May Dalang Mabuting Balita

    

Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pagpapahayag ng Magandang Balita tungkol sa Panginoon

08 Abril 2024

 

Unang Pagbasa: Is 7:10-14; 8:10

Salmong Tugunan: 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11

Ikalawang Pagbasa: Heb 10:4-10

Mabuting Balita: Lk 1:26-38

 

Repleksyon

Ni: Bro. Emerson C. Maala

 

Nasa simbahan ako noon at nakikipag-usap sa  isang pari tungkol sa aking Bokasyon. “Father nag-exam po ako sa seminaryo. Pero di po ako sigurado.” “Anak kung di ka pa sigurado, tapusin mo muna ang pag-aaral mo. Third year ka na at ilang taon na lamang ay ga-graduate ka na.” “Opo nga po.” Isa ding pari ang aking nakausap at ganoon din ang sinabi. “Kung sa akin, mas maganda tapusin mo muna ang pag-aaral mo. Tapos magtrabaho ka ng isang taon. Para masubukan mo muna ang labas bago ka pumasok ng seminaryo. Pero kung ano ang tingin mong pagtawag sa iyo, ipagdasal natin.” Nagpapraktis ako noon ng nga sakristan sa simbahan nang may biglang tumawag sa akin. “Hello Emerson, si Father Randy ito. Nakapasa ka sa Seminaryo.” “Ay talaga po. Salamat po” 'yun na lamang ang tanging nasambit ko. Wala na akong ibang nasabi. Nang walang katiyakan, tinanggap ko ang pagpasok sa seminaryo. 

Sa araw na ito, ipinagdiriwang natin ang pagbabalita ni San Gabriel Arkanghel sa Mahal na Birheng Maria ang Misteryo ng Pagkakatawang-tao ng Panginoong Hesukristo. Sa ebanghelyong ating napakinggan, ang Anghel Gabriel ay nagdala ng Mabuting Balita kay Maria. Si Maria ay maglilihi lalang ng Espiritu Santo. Wala siyang katiyakan sa nagaganap. Nagugulumihanan kung ano ang mga nangyayari. Ngunit sa kabila nito, nang malaman ni Maria na mula sa Diyos ang pagbabalitang ito ng Anghel Gabriel, tinanggap pa rin ni niya ang Mabuting Balita, si Hesus na isisilang mula sa kanyang sinapupunan.

Sa ating buhay, may mga iba't ibang balita tayong natatanggap. May masamang balita at mabuting balita. Malungkot kung masamang balita ang ating natatanggap. At iba naman ang saya kapag mabuting balita ang ating natatanggap. Gayundin, iba din naman kung sumasang-ayon sa atin o hindi ang isang balita. Katulad na lamang ng mga pansarili nating mga plano na hindi sumasang-ayon sa atin.

Sa kabila nito, isa lang ang pinakatiyak na Mabuting Balita. Walang iba kundi si Hesus. Si Hesus na buong pusong tinanggap ni Maria at upang kanyang ipagdalang-tao. Sinunod ni Maria ang plano ng Diyos. Isang Mabuting Balita na buong pusong tinanggap nang walang pag-aalinlangan. "Ako'y alipin ng Panginoon, maganap nawa sa akin ayon sa wika mo."

Kaya naman tanggapin din natin ang Mabuting Balita. Si Hesus, na patuloy na sumasama, dumadamay, at nagmamahal sa atin. Amen.

Panalangin

Ama naming makapangyarihan, sa pamamagitan ng Anghel Gabriel ay natanggap ni Maria ang Mabuting Balita, si Hesus na Iyong anak at aming Panginoon. Tulungan Mo kaming tanggapin din ang Mabuting Balita na Iyong kaloob sa amin, at maging tagapagbahagi din nito sa iba. Sa ikararangal mo, sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo, kasama ng Espiritu Santo, magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.

Same Old Story

    

The Nativity of the Lord

(Christmas)

25 December 2023

 

First Reading: Is 52:7-10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

Second Reading: Heb 1:1-6

Gospel: Jn 1:1-18

 

Reflection

By: Bernard C. Borja

 

It's eleven thirty in the evening, a single mother of two is rushing to get home from her work in Makati City. She works as a staff in a shopping mall, which extended its hours of operation during the holiday season. The heavy traffic, worse than the usual rush hours during ordinary days, won’t even let her sneak a nap on a bus. When she gets home, she still needs to prepare meals to be shared by her children for their Christmas party at school on the next day. With a sigh of relief whenever the bus moves a few meters, she stares at the red lights ahead as she plans in her mind every detail of what she needs to do for the next 12 hours, which includes short naps and taking her children to school, before going to work again.

A young man has been selling Christmas cards and gift wrappers all day in the streets of Divisoria. He prepares to leave as he made his last sale of the day. He rode his bicycle that he used to go around one of the busiest districts in Manila. As he passed in between cars and large vehicles, he can’t help but smile while thinking, “May panghanda na kami ni nanay sa Noche Buena.”

In the other side of the world, a father carries his infant as he walks with other migrants to a nearby shelter to spend the night and maybe ask for some food. When they got to the shelter, it was already full, and they were told that they cannot be accommodated along with the long line of fellow migrants. The displaced migrants set up their own tents using whatever they had – blankets, jackets, large boxes, etc. Talking to his baby, the father kept saying the same words trying to calm his crying daughter, “It’s okay my dear. It’s okay my love.” Tears came down from his eyes when a fellow migrant shared a quarter of the milk that her child was not able to drink.

I wrote this reflection in the quiet of the night, thinking about the shepherds in Bethlehem during the first Christmas. Just like other silent nights when the shepherds do their usual night routine. Maybe keeping watch for those sheep that may go astray, or maybe for wolves that may injure or kill some of the lambs. I imagine their surprise when an angel appeared at a moment when they were looking out expecting for wolves. Their fear was immediately replaced by hope as the angel proclaimed the good news of great joy. As I looked up at the dark sky and listened to the silence, I thought of the mothers who are giving up a big part of their basic needs for their family’s well-being.  I thought of the young men who are eager to do everything they can for a simple but meaningful time for their loved ones. I thought of the people who all their life move day to day without a place to call home, but still share a little hope with those who need it the most.

It’s all the same old story. Like Joseph when he was looking for a temporary shelter for Mary, and when he went out of his hometown and became a migrant. Like the shepherd who watches his flock and hopes for a peaceful night among the sheep. Like the people who had heard the news and glorified God with the shepherds. God dwells among us - the same old story that continues throughout all time. God has always been with us. From the mother who struggles to keep the house together, the smiles on the faces of her children will always remind her of God who continues to give her strength every day; with the young man who continues to look for ways to bring simple joys to his loved ones, God is there to celebrate with him and tell him that all his efforts are worth it; to the father who continues to look for a home for his daughter, God has been carrying him all his life through the people around him.

This is Christmas. We celebrate this season through the same hope and joy that the shepherds heard from the angels. The same old story that continues to renew the story of our life and continues to renew our hearts. This is when we are greatly reminded that the same God, the Word became flesh, will continue to light the world and dwell among us, especially in the midst of all the chaos, fears, and struggles. Today, we also recall how we point to the Lord in all humility during our preparation to make straight his paths. May we continue to humble ourselves and rejoice in having the honor to testify to Jesus who never takes a break to be mindful of us especially on our hopes and dreams for our family. We take part in celebrating the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, especially in the simplest hope and joy, for us to wholly share in his dwelling with us. 

Prayer

Glory to You, dear Lord! For despite all our sinfulness, You chose to be with us and be a fragile infant who continues to be born in our hearts. May we share with one another the fullness of Your grace and truth that we also proclaim along with the angels. With grateful hearts, may we see the shepherds within us and go in haste to help those in need. With Joseph and Mary, we pray for all families who celebrate Christmas differently this year. We also pray for peace and end of war in Ukraine and Gaza, especially those who lost their loved ones and who are still looking for home. These we pray in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

God's Saving Moments

   

  Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

15 August 2022 

 

First Reading: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16

Second Reading: 1 Cor 15:20-27

Gospel: Lk 1:39-56

 

Reflection

By: Grace Madrinan

 

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour

for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is His Name." - Luke 1:46-49

When was the last time you felt so much gratitude that you glorified God and exclaimed an unending hymn of praises?

Reading the Gospel today reminded me of a similar experience. It was sixteen years ago but still I remember it as if it was only yesterday. I received the news that I got accepted in another role for a different department I applied for. After working for the same thankless job for eight years, I felt redeemed and liberated. I learned from my new manager that the role was a promotion and that I need to travel to the US frequently for the job. I only asked God to be moved to another department, but God granted me more.

There are still other instances when God lifted me to praise and each time felt like I'm floating and singing. Nothing but gratitude for all the graces He bestowed upon me. He has seen me through all my tears and my quiet struggles.

How about you? Can you recall God's saving moments? He has redeemed you before and He will do it again.

Prayer

Father, we are truly elated for Your unending blessings! Teach us to be truly grateful, living a life worthy of Your grace. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

A Man of Silence and Remarkable Faith

 Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

19 March 2022

 

First Reading: 2 SM 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16

Responsorial Psalm: PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29

Second Reading: ROM 4:13, 16-18, 22

Gospel: MT 1:16, 18-21, 24a

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo M. Gonzales

 

On this eventful day, we commemorate St. Joseph, a man with remarkable faith. A carpenter by trade, Joseph is often described as a man of righteous industry, silent dignity, and intimate devotion to his wife, Mary. Such was his devotion to Mary that in the Gospel today, in view of Mary's sudden conception, in order not to expose her shame, Joseph decided to divorce her in silence. Still, upon instruction from the angel of the Lord, Joseph took Mary as his wife, further as mother to what would be Jesus, the Christ.

The message of the angel of the Lord gives us a clear view into faith. The angel told Joseph: "Do not be afraid." It was the possible derision of the people along with all the unknown consequence(s) of Joseph's prospective choice to commit that were likely to have instilled fear in him, but the angel told him how to respond in faith: "Do not be afraid." As we realize today, not to be afraid is not necessarily to be without an inkling of fear, but to step out in faith regardless of whether we are fearful or not.

The second reading for today (Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22) gives us an important distinction between faith and fear. If the blessings that Abraham and his descendants were endowed with came from the righteousness born of faith and not of the fear that comes from the law, it follows that it is our affirmative actions in agreement to God's invitations and instructions by which we are blessed more than our merely following the law. To follow the law is fundamentally necessary to observe what is due to God and all creation, but to follow the law is only to perform the actions necessary to rule out offense or punishment. To follow the law is minimally provident and is overall restrictive, but to live in faith is to surpass the requirements of the law to make for more procreative forms of good towards God and all creation. The law can tell a tenant to give from his or her yield to the landlord a fruit or two or any appropriate proportion, but faith... love tells us to give even when we have few, to give even when others are prosperous, to give even when we could not rationalize it anymore. Faith tells us, as in the words of St. John Paul II: "Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive."  A poor widow can give two coins out of the few she has in full and still be considered by the Lord generous in giving (Mark 12:41-44), and a rich man with all his wealth still stands to receive good lessons on giving and humility from Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Like Joseph in today's Gospel, to act in faith is to accept our "Mary"—to accept and make best of the many things she could represent from our Model Mother to our divine lot—to follow the Lord out of our good hearts than our fearful minds—to follow the Lord even when we do not know the way and nothing seems to make sense, grounded in our belief that He is good, and that to us, He is God, He is our loving Father.

As we remember the Solemnity of St. Joseph today, may we forge of ourselves earnest workers especially in the work of good who know how to be silent when there is a need, if in our silence we can hear God and others better, and if in our silence we espouse a humbler attitude inclined towards loving others more than placing ourselves first.

Prayer

Lord, Thank You for being our good and loving Father and for all the graces You give us. As we remember St. Joseph today, may we grow in his qualities You want us to espouse ourselves, especially if in such keeping, we become more delightful children to You. We also ask for Your forgiveness in times when we fall short of this standard. These we ask, in Jesus' most holy Name, Amen.

 

Obedience

Saint Joseph
Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

19 March 2020

First reading                                                                        2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16
The word of the Lord came to Nathan:

  ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: “When your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me; if he does evil, I will punish him with the rod such as men use, with strokes such as mankind gives. Yet I will not withdraw my favour from him, as I withdrew it from your predecessor. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’

Second reading                                                         Romans 4:13,16-18,22

The promise of inheriting the world was not made to Abraham and his descendants on account of any law but on account of the righteousness which consists in faith. That is why what fulfils the promise depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift and be available to all of Abraham’s descendants, not only those who belong to the Law but also those who belong to the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us. As scripture says: I have made you the ancestor of many nations – Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into being what does not exist.

  Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed, and through doing so he did become the father of many nations exactly as he had been promised: Your descendants will be as many as the stars. This is the faith that was ‘considered as justifying him.’

Gospel                                                                     Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.

Reflection

By Fely Santiago

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”

I have known St Joseph to be a low profile foster father of Jesus. There’s not much story about him in the Bible. He must be a very good carpenter and must be a loving husband to Mama Mary and for sure loving father to Jesus. He accompanied Jesus for about 30 years and it must be from him and of course Mama Mary that that Jesus learned the value of obedience.

Nowadays obedience is an expensive virtue. Because of the world we live in today or the influence of the world, many children and even parents don’t value obedience anymore. Children have become so open minded that they question what their parents would tell them to do. Of course there are still exceptions.

I grew up in a very authoritative environment having a father who is from the military. Discipline was really instilled on us his children and the Fourth Commandment “Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother” is a common reminder. He always tell us “obey, there’s no other way!”. So I’ve grown to be an obedient child. And I guess this has also prepared me in my spiritual journey to always listen to God and do His will. And it has also helped me in rearing my children as most of them obey us their parents.

One of my favorite verses from the Old Testament is from Jeremiah 7:23 “Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.” St Joseph must have also put these words in his heart as he was very obedient to what the angel of the Lord told him. And I believe God chose him to be the foster father of Jesus because of his obedient heart. He follows what God tells him to do and remained faithful. He is also a very cool man. I love the statue of the sleeping St Joseph. It keeps me still when the troubles of the world overcome me. We can go to St Joseph to calm us down and learn from his obedient and faithful heart.

Prayer
Father God, Thank You for giving us St Joseph to be the foster father of Jesus and our spiritual father. Teach us to be like him, humble and obedient, calm but strong. Help us to be like St Joseph who always listen to Your words that we may always follow Your holy will in our life. All this we asked in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. 

Cleanliness

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
09 December 2019

First reading                                                                  Genesis 3:9-15, 20
The Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.”
Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Second reading                                                    Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.

He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.

With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.

Gospel                                                                     Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel as sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

One of the first things we learned at home is cleanliness. We take a shower, we wash our clothes, we tidy our room, etc. Being clean produces a sense of order in our lives and in those around us. An old saying goes "Cleanliness is next to godliness". 

On the other hand, uncleanliness puts people off. Imagine going to work without having washed. Think of walking on the streets with uncollected garbage piled up, wearing stained clothes, eating contaminated food, listening to fake news against a person, or enjoying a luxurious life at the expense of others? Uncleanliness ruins everything.

By eating the forbidden fruit, our first parents have become unclean. By their disobedience, they have ruined everything that God has in mind for them and for the rest of mankind. Thankfully, God loves us and wants us to be saved. By preserving Mary from original sin from the moment she was conceived in her mother's womb, God prepared Mary for an important mission: to be the mother of the Promised Saviour. 

Today's feast gives us hope that God will clean up the mess caused by sin and restore everything according to His plan. Mary, full of grace, said her fiat wholeheartedly to God's revolutionary action. He is calling us too. Are we going to roll up our sleeves and tidy up or are we just going to sit on the fence?

Prayer

Loving Father, thank You for the gift of Mary's Immaculate Conception. Through her intercession, remove all that blights our relationship with You and with others. Amen.
 

Detach!

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time 08 September 2019
First reading Wisdom 9:13-18

For who can learn the counsel of God?
Or who can discern what the Lord wills?
For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,
and our designs are likely to fail;
for a perishable body weighs down the soul,
and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.
We can hardly guess at what is on earth,
and what is at hand we find with labour;
but who has traced out what is in the heavens?
Who has learned your counsel,
unless you have given wisdom
and sent your holy spirit from on high?
And thus the paths of those on earth were set right,
and people were taught what pleases you,
and were saved by wisdom.”

Second reading                                                          Philemon 9-10, 12-17

I would rather appeal to you (Philemon) on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.

Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 14:25-33

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“So therefore, whoever  of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

This second Sunday of September reminds me of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who is my inspiration for detachment from everything. We also remember Mama Mary whose birthday we celebrate today. Remember how she humbly accepted God's plan for her to become His Mother? She is a perfect example of complete detachment!

The world teaches us to be competitive, to acquire things, to accumulate wealth and possessions. We fight for position, power and control. I admit that I had been in this pathway for many years. 

I believe that there is nothing wrong to be wealthy, or powerful. God wants us to be rich and prosperous. But, we must be for willing to let go and  use our wealth to help people in need.  We must learn how to detach ourselves from our possessions, power, and position, and even be detached from our own family to be able to follow Jesus!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us today how to be your disciple. We pray that we continue to love God above all. We pray that we be detached from all our possessions, power , and position. This we ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. 

A Complete Family

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

10 June 2019

First reading                                                                        Acts 1:12-14
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Gospel                                                                     John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
“It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

Reflection

By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

It was just last year, March 3, 2018 when Pope Francis established a universal feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title "Mother of the Church". The Pontiff's decree states that the liturgical celebration be inserted into the Roman calendar and shall be celebrated annually on a fixed date as a Memorial on the day after Pentecost. And for this year, it falls today, June 10.

The devotion to Mary under the title of Mother of the Church has been recognized way back the time of St. Augustine and St. Leo the Great. But, what does it really mean for us?

Mary, with various titles attached to her name has become the most famous and sought-after woman of all time. Catholics cannot help to love her enough for everything she did for Jesus and for the Church. When Mary wholeheartedly said yes to the plan of God the Father in the Annunciation, she has already accepted her important role in the Church. She raised Jesus well, she was there during His public ministry, even at the foot of the cross she stood faithfully.  She also did not abandon the apostles when Jesus was put to death.  From then, she has started her mission. In our First Reading, Mary was with the apostles altogether praying  in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Mary was present when the Church was instituted on the Pentecost. Therefore, it is no doubt that she is the Mother of the Church.

As a mother, she takes care of us, her adopted children. When we pray to her, she listens to our cries, she joins us in triumphs, and she leads us to her son. Mary is fit to be called as Mother of the Church because she is the perfect example of the faithful child of God who obediently followed the Father’s will all the days of her life.


With Mary as Mother of the Church, we now have a complete family to belong to. God is our Father, Jesus is our brother, and Mary is our own loving mother.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for giving us Mary to be the Mother of Your Church. We implore her help that we may become like her, Your faithful children so that we may inherit an everlasting life. Amen.

Reconnected by Love

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

31 May 2019

First reading                                                                        Zephaniah 3:14-18
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.

Gospel                                                                     Luke 1:39-56

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

I visited two elderly aunts in the Philippines last Christmas, Tita Lilia and Tita Laling. Both were already feeble. Tita Lilia could no longer remember me, while Tita Laling, unable to talk, just stared at me. Back in the day, I was so close to them. Now, it felt as though I was losing them, until I heard Tita Lilia told me that I inherited my receding hairline from my grandfather (her father)!

Mary and Elizabeth were two extraordinary women. One bore a son, being a virgin. The other bore a son, in spite of being barren. When Mary greeted her cousin, Elizabeth's baby leapt for joy and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Full of the Spirit, she exclaimed what is now part of our prayer: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus". Both women were reunited by the Lord. Both were reconnected by Jesus who is coming to save the world.

I may have become a 'stranger' to my two beloved aunts. What really matters though is what brings us together: love. Perhaps Tita Lilia's remarks were an affirmation of that! So be it.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You came to bring the Father's mercy to all. As we continue to receive You in Word and Sacrament, may we also bring You to others especially to the sick and other people in need. Amen.

Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us.

Listen and Obey

Saint Joseph
Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

19 March 2019

First reading                                                                        2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16
The word of the Lord came to Nathan:

  ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: “When your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me; if he does evil, I will punish him with the rod such as men use, with strokes such as mankind gives. Yet I will not withdraw my favour from him, as I withdrew it from your predecessor. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’

Second reading                                                         Romans 4:13,16-18,22

The promise of inheriting the world was not made to Abraham and his descendants on account of any law but on account of the righteousness which consists in faith. That is why what fulfils the promise depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift and be available to all of Abraham’s descendants, not only those who belong to the Law but also those who belong to the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us. As scripture says: I have made you the ancestor of many nations – Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into being what does not exist.

  Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed, and through doing so he did become the father of many nations exactly as he had been promised: Your descendants will be as many as the stars. This is the faith that was ‘considered as justifying him.’

Gospel                                                                     Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.

Reflection

By Bernard M. Borja

Saint Joseph. Many people know the name. If I am to look while I walk or drive around my hometown, it won’t take me five minutes just to see a street, a building, a school, a hospital, or even stores like hardware and drug stores, with the name of Saint Joseph in it. When it comes to structures, the name is pretty popular not just in churches and non-government organizations. Several places in the Philippines, may it be cities or small towns, are named after the man who faced a lot of controversies that still goes on up to the present day.

Many images of Saint Joseph reflects wearing a traditional green and gold colors, sometimes holding a staff with flowers in it, sometimes holding carpentry tools, holding baby Jesus in his arms, or beside the child Jesus holding his hand. Most common images are the sleeping Joseph and, of course, the Holy Family. But how well do we really know Saint Joseph?

His story was only mentioned in two Gospels of the Bible - Matthew and Luke. His name was only mentioned once in the Gospel of John when Jesus came back to His hometown (John 6:41), but was never mentioned in the Gospel of Mark in the same scene at Nazareth (Mark 6:3). In Mark’s Gospel, the neighbors called Jesus “the son of Mary” instead of mentioning his father. For someone who had a very important role in the life of Jesus, there is surprisingly little information about him. However, these information are always enough to point to Jesus. Though we may have read very little about the one called “the foster father of the Messiah”, this does not alter the fact that Saint Joseph, with his wife Mary, became one of the most implored intercessor by people up to this day.

As I child, I’ve known Saint Joseph as the father of Jesus through the image of the Holy Family in our house. Growing up, I learned that he is a worker and a good provider. I used to join processions and celebrations in honor of Saint Joseph as the patron of our parish. I remember the time when I was looking for a job. Months after graduation I was not lucky enough to land on the right job until I prayed and asked for Saint Joseph’s intercession. I got hired after a month and stayed with the company for years. Ever since, I constantly prayed for strength of body and mind to do my work well. Saint Joseph became my inspiration of hard work and perseverance. And maybe it’s because my perception of Saint Joseph is like the titles given to him during his time - the carpenter, the father, the Son of David, the just, compassionate and caring man, a righteous man. But it did not end there.

We may have known him through these titles but we rarely focus on him being the husband of Mary and the details he may have gone through even before they got married. Christmas will always be about the reason for the season - Jesus Christ, the begotten Son of God, given to the world for the forgiveness of sins. While we also remember Mary, the mother of God, let us also honor her husband whose life has always pointed to who matters most and that is Jesus.

I can relate to Saint Joseph with his worries and anxieties. But when we think about it, he always had a very simple antidote to his struggles. He listens and obeys. He has always been faithful to God even though he knew the difficulties he may face. From the time he worried about Mary’s pregnancy and taking her as his wife, to taking care of the child Jesus to prepare for his mission, his life has always been a reflection of every virtue and title given to him that manifested the goodness of God. We can also say that Saint Joseph has given his all to save and protect the one who eventually saves the whole world. Even though his story was only a brief part of the Scriptures, he has been and always will be a big part of this world who inspires and remind us to be faithful, to listen and obey, and surrender everything to God


Prayer
Saint Joseph, we honor you as the true husband of Mary. Your marriage to Mary was a sacred contract by which you and Mary gave yourselves to each other. Mary really belonged to you with all she was and had. You had a right to her love and obedience; and no other person so won her esteem, obedience, and love. Saint Joseph, we thank God for your privilege of being the virginal husband of Mary. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for us the grace to love Jesus with all our heart, as you did, and love Mary with some of the tenderness and loyalty with which you loved her.  Amen. (From a novena in honor of St Joseph)