Di Porke't Malapit Ka Sa Pari Eh Malapit Ka Na Sa Diyos

9th Sunday In Ordinary Time
01 June 2008

First reading: Deuteronomy 11:18 - 28

Let these words of mine remain in your heart and in your soul; fasten them on your hand as a sign and on your forehead as a circlet. See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: a blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord our God that I enjoin on you today; a curse, if you disobey the commandments of the Lord your God and leave the way I have marked out for you today, by going after other gods you have not known.

Second reading: Romans 3:21 - 28

God’s justice that was made known through the Law and the Prophets has now been revealed outside the Law, since it is the same justice of God that comes through faith to everyone, Jew and pagan alike, who believes in Jesus Christ. Both Jew and pagan sinned and forfeited God’s glory, and both are justified through the free gift of his grace by being redeemed in Christ Jesus who was appointed by God to sacrifice his life so as to win reconciliation through faith. since, as we see it, a man is justified by faith and not by doing something the Law tells him to do.

Gospel: Matthew 7:21 - 27

Jesus said, ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord”, who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

A godfather once told me "Hindi porke't malapit ka sa pari eh malapit ka na sa Diyos." (Being close to the priest does not necessarily mean being close to God.) He was criticising the arrogance of some parishioners who, because of their wealth and influence, have "monopolized" every facet of parish life. Indeed, the Lord is sending us a similar warning in this Sunday's Gospel. If we thought of having performed all those rituals, all those novenas, all those charitable acts, let us not console ourselves with the thought that we are close to God. We may have been doing those for many times already, but if those acts were without love, without the desire to glorify God and serve others, without the intention to do God's will then they simply become unbearable. Our faith should be based on firm foundation, stronger than the church activities and services we attend, durable than the acquaintances we may have with the hierarchy. It should always be based on God and should be directed to obey His will.

Loving God, You have always desired our salvation. Keep us strong in our faith in You, a faith that will empower us to follow Your commands and inspire others to do the same. In Jesus' name. Amen.