No Qualifications

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

28 June 2026

 

First Reading: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

Second Reading: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11

Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Balla

I know I’m not perfect, and honestly, I know I’m not worthy of all the blessings God keeps pouring out. But I’ve learned that it was never really about me in the first place. It’s about Him—His mercy, His grace, and His generosity.

God doesn’t ask us to prove ourselves or meet a set of qualifications before He calls us. He simply asks us to love Him and follow Him. To do good whenever we can, whether those actions feel big or small. To support His church, His people, and His work in the simple ways available to us. Somehow, those small acts always end up meaning more than we expect.

When I look at my life, I see how much of it has been shaped by God’s grace. I came from very humble beginnings, but I was blessed with parents who lived with integrity. They weren’t religious, but they were kind, honest, and generous. Even when we didn’t have much, they always found a way to give something to others. Growing up, I didn’t realize it then, but now I see how those moments quietly taught me what faith and love look like in action.

I’ve also learned that discipleship doesn’t have to be loud or impressive. It doesn’t have to be grand. You don’t have to be famous, highly educated, or even deeply religious. What really matters is choosing to love, to care, and to avoid harming others—or the environment around us. Sometimes discipleship shows up in the simplest choices we make every day. And in those quiet, faithful moments, God does the rest.

Prayer

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Song by Matt Redman

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger

Your name is great and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

So bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name (bless You, Lord)

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore (forevermore)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name (c'mon)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Yes, I will worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before, O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I will worship Your holy name

Worship Your holy name

Through the Narrow Door

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

24 August 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1, 2

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

 

Reflection By:

Bro. Carlo Alexis Malaluan

Diocese of Imus

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit a Cistercian monastery in Portugal. We had a guided tour in where every single detail was explained to us by the guide. He told us how the monks used to live with great simplicity: simple dormitories, unadorned work room, and rhythms ordered around prayer, work, and silence. But what stayed with me the most was a small but curious detail — the door leading to the refectory, the monks’ dining room. It was too narrow — intentionally narrow. So narrow, in fact, that you’d have to remain physically fit just to pass through comfortably.

The guide remarked, “It helps them remember not to overeat.” We laughed, but the statement went deeper than health. It was about discipline. About restraint. About forming not just the body, but the soul.

And that image came rushing back to me when we read today’s Gospel: “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” Jesus speaks not of a wide, open gateway, but of one that must be intentionally entered. It doesn’t allow just anything to pass through—not baggage, not excess, not complacency. And then He warns: “Many will try to enter and will not be strong enough.”

It’s haunting, not because it excludes, but because it reveals something essential about discipleship: that entering the Kingdom requires a kind of spiritual fitness,not perfection. Not self-righteousness but readiness. It is a form of detachment which is a freedom from the excess that keeps us bloated with pride, entitlement, or spiritual laziness.

The narrow door doesn’t represent a God who’s trying to keep people out. It represents a God who wants to strip away what doesn’t give life. To enter, we must travel light.

Jesus even imagines a scenario where people knock on the door, claiming familiarity: “We ate and drank with you… you taught in our streets.” But He responds, “I do not know you.” It’s not that He never met them — it’s that they never truly followed Him. They stayed close, but they never entered. They knew of Him, but they didn’t allow their lives to be shaped by Him.

It’s easy to fall into that pattern. To hear the Gospel often but never let it press into our habits. To surround ourselves with religious things while remaining spiritually unfit to enter the narrow way of love, mercy, sacrifice, and obedience. The door is narrow, says the Gospel, not because God is exclusive, but because discipleship is real. It requires something from us. It calls us to become someone new.

And yet, the Gospel ends with hope: “People will come from the east and west, from the north and south, and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.” The door is narrow but it is open. The feast is waiting. God’s desire is to fill His house. But He invites us to arrive ready, not bloated by excess, but lean in love. Not dragging what we cling to, but free to walk through with open hands.

So today, we might ask: What makes it hard for me to fit through the narrow door? What habits, attachments, or comforts weigh me down? And more deeply: Am I allowing Christ to shape me into someone who can pass through—not just at the end of life, but each day, in the choices I make?

Because the narrow door is not just the gate at the end. It’s the quiet choice in the middle of the day. It’s the discipline of a monk entering a refectory through a door that reminds him: less is more, and love is lean.

Prayer

The Fire That Divides and Heals

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

17 August 2025

 

First Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

 

Reflection By:

Bro. Carlo Alexis Malaluan

Diocese of Imus

I met Elizabeth in a retreat in Tagaytay. We became friends and told me her life story. After years of living a life centered on success and approval as a corporate manager in a multi-billion company in BGC, she encountered Christ in a deeply personal way during a silent retreat. Since then, something shifted. She didn’t become a saint overnight — no one does — but her priorities began to change. She started going to daily Mass, simplified her lifestyle, and spoke openly about her faith. At first, her family was proud. But soon, they began to feel uncomfortable. “You’re becoming too intense,” they said. “You used to be more fun.” The same people who once supported her began to keep their distance. She was torn — faith had awakened something beautiful in her, but it also brought a quiet kind of pain: misunderstanding, distance, even rejection even from the persons closest to her.

Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are not easy to hear: “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing!” And then, even more jarring: “Do you think I have come to bring peace? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

This doesn’t sound like the Jesus we imagine—the gentle shepherd, the healer of wounds, the one who calms storms. But the fire He speaks of is not the fire of violence or vengeance. It is the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of truth, the fire of transforming love. And yes, that fire brings division—not because it seeks to destroy, but because it compels us to choose.

There are moments when the Gospel will disturb our peace—not the peace of Christ, but the false peace we often cling to: peace based on pleasing everyone, avoiding difficult conversations, staying silent when truth is inconvenient. Jesus comes to set a fire to those illusions. And when someone begins to live out that Gospel, to walk away from comfort and toward conversion, it can cause ripples—sometimes even among those closest to us.

That’s why Jesus speaks of households divided. The Gospel changes people. It reorders priorities. And not everyone is ready for that change. Just like the young woman, when we begin to live with deeper conviction, we may be met not with applause, but with resistance—even misunderstanding or rejection from those who love us.

But here’s the truth: Jesus does not bring fire to punish. He brings fire to purify. The division He speaks of is not the end, but the beginning of something new. He divides not to scatter, but to reveal—to show us what truly matters, to awaken us from complacency, to call us into deeper fidelity.

So if you’re feeling that fire—if your faith has begun to cost you something, or set you apart—don’t be discouraged. That may be the very sign that Christ is near, burning away what cannot last, to make room for what is eternal.

Because the fire He brings does not only divide. It also heals, transforms, and sanctifies. It leaves us freer, truer, and more fully alive.

Prayer

Radical Love: A Freedom to Man's pride.

   

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 

23 February 2025

 

First Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians, 15:45-49

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

 

Reflection

By: Bro. Emerson C. Maala

 

Love your enemies. This is the fundamental command of Jesus in today's Gospel. This sounds beautiful and good but when we face real-life situations of betrayal, insult, or injustice, our hearts often resist. Forgiveness is difficult because of our ego. When someone wrongs us, our pride is hurt. We feel disrespected, taken for granted, or even humiliated. Some of us would have said, “I will never forget what they did to me.” Or “I will forgive, but I won’t talk to them anymore.” Some even say, “I’ll forgive… if they apologize first.”  However, all these things make us bitter, restless, and heavy inside. It imprisons our hearts that makes us numb and empty. 

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us to free ourselves from the imprisonment of hatred through Mercy and Love. It is a radical movement within us when our empty heart were filled with the Mercy and Love of God. The word for love used here is agapē, meaning unconditional love. This isn’t about emotions; it’s a decision to will the good of the other person. 

It is God who loves us first. Even in our sinfulness, God forgives us. He forgives us even when we don’t deserve it. He asks us to do the same. And if we hold on to grudges, we close ourselves off from God’s grace. But if we give mercy, we receive mercy.

God’s mercy is not just an idea—it’s an invitation to freedom. The more we let go of resentment, the lighter our hearts become. Jesus does not ask us to forgive because it’s easy. He asks us because it is the path to true peace. 

And so, let us ask ourselves: Are we holding onto grudges? Are we still carrying past hurts? May we have the courage to let go, to trust in God’s justice, and to love as Christ loves. Amen.

Prayer

God our loving Father,

You gave us knowledge and wisdom

To know the truth.

Grant us the grace of Mercy and Love

For us to love each other even those who have wronged us

That we may also become an instrument of your love and mercy to others.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I am unworthy, but God makes me.

   

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

09 February 2025

 

First Reading: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8

Second Reading: 1 Cor 15:1-11

Gospel: Lk 5:1-11

 

Reflection

By: Bro. Emerson C. Maala

 

Last year, we had our 30-day Ignatian retreat at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Quezon City. it is an intensive spiritual retreat conducted in silence, where we engage ourselves in prayer, meditation, Gospel contemplation, and discernment. One of the Gospels we contemplated was the call of Peter and Andrew in the Gospel according to Luke.

Looking back at my journal, I remember how I was able to be in the shoes of Peter. There, Jesus told me to cast off the net even though we caught nothing overnight. Then I was surprised to catch so many with the commands of Jesus and there, I recognized Jesus as my Lord, and savior saying, "I am a sinful man, and I am not worthy to be with You." At that moment, I was ashamed of Jesus. I am nothing before Him. However, He still calls me.

In the Gospel, Peter is struck by the realization of who Jesus is upon seeing the miraculous catch. He falls to his knees and exclaims: "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Why does Peter feels unworthy? Because encountering God's holiness always reveals our own sinfulness. But instead of leaving Peter, Jesus calls him to a mission: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be fishers of men."

Like Peter, we often feel unworthy of God's calling. "I'm not holy enough." "I've made too many mistakes." "I don't know enough about my faith." But Jesus does not call the qualified - He qualifies the called. However, if we respond to Him in faith, He will transform our weaknesses into strengths so that we can respond to Him fully, leave everything behind, and follow Him. Amen.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You called Peter and Andrew to be fishers of men and lead them into new life with You. Unworthy of Your call, make us also fishers of men and leave everything behind to follow You and serve You. For the greater Glory of God. Amen.

Crossroads

    

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

25 August 2024

 

First Reading: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

Second Reading: Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32

Gospel: Jn 6:60-69

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

There may be times where we find ourselves lost in following God’s will, moments when we doubt God’s providential plan, times when we become so unfaithful to Him, moments we feel so alone and fail to recognize God’s presence in our life. The Gospel we have today is a promise of Christ's deeper commitment and faithfulness to us. Jesus has become one of us so that we become like Him.

Jesus is asking us, “Do you also want to leave?” Do you want to quit? Humans that we are, sometimes our faith is also challenged by the problems that we have. Some of us fall short of our personal needs, wants, biases and whims. We also have our defense mechanisms in place.

When we encounter people or situations which are different to our tastes and personal views, we tend to reject them outright without first trying to understand. Today’s Gospel invites us to remain faithful to the Eucharist even when we don’t fully understand the mystery of it. When we take it, Jesus lives in us, thus, we have to try to be like Jesus to the people who judge and hurt us, stay to be kind and respectful no matter our differences in views and ideas, and be with the people who need most of our help and assistance. 

Our regular attendance in the Mass and having a genuine quality time in worshiping, praying, and receiving Jesus' body and blood, really makes a difference in making our heart so strong like Christ’s, able to trust God, and live with the Holy Spirit. For when we allow the Holy Spirit to move within us, we will be drawn to our Father through Jesus. May we devote our full presence and attention each time we attend the Mass. 

Jesus has the words of eternal life. If we want to have eternal life, let us listen to Him wholeheartedly without any hesitation. Let us pray then that our Father in heaven grants us a welcoming and faithful heart and that Jesus may become the King in all aspects of our lives.

“Do you also wish to go away?” When Jesus asks us this question, may our answer be like Peter: “To whom shall we go?” May we remain steadfast in our faith and trust in the Lord. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I stand at this crossroads, I seek Your guidance and wisdom. Strengthen my faith and help me trust in Your plan. May Your light lead me, and Your presence give me peace. Grant me the courage to follow Your path, knowing that Your love and faithfulness will see me through.

Amen.

Sumunod Ka Sa Akin

    

Twenty-six Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon)

01 October 2023

 

First Reading: Ez 18:25-28

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Phil 2:1-11

Gospel: Mt 21:28-32

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

May magkaibang kahulugan ang pangungusap na "Sumunod ka sa akin", depende kung nasaan ang diin, kung paano sinabi, at sino ang nagsabi. Sumusunod tayo sa utos, sa batas, sa pakiusap o kaya sa taong may awtoridad.

Sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayon, ang nakatatandang anak ang sinabing sumunod sa kalooban ng ama bagaman noong una ay ayaw niya, nagbago ang kaniyang isip at sa huli ay tumalima. Hindi tulad ng pangalawang anak na umoo nga subalit hindi naman pumaroon.

Kung ating susuriin ang ginawang pagsunod ng dalawang anak na lalaki sa Ebanghelyo, parehong may pagkukulang. Ang una hindi agad umoo, 'yung ikalawa naman, sa salita lamang sumunod, kinulang sa gawa.

Paano nga ba ang tamang pagsunod? Salamat sa Panginoong Hesus na Siyang huwaran natin sa pagiging masunurin. Sinabi Niya sumunod kayo sa akin, kung paano Niya sinunod ang kalooban ng Amang nasa langit, ganoon din ang paanyaya sa atin. Ito ay pinatunayan sa sulat ni Apostol San Pablo sa mga taga-Filipos, sa pagpapakababa ni Hesus, Siya ay itinampok ng Diyos. Ganap Siyang nakasunod bunsod ng pag-ibig sa Amang nag-utos at sa sanlibutang pinag-alayan Niya ng buhay.

Ang pagsunod ni Hesus ay hindi dahil sa takot sa awtoridad ng nag-utos, bagkus ay nag-ugat sa pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa kapwa. Kaya naman napakadali para kay Hesus ang pagsunod dahil ginawa Niya ito sa konteksto ng pagmamahal. Magiging ganap lamang ang ating pagsunod kung tayo ay tatalima bunsod ng pag-ibig. Sundan natin ang huwaran ni Hesus. Mahirap pero kaya kung nanaisin natin at kung tayo ay nagmamahal.

Prayer

Ama, hindi madali ang pagtalima sa Iyong kalooban lalo na sa panahon namin ngayon na napakadaling magreklamo, subalit sa awa Mo at sa huwarang ipinakita ni Hesus, sisikapin naming maging masunurin. Amen.

Choice

   

  Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

04 September 2022 

 

First Reading: Wis 9:13-18b

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17

Second Reading: Phmn 9-10, 12-17

Gospel: Lk 14:25-33

 

Reflection

By: Grace Madrinan

 

I would be completely lying if I said that I am not taken aback by the Gospel for today especially when I read the first part. "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." I love my family, why would I hate them?

Then I realized that I should not take this to context and focus on the message. Good thing is, the succeeding verses make it clearer, "In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:33)."

God does not say to hate our family. In fact, He said, "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12)." But if your family is preventing you from doing the right thing, or worst, forcing you to do wrong, then we must choose to follow God.

Did God say renounce all possessions!? At first, it felt as if God was asking us to sell our possessions and live with the poor. But I believe He meant to ask for our loyalty and undivided attention. We must choose God over everything. And we can start with small things. Do we choose to pray before we open our mobile phones in the morning? Do we choose to go to Mass before we go to the mall? Or did we miss Mass because we binge watched on Netflix the night before?

Who says following God is easy? In a world full of distractions, following God requires mindfulness to constantly do the right thing. But like any other relationship, we are given the choice. I hope at the end of the day, we choose to follow God.

"Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that You are the Holy One of God." - John 6:68-69

Prayer

Father God, forgive us for our shortcomings. We are usually distracted by fleeting things. Teach us to constantly look up to You and choose to follow You all the days of our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Cutting Off Part of Ourselves

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

26 September 2021 

 

First Reading: NM 11:25-29

Responsorial Psalm: PS 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

Second Reading: JAS 5:1-6

Gospel: MK 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

 

Reflection

By: Theresa Ballo

 

This Sunday Jesus calls us to reflect on our thoughts and actions like any other Gospel. However, in today’s readings He invites us to examine parts of ourselves that are causing us to stumble and fall into sin. In so doing, we can make a choice to detach those part of our lives. Moreover, He also invites us to be tolerant of others because we are all sinners. At times, we may not even know that another person is suffering which may drive him to hurt others as well. Tolerance in excess is bad. But, tolerance to give others the benefit of the doubt, be more open-minded and giving allowances for mistakes that just like me, maybe, the person needs someone who would understand and lead him to a life more pleasing to God. 

For instance, I am recognizing that envy is a source of sin in my life. I often think that some people are just born lucky having all the ideals in life and some people are born to experience trauma, neglect and abandonment. I often asked God why does unfortunate events keep happening in my life. Am I the one to blame? Do I make bad decisions more often? Am I inviting people to hurt me? Honestly, when I get to look closely in my life, I am in trouble because my actions simply have consequences. This often led me to shame especially towards my relationship with Jesus. I am struggling to detach from this but I am surrendering my sinfulness to God by making a confession. When you sin big time, admitting it to a priest, to a human being, makes you feel really humble. I do my best to reflect each night and identify the parts of my day I should be thankful for. 

“Cutting off” parts of ourselves that lead us to sin is really hard and challenging but it is possible. 

 

Prayer

 

Thank you Lord God for letting your Word get through me. I surrender my life to You. Help me to recognize the small blessings I enjoy each day and lead me to trust You that all things work for Your greater glory. Help me to see myself as how You see me. Amen.

 

God's Love for the World

Fourth Sunday of Lent

(Laetare Sunday)

14 March 2021 

 

First Reading:  2 CHR 36:14-16, 19-23

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading:  EPH 2:4-10

Gospel:  JN 3:14-21

 

Reflection

By: Emerson C. Maala

 

When I was a child, my mother would always bring me with her to the church. She was the one who taught me how to pray to God. By that time, I don't have any understanding of God or the church. I was just a happy and innocent kid asking for an ice cream or toys every after Mass. But who really God is?

It was High School when I joined the Ministry of the Altar Server. There, I was able to understand God; He was the one who created the world, He saved us from our sins, people talked to Him, and others. And what I only knew was that I believed and trusted Him. Being an altar server, I felt a greater attraction to the service. I loved what I was doing in the church. This led me to likely become a priest and enter the seminary. And it was through that greater attraction that led me to love God and understand my faith in Him.

The Gospel today speaks of the loving and merciful God  who sends His only Son. During His time, Jesus was rejected by the people as the Son of God. He was mocked by the Pharisees and other people who hated Him. However, there were people who got attracted to Jesus. At first, they do not really understand their faith in Him, but later on, their attraction leads them to love and follow Jesus. On the other hand, even though Jesus was hated and mocked by the people, He did not give up His love for us. He took up the Cross of salvation to save us from our sins. This was the purpose of God's love and mercy to us. He sends His Son for us to understand His love for us and for us to love Him back.

 

Prayer

 

God our Father, we thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through Your goodness, we were able to understand Your love for us. By this, help us to show Your love and mercy to others so that they, too, may understand Your loving presence to them. We ask You to bless us always and keep us in Your love. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

The Mango Tree

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

23 September 2018

First reading                                                                  Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
[The wicked say to each other], “Let us lie in wait or the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous man is God’s child, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected.”

Second reading                                                     James 3:16-4:3

Where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your ravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples came from the mountain and began to go through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.

He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Reflection

By Art B. Reyes

Two trees are planted by the road side next to each other. One a mango and the other a big acacia tree. The mango with greener leaves bore sweet and juicy mangoes which attract many people to rest under its shade and equally enjoy its sweet fruit. While the acacia tree was just one with several branches and lush leaves but does not bear fruits.

One day, the mango tree having grown so proud of its appearance, looked down on the acacia tree and said to it, "Look at me, I am so beautiful with many fruits. Everyone goes to me to taste my produce. I am the best tree out here!"

The next day, a group of men arrived, they all came under the mango tree and plucked all its fruits. They picked them so roughly that they broke many branches and leaves making the tree unhealthy. After they left, the mango tree looked ugly, ashamed and was in pain. The acacia tree said, "See how pride has eroded you and your beauty, while I am standing here safe and sound. I even provide shade to them who took the life out of you."

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reprimanded His disciples who were arguing as to who among them was the greatest. Jesus pointed out that neither one of them was the greatest. He took this chance to teach them to be humble like a little child. “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all.”

In pursuit of greatness, we as human beings want to be significant. We want to be “somebody” in the society. We want to be the one who drives the fanciest car, the one with the latest mobile phone, the one with the most expensive luxury bags, etc. We want to achieve something, and ultimately get the recognition. In the end we want to be powerful so we hang out with the important people in our community and treat them extraordinarily because they are “somebody”. On the contrary, we turn a blind eye on the poor, the weak, the unheard, the vulnerable.

Is it wrong to be proud of our hard earned accomplishments? No, until when we start saying “Look at me, look at what I’ve accomplished! And you?” If we think that we are better than other people we cut ourselves off from them. This makes us insensitive to their needs and we may even take advantage of and use them for our own interest. God gave us our gifts and our abilities. But when we selfishly use them, we cut God out of the picture.

If we are to follow the Lord, we must walk humbly with Him. To walk humbly means that our relationship with God is the center piece of our journey and we are His faithful followers. We must journey respectfully, equally, and truthfully with all of our other brothers and sisters.

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to submit myself to Your good and loving will. Conceal pride from us, and clothe us with humility.  Teach us to be gentle and lowly in heart so we may seek not our own good only, but also the good of our neighbors. Amen.