Faith Rooted in Love, Not Just Promise

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 

07 June 2026

 

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Gospel: John 6:51-58

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Balla

 

Today, I reflected on what it truly means to believe in Jesus—not just believing in His promises but believing in who He is.

As I searched my heart, I realized that my faith is not driven by fear or reward, but by a deep desire to stay close to Him, to worship Him, and to remain in His presence.

For me, attending Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist is a personal declaration of my love for Jesus—an act of gratitude and praise for His precious gift of His body and blood given for us.

This realization brings me peace and joy. This is my reason, and I am grateful to understand it more clearly.

May the Solemnity of Body and Blood of Christ bring us closer Him.

Prayer

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ sanctify me

Body of Christ save me

Water from the side of Christ wash me

Passion of Christ give me strength

Hear me Jesus

Hide me in Thy wounds that I may never leave Thy side

From all the evil that surrounds me, defend me

And when the call of death arrives

Bid me come to Thee that I may praise Thee with Thy saints

Forever

Hear me Jesus

Hide me in Thy wounds that I may never leave Thy side

From all the evil that surrounds me, defend me

And when the call of death arrives

Bid me come to Thee that I may praise Thee with Thy saints

Forever

At the Table of the Humble

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

31 August 2025

 

First Reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

 

Reflection By:

Bro. Carlo Alexis Malaluan

Diocese of Imus

 

In Filipino culture, there’s something sacred about a "handaan" —a feast, a gathering. Whether it’s a wedding, a town fiesta, a graduation, or even a simple birthday, meals are never just about food. They’re about relationship. To be invited is to be noticed, remembered, counted. To be welcomed and given a place at the table is to feel that your presence matters. There is a beautiful Filipino word for this, "Kumbida" from Spanish, "Con vida", pointing out that it is not simply meals that we share but life.

We all know that feeling when we’re treated with special regard at a gathering—when someone sets aside a seat for us, serves us first, or even calls us by name with affection. And perhaps, just as deeply, we also know the sting of being left out, of not being invited, of being placed on the margins — literally and figuratively.

So when Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel about a wedding banquet, we understand what’s at stake. He watches as guests choose the best seats for themselves — the places of honor. And He offers a gentle yet piercing parable: “When you are invited, go and take the lowest place… For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

At first, it might seem like a lesson in social etiquette. But Jesus isn’t teaching manner. He’s teaching the posture of the Kingdom. In a world where we often measure worth by status, recognition, or visibility, Jesus reminds us that at His table, the most honored are those who do not demand honor. The most welcome are those who do not compete for space, but create it for others.

He then turns to the one hosting the meal and says: “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” It’s a reversal. The usual logic—of inviting those who can repay us—is dismantled. Jesus invites us into a deeper way of relating: one that does not seek return, but gives for the sake of love.

This is challenging. Because so often, even unconsciously, we carry with us a desire to be seen, to be acknowledged, to be rewarded. Even in our acts of kindness or service, we might quietly hope for a thank-you, a seat of honor, or at least a sense of recognition. But the Gospel invites us to a purer kind of generosity—one that mirrors God's: generous without conditions, welcoming without counting.

And perhaps that’s what Jesus wants us to see: that the true banquet of the Kingdom isn’t about where you sit, but how you love. It’s not about being important in the eyes of others, but being small enough to make room for someone else.

In our Filipino gatherings, we know how it feels to be part of the celebration, and how deeply human the longing is to belong. But Jesus teaches us that the deepest belonging comes not from being treated as special, but from treating others—especially the overlooked—as beloved.

So today, we might ask ourselves: In the gatherings of my life—at home, in community, at work—do I seek the place of honor, or do I create space for others to feel honored? Do I give only where I expect return, or am I learning to love quietly, freely, like the Host who invites all?

Because in the end, the truest feast is not the one where we are celebrated, but the one where we make others feel they have a place at the table.

Prayer

Not Just a Piece of Bread

    

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

02 June 2024

 

First Reading: Ex 24:3-8

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18

Second Reading: Heb 9:11-15

Gospel: Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

"You are going to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. Not just a piece of bread", Ms. Carmelita Lopez, my Grade Six teacher used to remind us while we were queuing up for Holy Communion. Some said to themselves (or to others), "There she goes again!' Some ignored her. Yet some paid attention to what she said.

Looking back, Ms. Lopez's reminder hit on me last weekend when I distributed the Precious Blood of Christ during Communion. After drinking from the chalice, I saw my own reflection on the Blood of Christ. It was as though Jesus is reminding me of what He said in today's Gospel, "This is my body...this is my blood..." This is far more superior to the holocausts and young bulls that served as peace offerings during the time of Moses as mentioned in the First Reading. It was not just a piece of bread or a drop of wine that I am receiving and distributing to others. As I was waiting for people to approach me and drink from the chalice, I kept on looking at my reflection and asked the Lord, "Is this how precious am I in Your eyes that You poured out Your blood for me and for all? Who am I, who are we to merit such a wonderful gift as Your very self, Lord?"

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Your Body and Blood for me and for all Your people. Sorry for those times when we took Your gifts for granted. Help us to realize how precious we are that You willed to be our food and drink. Strengthen us in our resolve to give due reverence to You in the Blessed Sacrament. Grant us the grace to mirror Your generosity to others especially to those in need.

O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine. Amen.

Manalangin Tayo

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon)

10 September 2023

 

First Reading: Ez 33:7-9

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Rom 13:8-10

Gospel: Mt 18:15-20

 

Reflection

By: Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Walang palya ang pagsisimba namin tuwing Linggo. Ako, ang misis ko at ang aming dalawang anak ay sinisiguro na sama-sama kaming nagsisimba at bibihira naman na hindi kami magkakasama. Ang paniniwala kasi namin ay lalong pinatatatag ng pagsisimba tuwing Linggo ang aming pamilya. Pero sa pananalangain ay higit pa sa pagpapatatag ng pamilya ang gustong sabihin ng ating Ebanghelyo ngayon. Aaminin ko na sa loob ng dalawampu’t limang taon ng pagsasama namin ng aking kabiyak ay bibihira kaming nananalangin na magkasama, bukod sa pagsisimba naming ng Linggo. Tulad ng karamihan sa atin ay nakasanayan na ang pagdarasal nang mag-isa. Pagkagising sa umaga’y nagpapasalamat tayo at nagpupuri sa Diyos sa buhay na muling ipinagkatiwala sa atin at madalas na hinihingi natin na gabayan tayo sa buong araw na ating gugugulin. Sa gabi naman ay magpapasalamat muli at magmumuni-muni sa nagdaang araw upang humingi ng kapatawaran sa Diyos sa mga nagawang kasalanan bago matulog.  Ganito ang klase ng pananalangin na madalas na nakasanayan ng karamihan sa atin pero nang dumating ang Pandemya, para tayong ginising sa pagkakatulog, binulabog tayo ng samu’t saring pangamba, alalahanin sa buhay, at pagdududa sa kinabukasan. Ngunit dahil sa ating pananampalataya sa Diyos ay mas naging matingkad ang maraming aral na ibinigay sa atin sa panahon ng Pandemya.

Sa panahon ng Pandemya, ipinapahiwatig sa atin na hindi sapat ang nakasanayan nating pananalangin na mag-isa lang. Ibig ng Diyos na manalangin tayo araw-araw  nang sama-sama, na nagkakaisa, na buo ang pamilya kasama ang Panginoon sa harap nila. Malaking hamon sa karamihan ang magsama-sama araw-araw upang magdasal dahil hindi na nga ito ang nakasanayan ng karamihang pamilya. Hindi ba’t mas madalas lang nating ginagawa na magsama-sama sa pananalangin tuwing may mga espesyal na okasyon tulad ng piyesta, padasal sa patay, mga pasiyam o pang 40 days na dasal, mga pakikiisa sa pabasa tuwing mahal na araw, tuwing simbang gabi, at sa mga kasal o binyag.

Pero biniyayaan tayo ng Diyos ng maraming pagkakataon na magkasama-sama nang maranasan ang madalas na lock-down. Ako, ang misis ko at ang dalawang anak ko ay hindi na lamang tuwing Linggo nagdarasal nang sama-sama mula noon. Sa pananalangin namin nang sama-sama ay mas natutuklasan namin na mas marami pa palang dapat ipagdasal. Ipapabatid din sa atin na ang pananalangin nang sama-sama ay pagkakataon upang madama na kasama natin ang Diyos sa ating harapan tulad ng sinasabi ng ating Ebanghelyo.  Higit sa lahat ay pinalalakas ng pananalangin nang sama-sama ang ating pananampalataya na tiyak na diringgin ng Diyos ang anumang hilingin natin sa ikabubuti ng ating pamumuhay. Walang duda na malaking biyaya sa pamilya ang pahayag ng Ebanghelyo: “Sinasabi ko pa rin sa inyo: kung ang dalawa sa inyo rito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyong panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa akin, naroon akong kasama nila."

Prayer

Panginoong Jesus, kami’y nananalig na lalo mo pang pag-iibayuhin ang pagbibigay sa amin ng mga biyaya na magbibigkis sa amin upang sama-sama kaming manalangin sa araw-araw. Buo ang aming pag-asa at pananampalataya na lagi Mong ipagkakaloob sa amin ang mga kahilingan naming higit na makabubuti para sa aming pamumuhay at upang lalo pang mapalapit sa Iyo at makapiling Ka magpasawalang-hanggan. Amen.

To Whom Shall We Go?

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 August 2021 

 

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: Gary Tulabut

 

This is not an exaggeration. But in the last two weeks, I always wake up every morning with sad news either someone tested positive of CoVid, is seriously ill, or worst, has passed away. My social media feed is occupied by photos of candles or prayer requests.

Then we hear reports of corruption here and there as revealed by the Commission on Audit.

And here comes what's happening in Afghanistan. (Let us pray for the people of Afghanistan).

Oh, and as I write this article, we just recorded an all-time high in new CoVid cases just as the latest Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is being downgraded to, oh don't know all the NECQs (Never Ending Community Quarantines).

I have a confession to make. Since the pandemic started, I haven't been 100% consistent in attending Mass, even if it's just virtual.

It's a shame but I have been busy with many other online spiritual activities such as serving in the online Feast (our prayer meeting); editing videos of my co-leaders at the Feast for our daily online "Faith O' clock Habit"; making my own videos for this "Faith O' clock Habit"; making bulletins for our prayer meeting; attending a Bible study every Thursday; updating my Facebook page every day with the latest videos of my favorite lay preachers and homilist priests; joining community pantries; attending a caring group; and holding another Feast online with my business colleagues.

Every Sunday, I have always intended to attend Mass. But because of these "busy-ness", I just get too exhausted that instead of hearing Mass, the most I could do with my remaining energy for the day is listen to the Word Exposed by Cardinal Chito Tagle.

In the passages immediately preceding this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus emphasized the importance of the Eucharist, declaring, He is the bread of life. (John 6:26-58)

And in today's Gospel, the disciples could not understand what they just heard about Jesus' declaration. They could not accept His declaration and many of them turned back and stopped follllowing Him.

I do not fully understand what is happening in the world right now. Maybe all those busy-ness are just my way to divert my attention from all these negativities.

But St. Peter's reply to Jesus when He asked the twelve, if they, too, wanted to leave Him is a wake up call.

Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go?" (John 6:68)

Good thing I have already prioritized and blocked a Mass schedule every Sunday even before this realization. If you haven't yet, see how Jesus reiterated The Eucahrist's importance in John 6:26-28 even though many of us could not yet accept Him sacramentally.

Prayer

 

Lord, embrace us as we go to these difficult times. You are our refuge. You are our fortress. Amen.

 

Sorpresang Biyaya - Corpus Christi

Dakilang Kapistahan ng Kabanal-banalang Katawan at Dugo ng Panginoon

Ika-6 ng Hunyo 2021 

 

First Reading (Unang Pagbasa):  EX 24:3-8

Responsorial Psalm (Salmong Tugunan):  116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18

Second Reading (Ikalawang Pagbasa):  HEB 9:11-15

Gospel (Mabuting Balita):  MK 14:12-16, 22-26

 

Repleksyon

Ni: Nats Vibiesca

 

Masaya nating ipinagdiriwang ang araw na ito ng Kapistahan ng Kabanal-banalang Katawan at Dugo ng Panginoong Jesus  dahil ito ay pag-alaala, pagdakila, at matimyas na pagpapasalamat natin sa kabutihang ginawa ng ating Diyos upang tayo ay matubos sa kasalanan. May personal na kahulugan sa akin ang taon-taon nating pagdiriwang na ito bukod sa pag-aalaala ng buhay ni Jesus na dapat ngang ipagpasalamat dahil ito ang sinasabi nating "Bagong Paskuwa" nang ialay mismo ni Jesus and Kanyang katawan at dugo. Dalawang malapit sa puso ang kahulugan ng kapistahang ito para sa akin: una, ito ay tuloy-tuloy na sorpresang biyaya para sa atin, at ang pangalawa ay ang pagkakataon para ihandog natin sa Diyos and anumang pasakit, hirap, suliranin, o alalahanin natin sa buhay.

Kung ang buhay natin bilang Kristiyano ay laging masaya, hindi naman maiiwasan na dumarating din ang mga araw na tayo ay nalulungkot. Kung minsan ay tinatanong natin ang ating mga sarili kung nakahanda nga ba tayo sa mga pinakamalulungkot na pangyayari ng ating buhay? Halimbawa'y and epekto ng pandemya sa ating panahon. Binulaga tayong lahat ng malungkot na pangyayaring ito sa ating pamayanan at litong-lito tayo, natataranta, natatakot, nangangamba sa kung kailan matatapos ang masalimuot na kaganapang ito sa mundo. Subalit sa pag-aalay ng ating Panginoon ng Kanyang sariling katawan at dugo sa tuwing nakikibahagi tayo sa Banal na Misa, nahihiwagaan tayo sa kabutihan ng Diyos dahil dumarating ang sorpresang biyaya sa ating buhay. Kaya't sa sorpresang biyayang handog ng Diyos sa ati'y nawawalan ng bisa ang kalungkutan, naiibsan ang pagdurusa natin, at napapawi ang anumang pagdadalamhati. Hindi ba't karamihan sa atin ay pagod na pagod na sa panahong ito ng pandemya at patuloy na dumarami ang kumakalam ang sikmura't halos magpalimos ang mga walang-wala? Pero dahil sa patuloy nating pananalangin at tulad ng pag-aalay ng Diyos ng Kanyang sarili, mahimalang natutugunan ang kagutuman sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa ng mga mamamayan sa pagbabahagi ng anumang makakayanan nila at parang kabuting nagsulputan ang sorpresang biyaya ng Diyos na tinatawag nating "Community Pantry".

Bukod sa handog na sorpresang materyal na pangangailangan ng ating katawan, nagliliwanag ang ating kaisipan, diwa, at damdamin sa anumang kinakaharap natin. Mas nagiging kalmado tayo sa sitwasyong gumugulo sa atin. Unti-unting sinasakop ng liwanag ng Diyos ang bawat sulok ng ating kaluluwa na binalot na ng kadiliman dahil sa traumang nararanasan natin sa paligid. Hindi papayag ang Diyos na malugmok tayo sa paghihirap at mauwi sa pagkakasala dahil patuloy Niyang inaalay ang sarili para sa atin upang makayanan natin ang lahat ng paghihirap sa ating buhay. Ang lahat ng ispiritwal na biyaya ay ibinubuhos ng Diyos para sa atin sa tuwing tinatanggap nating ang Kanyang Katawan at Dugo sa Banal na Misa.

Hindi natatapos ang mga biyaya sa pagtanggap natin sa Katawan at Dugo ng ating Diyos, at dahil sa sorpresa nga ito, kadalasa'y hindi natin alam kung ano ang magagandang biyayang naghihintay sa atin. Basta't ang sigurado'y napakalaking biyaya nito na hindi natin inaasahan, mas malaki pa sa biyayang ipinagdarasal nating makamit, maging materyal man o ispiritwal na sorpresa.

Sa kabila ng kasabikang matanggap ang sorpresang biyaya ng Diyos, perpektong pagkakataon din ang Banal na Misa na ilapit sa Diyos ang mga problema natin sa buhay. Kailangang maging alerto tayo sa bahagi ng Misa ng pag-aalay ng Kanyang Katawan at Dugo dahil ito nga ang perpektong pagkakataon na ibigay sa Diyos ang ating buhay. Napakalapit ng Diyos sa atin sa pagkakataong inaalay ang Eukaristiya sa Banal na Misa at kung kaya't mapagpakumbabang ibigay natin ang lahat sa Diyos ang anumang pasakit, pasanin, pagdurusa, kalungkutan, kasalanan, at kawalan ng kapayapaan ng ating buhay. Kung naihain na natin sa Diyos ang lahat ng ito, tiyak na papalitan naman ng Diyos ng sorpresang biyaya na magpapatibay sa ating pagiging mabuting tao, pagiging mabuting Kristiyano, pagiging mabuting lingkod, para sa sariling pamilya natin at para na rin sa bayan natin.

 

Panalangin

 

Panginoong Jesus, labis ang aming kasiyahan sa lahat ng sorpresang biyaya na aming natatanggap sa bawat Misa na aming dinadaluhan. Lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa pag-aalay ng Iyong Kabanal-banalang Katawan at Dugo para sa kaligtasan namin. Dalangin naming maranasan din ng aming mga mahal sa buhay at lahat ng higit na nangangailangan ang grasya ng kapayapaan sa buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap namin sa Iyo sa Banal na Komunyon. Amen.

 

 

 

Katawan ni Kristo

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

14 June 2020

First reading                                                                        Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16
Moses said to the people: ‘Remember how the Lord your God led you for forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, to test you and know your inmost heart — whether you would keep his commandments or not. He humbled you, he made you feel hunger, he fed you with manna which neither you nor your fathers had known, to make you understand that man does not live on bread alone but that man lives on everything that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
‘Do not then forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery: who guided you through this vast and dreadful wilderness, a land of fiery serpents, scorpions, thirst; who in this waterless place brought you water from the hardest rock; who in this wilderness fed you with manna that your fathers had not known.’

Second reading                                                                1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Though we are many, we form a single body because we share this one loaf.
The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ, and the bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ. The fact that there is only one loaf means that, though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.

Gospel                                                                     John 6:51-58

‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’

Then the Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh
and drink my blood has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,

but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’

Reflection

By Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan

I attended one mass and the choir sang Ricky Manalo’s “Ang Katawan ni Kristo” during communion. The lyrics of the song goes this way: “Ang Katawan ni Kristo! Ang Katawan ni Kristo! Behold the Body of Christ! Rejoice, O People of God, we are the Body of Christ!”

In the Second Reading, Saint Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians poses a very good question: Is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? Is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. I must admit, that for me, the most beautiful image of the Catholic Faith is none other than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There, in different parts of the world and during the different times of the day, we are gathered together in Christ as one community of believers. In the Mass, we are no longer classified by our social status, academic attainment, political beliefs and titles. We are gathered together as one. We are the Katawan ni Kristo! We are the body of Christ! In communion, Christ calls us to none other than Himself. In the Gospel according to Saint John, Christ invites us to partake in His body so that we may remain in Him and He remain in us. Communion does not only nourish our soul but also strengthen our relationship with Christ. As if he is saying: I am all yours! I give you my entirety! 

But as a part of this Mystical Body of Christ, we are also called to be sensitive to the plight of other people – who are also, like us, members of this one body. We must  be considerate of those who suffer, for those who cry silently, for the victims of oppression, discrimination and violence. They who are wounded are the very wounds of Christ. We cannot let the cry of these people fall into deaf ears.  In simple acts of kindness and compassion, we can heal these wounds. We are not strangers to one another. We are one. As Christ continually gives Himself in the form of bread and wine, we are also called to offer up our small and insignificant selves for others maybe not in the highest altars of the cathedrals but in the altars of daily mundane life. There we will find our altars, our places of sacrifice and life. Through them, we can participate in the eternal offering of the Body and Blood of Christ. As the song reminds us: Rejoice! We are the Body of Christ.

Prayer

O EUCHARISTIC LORD! You have called us to your banquet. Make us one in Your body. Make us one Your love. Lead us to a life that gives, that loves, that offers just as You continually give, love and offer Yourself in the form of bread and wine. Amen.

Sustained by the Eucharist

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

12 August 2018

First reading                                                                    1 Kings 19:4-8
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.

Second reading                                                     Ephesians 4:32-5:2

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Gospel                                                                     John  6:41-51

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise them up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.

“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Reflection By Jessa Janelle Padilla
There are different kinds of test that we go through in our daily life. These tests may regard to school, work, health, relationship, and even faith. How do we prepare ourselves for these tests? What kind of preparation do we do? In school, we study and review our lessons. At work, we do our best to meet the standards, prepare the necessary documents, and comply with existing policies and procedures to pass accreditation tests. About our health, we eat healthy foods and avoid those prohibited foods and drinks to achieve good health test result. On our relationships, we open ourselves to discussion, humble ourselves, there is willingness to listen, and willingness to forgive and to move on to the next chapter with strong and long lasting relationship. And on our faith, we listen to the Word of God, eat the Bread of Life, digest it and live our lives according to Jesus’ teaching.

There might be time that we came to a point where we nearly surrender just like Elijah in our First Reading this Sunday. When he told the Lord that he can no longer continue his journey, an angel touched and ordered him to get up and eat. The angel did it twice until Elijah gained strength to continue his journey. In our journey towards life, sometimes, we also surrender and give up because of the unending hardships, obstacles and problems that we face. But every time we surrender, the Lord sends someone to lift up and enlighten us to continue our journey. And if ever we still feel that we can no longer continue our journey, He never gets tired of sending people to encourage us to keep on moving and fighting. We just need to open our hearts and minds, then listen and be enlightened. Jesus’ light comes in and defeat the darkness. We can continue our journey like how Elijah did.

Also, a peaceful and loving group may experience quarrel and horrible situation. It may be destroyed by misunderstandings and unresolved issues.  On the other hand, a healthy relationship may be broken because of bitterness, fury, anger, shouting and reviling. In the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, he told us to remove on our lives all bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling along with all malice and be kind to one another, compassionate, and forgiving one another as God have forgiven us in Christ. We need to fight and make a move to fix what has been broken. Let us also be kind, compassionate and forgiving to one another to maintain the healthy, peaceful and loving relationships that we have and cared for.

We all have tendency to have doubt to people and even situations. This is because of the spread of fake news on social media and existence of fake people on our lives. We now think twice, thrice or more and examine the authenticity of the news before we believed. We also put people to test before we can fully trust and be open to them. How come that we became like this? What happened?

In our Gospel today, the Jews doubted that Jesus is the bread that came down from heaven because they all know that He is the son of Joseph. What is the reason for this reaction? It is because of lack of faith? As children God, only our deep faith on Him can make us believe on everything that He will say with no doubts and questions. We can respond immediately with a ‘Yes, You are the Bread of Life’ without thinking twice. We believe and can testify that He is really the Bread of Life. He sustains our needs and makes us full. He never let us down and leave our side.

As followers and believers of Him, He will grant us eternal life upon eating the Bread of Life.

Prayer

Merciful Father, we are so thankful because You gave Your only Son Jesus Christ to us as the Bread of Life. You always touch our lives by sending people to guide and support our journey to become your faithful servant. Feed us Lord with the bread that can satisfy our hunger and remove in our lives all doubts and malice. This we ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Remembering Christ

Corpus Christi 29 May 2016

First reading
Genesis 14: 18-20

Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High. He pronounced this blessing:

‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, creator of heaven and earth,

and blessed be God Most High for handing over your enemies to you.’

And Abram gave him a tithe of everything.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 109:1-4

Second reading
1 Corinthians 11:23-26

This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.’ In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.’ Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.  

Gospel	Luke 9:11-17

Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.

  It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people’ For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.’ They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.

  Reflection
By Benj Santiago  

“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remebrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

This last Sunday of May is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Otherwise more popularly known as Corpus Christi. Today's Second Reading from St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians relate the story of the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples.  It was the night before Jesus was betrayed and they were all gathered up in an upper room to celebrate the Passover. Jesus took the bread and broke it and gave it to His disciples and told them that the bread is His flesh and told them to eat it to remember Him. And then the Lord commanded His disciples to do it in remembrance of Him. Before leaving His disciples, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist is one of the sacraments of our Church instituted by Christ Himself. It is the supreme manifestation of Christ's love for all of us that He offered Himself, His own Body and Blood to be the Living Sacrifice, the Ultimate Offering. I am sure the disciples did not grasp what Jesus commanded them to do. They must have wondered why they have to eat and drink the body and blood of Christ.  But they took  this to heart as they themselves offered their lives to protect and perpetuate the Church. And to to this day, the Church repeats the Holy Eucharist in remembrance of Jesus' supreme sacrifice on the cross to save us all from our sin.

May the love of Christ that is perpetually shared in the Eucharist permeate into our hearts to love and serve one another!

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for instituting the Holy Eucharist to remember that You willingly suffered and died on the cross for our salvation. We praise and thank You for Your supreme offfering, for your amazing love!  May our reception of your Body and Blood transform us to be merciful like You. Amen.

Building A Relationship With God

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
18 July 2010


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

First reading Genesis 18:1-10
The Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, and bowed to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said ‘I beg you, if I find favour with you, kindly do not pass your servant by. A little water shall be brought; you shall wash your feet and lie down under the tree. Let me fetch a little bread and you shall refresh yourselves before going further. That is why you have come in your servant’s direction.’ They replied, ‘Do as you say.’
Abraham hastened to the tent to find Sarah.’ ‘Hurry,’ he said ‘knead three bushels of flour and make loaves.’ Then running to the cattle Abraham took a fine and tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. Then taking cream, milk and the calf he had prepared, he laid all before them, and they ate while he remained standing near them under the tree.
‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him. ‘She is in the tent’ he replied. Then his guest said, ‘I shall visit you again next year without fail, and your wife will then have a son.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 14:2-5

Second reading Colossians 1:24-28
It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ.

Gospel Luke 10:38-42
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

Reflection
By Patty De la Rosa-Paat

TIME… it is something we all treasure. As many people says “We can't buy time" that is why TIME is very important. But how can we relate to this passage? God doesn’t ask much of our time. But do we find time for Him? Or are we too busy with our lifestyle? As time goes by, our busy lives or active life compromised our relationship with God because we don’t spend time for Him.

COMMUNICATION is also is very important. It is one way of expressing ourselves, interacting with others, exchanging our thoughts and feelings. In our modern life, communication is now very easy. We now have various and fast ways of communicating like email (the old style snail mail or electronic email), cellphone which we can use for calling, texting, sending emails, etc. God doesn’t have all these things. He has no computer and internet access and a cellular phone to be able to communicate to us. But He can easily be reached and there is no busy line ever! We can communicate with Him through praying and by attending the Holy Mass.

Praying is one way of communicating and being in the presence of God. We can do it publicly or privately. There are types of prayer:

1. Prayer of Praise and Adoration
2. Prayer of Penitence
3. Prayer of Petition/Intercession
4. Prayer of Thanksgiving

When we pray we believe that God really exist and His presence is with us. We are expressing our faith and love to Him. In praying, we can talk to God dearly, like we are talking to our love ones or best friend that we can tell everything to Him. We pray to God not only to ask favor but we are building a strong relationship with Him. So when we pray, we will make sure that our prayer is sincere, that it comes from the heart, unselfish and not self-righteous and make it very meaningful. Talk to God in a manner that you are comfortably talking to the most trusted person in your life for you are entrusting your life to Him.

Holy Mass as it is said by Pope Paul VI, “It is the perfect form of prayer". In Holy Mass, we strengthen our faith in God and as a believer we are united as one community and children of God. We listen to the teachings of Christ through the Holy Scriptures and receive Holy Communion. We sanctify and glorify God.

During the fourth century, Christians participated in the Eucharist in great risk. Despite the danger of being put to death, thousands attended Masses which were held in secret. Today, there is no such danger. But many of us neglect to take advantage of the opportunity to remember and receive Jesus. Why is this so? Perhaps we are just too lazy to go to Mass. Some claim they are too busy and others think that going to Mass is boring and not worth the effort. They rather stay in the house and watch movie or go out with friends. Still, others feel their prayer at home is just acceptable as prayer in the church. And some think that many sinners go to the church regularly and these people only show their hypocrisy.

But we must understand that Jesus Himself was associated with sinners and hypocrites to show them the way. Besides, we are sometimes hypocritical too. If our reason of not going to Mass is that we don’t get much out of it, let us remember that the cause could be that we don’t put much into the Mass either. We fail to involve ourselves in it.

Some popes and saints have shared with us the Tremendous Blessings and Benefits of the Mass:

“The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!"(Pope Paul VI)

"The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death." (Pope Benedict XV)

"The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross." (St. Thomas Aquinas)

"The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is most true that he who attends holy Mass shall be freed from many evils and from many dangers, both seen and unseen." (St. Gregory)

"The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass. He who devoutly hears holy Mass will receive a great vigor to enable him to resist mortal sin, and there shall be pardoned to him all venial sins which he may have committed up to that hour. He [who attends Mass with all possible devotion] shall be freed from sudden death, which is the most terrible stroke launched by the Divine Justice against sinners. Behold a wonderful preservative against sudden death." (St. Augustine)

"Without doubt, the Lord grants all favors which are asked of Him in Mass, provided they be fitting for us; and, which is a matter of great wonder, off times He also grants that also which is not demanded of Him, if we, on our part, put no obstacle in the way." (St. Jerome)

"When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar." (St. John Chrysostom)

"A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death." (St. Anselm)

“Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS." (St. Teresa)

"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass." (St. Pio)

TIME and COMMUNICATION, these are what we need to build up a strong relationship with God. The busier we are, the more we need to talk to Him. Do not abuse the kindness of the Lord by simply ignoring HIM. We should understand that we are the ones who need HIM.

Dearest Lord, we thank You for being always there, ready to communicate, to listen to us. Help us to spend more time with You so we will be able to fully discern and understand Your will, for Your glory and our salvation. Amen.

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