Gospel Reflection

April 13, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Easter Season

by Rev. Fr. Leo Nilo C. Mangussad, Rector, Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine)
12;15PM Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

                         

Reading 1 Acts 6:1-7

As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the Apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

HOMILY

Good afternoon my dear brothers and sisters. Notice the benches you are sitting at, and the parts that make it so - the nuts, the bolts, the wood, the lacquer, everything. Put them all together, and the whole chair becomes an important tool. But simply put, the whole chair is important, as all its parts are important. 

It is the same as our church. Every unique member of the church is important to the church. That is the reason why we must take care of them. You and I are important. But our importance is only useful if we are going to help one another. 

That is the reason why, in the First Reading, St. Stephen and his companion disciples started to help those who are in need. We are in need, but we can help better, those who are more in need compared to us. Just like in the First Reading, if we could only learn to take care of the needs of our wayward brethren who have lost their faith and need our light so that they can go back to the fold. Then, we become true disciples of Christ.  

There will be lots of difficulties, there will be lots of challenges that we may need to undergo to bring our wayward brethren back - maybe even resistance from them. But as the Lord says in the Gospel, He Himself will lead us as we do this ministry for the church. 

The question we must ask is this. I have been faithful to the Church. Am I a good contribution to the ministry of my faith, or am I more of a hindrance to those who need light that should come from me, for them to go back to the Lord?

Gospel Reflection

April 12, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Easter Season

by Rev. Fr. Leo Nilo C. Mangussad, Rector, Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine)
Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

           

Reading 1 Acts 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing. After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered. So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (see 4abc) One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

HOMILY

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters.

Why does our religion continue to be persistent for the last two millenia? The answer is simple my brothers and sisters. Our religion was not authored by mere men; it is authored by God Himself. Our God authored, our God continues. Our God is eternal; everything He does becomes eternal.

If we look at other religions, why do they die a natural death? It is because they have been made by men, not by God Himself. But we have a wonderful religion that continues on and on, and we are part of this religion.

God knows that this religion will need something for people to remember - something tangible, something concrete. Thus, He instituted the Eucharist. And Jesus Christ started it through the breaking of the bread, and the fish and five loaves. Blest are we, as Jesus is the Sacrament of the Father in heaven. The Eucharist is the full Sacrament of Jesus Christ, and we partake of this wonderful, perfect Sacrament, which is the perfect way of worshiping our Lord in heaven.

My dear brothers and sisters, it is good for us to reflect on what we do during the Eucharistic celebration. Is the Eucharistic celebration a wonderful and perfect Sacrament where we unite ourselves with God and nourish our spiritual life, or is the Eucharist simply a routine that we do every day, every Sunday, without actual meaning in our lives?

Gospel Reflection

April 11, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Easter Season

Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr

by Rev. Fr. Carmelo P. Arada, Jr. (Minister)

(Ministry on Lectors and Commentators, Commission on Liturgy, Archdiocese of Manila)

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

                         

Reading 1 Acts 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

HOMILY

Kilalang-kilala ni Hesus ang Kanyang Ama. Kaya nga tanging si Hesus lamang ang may tumpak na pagpapakilala ng Diyos sa ating lahat. At papaano ipinakilala ni Hesus ang Kanyang Ama? Siya ay isang Diyos na kung magmahal ay buhos-buhos. Isang Diyos na kung magmahal ay hindi nagtitipid.
Sa katunayan nga, ang pinakamatingkad na patunay ng buhos na pagmamahal na ito ay ipinadala Niya ang Kanyang sariling anak. Sabi sa Ebanghelyo natin kahapon, for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Ito ang pinakamatingkad na patunay na kung magmahal ang Diyos ay hindi nagtitipid. Kung magmahal ang Diyos ay buhos-buhos.
Minsan ay kinagalitan ni Hudas si Maria nang binuhusan nito ng mamahaling langis ang paanan ni Hesus. Sabi ni Hudas, pag-aaksaya daw ito ng pera. Ipinambili na lang daw sana ito, o ibinigay na lang sana ito para sa mga mahihirap. Ngunit sabi ni Hesus, hindi daw ito pag-aaksaya. Pagbubuhos daw ito ng pagmamahal. It is not wasting, but it is the lavishing of love.
Naiintindihan ito ni Hesus, sapagkat ganito magmahal ang Diyos. Kapag nagmahal ang Diyos, buhos-buhos. Ito ay ipinakitang larawan ni Hesus - isang Diyos na buhos-buhos magmahal - sa talinhaga ng manghahasik, o parable of the Sower. In the parable, Jesus tells us that God is a prodigal sower. Kung ang isang masinop na manghahasik ang gagawa nito, hahanapin niya 'yong matabang lupa. Titiyakin Niya na 'yong paghahasikan niya ng binhi ay tutubo ito. Ngunit ang manghahasik sa kuwento ng talinhagang ito, hindi na pinili kung ano 'yong mabuti at magandang lupa. Kahit sa matinik, kahit sa masukal na lupa, kahit sa lupa na walang pag-asang tumubo ang binhi, nilagyan pa rin niya ng binhi. Sapagkat ganito ang pag-ibig ng Diyos - nagbibigay ng bagong pagkakataon. Buhos-buhos, hindi nagtitipid.
Ganito rin ang pagmamahal ng Diyos na ipinakita sa kwento ng ama ng alibughang anak o parable of the prodigal son. Hindi lang siya basta nagpatawad ng isang anak na bastos, ng isang anak na tila kinalimutan ang lahat. Ano'ng ginawa ng amang ito? Nang nagbalik ang walang utang na loob na anak, nagdiwang. Pinasuotan siya ng pangyapak, ng balabal, ng singsing, bilang tanda ng pagbubuhos ng pagmamahal. Ganito pong magmahal ang Diyos sa atin - hindi nagtitipid, labis-labis kung magmahal, pagbubuhos ng pagmamahal, walang pag-aaksaya. There is no wasting....only lavishing of love.
Noon pong mga nakaraang Mahal na Araw, at ngayong ipinagdiriwang natin ang Muling Pagkabuhay ni Hesus, ito po 'yong matingkad na paalala - ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay labis-labis. The Passion, Death and the Resurrection of Jesus is a stark reminder of the lavishness of His love. Prodigal, lavish and extravagant.
Ang magandang tanong po sa atin - paano at gaano po tayo magmamahal? Buhos-buhos ba rin po, o tira-tira, tinitipid, tingi-tingi?
Si Jennifer po ay ipinanganak na walang kawilang tenga. Kaya nga po noong pagkabata niya, siya ay naging malungkot dahil tinutukso siya ng kanyang mga kapwa bata. Lumaking mapag-isa itong si Jennifer, dahil iniiwasan niya 'yong lahat ng mga bata na tutukso sa kanya.
Pagdating ng kanyang 18th birthday ay napagpasiyahan ng kanyang mga magulang na ang iregalo sa kanya ay ear transplant. Nagpunta sila sa isang doktor. Ang sabi ng doktor, "Madali lang 'yan. Humanap lang kayo ng ear donor." At nakahanap nga sila ng ear donor, naging successful ang operation, at instant ay napakaganda nitong si Jennifer. Kaya nga sa kanyang debut, pumipila ang mga gustong maging escort niya.
Bago magsimula ang kanyang party, umakyat si Jennifer sa silid ng kanyang mga magulang para magpasalamat. Nakita niya ang kanyang nanay na nag-aayos. Noong akmang yayakapin na niya 'yong kanyang nanay, nasagi niya ang buhok nito, nakita niya na walang kaliwang tenga ang kanyang nanay. Ang nanay pala niya ang nagbigay ng tenga sa kanya.
Umiyak si Jennifer. Ang sabi niya, "Buong buhay ko, hindi ko na kinailangang tanungin sa inyo, hindi n'yo na kinailangang patunayan kung mahal n'yo ako. Hindi n'yo na kailangang gawin ito." At ano'ng sagot ng nanay? "Jennifer, I do not want you to be sad. I do not want to see you crying. I want you to be happy. Remember this. You do not lose something, when you give it to someone you love."
Gaano po ba tayo magmahal? Paano ba tayo magmahal? Buhos-buhos at labis-labis din po ba o...tinitipid natin, tingi-tingi lang, tira-tira. Kung papaano po sana tayo minahal ng Diyos, ganoon din tayo magmahal.

Gospel Reflection

April 10, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Easter Season

by Rev.  Fr. Matthieu Dauchez

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

                         

Reading 1 Acts 5:17-26

The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the jail to have them brought in. But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. Then someone came in and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.” Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

HOMILY

My dear brothers and sisters, what a beautiful Gospel. Everything is said in the first two verses of this Gospel. God so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son, and He sent His Son, not to condemn the world, but to redeem it.

My dear brothers and sisters, this is the declaration of the love of our God. If we can meditate on these words with an open heart, we can taste in these few words the gravity of the love of our God. We can taste God's love that is pure, that is true, without counting anything back. And this is unbelievable.

Our God is a God of love. Common words? I don't think so. Think about it. I think this is the nature of our God. And this is His extraordinary nature. Amen.