay nakakakita, hindi natatakpan, hindi napipiringan ang mga mata sa katotohanan.

In the Gospel Reading according to Matthew, Jesus said that it is not enough that you have not killed. Kailangan din, you don't hate. Maaaring saibhin mo, over naman si Jesus. Hindi daw tama na sabihin mo sa brother mo na siya ay isang fool. Eh talagang fool naman siya, eh. Natural lang naman 'yon eh. At least di ko siya pinatay. Galit lang ako sa kanya. Namumuhi lang ako sa kanya dahil sa ginawa niya. So if we don't see the point of Jesus, maaaring ganoon ang dating sa atin, na sobra naman si Jesus. Napaka-strict naman. 

Let us pray, dear sisters and brothers, to see clearly the point of Jesus, to see the bigger picture, to realize that big things come from small things. That physical assassination usually comes from character assassination. Ok, it's natural to be angry. But as St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, do not let the sun set on your anger. Huwag mong hintayin na lumubog pa ang araw sa iyong galit. This means huwag mong patagalin ang iyong galit. Buong araw, buong buwan, buong taon, buong buhay. Yes, it is natural to be angry some times. And it is even necessary to be angry some times. Pero ang point ni Jesus, huwag magtanim ng sama ng loob. Anger and hatred are two different things. Let us see the bigger picture. Lahat naman tayo ay nagkakamali at nagkakasala, and if we ask forgiveness from God, and share forgiveness, gagaan ang ating kalooban.

Yesterday, at 4:30 in the morning, I flew to Bacolod to visit our former rector who is now 90 years old and is at the ICU. 12:30 nasa Manila na ako, nag-breakfast lang ako do'n. (laughs) There have been things between us, may mga nangyari, may mga nasabing hindi maganda ang bawat isa. I talked to my former rector and said, "Monsignor, I came to see you. I came to thank you for everything. I came to ask forgiveness." But I did not tell him, 'and I forgive you, too'. Iba naman ang dating no'n. (laughs) I said, "I understand you. I know you have a good heart. Human as we are, talaga pong minsan ay nagkakamali tayo." Then I told him to be at peace, and for us to pray for each other.

My sisters and brothers, we pray in this mass to be able to see clearly. Jesus is the light of the world, the light of our life. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus will make us feel lighter. Let us pray na maging mas magaan ang lahat. Maybe not completely, but less heavier. Kung ating mapapatawad ang isa't isa, kung magbibigayan ang isa't isa, mas magiging magaang ang ating paglalakbay, mas magiging magaan ang pagpasan natin ng krus sa buhay. 

Gospel Reflection

June 12, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

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

(Spiritual Director, Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Center, Guadalupe, Makati City)
12;15PM Mass, Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

Reading 1 2 Cor 3:4-11

Brothers and sisters: Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its glory that was going to fade, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory. Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was going to fade was glorious, how much more will what endures be glorious.

Responsorial Psalm PS 99:5, 6, 7, 8, 9

R. (see 9c) Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
O LORD, our God, you answered them;
a forgiving God you were to them,
though requiting their misdeeds.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.

Gospel Mt 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

HOMILY

If you see someone who is beautiful, can you imagine how beautiful is the one that made her or him? Can you imagine how beautiful is the source of all beauty? If you admire someone who is holy, can you imagine how holy is the source of holiness? That is what the First Reading is all about. You don't simply admire the beauty of the face of Moses brought about by his holiness, but the people are invited how holy is the God who made Moses holy.

Today, we are celebrating Independence Day. And the simple dynamics is that we begin with dependence, independence and interdependence. Dependence is when, as a little child, we grow dependent to the family to teach us how to live life, how to survive, and most of all, to know what is right or wrong. Independence is not the capacity to do anything you want. Independence is the capacity to exercise responsible freedom. When you talk about responsible freedom, it is the ability to avoid evil and to do good, as a decision from within, and not simply being dictated by someone outside of you.

Now if you ask yourself, "Am I an independent person?", you can answer it in your own way. In the way you make choices, in the way you decide. This will tell you whether you are really independent. Pag hindi n'yo kayang mag-decide na mag-isa para sa isang tamang bagay, ibig sabihin, hindi kayo malaya. Ang isang kalayaan ay hindi lamang kaya mong gawin ang mga bagay na gusto mong gawin, kundi ay kaya mong gawin ang tama, ayon sa kautusan, ayon sa batas, dahil walang sinumang nagdidikta sa iyo.

The difference, my brothers and sisters, is that some people tend to believe that they are independent. The moment you gain independence from the external, there is clear indication that you are not really independent. Kapag sinabing ikaw ay malaya, ang tanong do'n eh, 'sino po ang may sabing ako ay malaya'?

Ito ang magandang halimbawa. Minsan, dinala ko 'yong mga seminarista diyan po sa Mandaluyong, ano po. Dati ang tawag diyan ay mental hospital. Pinapasyal ko do'n ang mga seminarista para malaman namin kung sino sa amin ang mga may sayad, ano po (laughs) at sino ang may kakilala doon. At habang naglalakad kami nang ganyan, pinapaliwanag ng doktor kung ano ang mga sakit ng mga pasyente, habang ang mga seminarista ay nag-aayos pagkatapos ng aming pamamasyal, ipinasyal po ako ng doktor doon sa mga lugar na hindi pwedeng pasyalan. Bakit? Delikado. Ito ay kung saan ang mga pasyente ay nakakulong kasi violente.

At habang kami po ay naglalakad, 'yong isa pong nakakulong doon sabi niya, "Psst." Alam n'yo naman po tayong mga Pilipino, lumilingon kapag may sumutsot sa atin, ano po. Sabi po ng pasyente sa amin, "Bakit kayong dalawa nakakulong?" (laughs) Ako naman eh nag-isip ano. Ito naman pong doktor na kasama ko, maybe it is a habit, ang sabi'y, "Bakit mo naman nasabing kami'y nakakulong?" Ang sabi ng pasyente, "Eh kasi nasa likod kayo ng rehas."

Di ko naisip - kasi ang pagitan nga naman naming dalawa ay rehas lang, di po ba? Rehas lang. It dawned on me - what really makes you free? Does it mean that if you are given a place to move around, you are free? Maganda pong pagtuunan ng pansin 'yon. Maaaring ang pasyente po ay nasa isang silid, siya po ay namamakuran, meron po siyang rehas at pintuan, ako naman ay malayang naglalakad, pero ang kanyang tanong ay 'bakit kaming dalawa ay nakakulong'. Magandang tanong 'yon eh.

Marahil tayo ay naglalakad, napakalawak. Pero marami sa atin ang nakakulong. We are not free. From what? I do not know. You might not be free from the sin that has been haunting you. You might not be free from the wounds of the past. You might not be free from anything. It's good to ask yourself - are you really free?

Mga minamahal kong mga kapatid, ang palatandaan ng pagiging malaya, ay hindi sa lawak ng lugar na pwedeng lakaran. Kung hindi mo kayang mag-decide nang mag-isa, ibig sabihin, hindi ka malaya. Kung ikaw ay hindi makalabas ng bahay nang wala ang cellphone mo (laughs), hindi ka malaya. Nakalulungkot, ikaw ang bumili ng iyong cellphone, pero ikaw ang alipin ng iyong binili. Kung ikaw ay kumikilos ayon sa sasabihin ng iba, maliwanag na hindi ka malaya. Kung ikaw ay gumagawa ng tama dala ng iyong pagkatakot, ibig sabihin hindi ka malaya. Ang tunay na palatandaan ng malaya ay ginagawa ang tama kahit na siya ay nag-iisa, kahit siya ay tinutuligsa, at kahit walang naniniwala sa kanya. We need to be independent so that we can live in the world around us, interdependently. Look at the dynamics - dependent, independent, interdependent. What is important is for you to reach the level of independence, because if you do not reach the level of independence, you will end up living with others as co-dependent, which means you don't have the capacity to live freely by yourself. Hindi n'yo kayang mag-decide. Alam na alam po n'yo 'yan.

Subukan n'yo kung gaano kayo kalaya. Sa inyong pamilya, sasabihin ninyo, ngayon ay Independence Day, holiday, kayo ay kumain sa labas. Ang tanong - saan? Kahit saan. Kailan? Kahit kailan. Ano'ng kakainin natin? Kahit ano. (laughs) Sino'ng kasama natin? Kahit sino. Hindi po nito ibig sabihin na malaya kayo. Ibig sabihin no'n, wala kayong sariling isip. (laughs) Eh kung baligtarin naman natin. Sasabihin ninyo, tayo'y lumabas ngayon. Ang sasabihin ng inyong pamilya, huwag ngayon. Tayo'y pumunta sa Greenbelt. Huwag diyan. Doon tayo kumain sa McDonald's. Huwag diyan. Kasama natin sila Tito. Huwag sila. 'Yan, mga minamahal ng kapatid, ang palatandaan ng mga taong hindi malaya.....

Gospel Reflection

June 11, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

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

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

Reading 1 Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3

In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the Church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Gospel Mt 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

HOMILY

Magandang tanghali po sa inyong lahat.

Kapag walang asin o kapag walang alat ang ating pagkain, parang walang buhay ang pagkain. Kapag walang ilaw, parang wala ring buhay ang paligid. And that's why whenever we eat, we make sure that there is condiment with us. Either we have salt, or fish sauce, or whatever sauce, kasi 'yon ang nagbibigay ng buhay o lasa sa ating pagkain, Kapag brown-out parang lahat ay down. But notice - pag bumalik ang ilaw, ano ang reaksiyon ng mga tao? Nagsisigawan tayo, na para bang may dumating na Mesias (laughs). Lahat ng mga tao ay masaya, everyone is rejoicing.

That is what Saul has been trying to do - giving life, giving light, and giving vibrancy. And that is the image that Jesus used to describe an apostle and a follower of the Lord. "You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world."

And it is very fitting that we are celebrating today the feast of St. Barnabas. We heard in the introduction that his real name was Joseph, but he was given a new name - Barnabas. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng Barnabas? It means 'son of encouragement'. Why? Kasi si Barnabas ay punong-puno ng buhay. Everywhere he would go, people around him are perked up and given life with his presence. Siguro 'yong personality niya ay talagang very vibrant, na kapag dumating siya, lahat ng mga tao ay sumasaya.

Maraming mga tao na pag dumating, hindi tayo sumasaya, ano. Nalulungkot tayo. Kasi may mga taong napaka-'nega' ng dating. (laughs) 'Yon bang very sarcastic. Parang si Mr. Assimo. Kilala ba n'yo si Mr. Assimo? (mixed reaction from the congregation) Hindi kayo nanonood ng TV show na 'Bubble Gang'? O 'yong mga natawa diyan nanonood sila ng 'Bubble Gang'.

Itong si Mr. Assimo, siya ay isang character sa 'Bubble Gang', na kapag tinanong mo, even the simplest question is treated negatively. I remember one scene, si Mr. Assimo ay pumasok sa isang department store, doon siya sa mga T-shirt. And then sabi noong nagbabantay. "Ah, good morning, Sir. Bibili po kayo ng T-shirt?" Sarcastically, Mr. Assimo will say, "Ay hindi, hindi ako bibili ng T-shirt. Bibili ako ng appliances. Ang ganda ng mga appliances n'yo dito, mukhang T-shirt." (laughs) Then tinanong siya uli, "Para ho ba sa inyo?" "Ay hindi para sa 'kin, para sa iyo. Ikaw ang bibilhan ko ng T-shirt, kasi naaawa na 'ko sa 'yo." Ganyan ang mga taong very negative, eh. Na kahit ang inosenteng tanong, parang binibigyan ng masamang connotation. Sabi ng nagbabantay, "Ay, Sir, dito po may mas malalaking sizes." And then Mr. Assimo says, "Mas malalaking sizes? Ah, ganoon? Ang tingin mo sa 'kin mataba? Hinuhusgahan mo 'ko na napakataba ko o ako'y mukhang comforter?" (laughs) Ganyan ang mga 'negang' tao eh. They do not bring life and vibrancy. They bring the opposite instead.

Pero ano ang sinasabi ng Ebanghelyo sa atin? And what is the message that the feast of St. Barnabas is giving us? As Christians and as followers of the Lord, we are asked to bring life and vibrancy to the world. We should invite the virtue of faith, and not fear. Alam po ninyo, maraming tao ngayon, napapansin ko, they make it a point that whenever they wake up in the morning, the first thing that they do is they make a declaration of faith. Nauuso na ngayon 'yan. Halimbawa, 'yong mga uma-attend sa inyo ng The Feast ni Bo Sanchez sa PICC. Every morning, those who attend the Feast make a faith declaration. Na para bang sinasabing, 'Today, I wake up, and I open myself to the unboundless, limitless blessings of God.' They make that faith declaration. Marami sa atin, pagkagising sa umaga ang ginagawa ay 'fear declaration'. 'Yong paggising mo pa lang sa umaga, sasabihin mo na, "Naku Lord, baka hindi mangyari ang gusto ko. Naku, Lord, parang may bad feel itong araw na ito." What do we do? We invite negative vibes in our lives, instead of inviting positive vibes. To be like Barnabas - to be salt and light of the world - we should be men and women of faith, and not of fear.
I have received a beautiful text message. Ang sabi doon - "When fear knocks at your door, let faith answer the door." Maganda ano. Pag ang takot daw ang kumatok sa ating pintuan, pananampalataya ang dapat magbukas ng pinto. When fears knocks at your door, who answers your door? Baka si Mr. Assimo. (laughs) Kung si Mr. Assimo ang magbubukas ng pinto ninyo, naku lahat ng kamalasan, lahat ng negative energy, papasok. But when faith answers the door, all the negativity will be shut away, and only the blessings of God will be invited in. That is what it means when we become salt of the earth and light of the world. That we become like Barnabas to one another.

In this Holy Mass, let it be the grace that we will ask from the Lord - that we may be men and women of encouragement. Let us encourage ourselves, let us encourage one another. When fear knocks at our door, let us allow faith to answer it, and drive away fear in our lives. Amen.