Gospel Reflection

January 26, 2014

Sunday – Ordinary Time

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang (Parochial Vicar, Holy Spirit Parish, Santa Cruz, Manila)
6:00PM Anticipated Sunday Mass, Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel (Greenbelt Chapel), Makati

 

Reading 1 is 8:23-9:3

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom  a light has shone.You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

 

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

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.
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/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
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/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

Reading 2 1 cor 1:10-13, 17

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”  or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

 

Gospel mt 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

HOMILY

This morning, in our minor seminary, we just had the first batch of applicants for interview. These are minor students, applying for first year or second year high school. So we had the first set of those who are dreaming of becoming a priest.

I was surprised with this young boy, when I asked him the very basic question, "Why do you want to enter the seminary?" You know what he said? "Because I want to become independent." Huh? Again? "Yes, Sir. I want to become independent." I asked him how old he was and he said he is just 11 years old. Wow. Siguro hindi niya gusto ang ulam sa bahay nila. (laughs) I was surprised that an 11-year old boy can already decide like that. Siya mismo ang nag-decide, kaya niyang magdesisyon.

Kayo kaya - let me ask you. When was the last good decision that you have made? Can you still make your own decision? Are you happy with your decision? What is the best decision that you can still remember? Let me ask you. If your answer is 'yes', you have to clap your hands. Tama po ba ang desisyon ninyo nang pinakasalan ninyo ang asawa n'yo? (The people laughed at first, but a lot clapped.) Akala ko ayaw n'yong pumalakpak ha. (laughs) Sabi nga noong isa, "Hoy, katabi mo na ako, hindi ka pa pumapalakpak." (laughs) As a child, are you happy with your decision to follow your parents? (A lot clapped.) Pero 'yong ibang mga bato, o, parang nagdadalawang-isip. (laughs)

Tonight, let us reflect on our decisions in life. Each one of us has the ability to decide, young or old. Actually, hindi n'yo pa nga isinisilang ang anak n'yo, nagdesisyon na kayo. Nakaka-awa nga lang ang iba, hindi naging maganda ang naging desisyon para sa kanila.

All of us can make our own decisions. We have the chance to make our own decisions. And every day, we make choices in life. And every decision, every choice that we have to make, entails sacrifice. You have to leave something. May kailangang iwan, may kailangang itigil, may kailangang talikuran. For example, kung gusto mong pumayat, tantanan mo 'yang ice cream. Kung gusto mong pumayat, bawasan mo 'yang softdrinks. Kung gusto mong pumasa sa school, if you want to graduate, study well, bawasan mo 'yang paggamit ng gadgets, bawasan mo ang lakwatsa.

In theology, we have this term 'metanoia', which means 'a radical change'. Isang radikal na pagbabago, na kailangan nating tanggapin at gawin, kung gusto nating sumunod sa Diyos. In our Gospel, that is the first requirement of Christ. If you want to follow Me, repent. Iwan mo na, tigilan mo na, bitawan mo na. Do not be afraid to leave everything for the Kingdom. Bakit ba takot na takot ka? God is giving us now a good reminder. If you really want to have a good life, do not be afraid to take 'metanoia'.

Many wanted to follow Christ, but many were not able to follow Him. Why? Because they had so many excuses. Let me bury my father first. Let me say goodbye to my parents first. Let me finish this first. In the end, hindi sila nakasunod. But we have good examples in our Gospel. We have Peter, James. When Christ saw them, when Christ called them, immediately, they left their boat, they left their family, and followed Christ. That is radical change - that you can do sacrifices in the name, and for the sake of Christ.

Kung 'yong iiwan natin, ang kapalit naman ay si Kristo, bakit magdadalawang-isip tayo? Kaya lang sa panahon natin ngayon, mas mahirap na po. Ang dami nang ka-kompetensiya ni Kristo sa atin. Lalo na kung maganda ang trabaho mo, malaki ang sweldo mo. Sometimes, nakakalimutan mo na rin ang pagiging Kristiyano, at nakakalimutan mo na si Kristo. That is why we are now facing a difficult time to decide and to choose.

But this is the good news. Christ will never stop from calling us. God will never stop from giving us the chance to say 'yes' to Him. My dear friends, do not wait for your turn. We have an invitation here at the Greenbelt Chapel to become a lector, lay minister. Pero sinasabi natin, saka na, pag wala na akong trabaho. Saka na, pag retired na ako. Ginawa n'yo naman pong retirement house ang Greenbelt Chapel. Kailan ka pa susunod? Are you sure you still have tomorrow?

When you want to follow Christ, do it now. Do not wait for your turn. You make your turn. Because every day, God is giving us the turn to follow Him. Take the turn to follow Christ. Do not be afraid to change. People might question you. People might not believe you. Huwag n'yo po silang pansinin. If in your eyes, you are down because of your past, because of your sinfulness...if in their eyes, you are down, in the eyes of God, you are not yet done. You may be down, but you are not yet done. Because every morning, when you wake up, God is giving you one more chance. And God hopes that this time, you will choose Him. Do not be afraid to choose Christ. Do not be afraid to abandon everything in this world for the Kingdom of God.

Every first Sunday, I celebrate mass at the Manila City Jail. Doon ko po nakita at doon ko po naramdaman ang awa at pagmamahal ng Diyos para sa mga taong gustong magbago. Why? One time, I was about to say mass in Quiapo church. I was riding a jeep and I was in front of a mother with two daughters. Hawak ko po 'yong cellphone ko na Jurassic na, na pag iniwan ko po nang 2 days, pagbalik ko, nandoon pa rin, may extra load pa (laughs), may note 'Mahiya-hiya naman kayo, huwag n'yong iwan.' (laughs) When I was near the church, I was surprised may lalaki sa harapan ko, and he was talking to the mother. Ang sabi niya, 'Akin na 'yang jewelry mo.'

Naku hold-up. First time. Ninerbiyos ako. Niyakap ko pa 'yong cellphone ko, bongga ang lakas ng loob ko ano. (loud laughs) Eh hindi naman ako pinapansin. Siguro sabi ng mama, wala siyang mahihita sa cellphone ko. Umiiyak na ang babae, tinatanggal ang alahas niya. Tapos sabi ko, "Mama, para, para!" At noong bababa na ako, bumaba na rin ang holdaper, pinauna ko pa, nakalimutan ko na holdaper nga pala siya. (laughs) Natakot pa ako kasi baka akalain kasama ako kasi sabay kami bumaba! (loud laughs) Pero noong ako'y dumating nang simbahan, talagang ako'y namumutla. Sabi nila, "Father, what happened to you?" Sabi ko, "Na-holdap ang jeep." "Ano'ng nakuha sa 'yo, Father?" "Wala naman." (laughs) Pero 'yong ale, nakuha ang alahas niya.

And I was so depressed and down during the mass. It was a Father's Day. Sabi ko, mukhang Tatay 'yong holdaper. Kaya kayo po, huwag ninyong pinipilit kapag hindi kayang bilhin o ibigay kaagad. Baka mag-isip nang kung anu-ano.....

When I was giving Communion, there was this guy with tattoos, holding a baby. When I said, "The body of Christ...", hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. Sabi niya, "Father, hindi po ako magko-Communion." "Eh, bakit?" "Father, nakalimutan mo na ba ako? Ako 'yong commentator mo sa city jail. Malaya na ako!" Sasabihin ko nga sana, "Malamang, nasa labas ka na, eh." (loud laughs) Sabi niya, "Father, hinanap lang talaga kita. I just looked for you to say thank you." Sabi ko, "God bless you. God has given you another life. You live a better life now, ok?"

I just realized that there is a man - a father, might be - starting to destroy his life. While there is another man, trying to start a new life. It is your choice.

As we continue this celebration, huwag na kayo magbingi-bingihan. When are you going to choose God? When are you going to choose the Kingdom? Huwag po tayong magpaka-kampante. We're not sure of tomorrow. The past is over; what we have is the now to choose Christ. Do not be afraid to choose Christ. Do not wait for your turn; take your turn. Amen.

Gospel Reflection

January 24, 2014

Friday – Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

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

 

Reading 1 1 sm 24:3-21

Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.

David’s servants said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; do with him as you see fit.’” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, as to lay a hand on him, for he is the LORD’s anointed.” With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way. David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’? You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed and a father to me.’ Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life. The LORD will judge between me and you, and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case. I shall not touch you.
The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’ So I will take no action against you. Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea! The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you. May he see this, and take my part, and grant me justice beyond your reach!” When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And Saul wept aloud. Saul then said to David: “You are in the right rather than I;  you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm. Great is the generosity you showed me today,  when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me. For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day. And now, I know that you shall surely be king  and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession.”

 

Responsorial Psalm ps 57:2, 3-4, 6 and 11

R. (2a) Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
I call to God the Most High,
to God, my benefactor.
May he send from heaven and save me;
may he make those a reproach who trample upon me;
may God send his mercy and his faithfulness.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

 

Gospel mk 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach  and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter;  James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,  that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;  Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

HOMILY

Yesterday, we defined 'jealousy', and we saw how King Saul was so jealous of David, because David was becoming more popular than he was. Also, the Pharisees and elders of the church were so jealous of Jesus Christ for people were flocking to Him more than they were going to the temples or synagogues. 

Today, we have one word to define, and that is 'magnanimity'. Magnanimity is the general feeling of goodness, devoid of any retaliation or revenge. It comes from two Greek words, 'magna' and 'anima', which means 'great soul'. That is why a magnanimous person is one who has a great soul. 

Now we can see opposites - the jealousy of King Saul and the magnanimity of David, who pardoned and did not do revenge upon King Saul, even if he wanted to kill him. This is one of the great events recorded in the Old Testament. Probably David knew that a thousand years after him, Jesus will teach about love of enemies. 

Although so great is the magnanimous act of David, the magnanimity of God cannot be measured. God called 12 disciples to be with Him, but we see who these disciples were. They were tax collectors, cheats, they were ordinary fishermen, a group with a lot more questionable character. 

God's magnanimity is also prevalent in us today. We are all sinners, but God calls us to be with Him. That is why He is also teaching us not to judge people. Let us not look at other people's mistakes, at their wrongdoings, their weaknesses, their faults. A person who is judgmental or is a fault-finder has a low esteem of himself, that is why he passes on his negativity to other people. God is telling us that no matter how sinful we are, we belong to His flock. We are all loved, we are all gathered, because of the mercy of God. Amen. 

Gospel Reflection

January 23, 2014

Thursday – Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Benjo Fajota, Vice Rector, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)
5:30 PM Mass at the EDSA Shrine

 

Reading 1 1 sm 18:6-9;19:1-7

When David and Saul approached (on David’s return after slaying the Philistine), women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums. The women played and sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.” And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.

Saul discussed his intention of killing David  with his son Jonathan and with all his servants. But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him: “My father Saul is trying to kill you. Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning;  get out of sight and remain in hiding. I, however, will go out and stand beside my father  in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you. If I learn anything, I will let you know.”

Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him: “Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, for he has committed no offense against you,  but has helped you very much by his deeds. When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine,  and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel through him,  you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood  by killing David without cause?” Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.” So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.

 

Responsorial Psalm ps 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13

R. (5b) In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.

 

Gospel mk 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.

HOMILY

The Catholic Encyclopedia Dictionary defines 'jealousy' as an "intolerance often accompanied by emotional disturbance of wanting to have someone or something owned by another person to be exclusively for his own". Kung ano ang meron ang isa, ang gusto niya, siya lamang ang meron noon. That is why when King Saul saw that David has become popular, he became jealous of David.

Similarly, in our Gospel. we heard that people from all places would go and search for Jesus. He became more and more popular each day. The Word of God is no longer temple-based, but already Kingdom-based, as it is preached by Jesus Christ. Even from the Catholic city of Jerusalem, people were flocking to Jesus, trying to know who He was. This turned the ire of the church elders and leaders, and so they wanted to plot against Him and get rid of Him.

In our lives, people will get angry at us, will be suspicious of us, or will be jealous of us, because of our popularity, or something that we have, that others would also want to have exclusively for their own. And this is the cause of disunity. Jesus Christ came into this world to form us as one family, not only treating others with respect and dignity, but rather with joyous acceptance of who they are.

There is this story of a woman from Trinidad who would always have her daily ritual with her daughter. At night, before she would retire, she would prepare lunch for her daughter for the following day. Then they will have simple breakfast together. Before the mother goes, she would hug her daughter and whisper to her ear, "I will miss you, I love you." And when her daughter is already by the door, the mother will call her and say, "Wait, I still have to look how beautiful you are. You are such a beauty to behold." This would carry on every day. And the daughter will go to school, very happy and confident.

This is what Jesus Christ wants to tell us. "Come to Me...Come to Me in prayer. Come to Me, present yourselves, not only when there are serious things happening in your life. Come to Me in your light moments. Talk to Me in a friendly way....in a light-hearted way." Prayer need not be serious and profound every time. It could be just a silent time with a friend, or just an easy conversation with someone. Jesus would always like to have that conversation with us. Come to Him today. Come to Him and present yourself, and let Jesus behold the beauty that you have inside and outside of you. Let Him be taken by your beauty, which He has created in us all.

Kung tayo ay may pagmamahal sa ating kapwa, hindi tayo maiinggit kung ano ang meron sila. Dahil ang bawat isa sa atin ay binigyan ng Diyos ng katangian na para lamang sa atin. Amen.