Gospel Reflection

February 02, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

First Saturday of the Month

by Rev.  Fr. Matthieu Dauchez

6:30AM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Mal 3:1-4

Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

 

Reading 2 Heb 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

 

Gospel Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

or

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

HOMILY

"Now Master, you may let Your servant go, according to Your Word." Joseph and Mary heard those words during the purification of their firstborn. They were following human rules from Jesus' divine birth. 

Did Jesus need to be purified? No, of course. But according to the plan of God, Jesus needs to undergo everything, in order to make us holy. That means purification, even if He does need to be purified. 

Because of the fact that Jesus underwent this purification, we get holy. Because of the fact that Jesus was baptized at the Jordan River, all baptisms are holy. And because of the fact that Jesus suffered on the cross - innocent - all sufferings in life become holy and fruitful. Because of the fact that Jesus underwent everything that we are undergoing in this life, our life has become a holy offering for the Lord. 

Our Lord and Master, You have kept Your promise. Amen.   

Gospel Reflection

February 01, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Weekday

First Friday of the Month

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

7:00PM Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

                         

Reading 1 Heb 10:32-39

Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.

 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

 

Gospel Mk 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

HOMILY

One time, our sacristan mayor approached me and asked permission that he would go on leave. It skipped my mind and I asked him why. And he said that his wife is about to give birth, so he is filing for a paternity leave. I told myself, oo nga pala, may paternity leave. That is something I will never avail of. (laughs) Dapat lang, ano? 

The doctor of his wife is my brother, and the doctor said that he should be there when his wife gives birth. My sacristan mayor knew that that would be the clincher, because he knows that I cannot overrule my younger brother. And so I said very quickly, "You are permitted, you may go."

But when he left and I continued my prayer, the mystery of life dawned on me. It was a complicated pregnancy for his wife, and he had to wait. His wife even had some cyst, but my brother could not operate, because we have to wait for the child to be born, otherwise, something else might happen. That is why, all they have to do is wait. 

In fact, this is the mystery of life. In spite of the many advances we have....Haven't you noticed, yes, there are many instant versions right now. But the only thing that we could not crack is the mystery of life. We could not see an instant baby. We cannot expedite pregnancy. Lahat namadali na natin. Pero 'yong hiwaga ng buhay, we have to wait. And I believe that it is a good reminder for us. Since for life, at the very beginning, the mystery of waiting unfolds - it is a good reminder for us that waiting is part and parcel of life. And that is why, as I continue my prayer, "Lord, what is Your message for me, and what could be Your message to the people?" "Now, to you, I don't know what you are undergoing right now, but if we could sum up the message of the Lord, it is to wait. Wait. Learn to wait."

That is why in the Gospel, we heard the Lord using the image of a sower who plants. But notice, after planting, the sower cannot do anything. He cannot make the seed grow. He could, yes, perhaps apply fertilizer. To those who have plants, yes, you could be a green thumb. But you know that you cannot force the seed to grow. It is the mystery of life, the mystery of the earth. You have the seed, but you have to learn to wait. Learn to trust the mystery of life. And the Lord, further in the Gospel, used the mustard seed. Again, it is the seed that would slowly grow and evolve, before it becomes the largest of all. 

There are times we must learn to wait. Why? Because there are virtues that are born, when we learn to wait. What are the virtues that could come, kapag ang isang tao ay marunong maghintay? Let me share with you three virtues. 

First is the virtue of patience. Obvious po ba? Ang marunong maghintay ay pasensiyoso. Pero ang hindi na naghihintay, pansinin n'yo po. 'Yong taong ayaw na ayaw maghintay, laging mainitin ang ulo. Iritable. Walang pasensiya. Because you can only learn patience, if you also know how to wait. 

Another virtue that is born from waiting is endurance. Those people who wait, endure. Because something is harnessed in them. Others, up to now, are puzzled with us, Filipinos - bakit tayo nag-e-endure? Maraming lindol, bagyo, sunog, sakuna. But we can afford to smile. We can afford to endure. We can endure. Buti na lang walang nagpapakamatay sa atin, dahil lang sa mga gano'n. We are resilient. Why? Because we learn how to wait. Especially our poor brothers and sisters. When I immerse myself with the poor, when we have those exposure with the poor, with the children, I notice, they endure more. They endure far better than those who are affluent. Why? Perhaps, they have no choice but to wait. 

One time, I remember very vividly, we were there in the mountains. A child got wounded but there was no medicine. We could not buy anywhere. The child just had to endure the suffering. And I believe that child could endure more, later in life. 

Some people have to even wait for food. They could not have food any time they want. But in so doing, something is harnessed in them - endurance, character. Kaya minsan, nakakalungkot pag nakakakita tayo ng mga batang konting sugat lang....parang katapusan na ng mundo. Kung maka-atungal, akala mo naman nagpa-panic na kahit 'yon lang. So wala po siyang endurance. Those who know how to wait, cultivate endurance. 

Lastly, waiting also gives birth to confidence, to faith, to trust. Why? Because if you wait, you learn how to give space, whether to the other person, or to God, or even to yourself. I remember Blessed John the 23rd, the good Pope, as he is called, he is a very workaholic Pope. He was the one who convened Vatican II. And he said that every night, he has a special prayer before he retires, before he sleeps. He would open the windows of his apartment - the Papal apartments - overlooking St. Peter's, and look up at the sky. And Pope John would say, "Lord, the day has ended. I have done my very best. I have done my job. Lord, it is Your Church, not mine. I will now go to sleep. Take care of the Church. Do Your job now." 

That is a good example of a person who also trusts in the Lord. who knows that not everything is in His Hands. There are times we simply have to wait and allow the Lord to do his part. And that is why a person who waits, also develops that confidence, that trust, that faith. 

Yes, brothers and sisters, in this mass, we pray for those three virtues - patience, endurance, confidence. And we ask ourselves, "Do I have those virtues? Perhaps, I am lacking in them, because I have never been fond of waiting. There is no more waiting in my life." Baka ayaw mo nang naghihintay, pero pinaghihintay mo na lang 'yong iba. Pero ikaw, ayaw na ayaw mong ikaw ang naghihintay. 

We ask the Lord, we ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus, "Lord, grant us those virtues." I'm not saying I am promoting delays, or be late or be tardy. No, I am not saying that. What I'm just saying is that, there are times, we simply have to wait. 

Perhaps right now, we are waiting for something. Perhaps the Lord is trying to sharpen your endurance. The Lord is trying to harness your faith. The Lord is teaching you to be patient. 

Lord Jesus, Your heart is full of patience, endurance and confidence. Your heart is wounded, but loving. Your heart is aflame and hopeful. Teach us. Teach us to wait, when it is appropriate. Grant us those virtues, so that like You, we may witness the fullness of God's time, the fullness of God's blessings, Amen.

Gospel Reflection

February 01, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Weekday

First Friday of the Month

by Rev. Fr. Joseph “Joey” Faller (Spiritual Director of the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center, Lucban Quezon Province)

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

                         

Reading 1 Heb 10:32-39

Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.

 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

 

Gospel Mk 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

HOMILY

Whenever I start my Homily, I should always begin with a story. Perhaps mga teleserye, o 'yong mga pelikulang napanood, at pag nagsimula ka ng tungkol sa istorya, talagang makikita mo 'yong mga tao, nakikinig sa inyo. You don't go right away to the Gospel. Naalala ko po, when I was very new in the ministry, I usually give homilies, straight from the theology books. Eh may lumapit po sa akin. "Father, ang ganda po ng sermon n'yo. Ah, kasi po Father, may insomnia po ako. Hindi ho ako makatulog. Pero Father, wala pa hong 5 minutes sa homily n'yo, tulog na po ako. Salamat po at gumaling ang aking insomnia." (laughs) 

So whenever you start with something, you start with a story. And even the Lord in the Holy Gospel, must have told a lot of stories. He is a very good storyteller. Napakarami po Niyang mga istorya. And in all the accounts that we have read from the Holy Gospel, we find the stories of Jesus, which are called parables. Ano po ba 'yong parables?

Well, the Lord is a very down-to-earth speaker. He will always use the things that can be found and can be experienced by men. Ang Kanya pong ginagamit na mga istorya ay hindi lang tungkol sa ating karanasan. He talks about the net, He talks about fish, He talks about a seed. He talks about whatever things that can be found by people. Kaya nga po, if we can define parables, for me I simply define them as "earthly stories with heavenly meaning". Ito po ay istorya nating lahat, na may kaugnayan sa ating karanasan, pero ang kahulugan po ay makalangit. Jesus will always pick up events and things that are ordinary, so that He can reveal to us the divine meaning. 

Kaya dito makikita po natin, talking about the Kingdom of God, Jesus used the seed. Talking about salvation, He talked about the mustard seed. Today, we have read twin parables. The first parable is all about the seed that grows by itself. And the second parable talks about the parable of the mustard seed. What could be the lesson in these parables? Let me begin with the first. 

The lesson that we can derive from the first parable is very clear. The seed has the power to grow. Sino po sa inyo ang nagtatanim? Taas ang kamay (a few raise their hands). Ay taga Manila...hindi nagtatanim. (laughs) Kung taga-Quezon po lahat nagtatanim. Sino po sa inyo ang marunong magtanim? (Almost all raise their hands.) Magtanim ng sama ng loob? (loud laughs) Ayan....Siguro 'yon po ang tinatanim natin minsan. 

Alam n'yo, pag nagtanim po tayo ng sama ng loob, ang bunga niyan, rayuma. (laughs) Pag nagtamin ka ng sama ng loob, ang bunga niyan, hypertension. Pag grabe ang iyong itinanim, ang dulot niyan, atake sa puso. At pagdating ng araw, patay kang bata ka. (laughs) So what you planted.....if you plant hatred in your heart, you will reap sickness like cancer and other grave illnesses. Kaya maganda ho na huwag na ho kayong magtanim ng sama ng loob. Kung nakikita natin sometimes, bakit hindi tayo gumagaling sa ating mga karamdaman, that is because you have been nurturing in your heart a certain kind of deep-seated anger, hatred, unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment. 

So today, the Lord is asking you and I to reflect on the power of the seed. It has the power to grow by itself. Just like the Kingdom of God. Just like our life. Everything is grace from the Lord. Lahat po ay grasya. Ang pagka-pari ko ay grasya. Ang pagiging healing priest ko ay grasya. Ang inyong pagiging Kristiyano is by the grace of God. Everything is grace from the Lord. No amount of success can be experienced with our sole efforts, with our sole performance, because it must be always compensated, complimented by the grace of God. Ang lahat ay biyaya ng Diyos. Let that be the lesson that we can derive. Gawin mo na'ng lahat ng gusto mong gawin sa buhay. Kunin mo na ang lahat ng gusto mong makamtan. Hindi ka pa rin magiging matagumpay, if you do not rely on the grace of God. Everything is grace from the Lord. 

The second lesson in the Gospel from the second parable about the mustard seed is also very, very clear. Small beginnings have great endings. Ito po 'yong sinasabi ni St. Francis. Magsimula ka nang maliit, magtatapos ka nang malaki. In the hand of the Lord, little can become big. In the hand of the Lord, insignificant events or people, can become significant and important. It is because in the hands of the Lord, miracles are happening. 

I could always remember Kamay ni Hesus, when we started it. It was very small. Alam n'yo po, I dreamed just a small church, maliit lang po na simbahan. Kaya nga po napaliit 'yong simbahan ko. Dahil ang akala ko po, ang taong dadating do'n, isang daan lang, dalawang daan. 'Yon lang po. I just dreamed of a place which will be a haven for the sick. But I never dreamed that this will be visited by a lot of people. Siguro po, in a week's time, we are visited by 12,000 to 15,000. Would you believe that? Pati ang longganisang Lucban, tumaas ang produksiyon. Pancit habhab, tumaas ang produksiyon. (laughs)

Sino po ba ang maniniwala when I started it? Even my brother priests, ang sabi sa akin ng mga kasama ko sa ministry, "Aba'y ano na namang kalokohan 'yan? Ano na namang racket 'yan?" But this is the design of the Lord. He started with something small. And in the hand of the Lord, later on, little did I know that this will be the center of healing in our country. Little did I know that it will become a tourist spot, not only for the Filipinos, but a lot foreigners coming from some parts of the world. Sino po ang mag-aakala? 

Alam po ba ninyo ang humble beginnings ng Kamay ni Hesus? I started with just the inheritance that I received from my parents - P300,000.00 'Yan lang po. Sabi ko, "Lord, hindi naman po ito magkakasya sa pangangailangan namin, kaunti lang. Ano ba naman ito, pang-gimik ko lang ito eh. Eh pang-bigas lang ito. Hindi ito magkakasya." But then, it was an inspiration. Share what you have, and the rest is history. 

When I started in 2002, I had a very meager start. Little did I know that a miracle will start from this small beginning. After ten years, later on, the approximate value of the Kamay ni Hesus - the land and property - is now around three hundred million. Sino po'ng mag-aakala na ganito ang mangyayari? It's all because it is the grace of God, and secondly, in the hands of Jesus, small things can become big. 

This is the message that I would like to bring to all of you. If you find your lives so boring, so broken, so hard, I want to remind each and everyone of you - God is bigger than all your problems. God is bigger than all your sickness. God is bigger than your cancer. God is bigger than all your problems combined. And God has a big plan for all of us. Sino po bang mag-aakala, that God will use me in this ministry, magnanimously? 

Ito po ang katotohanan. God uses small people, simple people, ordinary people like me - and like you - to bring His Kingdom into reality. Are you willing to be a part of the Kingdom of God? In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

January 31, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Weekday

Memoriall of Saint John Bosco, Priest

by Rev. Fr. Benjo Fajota (Vice Rector of the EDSA Shrine)

5:30PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Heb 10:19-25

Brothers and sisters: Since through the Blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,” let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. (see 6)  Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

 

Gospel Mk 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

HOMILY

St. Thomas Aquinas defines faith, simply as "the education of the heart". How do we educate the heart? Educators and psychologists say that people retain only 10% of what they have learned in school. Yes, only 10%. Why is this so? Because it is a passive way of learning. That is why in our Eucharistic celebration, we are encouraged to act quickly, consciously, and truly participate in the celebration - in our responses, in our prayers, in our joining in the singing. That is why we always remember. 

During the time of our grandparents, 'yong mga matatanda pa sa atin, kapag ang isang babae ay nagsabing mag-aasawa na siya, laging mayroong "say" ang kanyang mga magulang. Sasabihin nila, "Pag pinili mo 'yang katipan mo ngayon, hindi gaanong maganda ang iyong kinabukasan. Pero kapag pinili mo itong isang manliligaw mo, meron siyang isang salita, responsable siya, at mayroon siyang galang sa matatanda, magkakaroon ka ng magandang kinabukasan." At ang huling sasabihin sa iyo ng iyong mga magulang ay, "Matututunan mo rin siyang mahalin."

Kaya't ang pag-ibig ay natututunan, kapag ito ay ipinapakita, hindi lamang sinasabi. We show our love, not merely in words, but more so, with our actions. 

In the Eucharist, we always remember the memorial and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That's why we will not forget the Great Sacrifice that He made for all of us. Nang dahil sa pag-ibig. Kaya ang ating Eukaristiya....It is not merely a set of rituals that we do, but the mass enlightens our memory to always remember the Great Sacrifice of God. 

And that is also true in our faith. Kapag ito ay ipinapahayag, ibinabahagi, isinasabuhay, paulit-ulit nating makikita na ang liwanag ng Ebanghelyo ay nakikita sa ating buhay. Hindi natin ito ipinapahayag sa pamamagitan lamang ng ating salita, kung hindi sa ating gawa. And this is an invitation and a challenge for both of us. Let the Word of God transform us, change us, and change others. Amen.