Gospel Reflection

September 21, 2013

Saturday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time

Feats of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Saturday, 21 September 2013 (Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist)
by Rev. Fr. Ernie M. Cruz, SDB - Rector, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati
6:30AM Mass, St. John Bosco Parish Church, Makati

Reading 1 Eph 4:1-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Gospel Mt 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

HOMILY

If you would look at the First Reading, we will find it so flagrant with meaning. Yesterday, we had the Readings to Timothy. Today, we have the reading from Ephesians. St. Paul is asking us to live in a manner worthy of our calling, in humility, in gentleness and patience. Then he continues on with something that is very difficult, that is, to bear with one another through love, and striving to preserve unity. It is quite difficult, because it is not always easy for us to deal with one another.

St. Paul then continues to say that we should have one Body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, with one God and Father of all. And lastly, what I think is so important, is that St. Paul talks about the call to ministry. Each one is called to be a minister. We pray and go to mass every day, and that is very good. But it is not enough that we pray. Without ministry, without being able to touch or influence anybody to bring him back to the Church and to God, it is not enough. Nobody is exempted from the call to ministry, whether you are young or very old, you are sick or healthy. Each one is being called to minister and bring people to God, from our own terms.

A priest could preach, yes, but that is not yet a call. Because beyond preaching is the priest's personal ministry, that on his own personal approach, he strives to bring back a person to the Lord, even without that call. That is why even the Pope says, 'I am not sure of this, but I think that those who do not strive to do ministry may not even enter heaven'. This means that we are brothers to one another. It is not the call of Abel that 'I am not my brother's keeper'. The Pope says you are your brother's keeper. You are called to ministry.

If the Philippines has 80 million Catholics - the biggest number in all of Asia - and only 15% are churchgoers, meaning practicing Catholics, and our goal or direction now is to prepare our country to the 5th millennium or the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, what can we do? What is our personal role toward that goal? If each person would only be able to convince only six people in six or seven years, to go back to church, the church will be teeming with people and will be so alive. In fact, we can start with just one person. For every practicing Catholic that is able to bring another person to church, at once, the number will be doubled. It could be a member of your family, or your helper, or your office mate, or your neighbor. Just one, and what difference will it already make in the Church.

St. Matthew is an example to us that nobody is so unworthy, as not to be called by God. Even if he was a tax collector who was dreaded by the people, or looked down by the people, and thought of as one who is enriching himself at the expense of the people, Jesus saw the potential in Matthew, and made him His follower. And not just one of His followers, but one of the 12 Apostles.

In the Gospel, the Pharisees were speaking against Jesus, as He was with the tax collectors and sinners. And Jesus said that it is not for the healthy that He came, but for the sick. Each one of us could find ourselves sick, but at the same time, by God's grace, we are able to bring others to health.

We continue our celebration today, asking St. Matthew's intercession, that we may be able to answer this call to ministry. It is not enough for us to be Christians and are just able to pray for ourselves. We should also bring others closer to God through our own personal ministry. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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.