Gospel Reflection

November 08, 2012

Thursday – Weekday – Year of Faith

by Rev. Fr. Agapito "Aga" Tarog (Immaculate Conception Parish, Las Pinas)

Lunch Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Phil 3:3-8a

Brothers and sisters: We are the circumcision, we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh, although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I. Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee, in zeal I persecuted the Church, in righteousness based on the law I was blameless. But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (3b) Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Lk 15:1-10

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus addressed this parable to them. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

"Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

HOMILY

Brothers and sisters, St. Paul tells us: "We are the circumcision. we who worship through the Spirit of God." This pictures to us two frames of mind - the Jewish frame of mind and the Christian frame of mind, which has consequences in one's relation to God and neighbor.

The first frame of mind is from the context of who St. Paul is. St. Paul was a Pharisee. Nang sabihin niyang "we are the circumcision" - the key word here is "circumcision" - how is that understood in the Jewish and the Christian sense? The word "circumcision", both in the Jewish and Christian understanding, means an 'act of initiation'. Ito ay pintuan ng pagpasok sa isang disposisyon. Para sa isang Hudyo, circumcision is an initiation to a relationship with God, mediated by the law. One's relationship to God is spelled out in one's faithfulness to the Mosaic law. Kung ikaw ay tapat sa batas na inilapag ni Moses, then you are defined as a righteous person. Ang pagiging maka-Diyos ng isang Hudyo is defined by the faithful and meticulous observance of the law. That is Jewish.

Kung kaya't ang implikasyon po niyan, ang pakikipag-ugnayan nga tao sa kapwa tao ay very exclusive. If you are 'just', as defined by the faithful and meticulous observance of the law, which defines your being a godly person, then there is no room for a just person - in the law - to mingle with breakers of the law.

Kaya't sa Ebanghelyo, makikita ninyo ang reaksiyon ng mga Pariseo. Nagtataka sila kung bakit itong Rabbi na si Hesus ay nakikihalubilo sa mga makasalanan. It is because in the Jewish point of view, righteousness excludes the sinners, because sinners are defined as breakers of the law. If you are an observer of the law and you mingled with the sinners who are breakers of the law, the law of Moses will say that you contaminate your righteousness because of the presence of breakers of the law. Nakakasunod po ba kayo? Those who are righteous in the Jewish sense cannot even mingle with sinners because the basis is the meticulous observance of the law, which makes you ritually impure once you mingle with the law breakers.

Now, let us go to what St. Paul is trying to tell the Philippian communities. "We are the cirmcusion". Ang ibig sabihin nito, tayo ang ganap na 'initiated'. Why? According to St. Paul, "we worship through the spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in the flesh". In contra-distinction to the Jew, the Christian's relationship to God is no longer defined by the meticulous observance of the law, because the mediator between God and man is no longer the law, but a person. And that is the person of Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus will tell his Disciples in the Gospel of John, "No one comes to the Father except through Me." The mediator now between God and man is already Jesus Christ - the Living Word. And the relationship of the Christian to God in terms of Jesus Christ is a matter now of LOVE. The emphasis now is love, because it is Jesus Christ who defines the relationship of man to his God.

Bakit si Kristo? Bakit pagmamahal? Ayan o (pointing to the cross). What is the crucifixion? The dying of Jesus Christ on the cross is the highest expression of love. As has been said, "there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friends". That is the highest definition of love. Therefore, to relate to God by way of Jesus Christ is to relate to God by way of love, which has its consequence on one's relationship with a fellow human being.

Ano ang consequence niya? Instead of the Jewish understanding of not mingling with a sinner, because the sinner is also loved by God, we who love God cannot but love our neighbor as well. The motive for searching out the one who is lost, is because of the love that one has received from Christ, the same motive that must move the Christian to look for the lost, not because he broke the law, but because you love the person who is lost, and therefore, the motive is to bring him back to the fullness of that love relationship with God, in Christ. Kitang kita ninyo ang pagkakaiba ng Hudyo sa Kristiyano. Sa Hudyo, "Wala na akong pakialam sa iyo, kung breaker ka ng batas, sapagkat ayokong madungisan ng pagkakasala mo dahil ako ay malinis sa batas."

That is why Jesus Christ was teaching His love. He had no fear; He had no qualms mingling with sinners. And if Christ is the Good Shepherd who brings back the lost sheep, we who are followers should try to follow Jesus, and must also be exhorted to exhibit this degree of love for one another. Beginning with our own home, especially those among us who have grown cold in their relationship with God, ay kinakailangan po nating mapanumbalik sa kanila ang pagmamahal sa Diyos, by means of our loving them also.

Now you will understand why Jesus Christ teaches us to "Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you." Why? Dahil kung mahal tayo ng Diyos, mahal din ng Diyos ang mga taong iyon. Kung mahal din sila ng Diyos, it is that love which should be pushing us forward to bring them back to the family, which is centered in the love of God.

So mga kapatid sa pananampalataya, hilingin po natin sa Diyos na makita po natin ito. Na tayo ay makipag-ugnayan sa Diyos - out of love - not out of meticulosity for the observance of the law.

Gospel Reflection

November 07, 2012

Wednesday – Weekday – Year of Faith

by Rev.  Fr. Nilo Mangussad (Rector Our Lady of Peace Quasi-Parish)

Lunch Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

Reading 1 Phil 2:12-18

My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel Lk 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."

HOMILY

We Filipinos are very hardworking. We know how to pour our heart, and we work hard. Unfortunately, no thanks to commercialism, we are starting to change. We would like to do things as quickly as possible and achieve results immediately. Not only that. We want the maximum accomplishment with the least and minimal effort. True?

Why do I need to go to a 1-hour mass when we can attend EDSA Shrine for 30 minutes? Right? Admit it. Why do we need to go on a Sunday mass, when we can have it a day before, anticipated and much shorter? Why do I have to go to confession every month, when I can do it minimally once a year?

My brothers and sisters, this is what the Gospel is trying to remind us. If we do not know how to give up the call of this world, we do not know how to give up our own personal desires and dictates, we are no good disciples of Christ. When Christ said to 'hate your parents', 'hate your children', it was an overkill of what He was trying to say. Jesus was trying to say "Prefer Me over them. Do not prefer other people, but prefer Me, because in so doing, I will give you the grace to sustain your life better on earth."

My brothers and sisters, it is good to be reflective. How well are we deserving of the graces coming from the Lord? Yes, we do practice our religiosity. But are we doing it because we love the Lord and we deserve to be given the grace, or are we doing it because it is easier this way - I can achieve maximum results with the least effort? The Lord needs maximum effort from the least that we could ever give to Him. We need to give everything, and that is the least that we can do to achieve a true relationship with Him. The question is - are we willing to give up everything for the Lord, or are we still holding back because of what we love in this world?

 

Gospel Reflection

November 06, 2012

Tuesday – Year of Faith

St. Leonard of Noblac Memorial

by Rev.Fr. Joseph Feng (Spiritual Director and Orientationer, Lorenzo Mission Institute)

Lunch Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Phil 2:5-11

Brothers and sisters: Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:26b-27, 28-30ab, 30e, 31-32

R. (26a) I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts be ever merry!"
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
For dominion is the LORD's,
and he rules the nations.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth.
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
To him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Gospel Lk 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God." He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited,
'Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.' And another said, 'I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"

HOMILY

Are you happy to be invited to a party? Are you happy to be invited to dinner and have something free to eat? Of course, we are happy and excited to be invited.

My dear friends, in the Gospel today, the party refers to the Kingdom of God, the banquet of God. But my friends, being invited to the party is not that easy.

First, in a party, those who are invited must want to attend, and must want to participate. A party is an invitation to those who must want and are willing to be part of the joy and happiness of the celebration. Even though how much the host wants to you to attend, kung ayaw mo na, then the host cannot do anything. Second, a party is a commitment to attend. And those who commit to attend a party are making sacrifices - their time, their willingness to be there and to support the host. Attending a party is a self-emptying experience.

Being a Catholic is an invitation. Being a Christian is an invitation. And to be part of the banquet of God needs preparation. We must be willing to do our best to bring ourselves close to God. God is inviting us all to come. Some may say, "no", some may say "we have our own business". That is why only those who are willing to respond will be able to take part in the Kingdom of God. It is a challenge, but with God's grace this is possible. Life - in love - on earth, is our preparation for life that is eternal. Let us allow God to take control of our lives and transform us, that we may deserve to join the banquet that He has prepared for us in His Kingdom.

Come to the Banquet of God - Hangad

 

Gospel Reflection

November 05, 2012

Monday – Weekday – Year of Faith

by Rev. Fr. Prudencio 'Jun' T. Solomon (Rector and Parish Priest)

(Archdiocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Sampaloc Manila)Guest Priest, Lunch Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

Reading 1 Phil 2:1-4

Brothers and sisters: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Gospel Lk 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

HOMILY

"When you hold a lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers or sisters, or your relatives, or your wealthy neighbors." 

Mga kapatid, sa narinig nating salita ng Ebanghelyo, nangangahulugan bang si Hesus ay laban sa mga pagtitipon at pagsasalu-salo? Si Hesus ba'y hindi sumasang-ayon sa mga pagdiriwang? Is Jesus anti-social? Hindi po. Sapagkat kung titignan natin ang buhay ng ating Panginoon, madalas nga Siyang nakikikain, lalong-lalo na sa mga makasalan. Madalas nga Siyang dumadalaw sa mga hapag ng mga bahay na kanyang pinupuntahan. Si Hesus ay nakikitungo, nakikisalamuha, nakikisama sa iba. 

Kung ganoon, ano ang punto ng ating Ebanghelyo? 

Mga kapatid, kung tayo ay magbibigay, ang isang bagay na dapat nating isa-alang alang, ay kung papaano tayo magbigay. At ano po 'yon? Dapat, tayo ay maging bukas-palad. Ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagiging bukas-palad? Mga kapatid, ang mga katangian ng pagiging bukas-palad ay tatlo. Una, kusa. Ikalawa, lubos. Ikatlo, wagas. At ang ibig sabihin nito'y kung tayo'y magbibigay, mula sa ating pagiging bukas-palad, dapat wala tayong hinahangad. Walang hinihintay na kapalit. Walang inaasahan. Dapat kusa, mula sa atin. Hindi pilit. Dapat lubos - kung magbibigay ka, you give 100% of your heart. Dapat wagas - walang intensiyon, walang hidden desires, walang pasubali. 

Mga kapatid, sa pagbabahagi at pagbibigay sa iba, dapat naroon ang katangiang iyon - ang pagiging bukas-palad. Kusa, lubos at wagas. Tayo, kapag tayo ay nagbahagi sa iba, naroroon ba ang mga katangiang iyon? Kusa ba, lubos ba, at higit sa lahat, wagas ba, ang ating pagbabahagi, ang ating pagbibigay, ang ating pagiging bukas-palad sa ibang tao?

Gospel Reflection

November 04, 2012

Anticipated Sunday Mass - Year of Faith

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

by  Rev. Fr. Jun Sescon (Chaplain, Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel)

Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

Reading 1 Dt 6:2-6

Moses spoke to the people, saying: "Fear the LORD, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life. Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives! And blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

Reading 2 Heb 7:23-28

Brothers and sisters: The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens. He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.

Gospel Mk 12:28b-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, 'He is One and there is no other than he.' And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

HOMILY

Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Mukhang napagod kayo sa Undas ano. Sana po ay nadalaw ninyo ang inyong mga yumaong mahal sa buhay. Until tomorrow, we are given 4 days for this observance. If you don't want to visit them, they will visit you, ano? (laughs) So make sure we take the initiative.

When we ask for a location or for directions, we Filipinos are not fond of measurements. We are not a scientific people. We are not so good in measurements - North, South, East, West, miles, kilometers, meters. Sorry, but we are not like that. We are a descriptive people. We want just to describe. That's why when you ask directions, they will not tell you so much about the kilometers, but they will tell you landmarks or posts that will help you identify. Sasabihin, "Nakikita mo ba 'yong tindahan sa kanto?"

I remember when I was not a chaplain yet, and I do not know most of the establishments here at Greenbelt, whenever I have to meet someone, my friend will always tell me, "Do you know Greenbelt Chapel?" Then I will say yes. And my friend will say, "Alright, you start from there. Or we meet there." We are descriptive in order to know locations.

I also remember as a child, one of my assignments would be to bring and light candles to the tombs of our relatives whom no one would visit. Of course, we will visit my grandparents, but there are other relatives, who perhaps, their families are so busy, nobody would mind them. And as the youngest, it is my task to go to all those unvisited tombs, and there were many, in the province. And my clue would always be a tree or a post. The last time I went there now as a priest, I brought candles again, I said I will resume my chores, my task. But I got lost in the cemetery because the trees were gone, because the posts have been removed. And now I could not recall where the tombs are because those were my marks. We need that, we need that.

In today's Gospel, I invite you to observe the last statement of Jesus when He talked to the Scribe. He told the Scribe, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." I believe that is one of the nicest things we can ever achieve while we are here on earth. That we are not far from the Kingdom of God. Because that means we are at heaven's breath. That means we are 'on the reach' to the Kingdom of God. Mahirap masabihang malayo ka pa sa Kaharian ng Diyos. Nakakatakot yata 'yon dahil hindi natin alam kung gaano pa tayo tatakbo sa paglalakbay. Pero kung sabihin sa atin ng Panginoon, "Malapit ka na." We will be happy, we will not be restless anymore, because we know we are close to our direction, to our destination. And that is what our Lord said to the Scribe, "Malapit ka na sa Kaharian ng Diyos."

And how can we imitate the Scribe? How can we also get near, closer to the Kingdom of God? This afternoon, I offer you three landmarks or three posts which will help us get near, closer to the Kingdom of God. And we imitate the Scribe.

The first thing that enabled the Scribe to get nearer, closer to the Kingdom of God is - he asked the right question. Mahalaga raw sa buhay you ask the right question. You will never have the right answer, if you have the wrong question, obviously. But sometimes, we do that. We are surprised, "How come I don't get the right answer"? Perhaps you are asking the wrong question. The Scribe, when he approached Jesus, said, "Which is the greatest of all the commandments?" As if the Scribe was saying, "What must I do to really obey you Lord? What must I prioritize, dear Lord?" And that was a right question.

My dear brothers and sisters, if we want to get closer to the Kingdom of God, we must be pre-occupied with the right questions of life. And today we ask ourselves. What are the questions that always haunt our minds? Pagkagising natin sa umaga, ano ba 'yong mga tanong na nasa isip natin? Ano 'yong pinakamaraming beses mong tinatanong sa buhay mo? May mga tao ang laging tanong, "Magkano ba 'yan?", "Mahal ba 'yan?" "Mura ba 'yan?" Lagi na lang sigurong pera ang nasa isip. O kundi naman ay, "How will I get that?" "What is the latest?" 'Yong ibang tao ang tanong nila, "Ano ba ang bago?" "Ano'ng bagong chismis?" Ano'ng bagong gadget?" Ano'ng bagong appliance? Ano'ng uso ngayon?" 

What are the questions we pose? Are we even asking the Lord, "How are you Lord?" "How can I obey You?" "How can I please You?" "How can I get closer to You?" The Scribe was near the Kingdom because he asked the right question.

Magandang, simpleng tanong lang pag umaga, ano ang ating unang hinaharap? 'Yong iba paggising na paggising, hindi ka pa nagtu-toothbrush, hindi ka pag naghihilamos, ang tanong mo, "Sino kaya ang mga nagsend ng message sa akin?" "Ano kaya ang mga message ko ngayon?" Kung minsan, bubuksan pa ang computer "Ano bang status kong ilalagay ngayon?" Sometimes, we are pre-occupied with so many questions, but are we asking the right question?

The second thing that was going right for the Scribe is that, he did not only ask the right question, but he also had the right motive. When he asked the Lord, "Lord, what is the greatest?" Notice that unlike the Pharisees, unlike the Saduccees, he was asking the Lord, not to trap the Lord, not to embarrass the Lord, but he wanted real answers. He was asking the Lord with the right motive. He wanted to learn. He wanted to know. He wanted the best. He had the right motive. And that is why he is closer to the Kingdom of God.

My dear brothers and sisters, the Scribe was sincere. The other enemies of the Lord were fond of questions, but only to test Him, to trap Him. Notice the Scribe said later on, "You are right." The Scribe was open to the Lord. He was asking, not because he knew the answer, but he wanted the answers from the Lord. Brothers and sisters, sometimes we have the right question, but the wrong motive. That's why we never get close to the Kingdom.

Let us also examine ourselves today. When we ask questions, what is our motive? Minsan lalapit ka tatawagan mo 'yong kaibigan mo doon, "Kumare, 'yang si Kumpare mo ang hirap pakisamahan. Paano ko ba siya maiintindihan? Gusto ko nang iwanan siya." Sasabihin naman ng Kumare mo, "Mare, hindi naman siguro. Mainit lang siguro ang ulo." And then you will say, "Isa ka pa, kinakampihan mo 'yang Kumpare mo." So all along, you were not really asking for an answer. You were looking for someone to side with you. It was not the right motive.

Honestly, sometimes when we ask questions, we already have the answers. Kaya nagagalit tayo sa iba, ano. Minsan pag nagtatanong tayo sa iba, hindi naman talaga tayo nagtatanong. Naghahanap lang tayo ng kakampi. Minsan pag sinabing, "Huwag mo nang awayin, magbati na kayo." Sasabihin mo, "Ayoko." Magagalit ka pa doon sa tao, kasi ang gusto mong marinig na sabihin niya sa iyo, "Oo nga, mahirap 'yang taong 'yan. Awayin mo pa." We want reinforcement, we don't want enlightenment, sometimes. And with that wrong motive, we can never get closer to the Kingdom of God.

The Scribe was sincere. And we ask ourselves. When we ask the right question, is it also with the right heart? When I do good things, is it really with the purest of motivation or intention? Kaya nakakatuwa, there is a movement now, even in the social networks, 'yong mga anti-EPAL ano. Kapag tumutulong ba tayo, dahil talaga bang gusto nating tumulong o para sa sarili lang natin? We may be doing the right thing, but with the wrong motive. That is still far from being perfect. And so the second grace we ask the Lord is, Lord, may I have the right motive, as I ask the right question.

And lastly, the good thing with the Scribe is, he could have asked so many people during that time. He could have approached the high priest. He could have approached the most powerful person in the empire. He could have approached the King. He could have approached the General. But he approached Jesus. The Scribe asked the right question, he had the right motive, and lastly, he approached the right person - Jesus. THAT was his saving grace. THAT enabled him to be closer to the Kingdom. Maraming pwedeng lapitan, pero ang nilapitan niya ay si Jesus. He has directed his message to the right person.

I remember there was this joke since hindi pa naman tapos ang Halloween, 'no, 'yong pananakot 'no. There was this guy who went to Australia and it so happened that when he arrived in Australia, it was warm. And so he sent a text message to his wife. And his wife, of course, was here in Manila, waiting for her turn to go to Australia as well. However, in sending the message, the husband, mali siya ng napindot na number. Kaya naipadala niya 'yong isang text, hindi sa asawa niya, kundi aksidente sa isang taong kamamatay lang ng asawa. Kaya't noong nabasa no'ng ale 'yong text, nagulat siya. Galing sa asawa niya, na patay na.

Nakaranas na ho ba kayo nang ganoon? Noong isang araw ho ay naka-receive ako ng text. Hindi ho kasi ako nagde-delete sa directory ko. Laking takot ko noong nakita ko ang pangalan ng paring patay na. 'Yon pala 'yong Nanay niya ang nagte-text sa akin. Ninerbiyos ako.

So ganoon din ang nangyari doon sa ale, ninerbiyos siya noong nakita niya na parang number ng asawa niya, ninerbiyos siya noong nakita niya ang message. Nakalagay doon, "I am now here down under. It's very warm here." (laughs) And then another text was sent. "Expecting you here next week." (more laughs) Lalo siyang natakot. When you send the message to the wrong person, things can be very fearful. Things can get tragic.

The Scribe approached the right person, Jesus Christ. How about us? Are we approaching the right person as we search for life?

I remember one time, my brother who is a doctor, called me up and said, "You know Jun?" Youngest po ako, bunso, kaya hindi po Father ang tawag sa akin, ano? "You know Jun, you should be careful as a priest, with what you are saying." And I asked him, "Why?" And my brother, who is involved with so many advocacies, one of them is against AIDS, said, "We had a survey, and people listen more to priests than to doctors. So be careful with your advices. They are not going to the right person. They should go to the doctors, not to the priests." 

Sometimes, we also tend to go to the wrong persons. Minsan, saan tayo pumupunta, sa manghuhula. Ano ba ang horoscope ko ngayon, ano ba ang prediction ngayon? Sometimes, we get it all wrong because we approach the wrong person. We must learn to approach the right person. Are we approaching the Lord, or are we just approaching money? Approaching power? Approaching the world? The Scribe got it all right, because he did search, and he went to Jesus. And that is why in the end, he was told, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God. 

As we continue this mass, dear brothers and sisters, we pray. Lord, in our journey here on earth, we want to reach our destination. We want to get closer to Your Kingdom. And so Lord, teach us the right questions. Grant us the right motives. And bring us to the right person - to You, O Lord. So that our journey may not be in vain. Our journey may never be empty. Our journey may lead us to Your plan, to Your grace, and to Your blessings. These three graces, Lord, we pray. The right questions, the right motives, the right person. Amen. 

We also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo today.

Saint Charles Borromeo – Pray for us

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - St. Charles Borromeo