It's Because of Who He Is

    

Sixth Sunday of Easter

05 May 2024

 

First Reading: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

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

Second Reading: 1 Jn 4:7-10

Gospel: Jn 15:9-17

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle P. Balla

 

It has nothing to do with me or with you. It is not because of how good or bad we are. It is all because of Him, of what He is. He is all Good. He is Love. He is Joy. He is our God who remains with us and calls us His friends.

We only have to abide in Him, in His love.

I am always tempted to treat others because of what they do and how they behaved. I often caught myself fuming inside when I experience unfairness or witness misdeeds being done openly. I have a tendency to turn from an obliging sheep to an angry bear when poked or when I am or any of my loved ones are attacked for no valid reasons. A priest once told me, "Ana, you look like an angel but you seem to have a "lion's" heart when you're angry. And so I am a bear and also a lion when I am mad - only internally though. Maybe this is the reason why I really try hard to master my emotions so I can stand up for what is good and fair in a peaceful manner and can help right the wrong with love and good intent. It is a challenge to remain calm and forgiving. What keeps me in control is staying grounded to my love and calm center - Jesus. I call on Him and try to remember how He favors me despite being unworthy. And it is all because of who He is and not because of who I am. And also for His commandment, "...that you love one another as I have loved you."

We have a very inspiring Gospel this Sunday and please allow me to repeat the key messages here.

"As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in My love".

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full"

"but I have called you friends"

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and ber fruit."

Prayer

Father, please continue to keep us close to You and never allow us to wander away from You. Grant us overwhelming love, joy, and inspiration so that we maybe able to love others like You do, despite who we arw and who they are. Help us be a channel of love and blessings to everyone we encounter everywhere we go. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Best Time to Praise God

    

Fifth Sunday of Lent

17 March 2024

 

First Reading: Jer 31:31-34

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15

Second Reading: Heb 5:7-9

Gospel: Jn 12:20-33

 

Reflection

By: Gharri Tulabut

 

When I was still actively promoting financial literacy by teaching personal finance, I usually use five or six steps to financial independence. One of the steps which I usually skip is the part of managing or eliminating debt. Often I would proudly say that I don’t know anything about debts because I never had debts in my life. But that was true until… 

…I got married. 

No, this is not one of those stereotypical jokes about husbands and wives. Let me tell you the story.

Our wedding last year was just a simple one. Still, we borrowed a little amount from friends and family and we took advantage of whatever we can loan from SSS and PAGIBIG to add to our budget. These loans are supposedly manageable thru our regular income. But two months before the wedding, my fiancé lost her job due to office politics. 

A few months after the wedding, when we started paying our debts, we really had a hard time. We tried borrowing from banks and lending institutions for debt consolidation. But since only one of us had a regular income, we are always rejected. Again, we asked friends and family, and even went to some referred individuals we do not know (a.k.a. 5-6). 

I would not say we hit rock bottom. I still have a job. We have a home. We never skipped meals. Just a bit tight than before. We just experienced abstaining from eating out; We prioritizing things to buy; There were times we gas up our car with only 200 pesos just to make it home from work. Look, we still have ride.

One sad thing about our situation was that we cannot give our regular tithing.

But throughout this downside in our finances, we never ceased to praise God, to serve in our community.

And little by little we see small provisions from Him. We see small help such as when a friend and former colleague  sending me money out of nowhere. I did not know who told her of our current predicament that time but she just reached out to us just when we do not know anymore how to pay our next due date. Or one time, when two friends who initially just “seen” my messenger message asking for a loan, at the same time just messaged me asking if I still need the loan. And this was while I was attending a worship event, of all times.

As one of my preacher friends always say, “The best time to praise God is when you don’t feel like praising God.”

I and my wife never ceased praying, asking and praising at the same time. And God took care of us even with little things.

Kumapit lang kami. And continued to give glory to Him with the best that we could do. And God did not let go of our hands.

Prayer

All Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!

Simply Jessie

First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13

Then came Am'alek and fought with Israel at Reph'idim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out, fight with Am'alek; tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Am'alek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Am'alek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua mowed down Am'alek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Psalm: Psalm 121:1-8

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14 -- 4:2

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Gospel:Luke 18:1-8

And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.' For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Reflection
by Gharri Tulabut

One friend at a time. This has been my practice in inviting friends to join The Angeles Feast (our prayer meeting). Yes, I often do Facebook invitations and, yes, there were people that joined us because of those invitations but I still like focusing on one person at a time. Well, sometimes up to 3 or even 5. But what I mean is, I always want to make it more personal and invite those that I worked with, whom I have an idea what their issues are all about, and those I really want to help.

Let’s call one of them, Jessica.

I was able to make her attend once last year. That did not happen for a second time because of the many issues she had at work. Often she confides in me. And because I had an idea what her issues are, I wanted to help her. And I think joining the Yuppies Group in our community would really help her with her issues at work on top of the personal advice she gets from me. That is why I was persistent in inviting her.

Every Saturday morning, I would always remind her, either through text message or Facebook.  Every Saturday.

But no, there was no Jessie in our weekly prayer meeting.

One Saturday, I told myself not to invite her this time (to save my 1 peso cellphone load for a while, hehe). No, I am not planning to quit just yet. I will just step back and probably change strategy.

I did not wake up early that Saturday. But upon waking up at noon guess who texted me.

Yup, it was Jessie.

And guess what the text was all about.

She’s asking me what time The Feast was?

She’s attending. Hurray!

And that afternoon we were all very happy in The Feast together with some of Jessie’s (and my former) officemates.

…But without Jessie.

She’s still a no-show.

But I was not mad at her. I did not even confront her to ask why she did not suit up. I still saw her at Mass. And we talked about other things.

I remember what Pope Francis said, “We just have to be a friend and Christ will do the rest.” So this remains my strategy in “disciple-ing”.

One other thing that keeps my communication line open with Jessie busy is my passion with financial investments. Last Tuesday, I received an unexpected text from her. This time she’s telling me that she is now ready to invest in the Mutual Funds I am representing.

Well, I do my regular talks on investments right after The Feast, so I told her, let’s meet at The Feast and discuss afterwards. 

She was not promising but she said she might attend this coming Saturday.

That Saturday is Oct 19. Did she finally attend?

As of this writing, I still don’t know.

But one thing I know, I will keep my persistence in inviting her and in praying that she finally say yes. I am that determined to help her… in her financial life, and of course, in her spiritual life.

And Jessie is just an example of many similar situations I handle.

Prayer

Father God, touch Jessie and the many like her who are still confused, to finally see the beauty of having a community both to receive blessings and to bless others. Grant me always the patience and persistence in inviting and spreading your good news. Amen!

You Are Forgiven, Your Sins Forgotten

“ Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

First Reading: 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25

Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise. Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob, for you grew weary of me, O Israel. You did not buy me sweet cane for money, nor fill me with the fat of your sacrifices; Instead, you burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your crimes. It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.

Resp. Psalm: Psalms: 41:2-3, 5-5, 13-14

Second Reading: Cor. 1:18-22

As God is faithful,  our word to you is not "yes" and "no." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

Gospel: Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way?  He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins? Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"--he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“It is I, I, who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.”(Is 43:25) “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “”Child, your sins are forgiven.”” (Mk 2:5) Many times, I had some serious and many petty quarrels leading to misunderstanding and even hurting words. And I would confess, most of them though forgiven are not forgotten. I find it easy for me to forgive but not to forget. But in Is 43:25, the Lord says He wipes our sins and remembers it no more. Simply said, the Lord God forgives and forgets our sins. Only God alone has this power. That is why when some of the scribes heard Jesus said He forgives the sins of the paralytic, they said He was blaspheming.

As I reflect on this passage of Mark 2:1-12, I am amazed on the love and faith of the four men who carried the paralytic, passing through the thick crowds. And when they cannot enter the door for there were too many people in the house, they climbed up the roof top and tore open the roof so they can lower down their paralytic friend near Jesus.  Even Jesus was awed by these men’s faith! Thus, He has revealed to them who He really was, that He was God, by forgiving the sins of the paralytic, and I bet including those four friends.

Prayer

Lord Heavenly God, we ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. We also ask You to give us the courage and the strength to be able to bring to You our friends and family members who are paralyzed by sin. We know that You are a loving and forgiving God and Your mercies last forever. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen.

Action

                        

Bring a friend to church especially those who had been paralyzed by sins or concerns of this world. Try to also bring to church those who are actually physically challenged and unable to join the Eucharistic celebration.

Humility...Forgiveness...Freedom

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11 September 2011


We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Ecclesiasticus 27:33-28:9
Resentment and anger, these are foul things,
and both are found with the sinner.
He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord,
who keeps strict account of sin.
Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you,
and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
If a man nurses anger against another,
can he then demand compassion from the Lord?
Showing no pity for a man like himself,
can he then plead for his own sins?
Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment;
who will forgive him his sins?
Remember the last things, and stop hating,
remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments.
Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will;
remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.

Psalm: Psalm 102:1-4,9-12

Second reading Romans 14:7-9
The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Gospel Matthew 18:21-35
Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

Though we are not the best of friends then, Cris and I were classmates from sophomore until our senior year in high school. In our first two years in college, we were on the same class most of the time. Later, we both took industrial engineering as our major. And because we were the only two people among our classmates who knew each other longer than the rest, we became good friends.

Both of us were active officers in our organization. One time during our fourth year in engineering, we had a conflict right in the middle of a big project. To make the long story short, we, the officers as well as our (Cris’ and mine) barkada (group of friends), felt that he abandoned us, leaving our project unfinished, and our organization in confusion. Of course, this was my version of the story.

We never saw each other eye to eye since then. Our class was even divided into two groups – his and mine. The relationships between members and followers of the two factions, though civil, were like the old cold war between America and U.S.S.R back then. This went on until the next school year, our final year. Projects were done one part by my group, the other part by his group. Educational trips were divided by his side of the bus and my side of the bus. But with the help of students who would rather not participate in our gap, we were still able to achieve several accomplishments during that school year.

A day before our graduation, just after the baccalaureate mass, I planned to invite a young lady from the lower year level to be my special guest on my graduation. But I did not want this to be the talk of the town while I was still officially a student and the president of our organization. So I decided to be discreet about it. I stayed around the campus until no one among my group was there to interrogate me on where I would be going after the mass.

When I thought I was all alone, Cris came, to my surprise. So, in our civil ways, we talked. We discussed about our future plans now that we are about to graduate. But instead of just talking about where to apply and how to look for jobs, I also told him about my most immediate plan, that is to go to the house of my special guest and invite her to my graduation. Talk about me and my big mouth. Well, despite what happened to me and Cris, I always knew what kind of person he was. And I trusted the old friendship we used to have.

To my surprise again, he offered to go with me to my muse’s house. Along the way and even after the visit, we talked about many things. We reminisced our high school days and yes, we discussed about girls. We even found out we liked the same girl at one point during our rift, but we were too busy not talking to each other that is why we didn’t have any clue.

At that very moment we knew our friendship was about to resurrect. Without talking about it, we knew right there and then that we were agreeing to bury the bad past and celebrate the good times. In fact, I really could not remember any more what the actual cause of our feud was or what his side of the story was that is why I cut the story short.

Jesus told us to forgive seventy times seven. Scholars say this means infinity during the biblical times. Some say we must forgive before we will be forgiven. Others say we must forgive because we ourselves have already been forgiven when Christ died on the cross. I am not an expert to say whether we need to forgive before we are forgiven or we need to forgive because we were also forgiven. But I know that forgiving does wonders both for the forgiver and the forgiven. One of these wonders is, it sets us free. It happened to me and Cris. I could only imagine how much more we had accomplished in our final year in college had we discovered this formula for spiritual freedom earlier.

Today, almost fifteen years after our graduation, Cris and I are still the best of friends. And we are like brothers now. Because once in our lives, one of us decided to stoop down in humility and swallow his pride. I know I was not the first to do it. But his humility was contagious that I immediately got infected.

And once we humbled ourselves, the doors to forgiveness opened up.

Lord Jesus, Thank You for teaching us the formula for freedom. May we always have the humility either to ask for forgiveness or to give one. Amen!

The Most Enthusiastic Friend of Jesus

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
28 August 2011


We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Jeremiah 20:7-9
You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced;
you have overpowered me: you were the stronger.
I am a daily laughing-stock,
everybody’s butt.
Each time I speak the word, I have to howl
and proclaim: ‘Violence and ruin!’
The word of the Lord has meant for me
insult, derision, all day long.
I used to say, ‘I will not think about him,
I will not speak in his name any more.’
Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart,
imprisoned in my bones.
The effort to restrain it wearied me,
I could not bear it.

Psalm: Psalm 62:2-6,8-9

Second reading Romans 12:1-2
Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.

Gospel Matthew 16:21-27
Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘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 will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’

Reflection
By Nats Vibiesca

Peter must be in ‘ecstasy’ (for the Greeks it means to be out of yourself) when he said, “Don’t worry, Bestfriend! I will not let anybody harm you!” (while clenching his fist)

At times, Peter’s enthusiasms bring him trouble with his Bestfriend.
Jesus immediately reprimand him, “Are you drunk? Back off! Get some fresh air! Let me do my job!” (you will not find this in the Bible, it is the latest translation according to me)

Peter was always enthusiastic about his Bestfriend Jesus. (they are bestfriends because they remain true friends until the end).
One time, he volunteered to walk on water. Other times, he was always raising his hand to answer the teacher’s question; and so Jesus gave him the keys of heaven.

Peter was not aware that he had the ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) symptoms.
Actually, both Jesus and Peter were always full of enthusiasm about the wonderful landscape waiting for us. They are enthusiastic about the new paths. They experience the work of salvation intensely.

Their enthusiastic auras sweep others and are moved by their words and actions.

Jesus always wants us to be enthusiastic about our experiences. He wants us to have lively and fresh conversation, and not conversing aimlessly passing from one thing to another.

It is the same enthusiasm that I should pray for—that I may radiate life! All of us are called to sparkle with enthusiasm! That we should not just sit around in the evening and moan about things.

Although Peter sweep others along with his idea, when his Bestfriend tells him that he was just too talkative, he would stop and listen.

Listening must be the secret of maintaining our enthusiasm.

If I ignore my wife speaking and do not stop talking emphatically about my ideas, chances are, I will not sustain my energy and I will end up uninterested.

If I refuse to listen to my children’s version over things, instead keep on talking about things I want to tell them, chances are, my views will be boring and will be ineffective.

If I never give my friends their fair chance to express their thoughts and opinions, for sure, they will leave me alone and would be happy to see me talking to myself.

It is in the art of knowing when to talk and when to listen that true enthusiasm would sweep others along with your ideas, enliven them and fill them with spirit!

Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting us to be very enthusiastic in our Christian life through the faith You gave us! We pray that You grant us the joy in life and transform us everyday to be enthusiastic for the people we meet. Amen.