Gospel Reflection

February 04, 2012

Saturday

Anticipated Sunday Mass (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

by Rev. Fr. Stephen Mifsud (MSSP – Quezon City)

MSSP House / Mass for the poor

First Reading:               Job 7:1-4, 6-7

Psalm:                         Psalm 147:1-6

Second Reading:          1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

Gospel:                        Mark 1:29-39

29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." 38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.er (M

HOMILY

From which book did we listen today the first reading?

Book of Job.

Job was a wealthy man who lost everything, even his family and in today’s reading we hear him complaining “ang buhay ng tao ay sagana sa hirap ... maraming buwan na ang lumipas, walang layon ang buhay ko...”

In his situation, Job is pessimistic and sees only sadness, forced work as he is a slave

Job represents us when the world around becomes heavy, when we lose our happiness, when we lose hope.

           

On the other hand we have the Gospel which presents to us hope, a good news.  We just read about Jesus who heals the mother in law of Peter and all the sick who went to him.

Jesus takes the problem of suffering very seriously.  He doesn’t just talk about it (like politicians) but dips himself in work.  In fact today we see Jesus

1.    Curing the sick

2.    Casting out devils

Jesus is not happy seeing suffering ... so why he does not eliminate it with just one miracle?

There was a Filipino who was complaining to God because of so much suffering in the world... so many people without food, without house, without money, without work.  In frustration, he asked, “Oh God, if you really are loving and powerful, why are you not doing anything to remove the misfortunes and alleviate the suffering of people?” And God replied to this Filipino, “In fact, I have done something already. I created YOU”

God created me and you to be instruments of his healing in the world.  He created us to carry on with his mission of proclaiming his Gospel of life and love.

How? First to be in solidarity with those who are suffering. Like St. Paul’s today “Sa piling ng mahihina, ako’y naging gaya ng mahihina upang mahikayat ko sila”

To be in solidarity means to do what the mother in law of Peter did today after she was healed... what did she do? “naglingkod sa kanila”.  To serve, to help others in their needs, those who live in your same house, to your friends, not only with money but with any talent you have.

The problem is that when I serve I get tired... and sometimes I stop serving.   So when I get tired I need energy.   And from where I get energy? From gin? from gatorade?

When Jesus was tired , he went up the mountain ... to pray.  Jesus needed prayer... and so do I when my life is heavy.

I need prayer.  I need the spirit of Christ otherwise I become tired, life becomes mabigat, boring...

You know why so many people lost the joy of living? Because they lost their hope and faith in Jesus.  Jesus can bring healing, joy and light to our lives... all he wants is

1. PRAY: ibig sabihin: that we come to Him, talk with him, listen to him,
2. SERVE : ibig sabihin : that we help each other and serve.

So let us today change our complaining into action and be instruments in God’s hand to bring healing and life around us.

Gospel Reflection

February 04, 2012

Saturday

St. Joseph of Leonessa, Capuchin, Priest (Memorial)

by V. Romeo A. Almeda

Sharing God’s Message to Me

First Reading:                1 Kings 3:4-13

Psalm:                          Psalm 119:9-14

Gospel:                         Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
M

Pray for Means to Achieve My Ends

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this — not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right — 12 I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you. 13 In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like. 1 Kings 3:10-13

REFLECTION

This is one of my favorite stories. Over the last few days, by Godcidence, I cited this story first to my good buddy (a Protestant) and lately to a sister. This to me is the essence of prayer - first, pray to know God's will; and second, pray for what are needed (the means) to accomplish God's will (the end). God wanted Solomon to govern over His people (the end), so Solomon asked for wisdom to govern (the means). God being so pleased with this request granted Solomon more than what he asked for. The lesson to me here is that if we seek the means to God's end, God will gladly grant it and will generously give more than what we asked for. We can leave it all up to Him to decide what to give us but let us ask Him to make us good instruments or vessels or channels.

The LORD knows the desires of our hearts even before we pray for them. And we know that He has plans for us, for our welfare, not for woe; plans to give us a future full of hope. Is there really any point in asking the LORD to make me "a successful architect" when what that really means is the vanity of riches and fame? But if I ask Him to grant me the Holy Spirit's healing grace when I pray over a sick brother, is there any doubt that He will send me the Holy Spirit while praying? No, there is no doubt. If we who are wicked know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will the heavenly Father grant the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? Through the Holy Spirit, God may extend the life of one man if it is according to His will. If not, He may grant relief from pain or peace of mind or joy in passing, all still through the Holy Spirit.

LORD, make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring Your love. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

January 07, 2012

Saturday

Anticipated Sunday Mass (The Epiphany of the Lord - Solemnity)

by Rev. Fr. Stephen Mifsud (MSSP – Quezon City)

MSSP House / Mass for the poor

First Reading:               Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalm:                         Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13

Second Reading:           Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Gospel:                        Matthew 2:1-12

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 6 `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; 8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." 9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; 11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.raphic Order (M

HOMILY

How many gifts did you receive this Christmas? What type of gifts?

Whose birthday did we celebrate?  Jesus

When someone has a birthday (not you) who receives the gifts? You or the one who has birthday?

Why do you receive gifts if it is not your birthday?

Did you give a gift to Jesus?

For many Filipinos Christmas means asking for and receiving gifts and money... mamasko!!

In our country no one asks for gift! That’s very rude and insulting! A gift is given freely.

Children singing to collect money... for us we go to sing in old people’s homes and hospitals not receive money but to give joy !!

What gift did you give to Jesus on his birthday?   What did you give to others?

you tell me ... Wala akong pera!  mahirap ako! I don’t have anything to give!.

Talaga? Hindi totoo yan!!

What gifts did Jesus receive?

Do you think Jesus needed gold? NO

Do you think Jesus needed Frankincense? NO

Do you think Jesus needs perfume? Maybe yes... kasi mabaho ang lugar full of animals!!

What type of gifts are these? What do they represent if Jesus did not need them?

1. Gold was a symbol of kings... Christ is a king that leads and protects you – what gift you give to a king? King does not need gold but needs people who Listen to him, who obey and respect.  So let our gift be letting God direct our lives. To do what He wants.

2. Frankincense is the sign of the priest. The incense (good smelling smoke) that the priests offers to God as a symbol that the prayers arrive to God on high.   Jesus is the great high priest who bridges the gap between God and man.  How much expensive is a prayer? Nothing... walang bayad !  Prayer is a gift that we can give to Jesus... So many people ate good food, did fireworks ... some of them did not pray and went to meat Jesus in Church.  So when you pray like what you are doing now, you are like the wise men offering Frankincense.

3. Myrrh is the perfume used to anoint the dead.  Jesus saved us from sins by giving everything to us including his life.  How much it cost to go for confession? Nothing! The biggest gift we can give to Jesus is to renew our life, to die for sin and have good Christian life.   Giving perfume means to be in solidarity with those who are suffering... to give the gift of affection.

So if this Christmas you did not give anything to Jesus... its time to give him something for his birthday... not the material gifts that we received but

The gift of LISTENING, OBEDIENCE,

The gift of PRAYER

The gift of RENEWAL and GOOD LIFE, SOLIDARITY with those suffering.

Gospel Reflection

December 03, 2011

Saturday

St. Francis Xavier, Priest (Memorial)

Anticipated Sunday Mass (Second Sunday of Advent)

by Rev. Fr. Stephen Mifsud (MSSP – Quezon City)

MSSP House / Mass for the poor

First Reading:               Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Psalm:                         Psalm 85:9-14

Second Reading:           2 Peter 3:8-14

Gospel:                        Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight -- " 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit the Seraphic Order (M

HOMILY

Story In1980 a disabled man with cerebral palsy was talking to a group of professional footballers.

What could this man tell these footballers? He told them.

“You may kick the best shot, earn thousands of Pesos a year, but when the day comes that they close the lid on that box, you won’t be any different than I am.  That’s one time when we’ll be the same.  I don’t need what you have in life, but one thing’s for sure: you need what I have, and that’s Jesus Christ”

“What I need is Christ” 

Death has no age.  The important thing in life is whether I arrive at Jesus or not.  The question is how can I arrive at Jesus?

Today in the Gospel we have John Baptist who tells us how. Shows us the door to arrive at Jesus.  John said : “Prepare a way for the Lord”

Advent is time to prepare for Christ, so he can come to me.   Imagine the president wants to come here to give us 10 thousand pesos each but the road up there is a mountain of basura which prevents him from coming in.  What do you do?  Remove the basura.

That’s why John the baptist said today“Lower mountains” ibig sabihin remove the obstacles so that Jesus may come in your life. 

            what are my mountains? My obstacles?

My laziness... “I am tired to pray... next time na lang”

 my pride... “I don’t need God in my life!” I can do it myself

 shyness... what do my friends say if I go to church or I pray?

Selfishness...  I want everything for myself and do not share with others my things, my thoughts and my time.

John Baptist said also “straighten the paths” ibig sabihin, straight your attitudes

            Do I show honesty in my actions? Do I live right?

So let us ask God to help us clear those things in our life which makes us far from him.  Let us make at least the decision to start clearing the way.  Let us make way to Jesus to come near us... not to give us money but to give us the peace in our heart, to give us the hope that we need to continue our struggles in life, to give us the faith in Him that one day we will be enjoying the beauty and the riches of heaven.

Gospel Reflection

November 05, 2011
Saturday

Commemoration of All Deceased of the Seraphic Order (Memorial)

Anticipated Sunday Mass

by Rev. Fr. Stephen Mifsud (MSSP – Quezon City)

MSSP House / Mass for the poor

First Reading:               Wisdom 6:12-16

Psalm:                         Psalm 63:2-8

Second Reading:          1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 or 4:13-14

Gospel:                        Matthew 25:1-13

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

HOMILY

Be Prepared.

What do you think happens if a fat priest like me goes to play basketball with the Atineo Eagles?   Fail!!

Why? Not because I am fat  but because I am not prepared!!  If in the last day before the match, I tell someone of the players, “pls give me some of your talent or energy!! Will he give me?  No!  he cannot.

This is what Jesus is teaching us today in the Parable.  We know that one day we have to die and hopefully we will be prepared to enter the kingdom of heaven.  The fact is that we do not know the day

We cannot say , I will do what I like now and leave it till later in life to repent and embrace the Gospel!  We have to be prepared, there is no age frame of death eg. Over 50 you will die.  All of us know someone who died in the “early years”   I am saying this not to make you afraid but to prepare well.  If you know the questions of the exam before the exam and prepare well, will you be afraid to go to that exam?  No.

Jesus compares the preparation with oil... need to have extra oil.  What is the oil?

It refers to inner qualities like honesty, fairness, integrity, charity.

We cannot borrow another person’s quality and preparation.   I cannot borrow the goodness of another.  I have to prepare for myself.

We must work up our way – I cannot say my parents are holy so I have a complementary ticket to heaven.

We have to give an account of how we lived

Be prepared 

When do you start preparing for Christmas? The day before?  No... many weeks b4.  Can u prepare wedding feast the day before? No... many months before!  Before Christmas we are going to do a party for you... what happens if we do not prepare... you will not eat, you will not have gift... is preparation important?  YES!!

If we prepare so many things for a celebration, how much have we to prepare for eternal life?

Let us make the best use of the time we have been given.  Let us learn how to live as God wants us through the reading of the Bible, let us live and love like Jesus, by praying, helping others, not harming others but forgiving them, bringing peace and joy.

Story:– to a group of young people who were playing football one asked: What would you do if I told you knew you are going to die in 2 hours. I’d go to the chapel, find a priest and confess, I go to pray. I’d run home and tell my sister I’m sorry, I go and visit my parents. Dominic Savio replied: I’d finish our soccer game.”

What would you do if you knew that in two hours you are going to die?

Are you prepared?