Christian Humility

 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

27 February 2022

 

First Reading: SIR 27:4-7

Responsorial Psalm: PS 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

Second Reading: 1 COR 15:54-58

Gospel: LK 6:39-45

 

Reflection

By: Sem. Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan

 

Have you ever heard of the consciousness examen? It is an integral part of the Ignatian Spirituality whereby you will look unto the past experiences of the day, examine each encounter, and recognize God’s presence throughout the day. During the examination, one also comes face-to-face with his own flaws and shortcomings. It is an opportunity to confront oneself in the light of the faith. It requires both honesty and humility.

This Sunday’s Gospel passage offers a concrete example.  Jesus' preaching seems only to be about loving our neighbor:  specifically, a sinful neighbor.  Since the two great commandments of Jesus—to love God fully and to love our neighbor as ourselves—converge in Him, we are not to look down on our sinful brother, but rather to look up at him.

You can only see the woundedness and fragility of the other through the eyes of Christian humility.  Both my brother and I are sinners.  We are equal in this – we both share in this.  But Jesus calls me to serve my brother as if I were serving Jesus Himself. Only if we have the capacity to see through our own wounds, we come to relate to other people’s wounds. If we cannot recognize our own weakness, we remain blind of the plight of others.  For this reason, from my state of sinfulness, I look up at my sinful brother.  From this stance, I may help him remove the splinter from his eye.

There are moments in my life wherein I am overwhelmed with my own share of sinfulness and feebleness. At times, I would deliberately ignore or pretend as if they are not present. When I consulted my Spiritual Director and told him this experience, he consoled me and told me: "That’s exactly what God wants you to experience. How can you imbibe the smell of your sheep if you are not one of them?" It makes more sense now. It is only through looking at our own experiences of darkness can we begin to understand and accompany our brothers and sisters.

This Christian way of looking towards others is not a judgmental act of comparing oneself to them, rather, it is an invitation to grow together in holiness. Jesus invites us to become good trees which bears good fruits. And how should we become good fruit-bearing trees? Jesus calls us to be deeply rooted in him – to go deep into our own dirt of woundedness and brokenness and to allow ourselves to be immersed in God’s transforming mercy and love. The more we go down, the more we produce good fruits. 

Prayer

God, we are Your beloved. Even in our unfinished state, You take delight in what we are and we will become. Help us to claim for our own Your gentle leading in our lives and help us to know that You are always hoping for more for us and from us. Give us the strength and peace of heart to be filled with Your power. Amen.

 

Taking the Sonship Seriously

 The Baptism of the Lord

09 January 2022

 

First Reading: IS 42:1-4, 6-7 or 40:1-5, 9-11

Responsorial Psalm: PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 or PS 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30

Second Reading: ACTS 10:34-38 or TI 2:-11-14; 3:4-7

Gospel: LK 3:15-16, 21-22

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

I had an interesting conversation with someone who used to be a practicing Catholic, but has decided to become a Born-again Christian. She initially asked about the Catholic practices during Lent, especially the "penitensya", a popular religiosity in some parts of the Philippines. I gave her an explanation on those practices, but made it clear that the Church does not sanction some practices, such as self-flagellation and crucifixion. She asked because, according to her she was no longer Catholic. I told her that once someone is baptized, they remain a Catholic forever. Baptism imparts an indelible character on the baptized. We may practice the faith or not, but we all remain children of God.

In today's Gospel, God revealed Jesus as His beloved Son after receiving baptism. Every time there is a baptism, the Father's revelation is echoed, regardless if the ceremony is held in an opulent basilica or a humble chapel. We share in the divine sonship of Jesus. It is now up to us how we look after this sonship. Are we happy to stay as nominal Christians or are we willing to take this sonship to the next level?

Prayer

Loving Father, thank You for adopting us as Your children through Baptism. Help us to value such a privilege. United with Your Son, may our lives constantly proclaim Your inclusive love for all. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Take up the Cross

24th Sunday In Ordinary Time
13 September 2015

First reading	Isaiah 50:5-9 ©

The Lord has opened my ear.

For my part, I made no resistance,

neither did I turn away.

I offered my back to those who struck me,

my cheeks to those who tore at my beard;

I did not cover my face

against insult and spittle.

The Lord comes to my help,

so that I am untouched by the insults.

So, too, I set my face like flint;

I know I shall not be shamed.

My vindicator is here at hand. Does anyone start proceedings against me?

Then let us go to court together.

Who thinks he has a case against me?

Let him approach me.

The Lord is coming to my help,

who will dare to condemn me?

---

Psalm
Psalm 114:1-6,8-9 ©

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

I love the Lord for he has heard

  the cry of my appeal;

for he turned his ear to me

  in the day when I called him.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

They surrounded me, the snares of death,

  with the anguish of the tomb;

they caught me, sorrow and distress.

  I called on the Lord’s name.

O Lord, my God, deliver me!

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

How gracious is the Lord, and just;

  our God has compassion.

The Lord protects the simple hearts;

  I was helpless so he saved me.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

He has kept my soul from death,

  my eyes from tears

  and my feet from stumbling.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord

  in the land of the living.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

---

Second reading	James 2:14-18 ©

Take the case, my brothers, of someone who has never done a single good act but claims that he has faith. Will that faith save him? If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, and one of you says to them, ‘I wish you well; keep yourself warm and eat plenty’, without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that? Faith is like that: if good works do not go with it, it is quite dead.

  This is the way to talk to people of that kind: ‘You say you have faith and I have good deeds; I will prove to you that I have faith by showing you my good deeds – now you prove to me that you have faith without any good deeds to show.’

---

Gospel Acclamation	Jn14:6

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

No one can come to the Father except through me.

Alleluia!

Or	Ga6:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord,

through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel	Mark 8:27-35 ©

Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.

  And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’

  He called the people and his disciples to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’

Reflection:

by Art Reyes.


Jesus asks His disciples about His identity: “Who do people say that I am?”

Have you met an old friend after a long time and unable to remember his name? It is embarrassing to even ask his name, isn't it? You however, still awkwardly ask: “Hi Ricky, how is your wife and kids doing?” And this man replied: “Hello, I am Johnny and happily single.”

In the presentation of the life and ministry of Jesus found in the Gospel of Mark, the deeds of Jesus have shown Jesus to be the Son of God. Yet many, including Jesus' disciples, have not yet realized His identity.
This Sunday's reading also outlines the three conditions of Christian discipleship, namely, denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Jesus.

If we leave out the cross in our lives, it is a clear case of “mistaken identity” as Christians. It is wrong to think that Christianity is all about happiness and prosperity. If we follow Christ, there will always be sufferings and persecutions.

Those who have not gone through heavy trials and life difficulties have not really experienced the love and grace of God. Isn't that ironic? But when was the last time you thought that the simplest meal in your home is all you needed? It is when you were starving at the middle of your trip at the most inconvenient place and time. Will we appreciate the light when we have not seen the darkness or enjoy the rainbow if it only has one color? Life will throw everything on us, from victories to defeats, sadness to joy, and everything in between. When facing difficulties, our weak faith can sometimes drive us to question the fairness of it all. But we are capable of overcoming them because our God is faithful.

When we think about it, the difficulties in this life is what define us, what we are made of, how strong and weak we are, and what is really important. It is only through sufferings and it's acceptance that we realize our limits as human beings. In placing our lives wholly in the arms of loving God, we can finally and truly live.

Let us all carry our cross and ask not our God to take it away from us. Because as we bear our own cross we learn to live a life of meaning, purpose, and sacrifice.

Prayer:

Jesus, help us to live in such a way that others will know we profess You to be the Messiah and that we take up our cross after You, and in so doing may many be attracted to follow You. Jesus, You are my one and only God.
Amen

Genuine Christian

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 16, 2013

First Reading: 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13

Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord the God of Israel says this, “I anointed you king over Israel; I delivered you from the hands of Saul; I gave your master’s house to you, his wives into your arms; I gave you the House of Israel and of Judah; and if this were not enough, I would add as much again for you. Why have you shown contempt for the Lord, doing what displeases him? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, taken his wife for your own, and killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. So now the sword will never be far from your House, since you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.”’


David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord, for his part, forgives your sin; you are not to die.’

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:1-2,5,7,11

Second Reading: Galatians 2:16,19-21
We acknowledge that what makes a man righteous is not obedience to the Law, but faith in Jesus Christ. We had to become believers in Christ Jesus no less than you had, and now we hold that faith in Christ rather than fidelity to the Law is what justifies us, and that no one can be justified by keeping the Law. In other words, through the Law I am dead to the Law, so that now I can live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in this body I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake. I cannot bring myself to give up God’s gift: if the Law can justify us, there is no point in the death of Christ.



Gospel: Luke 7:36-8:3
One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses 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 this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’

Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

Now after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.


Reflection

By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

My grandfather recently passed on, mostly of old age and other health complications. But it was not a struggle as he breathed his last while we pray the Rosary. He was a famous pioneer dentist in our town. He was a high ranking member of the Knights of Columbus, and also an active Rotarian. He used to travel a lot, in and out of the country. To me, I remember him to love Baguio, bowling, and beer. Yes, never a day without a bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen. (I even saw a half-filled bottle inside the fridge the day he died.)


I also remember him to be someone who is not fond of going to Mass, while my grandmother never skipped a day during her active days. Lolo is not the religious kind of man. I do not recall seeing him going to confessions, until that day when a priest anointed him and Lola days before he departed. But every so often, I would see him quietly praying the Rosary. And truly, upon my Aunt’s confirmation, his personal Bible is very well used, especially the Book of Proverbs. Seeing the kind of life he lived, he must have followed those highlighted verses to the dot. He may not be perfect, as we all are, but I have heard several judgments from my relatives of how nominal of a Catholic he is. However personally, I believe that he was a better Christian than some of the people I know who regularly hears Mass. He was more of a Catholic when he generously offered his dental services for free, or when he attends to his less affording relatives. He was more of a follower of Christ when he prays the Rosary wholeheartedly, than those who merely mouth the prayers on auto pilot.

How many among us are genuinely Catholics? Are we guilty of thinking that we are a better Christian than some? That we are on top of our Novenas? That we know the saint of the day? That we are the better brand of religion than those who do not know Jesus? While we cannot even tame the judgmental kind of perception we throw around on some people?

Think again. Judging never did any good. It builds walls instead of bridges. It leads to gossiping, and it ends relationships. Cliché as it is, but only God can judge all of us; He who can see everything; He who is perfect.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

Prayer

Dear Jesus, forgive us when we cannot tame our judgmental minds. We criticize too many times, but fail to recognize our own faults. We keep on correcting others but fall short in looking into our own misdoings. Jesus, help us to be humble so we do not feel that we are superior over others. May we learn to celebrate our individualities. Remind us to uplift the good in each other and not to condemn the bad. May we stop judging because other sin differently than us. Fill us with your Spirit of compassion and acceptance. Amen.

Moving On By Another Way

" Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid'ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

Epiphany comes from a Greek word which means "manifestation" or "showing".  If at the first Christmas, Jesus showed Himself to His kababayan shepherds, this time He manifested to the Gentiles as represented by the three wise men.

During this week when the feast of the Lord's Epiphany is celebrated, we would have already started to dismantle all the Christmas decors we have put in our homes, offices, etc.  There is a feeling of going back to normal after a month or so of being in a festive mood.

Christmas decors attract our attention, giving us that happy feeling of Christmas.  It could be said of the same thing with the star that led the three wise men to where Jesus was.  With the star, these men from the East travelled to their destination. They may have lost it at some point which was why perhaps they ended in Herod's court, but when they saw it again, they were delighted. They kept on hoping until finally they saw the Child Jesus.

If decors would soon be taken out of the picture of our lives, the star too would soon be taken out of these men's story. Notice how it was no longer mentioned when they see Jesus. What were only mentioned were that they offered their gifts and then, left "...by another way."

Jesus has shown Himself to us in many different means - through the sacraments, the Belen, our family and friends, the many happenings in our surrounding nowadays.  It is up to us to be like the wise men moving on with our lives by another way - a way of life that is matuwid. And as we walk through a new way, let's make the Lord's presence continuously felt by those around us.  Unlike our Christmas ornaments that are here now and then stored in the attic later, let's show Christ's light 24/7!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, like the three wise men, strengthen us in our continuous desire to follow You.  Through the many means that You would like to shown Yourself to us, give us an insight to recognize, adore, and serve You...not only during the Christmas season, but always. Amen.

Giving Up is Not An Option

But Palm Sunday tells us that … it is the cross that is the true tree of life.

- Pope Benedict XVI

First Reading: Isa. 50:4-7

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Resp. Psalm: Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Who,  though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness;  and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.  Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel:  Mark 14:1—15:47

It was two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by some trick and have him put to death. For they said, ‘It must not be during the festivities, or there will be a disturbance among the people.’


Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper; he was at dinner when a woman came in with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the ointment on his head. Some who were there said to one another indignantly, ‘Why this waste of ointment? Ointment like this could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor’; and they were angry with her. But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. Why are you upsetting her? What she has done for me is one of the good works. You have the poor with you always, and you can be kind to them whenever you wish, but you will not always have me. She has done what was in her power to do: she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. I tell you solemnly, wherever throughout all the world the Good News is proclaimed, what she has done will be told also, in remembrance of her.’


Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, approached the chief priests with an offer to hand Jesus over to them. They were delighted to hear it, and promised to give him money; and he looked for a way of betraying him when the opportunity should occur.


On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and say to the owner of the house which he enters, “The Master says: Where is my dining room in which I can eat the passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large upper room furnished with couches, all prepared. Make the preparations for us there,’ The disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them, and prepared the Passover.


When evening came he arrived with the Twelve. And while they were at table eating, Jesus said, ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me, one of you eating with me.’ They were distressed and asked him, one after another, ‘Not I, surely?’ He said to them, ‘It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping into the same dish with me. Yes, the Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’


And as they were eating he took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. ‘Take it,’ he said ‘this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, ‘This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. I tell you solemnly, I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.’


After psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, ‘You will all lose faith, for the scripture says: I shall strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered, however after my resurrection I shall go before you to Galilee.’ Peter said, ‘Even if all lose faith, I will not.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you solemnly, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will have disowned me three times.’ But he repeated still more earnestly, ‘If I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And they all said the same.


They came to a small estate called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Stay here while I pray.’ Then he took Peter and James and John with him. And a sudden fear came over him, and great distress. And he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here, and keep awake.’ And going on a little further he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, this hour might pass him by. ‘Abba (Father)!’ he said ‘Everything is possible for you. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you, not I, would have it.’ He came back and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Had you not the strength to keep awake one hour? You should be awake, and praying not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came back and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy; and they could find no answer for him. He came back a third time and said to them, ‘You can sleep on now and take your rest. It is all over. The hour has come. Now the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! My betrayer is close at hand already.’


Even while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came up with a number of men armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the traitor had arranged a signal with them. ‘The one I kiss,’ he had said ‘he is the man. Take him in charge, and see he is well guarded when you lead him away.’ So when the traitor came, he went straight up to Jesus and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. The others seized him and took him in charge. Then one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.


Then Jesus spoke. ‘Am I a brigand’ he said ‘that you had to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? I was among you teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid hands on me. But this is to fulfil the scriptures.’ And they all deserted him and ran away. A young man who followed him had nothing on but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the cloth in their hands and ran away naked.


They led Jesus off to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes assembled there. Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s palace, and was sitting with the attendants warming himself at the fire.


The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus on which they might pass the death sentence. But they could not find any. Several, indeed, brought false evidence against him, but their evidence was conflicting. Some stood up and submitted this false evidence against him, ‘We heard him say, “I am going to destroy this Temple made by human hands, and in three days build another, not made by human hands.”’ But even on this point their evidence was conflicting. The high priest then stood up before the whole assembly and put this question to Jesus, ‘Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence these men are bringing against you?’ But he was silent and made no answer at all. The high priest put a second question to him, ‘Are you the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus ‘and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’ The high priest tore his robes, ‘What need of witnesses have we now?’ he said. ‘You heard the blasphemy. What is your finding?’ And they all gave their verdict: he deserved to die.


Some of them started spitting at him and, blindfolding him, began hitting him with their fists and shouting, ‘Play the prophet!’ And the attendants rained blows on him.


While Peter was down below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s servant-girls came up. She saw Peter warming himself there, stared at him and said, ‘You too were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ But he denied it. ‘I do not know, I do not understand, what you are talking about’ he said. And he went out into the forecourt. The servant-girl saw him and again started telling the bystanders, ‘This fellow is one of them.’ But again he denied it. A little later the bystanders themselves said to Peter, ‘You are one of them for sure! Why, you are a Galilean.’ But he started calling down curses on himself and swearing, ‘I do not know the man you speak of.’ At that moment the cock crew for the second time, and Peter recalled how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will have disowned me three times.’ And he burst into tears.


First thing in the morning, the chief priests together with the elders and scribes, in short the whole Sanhedrin, had their plan ready. They had Jesus bound and took him away and handed him over to Pilate.


Pilate questioned him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘It is you who say it’ he answered. And the chief priests brought many accusations against him. Pilate questioned him again, ‘Have you no reply at all? See how many accusations they are bringing against you!’ But, to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.


At festival time Pilate used to release a prisoner for them, anyone they asked for. Now a man called Barabbas was then in prison with the rioters who had committed murder during the uprising. When the crowd went up and began to ask Pilate the customary favour, Pilate answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?’ For he realised it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. The chief priests, however, had incited the crowd to demand that he should release Barabbas for them instead. Then Pilate spoke again. ‘But in that case,’ he said to them ‘what am I to do with the man you call king of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ ‘Why?’ Pilate asked them ‘What harm has he done?’ But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, anxious to placate the crowd, released Barabbas for them and, having ordered Jesus to be scourged, handed him over to be crucified.


The soldiers led him away to the inner part of the palace, that is, the Praetorium, and called the whole cohort together. They dressed him up in purple, twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed and spat on him; and they went down on their knees to do him homage. And when they had finished making fun of him, they took off the purple and dressed him in his own clothes.


They enlisted a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull.


They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he refused it. Then they crucified him, and shared out his clothing, casting lots to decide what each should get. It was the third hour when they crucified him. The inscription giving the charge against him read: ‘The King of the Jews.’ And they crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.


The passers-by jeered at him; they shook their heads and said, ‘Aha! So you would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days! Then save yourself: come down from the cross!’ The chief priests and the scribes mocked him among themselves in the same way. ‘He saved others,’ they said ‘he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now, for us to see it and believe.’ Even those who were crucified with him taunted him.


When the sixth hour came there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ When some of those who stood by heard this, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling on Elijah.’ Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it him to drink saying; ‘Wait and see if Elijah will come to take him down.’ But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion, who was standing in front of him, had seen how he had died, and he said, ‘In truth this man was a son of God.’


There were some women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary who was the mother of James the younger and Joset, and Salome. These used to follow him and look after him when he was in Galilee. And there were many other women there who had come up to Jerusalem with him.


It was now evening, and since it was Preparation Day (that is, the vigil of the sabbath), there came Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent member of the Council, who himself lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God, and he boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate, astonished that he should have died so soon, summoned the centurion and enquired if he was already dead. Having been assured of this by the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph who bought a shroud, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in the shroud and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joset were watching and took note of where he was laid.

Reflection

By Pam Manzano

While meditating on a possible write-up for today’s Gospel, I remembered a friend from school. At the time I am writing this, my friend is in her senior collegiate year taking up BS Psychology. She is an innately happy person with a charming smile, pleasing to the ears' laughter and is capable of giving sweet-warm hugs. She is a music lover and can play several musical instruments very well, including drums. Her face is simple and innocent-looking which gives her a beauty that can be described as classic. She is a lady with a little girl’s heart. She exudes an aura that captures the heart of other people around her. The only thing that she wants is to love and make someone happy even in the expense of her sadness. On top of it all, she is Christian.



My friend, being in her senior year, is expecting to graduate on time. Stress of a graduating student’s subject loads coupled with other personal problems took a hold of her. Problems pushed her to her limits – in a negative sense. She carried all her pain without the world knowing, without even wanting the world to know. News about not being part of the candidates for graduation list, missing professors' lessons, and pending graduation requirements marked the start of her distress. There are times she seemed so distant, her mind pre-occupied with things that should not even be there in the first place. I honestly do not know what else to do or tell her and make her feel lighter. Her hope was gone. It is just sad to know that because of her current experiences, her faith is greatly affected.


Today’s Gospel talks about Jesus’ passion in the course of saving us. Jesus knew back then that His passion will not be easy. He knew He would have to endure the pain that is to be inflicted on Him. He knew His disciples, His friends will desert Him. He knew He would have to die in the end.


Did He back out? No.


Did He lose hope? No.


Did He think of death as the end? No.


Maybe it is because of sorrow that He cried out “Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani” before dying. But there is a purpose behind: to redeem mankind from sin. He could have easily saved Himself from such pain and humiliation in dying like a criminal but He chose to follow the Father’s plan and give us new hope, new life, and eternity. He triumphed over death, He is the victor.


Our lives are full of uncertainties. We do not know what we are going to face in the next minutes, days, weeks, and years of our lives. We don’t know what else to endure, what we are going to lose, what disappointments we are yet to face. Whatever happens next, just keep on pushing forward. Giving up on life is never an option. Like what Jesus did in His passion, let us be imitative of His courage to step forward one more time even if our yokes are heavy.


This Lenten season, let us not forget that no matter how the hardships and challenges try to weigh us down, someone above us is stretching out His loving arms that we can hold on to and help pull us up, to make us stand. Let us not grow weary of our faith. It is in difficult times that our Christian faith is so much tested and refined. And yes, my friend graduated on time.

Jesus went through so much pain than we can ever imagine. He died hanging on the cross for me, for my friend, for everyone including you. He rose victorious and is calling us to share the victory He has long won. Will you respond to that call?


As a popular cliché goes, “No one ever said it would be easy. They just say ‘It would be all worth it’.” Want to give up on life now? Think. Remember Jesus’ sacrifice on that cross 2000 years ago and think what will happen if He gave up right then. Where will you be now?

Prayer
 
Jesus, this Lenten season, may we be grateful of Your sacrifice in the cross of Calvary. May we see Your light when we are blinded by darkness. May we feel Your love when we are most unlovable. And may we know Your overflowing grace when we are in our nothingness. Amen.

No ID, No Entry

Fourth Sunday of Easter
15 May 2011


The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.


First reading Acts 2:14,36-41 3
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: ‘The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.’
Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, ‘What must we do, brothers?’ ‘You must repent,’ Peter answered ‘and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.’ He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, ‘Save yourselves from this perverse generation.’ They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 22:1-6

Second reading 1 Peter 2:20-25
The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing punishment patiently when you are punished after doing your duty.
This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Gospel John 10:1-10
Jesus said: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come
are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them.
I am the gate.
Anyone who enters through me will be safe:
he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture.
The thief comes
only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come
so that they may have life and have it to the full.’

Reflection
By Herminia Jamandri-Flores

“Paging Mrs. Flores, please come to the principal’s office at once.” I was about to take my recess break but the urgent call bade me to obey. Was there something I did or failed to do? Before I reached the office, I saw the guard holding two of my male student. One of them tried to go out of the gate by climbing up the fence and the other one wanted to enter without an ID. What a Monday morning!

The gate is always an interesting place. People outside can enter if allowed by the guard on duty. In most establishments, security requires an ID in order to be allowed entry. In malls, they require inspection of bags to ensure safety of other mall goers. They are also wary about the people going out especially those with large packages. There are closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) installed in gates to further improve security. On the lighter side, the gate is the favorite meeting place of friends going out on a gimmick or of sweethearts on the way to a tête-à-tête. It is a place where people are welcomed and sent off.

During Jesus’ time, the gate of the sheepfold is very narrow and opens only inwards. Somebody must hold the gate open while the sheep are going out. The good shepherd knows the sheep he owns and his flock follows his scent and his voice. In this modern times, there are lots of destructions that we Catholics face. It seems there is another gate which is bigger and more comfortable to pass through. And we are given a choice. Sometimes, the choice is easy. Do I attend Mass or sleep? Oftentimes, it has become a choice between what Jesus wants and what the world offers. Jesus wants us to be faithful to the Word of God and to the teachings of the Church but the company offers triple pay over and above overtime pay if you work 2 shifts on a holiday which falls on a Sunday. That’s a week’s pay for a day’s work! Oh, Jesus will understand.

The boys who had a discourse with the guards were reprimanded by the principal. They were given two days community service and were placed under my close supervision and follow ups with parents. There were others who went through different misbehaviors but they were given second chances… a lot of second chances… and were allowed to enter the gate again.

Jesus is always the kind and understanding Shepherd to us His sheep. He takes the initiative to look for a lost sheep no matter what it takes. He keeps on calling us to enter the narrow gate and to heed His words. But what qualifies us to this sublime calling? We are baptized. We are Catholic Christians. That is our identity. We belong to Him.

So, to my fellow sheep, do not forget to wear your ID… at all times.

Jesus, my shepherd, You never failed to guide us through life but oftentimes we fail to see the verdant pastures and the bountiful tables in the midst of our daily trials. We miss Your voice because the call of the world is so loud and undeniably appealing. We do not follow Your footsteps because there are a lot of pathways to choose from. We forgot our Christian calling.

Please extend Your already stretched understanding to accommodate our sinfulness. Please look upon us with Your most loving heart because we do not want to be left outside the gate. We cannot promise a smooth journey with You because we already failed a lot of times but with You around we can always catch Your scent. Help us to smell like You so that we may be able to lead other Christians to You.

This we ask You with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the Father, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Rose For You!

Easter Sunday
24 April 2011


The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.


First reading Acts 10:34,37-43
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses – we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 117:1-2,16-17,22-23

Second reading Colossians 3:1-4
Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.

Gospel John 20:1-9
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Reflection
By Jeanne Therese Hilario-Andres

How unique Christian belief is. If you compare the world’s major religions, you will see the many different convictions humans have believed in throughout history. Yet what is distinctive about our Christian faith? What sets us apart?

Being Christian means believing in Jesus, yes. But just WHAT about Jesus do Christians believe in? Some other religions believe in Jesus, too. They acknowledge that He was a historical figure, and that He was a gifted prophet. Does believing that Jesus existed and that He was a good man make them Christian, too? What sets Christianity apart from all other world beliefs?

Simply put, Christians believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead. The very core of our faith is rooted in this. Jesus, in order to save us from the consequences of sin, had to rise from the dead, and this He did. One cannot call oneself a Christian and not believe this.

Jesus had to rise from the dead: Even for those who lived and followed Jesus during His ministry, I can imagine this must have been pretty hard to take!

As a child growing up on a steady reading diet of Uncle Arthur’s Bible Stories, I couldn’t figure out why the disciples couldn’t catch on to what Jesus was trying to tell them about how He would die and, after three days, rise from the dead. Being young and impatient, I felt frustrated whenever they would scold Jesus or ask dumb questions as He described in plain words how He was to suffer death, but how the Father will raise Him up soon after. It seemed as though they thought He was using figures of speech and didn’t really pay attention to what He was saying. I remember wanting to stamp my foot and tell them not to be so thick! Jesus was warning them about the future beforehand! Could these grown men really have been that dense? Peter even once rebuked Jesus for talking about His death (in Mark 8:32), and got soundly rebuked back.

But now, many decades of reflection later, I finally realize why the disciples found it so hard to accept Jesus’ teachings about His impending death and resurrection. Like anyone of us who may have just heard that their loved one was about to die, they were in denial. They did not want Jesus to die. They did not want to lose Him. They did not want to be separated from Him. And they thought that “rising from the dead” was just a figure of speech, for surely, wasn’t that impossible?

Good Friday came, with blood, grief and tears, and for all their denial, all the disciples’ worst fears had come true. Jesus had died. Then came Easter Sunday. The empty tomb. The discarded burial cloths. The missing body. Still, they could not yet fully grasp the truth. They thought someone had stolen His body.

And then Jesus came and showed Himself to them, not just once but many times, even eating and drinking with them! He really was alive! His rising from the dead had not been a figure of speech at all, but a real, tangible truth. Finally, gradually, the disciples got the idea! And when they finally got hold of this enormous truth, that Jesus died and literally rose again to save us, they professed it even unto death, even at the cost of their own lives.

What makes you a Christian? Is it your good works? Your going to Mass each Sunday? Your participation in liturgical celebrations and observances? Your charitable outreach projects? Your upbringing? Your prayers? Your actions? Your music choices? Your values? Is being a good, God-fearing person enough reason for one to be called a Christian?

Surely, certainly, these are all parts of how we may live out and express the fullness of our Christian faith. But at the very core, the very essence of our being Christian, lies our unshakeable belief in the death and resurrection of the Lord.

Yet Jesus’ resurrection is not just historical and theological— most importantly, it was personal, too. Intensely personal. Yes, Jesus died for you, but have you ever reflected on how He ROSE for you, as well? He meant for each one of us to personally experience the benefits of His rising.

He had chosen the disciples in advance (as we read in today’s first reading) to eat and drink with Him after His resurrection, just as He has now, in the same way, chosen us to eat and drink with Him at each Eucharistic celebration.

The disciples were chosen to discover with elation the miracle of the empty tomb, just as we have been chosen to experience the joy and wonder of new life in Him.

The disciples were chosen to proclaim the Good News, just as we are now called to tell others of Jesus’ rising.

Jesus was born, suffered death, and rose again— for you. You were chosen.

Even before you were born, even before you were formed in your mother’s womb, He had chosen you in advance. Think about it today: Jesus rose for all the world, but He also rose especially for you, that YOU may not die, but have life that lasts forever.

Will you accept His personal invitation today to live daily in the power of His resurrection?

Alleluia, my Lord Jesus! Thank you for dying and for rising for me. Deepen my faith in the truth and certainty of Your resurrection. Open my mind to receive fully the mystery of Your rising. Thank You, Lord, for choosing me. Give me grace to choose You and love You, and to live everyday in the power by which You rose from death. Amen.

Next week on God-speak
Discipleship 101