Gospel Reflection

February 9, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith

by Rev. Fr. Christopher Kennedy, SDB, Rector and Parochial Vicar,

St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati

7:30AM Mass, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati

                         

Reading 1 Heb 13:15-17, 20-21

Brothers and sisters: Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.

Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the Blood of the eternal covenant, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R.(1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Mk 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

HOMILY

We see Jesus shepherding His people with compassion, and an understanding of their needs. But we also see Jesus shepherding His own disciples by inviting them. In their assignment and return from their recent journey, where they felt the power of Jesus working in them in healing the sick and proclaiming the Gospel, Jesus wanted them to calm down, and to find time to reflect on what is happening in their lives, rather than just go and become very busy in the work that they were to do. 

This is a beautiful lesson for all of us. The Lords wants us to stop, to think and to reflect on what is happening in our lives, so that we may become better ministers of His Word. That we may become better Christians proclaiming what He wants us to be, through our particular shepherding in our particular situations in life. Wherever we are, we are all shepherds, like Christ. But Christ, first of all, found His own strength, His own sustenance, His own power, in His prayer to the Father. It was what sustained Him. It was what helped Him to remain faithful to His ministry, even to death on the cross. 

And Jesus wants that to happen exactly in the lives of His disciples. That they, too, may feel in themselves, the power of God in prayer. They are able to return to Him with gratitude, for giving them that power, and they are able to intercede with Him, for the strength to continue the journey of shepherding in this world. 

It is a wonderful Gospel passage, but it is for all of us. We, as disciples of the Lord, have to stop, rest a while, and pray a while, so that the power of God can work through us. Amen. 

Gospel Reflection

February 08, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Weekday

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

12:15PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Heb 13:1-8

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers. Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc

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.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
For he will hide me in his abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel Mk 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

HOMILY

We are all endowed and gifted by the Lord with a wonderful set of values working in our conscience. Our conscience is the guiding light that brings us to our salvation. It directs us, helps us, and leads us to the proper and right direction, so that we can achieve our true inheritance in heaven.

Unfortunately, a lot of people do not want to listen. They cover their ears, cover their eyes, and their mouths, so that their conscience will not be shouting at them. They deaden their senses, so that they can be "freed" from the conscience that reminds them of the values that they have. But our consciences have a way of getting back at us. Just like a prophet, we can never silence our conscience. It will come back, and make noise. King Herod also tried to ignore his conscience. Herod heard and he was afraid, but he didn't do otherwise.

In the Gospel, we are being reminded that our conscience will call unto us. It is a plus to listen to it. What is best for us to do to develop this conscience? The First Reading reminds us - we need to further nurture our conscience. The question to ask is - are we listening to the conscience that God gave us, or are we likely to deaden it, so that we can be free and do as we please here on earth?

Gospel Reflection

February 07, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Weekday

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

12:15PM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

                         

Reading 1 Heb 12:18-19, 21-24

Brothers and sisters: You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them. Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11

R. (see 10) O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Gospel Mk 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

HOMILY

It is the experience of parents, that when they want to ask their children to do something which their children do not want to do, they would either use force, or use diplomacy. Of course, this will vary on the degree, depending on the age of their children. If the children are much younger, then the more force you have to use with them. But when they are old enough and become adults, then you will have to use more gentle persuasion. You have to reason out to them, and use more diplomacy and tact, in order to have them do what you want them to do.

This is also the case with God our Father. During the time of the Old Covenant, the people were scared of God because He showed His might. In Mount Sinai, He showed them thunder, fire, lightning, earthquake. And the people trembled with fear. God was able to show His force and people obeyed because relatively, the people remembered with fear what God could do to them.

Now, in the New Covenant, the author of the book of Hebrews is telling us that God can also use gentle persuasion to His people. When God sent Jesus Christ as the meat lamb to be sacrificed for our salvation, God showed His might, not by power or force, but by the power of His love. And so it is, also with us. Whenever we preach and teach other people that God is love, we should not force them. We should use our gentle persuasion. We should ask them to remember God's love, through the love that we also show to them.

However, when we are told to preach that we are sent to proclaim God's message, most of us would be hesitant. Most of us will be reasoning out, "We have not been trained to preach the Gospel. We were not taught." We always point to the priests, the nuns, and the catechists, and say, "It is their duty. They are the professionals. Let them do the work of proclaiming the Kingdom of God."

My dear brothers and sisters, there is no other. There is no one else. All of us have been sent, by virtue of our baptism, to proclaim the message of God. His truth should go on at all times. And we will do it, not merely by words, but more so by our gentle actions and persuasion. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

February 06, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Weekday

Memorial of Saint Miki and Companions, Martyrs

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

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

                         

Reading 1 Heb 12:4-7, 11-15

Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges. Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what Ason” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a

R. (see 17) The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Gospel Mk 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.  When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

HOMILY

We seem to be always in a distressing situation. We are always bombarded with negative things in life that we complain. If only there is somebody who can help us, probably this becomes easier to manage. But the truth is, God is always here with us - guiding, helping, protecting us. The only problem is we only see the distressing situation, but not the hand of God helping us. 

Just like any parent, God allows us to experience situations - challenging as they are - to help us grow, to learn discipline, and to mold our character. It is character building. Just like a parent does this to his children, God does the same to us, not to hurt, not to punish, but to protect. To help us become stronger in the situations of life. 

You see, my brothers and sisters, the world is never away from such melt pot of distress, of rejection and of pain. But we must remember this. Even if we are subjected to this kind of 'heat' in life, God holds the thermostat. If we can realize that God is in control of all the 'heat' in our lives, then things become bearable. 

The only question is - what do we believe in, whenever these negative things happen in our life? Is it the fault of God, or is it God's hand adjusting the thermostat of our life?