Gospel Reflection

April 27, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Easter Season

by Rev. Fr. Romeo Agustin Ma. 'Ting' Miciano, SDB, (Parish Priest, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati)

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

                         

Reading 1 Acts 13:44-52

On the following Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.  For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.  And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

HOMILY

The Gospel passage we heard this morning is an important reminder of the relationship of Jesus and the Father. And that relationship is one of unity, sameness. Jesus very clearly says, "I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me. If you know Me, then you know the Father." This may be a little difficult for us, and even for the apostles to understand. That's why even Philip, after Jesus spoke these words, he continued to ask, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." 

At that time, the people, the Jews, they believe in one God. That's the only thing they know - God, the Creator, the Master, the Lord. That is their idea of God. The all powerful one. They do not yet have that idea that there is another person in God. And it is Jesus who only revealed this, and the Holy Spirit. That is why our belief now in God is a Trinity. But for the Jews, they only have one idea of God, the Almighty. 

So when Jesus says, "I am", this phrase signifies divinity. And Jesus used it for Himself. He was introducing Himself to the Jews, "I am God. I am God." It is very difficult for the Jews, so we understand Philip when he asked Jesus to show the Father. And Jesus says, "I am. Once you see Me, you see the Father, because the Father and I are one." 

And this is the difference between those who have faith and those who do not have faith. Those who do not have faith will continue to require evidence, proof, material things, something that they can see. 'Show us, show us.' But for those who have faith, it is enough to accept the person of Jesus, to hear His word, and to experience His works. That is why Jesus says that if we know Him, or if we accept Him, or if we look at His works, we will know the Father. That is the idea of John - to believe and to have faith in Jesus is to accept His person. 'Believe Me, that I am in the Father." Otherwise, believe, because of the works that Jesus does - His miracles, His goodness, His relationship with people. These are the two conditions of Jesus - if you want to know the Father, accept Me, or accept My works. 

And there is something beautiful He adds here. 'If you believe in Me, you will do the works that I do, and will do even greater ones." Imagine that. Jesus is saying that if we believe in Him, we will do greater things than the miracles of Jesus. Unless you really have faith, you will never see the works of God. 

This week, I have experienced it. I had experienced the faith of a person, and because of the faith of that person that is so strong, she saw the works of God in anything. Her daughter is afflicted with - not cerebral palsy - but, something like encephalitis, that affects the muscles. So, the daughter cannot move, she cannot walk, she cannot do anything. And for eight years, she suffered like that. For eight years, the daughter was bed-ridden. The doctors already gave up, but the mother did not give up. She continued to tell herself, "My daughter will get well. My daughter will get well." She is saying that because of her strong faith in God, in her belief that Papa God is so good. 

Now, this mother and daughter come here every Sunday. They come here to go to mass. Eight years ago, the daughter was bed-ridden. She could not move and could not even open her eyelids. And then when she started to move her finger, her mother was so excited. "Father, God is hearing our prayers." And then she began to move little by little. Now she can talk; you can talk to her. I visited her last Thursday for anointing. 

One who has faith in God, will see His works. If you do not have faith, you will never see the works of God. 

This is an invitation for us to have faith in God. Since you cannot see God, have faith in Jesus. Jesus and the Father are one. And you will see the works of God. You will see miracles happening in your life. 

Gospel Reflection

April 26, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Easter Season

Feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel

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

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

                         

Reading 1 Acts 13:26-33

When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath.  For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab

R. (7bc) You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”  Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

HOMILY

Several years ago, a movie directed by Emilio Estevez entitled "The Way" or in Spanish "El Camino", also starred his father, Martin Sheen. After the movie, the father was asked how he would rate his son as a director. With pride, the father, Martin Sheen, said, "I can compare him with our few great directors."

The story is about a father and a son's relationship. The father was a successful eye doctor who has his son, who sort of lived an ordinary life, and the father could not understand why his son would rather choose that kind of life when he was a very successful doctor. Their relationship became distant, and he learned of his son's death while his son was having a pilgrimage to the El Camino de Santiago in Compostela, Spain. After the son's death, the father collected his remains, had them burned, brought the ashes with him, and continued the journey or the pilgrimage of his son to Compostela. And while traveling, he became closer to his son. It is the journey of the father that brought the two of them closer.

Now Jesus Christ is telling us that He is the only way to the Father. One old Hindu scripture says that "I come to you in whatever way you come to me", meaning that there are many ways to approach God in the Hindu belief. But in our faith, and when Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life", he is saying that He is the only way to true and eternal life.

Probably, in the sense of making our own daily journey, we can say that we approach God in so many ways as well. But the actual deepest realty is that we know that Christ is the only way to our salvation. Our journey of faith here on earth will always remind us that there is no other way except through Jesus Christ.

And how do we proclaim this truth, this Good News to others? Not by words, but with our magnanimity and humility in sharing this Gospel truth to everyone, by being true witnesses of the Gospel values in our lives, in how we deal with other people, especially the least of them.

Yesterday, during the Feast of St. Mark, Pope Francis, in his Homily, instilled and emphasized the beauty of proclaiming the Gospel by our witnessing in our own lives. And he said that we must pray for magnanimity and at the same time, we must pray for humility. We may always proclaim Christ as our Savior, but how do we witness about Him in our lives? That must be one of our more important tasks in proclaiming the Gospel, the Good News, the Kingdom of God, to others. Not by mere words, but by humble witnessing. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

April 25, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Easter Season

Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

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

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

                         

Reading 1 1 Pt 5:5b-14

Beloved: Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.

I write you this briefly through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17

R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The heavens proclaim your wonders, O LORD,
and your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can rank with the LORD?
Who is like the LORD among the sons of God?
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Mk 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages.They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

HOMILY

The late Archbishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero, once said, "The Church must be ready to suffer in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. It must be ready to point out sin, and to uproot the causes of sin in our society." And he continued to say that in a society full of sores, full of wounds, full of inflictions, it will cringe and will always would not accept when the Church will point out its sins and the causes of sins. But the Church must be ready to suffer.

And this is why the Church continues to proclaim the Gospel in terms of what is happening in our society. There are a lot of rising and new types of beliefs, attitudes and ideas that the world is embracing. But it does not really know that it is already embracing these truths, like the pandemic rise of internet pornography, the sense of consumerism and materialism that economists, traders and businessmen are always throwing to us, the rise of atheism in our society.

A lot of people no longer believe and no longer accept the sacredness of the celebration of the Eucharist. Why? Because of our failure. Failure to proclaim Christ and His Gospel in the way we live, in our lifestyle. Hindi na naniniwala ang tao na mayroong Diyos, na mayroong kahulugan at kahalagahan pa ang pagdiriwang ng Eukaristiya, dahil hindi naman nila nakikita ang bunga ng ating pagdiriwang sa ating pang-araw araw na pamumuhay. Kaya patuloy ang simbahan na nagpapahayag ng katotohanan para ipalaganap ang kaharian ng Diyos.

Tingnan po natin sa ating lipunan. Ngayon ay darating na naman ang halalan. Marami na tayong naririnig na kung anu-anong pandaraya at panlalamang lamang ang nagagawa. Pero hindi tayo nagsasalita. Dahil sinasabi natin, they are so powerful, they are already entrenched in authority, we cannot go against them. But Jesus Christ suffered so much because He took the risk of proclaiming the truth, of trying to get out of a popular system, of what is happening in the society.

Kaya nga ba't kung ano po ang nangyayari sa ating gobyerno o sa ating pamahalaan, hindi tayo pwedeng tumatahimik lamang. Hindi nila pwedeng sabihin kung bakit ang Simbahan ay nakikialam sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno. Hindi po sa pagpapatakbo tayo nakikialam, kundi sa uri ng pagpapatakbo ng ating bayan. Tingnan natin kung paano pa rin ngayon, kahit sinasabing tumataas ang punto ng ating ekonomiya, a lot of people are still living below poverty level, because a lot of people are still so greedy with power, with wealth, with fame. And we must not stop proclaiming the truth, no matter what it costs, even if we have to suffer, like what Jesus suffered.

Mga kapatid, ang pagpapahayag po ng kahulugan ng tunay na Ebanghelyo ng katotohanan ay ang pagsasabuhay nito. Hindi lamang sa pananalita, kung hindi sa ating araw-araw na paggawa. Amen.