Gospel Reflection

September 20, 2013

Friday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and

Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

by Rev. Fr. Kris Habal, Parochial Vicar, St. John the Baptist Church, Pinaglabanan, San Juan
12:15PM Mass, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (SM Megamall Chapel)

Reading 1 1 Tm 6:2c-12

Beloved:
Teach and urge these things. Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain. Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it. If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

But you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Responsorial Psalm PS 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20

R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Why should I fear in evil days
when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?
They trust in their wealth;
the abundance of their riches is their boast.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Yet in no way can a man redeem himself,
or pay his own ransom to God;
Too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough
to remain alive always and not see destruction.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
“They will praise you for doing well for yourself,”
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Gospel Lk 8:1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

HOMILY

In our First Reading - St. Paul's letter to Timothy - he advised Timothy to be sober, to have contentment in life, to avoid all forms of greed.

St. Paul said,

"For we brought nothing into the world,
just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.
If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.
Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires,
which plunge them into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is the root of all evils,
and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith
and have pierced themselves with many pains."

This is the invitation to live simply. This is the invitation to have contentment in life. This is quite difficult in the world we live today. The tendency of the world today is to grab. Everything is mine. The tendency of the world today is to grow rich in material possessions, but poor, lacking in the true treasures of life.

The invitation of St. Paul to Timothy is also his invitation to all of us. We must guard our heart from all forms of greed. Running after material possessions is like a chase in the wind. If we base our happiness only on material things, we will end up unhappy. St. Paul says, 'with many pains'.

So, how are we going to guard our hearts from greed, from the desire to possess, to grab many things? We have the example of the women disciples in the Gospel. The example of Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and the many others who provided for the needs of Jesus, who helped Jesus in His ministry, who gave in generosity to support the proclamation of the Kingdom.

One way of curing greed, one way of guarding our hearts from greed, is to be generous. One way of resisting the temptation to grab is to give - to give generously, joyfully, especially for the Kingdom, especially to assist our needy brothers and sisters, and, therefore, showing the love of Christ. It is making concrete the love of Christ, by assisting in the proclamation of the Kingdom.

As we continue in this Holy Mass, my dear brothers and sisters, let us examine our hearts. Are there traces of greed? Is our love of money more than our love for God? Does our desire to possess many things hinder us from giving, from being generous, from assisting in the proclamation of the Kingdom, and from assisting our needy brothers and sisters?

My dear brothers and sisters, if greed, in the end, will make us unhappy, generosity will give us true joy. Generosity will give us peace and contentment, not only in this world, but even more, in the life to come.

And so let us implore the intercession of the holy martyrs, Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn and his companions. We learned from the martyrs the detachment from material possessions, even detachment from the desire to live in this world and being ready to give everything to Jesus. And Jesus, in turn, gave them eternal life. Let us learn from their example, let us ask for prayers. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

September 19, 2013

Thursday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Benjamin “Benjo” Fajota - Vice Rector, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)
12:15PM Mass at the EDSA Shrine

Reading 1 1 Tm 4:12-16

Beloved:
Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate. Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save  both yourself and those who listen to you.

Responsorial Psalm PS 111:7-8, 9, 10

R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
prudent are all who live by it.
His praise endures forever.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!

Gospel Lk 7:36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

HOMILY

Is there forgiveness because of love, or is there love because of forgiveness?

It is very clear in this Gospel message, that forgiveness is not earned. Forgiveness is freely given by God, to those who acknowledge their sinfulness. When the woman entered the house of the Pharisee, it was not to ask for forgiveness, but to show her great love for Jesus, who forgave her her sins. That's why Jesus recounted His parable to Simon and the rest who were present in the gathering, and He said that the one whom more is forgiven, loves more, but the one whom little is forgiven, will only show little love.

Sometimes, we accuse people of being sinful, and we would rather not acknowledge or accept our own weakness, our own faults, our own failures, our own sinfulness. But here in today's Gospel, it is very clear that when we have been forgiven of the many sins that we have committed and the things that we have failed to do, then we have to show love all the more. And Jesus is very right - forgiveness is not earned; it is freely given by God.

How many times have we shown love to our brothers and sisters? For us who are not able to love more, perhaps we could think. Maybe we have not acknowledged or accepted our own sinfulness. And this is what will give us true joy. There will be joy if there will be great forgiveness of our sins. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

September 18, 2013

Wednesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

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

12:15PM Mass, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (SM Megamall Chapel)

Reading 1 1 Tm 3:14-16

Beloved:
I am writing you, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,

Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

Responsorial Psalm PS 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!

Gospel Lk 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

HOMILY

When we read the Bible, many times, we hear in the parables that Jesus is teaching us, that unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Maraming pagkakataon na ang mga bata ay binibigay sa atin bilang larawan o modelo o huwaran kung papaano tayo makakapasok sa Kaharian ng Langit.

But children are not always described in the Bible in a positive way. There are also times when children are described as being childish, and this is a trait that we need to overcome, if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. For example, in one scene in the Gospel of John, when Jesus was talking to Peter, Jesus particularly addressed a childish tendency of Peter. And what childish tendency is this? Peter was very selfish. 'Yong mundo niya ay umiikot lang sa kanyang sarili.

Hindi ba ganoon naman talaga minsan ang mga bata? Lahat tayo nagdaan naman sa pagkabata. And I remember, when I was young - di pa naman ho masyadong matagal 'yon, ano (laughs) - 'yong mundo ko, umiikot lang sa akin. I was very selfish; I was very self-centered. And Peter exhibited many of those characteristics. That is why the Lord told Peter, "Peter, when you were young, you went about as you pleased. You did want you wanted to do. But time will come when someone will tie a belt on your waist, and bring you to where you would rather not go." What is Jesus saying here? 'Peter, talikuran mo na ang pagiging childish mo.' Kasi ang mga bata, gusto lang nilang gawin kung ano lang ang gusto nilang gawin.

How do we know if we are already transitioning from childhood into adulthood? When you are beginning to surrender what it is that you like to do, and you begin to appreciate that there are things that you need to do, even if you do not want to do them. In our Gospel today, ang ating Panginoon ay medyo naiinis na sa mga tao. Ang sabi niya, "To what shall I compare the people of this generation?....They are like little children in the marketplace, calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge, but you did not weep'." So parang sinasabi ni Hesus, 'Ano ba talaga ang gusto ninyo?'

John the Baptist was an ascetic. He went into the desert, and ate locusts and honey. Noong makita siya ng mga tao, sabi nila, 'ay, sira-ulo 'yan'. And then when the Son of Man came and He is eating and drinking, nakikisama Siya sa mga tao, ano naman ang sabi nila? 'Ah...he is a glutton and a drunkard.' Sala sa init, sala sa lamig.

So what is the point? People during Jesus' time were behaving like little children. The center of their world was only themselves. And that is why no matter what comes before them, and no matter who invites them, no one can take them out of their self-centeredness. Walang makatatanggal sa kanilang pagiging makasarili. And so the challenge of today's Gospel is complete transition from being childish to being an adult. Because only an adult can really follow the Lord. And what does it mean to become an adult? It's when someone will tie a belt on our waist, and will bring us to somewhere we would rather not go - are we ready and willing to do this for the Lord? Are we willing to surrender everything to follow the Lord? Are we willing to say to the Lord, "Lord, tie a belt on my waist, and bring me to where I would rather not go"?

Look into your hearts - do you already have that disposition? O baka nasa puso pa natin, "Ay hindi, ayoko. Gusto ko, ako ang magtatali sa akin, at pupunta ako kung saan ko gusto pumunta." If that is the disposition in our hearts, then we are still awaiting purification. But if we are willing to surrender our will to the Lord, then we are already transitioning to that life worthy of discipleship to the Lord. Jesus is telling us to forget our childishness and take on the mind of an adult. St. Paul, in his many epistles, would say, 'When I was a child, I thought like a child, and behaved like a child...But now that I am an adult, it is no longer I that lives, but Christ lives in me."

How do we define a spiritual adult? When we can say, "It is no longer I that lives, but Christ living in me." As we continue with this Eucharist, let it be the grace that we will ask from the Lord. As we receive the Lord during Communion, let it be our prayer: "Lord, may it be no longer I, but You live in me." Amen.

Gospel Reflection

September 17, 2013

Tuesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Benjamin “Benjo” Fajota - Vice Rector, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

12:15PM Mass at EDSA Shrine

Reading 1 1 Tm 3:1-13

Beloved, this saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the Church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the Devil’s punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil’s trap.

Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm PS 101:1b-2ab, 2cd-3ab, 5, 6

R. (2) I will walk with blameless heart.
Of mercy and judgment I will sing;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
I will persevere in the way of integrity;
when will you come to me?
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
I will walk with blameless heart,
within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
any base thing.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
him will I destroy.
The man of haughty eyes and puffed up heart
I will not endure.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.
My eyes are upon the faithful of the land,
that they may dwell with me.
He who walks in the way of integrity
shall be in my service.
R. I will walk with blameless heart.

Gospel Lk 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

HOMILY

Similarly, our Gospel today is just like Sunday's Gospel, when we heard about losses - the loss of a sheep, the loss of a coin, and the loss of a son. And here, we hear about the loss of an only child by a widow. The difference between our reading last Sunday and today is that we do not do the searching. It was God who made the initiative of searching and giving back to us our joy.

Ibinalik ng Diyos ang kagalakan sa puso ng inang namatayan ng isang anak. Makikita natin dito na ito ang pinaka-nilalaman ng puso ng Diyos. He wants to give us back the joy that we have lost. Yes, we have lost that joy, that spunk of life, that eagerness, that hope, that strength in our daily lives, because we are so stressed. Masyado tayong stressed sa ating trabaho. Masyado tayong stressed para maghanap ng ikabubuhay. Masyado tayong stressed para pantayan ang tagumpay ng ibang tao. At dahil dito, nawala na ang tunay na kagalakan sa ating puso. And God is telling us never to give up on Him. Never give up on God. Because God will always search for us, and on our behalf, the joy that we need in our life.

During World War II, many historians claim that Sir Winston Churchill was the best orator of the 20th Century. Before and during World War II, he championed the British nation and all freedom-loving people in combating the atrocities of the Nazi regime. They say that Sir Winston Churchill's best speech did not come before or during the World War, but after the war. When he was invited to be the speaker at the commencement exercise of one of the universities in U.K., he was introduced rather very lengthily, but when he finally went to the podium to make his speech, he said these words: "Never, never, never, never, never give up." And then he returned to his seat, with the stunned silence of the audience.

My dear brothers and sisters, this is what God is telling us. He never, never, never, never, never gave up on us. Amen.