Gospel Reflection

December 26, 2012

Wednesday – Year of Faith

Feast of Saint Stephen – First Martyr

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

Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

Reading 1 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Mt 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved."

HOMILY

Alam ko po na Paskong Pasko pa ang ating spirit. We still have the Christmas hang-over. At kaya naman siguro, magtataka kayo  sa ating Gospel for today, a day after Christmas, and the saint that we honor after Christmas is a martyr. It seems not congruent with the feast that we celebrated yesterday. Kahapon ang ipinagdiwang natin ay Pasko. Ngayon naman dito sa ating misa ang ating ginugunita ay kamatayan, ang pagiging martir.

Now there is a reason why the Church gives us St. Stephen, the first martyr, as a figure to reflect on, a day after Christmas. Why? Because Christmas is not only a sentimental event, with a baby born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. When you reflect on Christmas and on the figure of the Christ Child that was born, you will realize that Christmas is actually a revolutionary event. It is a dangerous event, and it is an event that will invite you to be a revolutionary in your life.

That is why you will notice that people are sometimes afraid of Christmas. Consciously or unconsciously, we are afraid of Christmas. At times, we do not even want to say Christmas.

A while ago, I was walking along a store that sells fruit juices. And on their door, there is a big greeting of Christmas. It says, "Merry Guyabano". (laughs) Because they are now selling a new product out of guyabano, and the greeting was "Merry Guyabano". Nawala na 'yong Christmas ano, 'yong guyabano na ang pinambati.

And in other countries nowadays, they do not even want to say Christmas. I was watching CNN several days ago, and there was a talk show, and the topic of the talk show was "A War on Christmas". Sabi nga, there is now a war on Christmas. Why? You will know that there are many holidays in the world. For example, if it is Valentine's Day, they say "Happy Valentine's". They say "Happy Hanukkah". They say whatever feast the Muslims have. But when it is Christmas, what do they say? Happy Holidays. They do not mention the word Christmas. Ano ba'ng meron sa Christmas?

I was reflecting on this, and this is what I thought. Christmas is a dangerous word. Why? Because the word Christ is in there. Kaya ayaw nating sabihin 'yong salitang Christmas, because Christ is in Christmas. And Christ is a dangerous figure. Why? Because Christ is a child, who, when he grows up, will challenge us to do something that is very demanding. And that is something that we do not want to accept.

This Child, whom we honored yesterday on the Feast of Christmas, will one day grow up and He will tell us that "I am the Way". And what do we want to say? "No, you are not the way. I am my own way." That is why when people sing at the videoke, their favorite song is "My Way". (laughs) Kasi 'yon ang gusto natin. I want to live my life, my way.

This Child, will say later on, "I am the Truth". And we want to say, 'No, there is no truth. I am my own truth. I will determine my own truth."

This Child will say later on, "I am the Life". And what do we want to say? "No, I want to live my life my own way. I do not want anyone controlling my own life."

This Child is a dangerous child, and he is a revolutionary. Later on, he will say that adultery is wrong. He will say that marriage is faithful and exclusive. He will say that lying is wrong. He will say that we should respect life, from the moment of conception until death. And we would not want to accept that, because it is dangerous, it is demanding. And so what do we do? Consciously or unconsciously, we take Christ out of Christmas. And we replace it with something less dangerous. 'Happy holidays' is very benign. It is non-threatening. And that is why we would rather greet one another with that kind of greeting.

Saint Stephen, the saint that we are honoring today, died in the name of Christ. And that is why a day after Christmas, we are being reminded that if you want to celebrate Christmas, you must, like Stephen, be ready to die. Maybe not a martyr's death, but you must be ready to die to yourself. Because Jesus will demand us something, if we want to have the life that He is offering.

That is why Christmas is only the feast for brave men and women. Men and women who are willing to die to self, so that they may have genuine, eternal life. As we continue with this Holy Eucharist, let that be our prayer. That we may become men and women who will truly profess that the Christ Child is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen.  

Saint Stephen – Pray for us

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - Saint Stephen

A Holy Life

Saint Stephen

The First Martyr

Feast day – December 26

The Jewish origin of Saint Stephen is universally acknowledged; he is known and loved everywhere as the first follower of Christ to give to his martyred God love for love, blood for blood. It is not certain whether he was among the seventy-two disciples of Jesus; some believe he was of the Greek tongue and not a native of Palestine. He studied with Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas under the famous Doctor of the Law, Gamaliel, who, being a member of the Sanhedrin, attempted to stop the persecution of the Apostles. (Acts of the Apostles 5:34-40) What is certain, however, is that he distinguished himself among his brethren as an admirable Christian, replete with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To his great beauty and angelic chastity were joined humility, patience, gentleness and charity, so perfect that they drew from all the faithful great admiration and esteem for him.

He was head of the seven disciples whom the Apostles named as deacons, to execute the works of charity which their mandate to preach did not permit them to carry out. Stephen manifested all the qualities one could wish for in a minister of charity and of the Gospel. He knew Scripture to perfection and was steeped in its divine spirit; he was endowed with invincible force because he feared nothing in the service of God. Everywhere in Jerusalem, he was proving Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah, and working great prodigies to confirm the truths he taught. Some believe he was the cousin of Saul, later Saint Paul; in any case, the latter, still a fire-breathing Pharisee, took offense at his boldness and presided at the scene of his martyrdom by stoning. The fervent deacon, insensible to his own fate, defended Christ before the Jerusalem tribunal with a perfection which enraged the proud authorities of Jerusalem, unwilling to recognize a humble carpenter of Nazareth for their Saviour. He boldly upbraided the chief priests with their hard-hearted resistance to the Holy Spirit. And when he accused them of putting to death, just as their forebears had treated the prophets who foretold Him, the long-awaited Just One announced by Moses, they stoned him without further delay. (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 7)

Saint Stephen died, beholding his Lord standing at the right hand of God. He imitated Him in death; crying out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He concluded on his knees, “Lord, do not impute to them this sin!” And then he fell asleep, the narrative says.

His mortal remains were left outdoors to be devoured by beasts, but were protected by God; and Gamaliel, the Doctor of the Law, took the body of the martyr to his own country home, a few leagues from the city, where he buried him. His tomb was discovered miraculously in the fifth century, by the intervention of Gamaliel himself in a priest’s dream. The greater part of his relics are still conserved in the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Saint Stephen in Rome. His death was the signal for a great persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem, spurred on by Saul, who had approved his death. But Saint John Chrysostom remarks that because Stephen prayed, we have Saint Paul, whose conversion miraculously came about soon afterwards.

 

Sources for this article were taken from:  http://magnificat.ca

 

Prayer

Loving God, Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons in the Church. The Apostles ordained him with six others because they needed ministers who would oversee the needs of the poor and the widowed. His holiness was so evident that when he preached to his enemies, his face glowed brightly like an angel's. I ask him to pray for those who have been called to a life of service as ordained deacons. O Lord, help them to be a sign of Your love in their parishes and in the world where they live and work. Bless them with a vision of their ministry that stirs them to passion and tireless effort. Amen.

Saint Stephen – Pray for us

 

Gospel Reflection

December 25, 2012

Tuesday – Year of Faith

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord – Christmas Day

Mass during the Day

by Rev. Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan (Head, Youth Ministry, San Carlos Seminary)
12:15PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

Reading 1 Is 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, "Your God is King!"

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.

R.  (3c) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Reading 2 Heb 1:1-6

Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: You are my son; this day I have begotten you? Or again: I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

Gospel Jn 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'" From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.

or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.

HOMILY

Every Christmas, I always remember this story, na gusto ko pong i-share, kahit na paulit ulit. There is this man who was looking at a wall, and on the wall, he saw ants. The ants were carrying little crumbs of food, and they were all climbing a perpendicular wall. Paakyat. And the man said, "Nakaka-awa naman itong mga langgam na ito. Ang liliit na nga ng paa, mayroon pang dala-dala, paakyat pa ng napakataas na pader". So the man was thinking of a way of helping them.

"Ah, finally, alam ko na ang gagawin ko." So what he did was, kinuha niya 'yong mga maliliit na crumbs doon sa floor na kinukuha ng mga ants. Then iniligay niya ang mga crumbs sa ibabaw ng wall. Kaso nga lang, pagbagsak ng mga crumbs of food, nagkakagulo ang mga ants. "Ahhh, something is falling. Giant ! Giant ! Run for your lives !" Takbuhan sila. So 'yong lalaki, sabi niya, that is not the way of helping them, kasi lalong nagulo yata ang mga ants. Sabi niya, "Wait, let me think. Ah....alam ko na."

So he attempted for the second time. Ang ginawa niya, para matulungan ang mga langgam, hinawakan niya sa bandang puwitan ang isang langgam, and then he started to push each of them up the wall. Para matulungan silang umakyat. Kaso may problema. Once na ma-touch niya 'yong langgam, syempre nagugulat 'yong langgam, tatakbo na naman. "Ay ! Giant ! Giant ! Run for your lives ! Run for your lives !" Nagkagulo na naman ang mga langgam.

So the man said, "Oh...how can I ever help them?" Until finally, he gave up. And he realized that the only way to help them - these ants carrying their load up the wall - is to become like them. To become an ant himself, and to carry the load with them, to encourage them, push them up, and lead them.

If you look at Christmas, it is, in a way, similar to that. It is because, God, in His glorious throne, who owns everything, a God who is the beginning and the end of it all, decided to be a creature. The Creator decided to become man, to be like His subjects, His subordinates. Ganoon ang Christmas. When we look at the manger, one reality is there for us to see. God in all His glorious throne and majesty, decided to live simply like us. That is Christmas.  

That is why I call Christmas as the mother of all possibilities. Why do I say that? Kung nagawa ng Diyos ang pinakamalaking ka-imposiblehan, kung nagawa ng Diyos ang nagpakatao to reach us, then everything else is possible, everything else can happen. Christmas is telling us that nothing can ever be impossible to us, especially because God owns us as His own, as His people. We, who are heirs of God's Kingdom, can do everything under His mandate, within the confines of His commandments, of His will. Kaya natin gawin.

The greatest, or the deepest, or the widest valley has been filled up. The greatest gap has been met and been brought together. 'Yon 'yong Christmas, eh. That is why if you go back to the Second Reading, you know you would see that the Book of Hebrews speaks of how God has been in a constant struggle to talk to us, to reach us. The Second Reading speaks about the prophets. From the prophets, God has been trying to reach us. From the patriarchs, to the Kings, to the Judges, to St. John - these are all attempts of God to reach us.

Even in the Gospel, mas mahaba ang kasaysayan na ipinakita ng Ebanghelyo. Why? Because it seems that the Gospel started with the very very first moment of Creation, or even before the Creation. "In the beginning was the Word." The Gospel of John began by illustrating where God is. Even before the Creation, God was already there. He is the Word. Even when there was still no universe, God is already there. And God who is beyond time, who is beyond space, decided to come to the world. And to live with us. That is why the Gospel ends by saying that this Word, this Light, this Life, who is beyond time and space, who is there already before everything existed, is with us, and already dwells in us.

You can see the long journey, you can see the long period of time, you can see the long spectrum of time and distance and reality, ngayon ay napagdugtong ng Diyos. Right now, He is dwelling within you and me. That's Christmas. And because of that, all the more that it strengthens the truth that Christmas is a reminder for us that everything is possible with God.

If God is so, then, there is no reason for us to say, "Wala nang pag-asa ang asawa ko. Babaero na 'yan from the beginning of our marriage." No. Christmas tells you, posible. God can teach your asawa. "Wala nang pag-asa ang anak ko. Ilang beses ko nang pinarusahan 'yan. Lahat na, pinalo, nagmaka-awa, pinalo, lahat na ginawa na namin sa kanya. Ganyan pa rin siya, wala nang pag-asa 'yan". No. Christmas is telling us, posibleng maabot 'yan ng Diyos. Kung gaano ka naabot ng Diyos. Walang imposible.

"It is impossible for me to get promoted, to reach that position. Naku ang daming nangangarap sa posisyon na 'yan. Nagkasiraaan na nga." No. It is possible. Christmas is telling and reminding us that everything is possible. "Sobrang matagal na ang aming hidwaan. Sobrang lalim na ng sugat namin, we can never be reconciled. You can never bring us or put us in one room. Amoy pa lang, pangalan pa lang, naiirita na ako. It is impossible for us to be reconciled. Sa ginawa niyang iyon, sa ginawa niya sa pamilya ko. Sa akin na lang sana, huwag lang sa pamilya ko." May mga ganyang drama pa 'yan. "Hindi na, hindi ko mapapatawad 'yan." No. You may be surprised that one day that you feel like forgiving the person. You may be surprised that one day, you are the best of friends. You are closer than ever. It is possible.

My brothers and sisters, it is Christmas. God will be disappointed if Christmas comes and yet we are so much disappointed in our own shortcomings, in our limitations, when we are so confined with our own insecurities. No. Christmas is a promise that everything will be possible. Everything can happen, especially if it is in accordance to God's will, when it is in congruence with God's Word, with His plan. It is possible.

That is Christmas. Because of that, we can say, 'posible pala'. Posible kaming yumaman, posible kaming maka-ahon sa hirap, posible kaming magkasundo, posible kaming magbago, posible akong gumaling, posibleng umunlad ang bansa, posibleng....although mahirap pong sabihin ano.....posibleng maging maayos ang aming mga politiko, maging tapat sila, posible lahat 'yan. And that is Christmas.

In this mass, my dear brothers and sisters, let us call to mind the things that so confine us and paralyze us, the things that make us think it is impossible. In this mass, as we partake of Jesus who is born in our midst, let us claim the grace of Christmas. That everything under the light of Jesus and under the light of God, is possible.

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - The Nativity of Our Lord