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

Where Does My Heart Find Rest?

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

03 August 2025

 

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

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

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

 

Reflection By:

Bro. Carlo Alexis Malaluan

Diocese of Imus

 

You’ve probably heard the old tale of King Midas—the man who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. At first, it seemed like a dream come true. His palace sparkled, his wealth grew, and his fame spread. But that golden touch soon turned into a curse. The food he tried to eat turned to metal. Even his beloved daughter, when she ran into his arms, became a lifeless statue of gold. In the end, what he thought was a blessing revealed the tragic emptiness of having everything… except what truly matters.

The Gospel this Sunday tells a story not far from Midas’—a man blessed with an abundant harvest, so much, that his barns couldn’t contain it all. Like Midas, he thought to himself, “Now I can rest. I’ve made it. Soul, eat, drink, be merry.” He believed he had finally arrived at peace, that his heart could finally settle down.

But God calls him fool. “This very night your life will be demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?”

It’s easy to say we are not materialistic. Easy to claim we are not enslaved by money or the things that glitter in this world. But if we take an honest look at our daily lives—our thoughts before going to sleep, our worries upon waking, our plans, our fears—don’t they often reveal where our hearts truly rest?

The problem of the rich man isn’t his success, his hard work, or his good harvest. His downfall is his misplaced security. He thought his soul could find rest in what he owned, rather than in the One who gave it all. And so his heart, like Midas’, was trapped—not in poverty, but in the illusion of wealth.

Today’s Gospel asks us a quiet but piercing question: Where does my heart find rest? What kind of treasure do I hold closest to my chest? Is it something that can be taken away in a moment, or is it something eternal?

Isn’t that the same subtle temptation we face today? We often equate the rest of the heart with what we can accumulate—money, achievements, possessions, even relationships that offer us comfort. But even when we have them all, we remain restless. There’s always the fear of losing them. Always the anxiety of what’s next.

The Gospel challenges us to ask: What kind of treasure does my heart truly value? For the heart, as St. Augustine once said, is restless until it rests in God. True wealth cannot be measured by quantity, but by depth—the depth of our relationship with God, the depth of our love, the depth of our giving and belonging.

When the heart finds rest in the treasure of God, it becomes at peace even in scarcity. When the heart rests in authentic love, it feels whole even amid imperfections. When the heart rests in God’s will, it finds a peace the world cannot buy. When our hearts rest in God, there is peace—even when we don’t have everything figured out. When our hearts rest in love, there is fullness—even when life is not perfect. And when our hearts rest in doing the will of the Father, there is joy—even in the midst of uncertainty.

So today, perhaps we’re being invited to look at our own “golden touches”—those things we think will bring us peace, control, or contentment. Are they really feeding the soul, or are they turning what’s most human in us into something hollow? Where does my heart truly find rest? In God, or in things that fade away?

And if we realize we've been learning on fragile foundations, we need not be afraid to return. God is always waiting. Because His heart is the true home of our own. Because His heart is where ours was meant to rest all along.

Prayer

God answers prayers

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

27 July 2025

 

First Reading: Genesis 18:20-32

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

Second Reading: Colossians 2:12-14

Gospel: Luke 11:1-13

 

Reflection

By: Fely Santiago

 

“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

 

God always answers our prayers in His perfect time and always for what is best for us. His answer can be Yes, Maybe, or No. The question is are we ready to accept it? Back in 2006 I was down on my knees begging the Lord to help me in my financial problems. But how did the Lord answer our prayers? It was a big No from what I expected. Instead my husband and I lost our “secured” jobs one after the other! And we had two kids in college and another still in elementary, and we were drowning in debts! God had a different answer to my prayers. But looking back 17 years later, we understood why God answered our prayers far from what we expected. It is because God has a better plan for us. He brought us to a company with a mission to change people from spenders to savers and create wealth for families.  The Lord has taught me to be a better steward of my finances and this has also become our mission to financially educate many Filipinos. He used our woundedness in money matters to heal others. We have empowered many people and transformed their lives. We found our purpose and we now know the reason why God answered our prayers with a No before. Today we are enjoying not only financial freedom but time freedom in our senior years. Had He answered our prayer the way we want it to be, we would have been financially struggling up to today in our senior years.

 

So let us stay in faith. Believe in the promises of the Lord that He will never abandon us no matter how challenging our situation might be. Believe that the Lord answers our prayers and it is always the best for us. Be sensitive to what He’s saying and quick to obey. God  is preparing you for the fullness of your destiny.

Prayer

Lord Jesus thank You in advance for the many answers to my prayers. You know Lord what is best for me.  Let me follow Your will and direction in my life. Thank You Lord that the journey with You means taking steps of faith into the unknown. I look forward to new places of blessings that You have prepared for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Will Provide

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 July 2025

 

First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5

Second Reading: Colossians 1:24-28

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

 

Reflection

By: Fely Santiago

 

"You are anxious and worried about many things."

I’m sure this message  will resonate with most of us. Who is not anxious and worried about many things? Where will the money to pay my bills come from? Where will I get the money for hospitalization? Tuition fees are due next month? Can I borrow money? Can I get a new job? Will I find a new relationship again? Are we going to have a baby after being married for 5 years? Will there be WWIII? What is happening in the economy?

Maybe it’s time for us to be still. Breathe. Calm down. Isn’t it that the Lord in several verses in the Bible addresses the topic of worry, encouraging believers to trust in God and find peace in Him. Two prominent passages are Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus teaches against worrying about material needs, and Philippians 4:6-7, which instructs believers to present their requests to God in prayer, finding His peace that surpasses understanding.

Here's a more detailed look at these and other verses:

Matthew 6:25-34

This passage focuses on the futility of worry, particularly about basic needs like food and clothing. Jesus points out that God cares for the birds and the flowers, and He will certainly care for His followers. He encourages seeking God's kingdom first, and trusting that He will provide.

Philippians 4:6-7

This passage instructs believers to bring all their anxieties to God in prayer, accompanied by thanksgiving. In doing so, they will experience God's peace, which transcends human understanding and will guard their hearts and minds.

1 Peter 5:6-7

This verse encourages believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand and cast all their anxieties on Him, because He cares for them.

Psalm 55:22

This verse provides a direct command to cast one's burden on the Lord, who will sustain the righteous.

Isaiah 41:10

This verse reminds believers not to fear, because God is with them.

These verses, among others, offer comfort and guidance for those struggling with worry, urging them to trust in God's provision, seek His kingdom, and find peace through prayer.

Let us also be conscious that the “enemy” attacks you with anxiety because he knows there’s greatness in you, that you’re on the verge of seeing a new level of your destiny. He’ll try to make you feel overwhelmed, fearful about the future, thinking it’s not going to work out. Thoughts will tell you, “This anxiety is never going to change. You’ll always have to deal with this feeling that something is wrong.”

Don’t believe those lies. The anxiety shall pass. Sometimes God will bring you out quickly. Other times He’ll take you little by little. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see anything changing. God is working. Every day you need to declare, “I’m getting better. My mind is at peace. My heart is at rest. I am free from this anxiety."

Prayer

Lord Jesus thank You in advance for the many answers to our prayers. Your strength in difficult times is the source of my security. I refuse to be overwhelmed by problems because You will bring me through to victory. I declare that I am resting in the Almighty God who is greater than anything I face. I believe that my prayers are already answered in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Call to Love

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

13 July 2025

 

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

 

Reflection

By: Fely Santiago

 

"What must I do to inherit eternal life?

What are we really here for on earth? Why am I where I am right now? Have we ever asked these questions? Whatever stages we are in our lives – finishing a degree, starting a career, starting a family, nearing retirement, retired and already in the last season of our life we need to ask these questions? For after all our purpose in life is really to gain eternal life with the Lord. Our lives here on earth is temporary. And in the gospel today the Lord has given us guidelines on how we can inherit eternal life. It boils down to LOVE. Loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yes we have to love ourselves because we cannot give what we don’t have. If we don’t love ourselves we can never give love to our neighbor. And yes the world needs love. The world needs a lot of compassion as many people right now don’t feel loved and worthy.

How then can we show our love to others? As simple as listening to them, caring for them and just being there for them. It can start at home with our loved ones, in the office, in the community and even in the department store, in the bank, wherever we are. Just be aware of how we can show love to one another by being kind, patient and understanding. The world needs love.

Prayer

Dear Lord,  As I spend time with You I am aware of how blessed I truly am to be loved by You. I think of Your love and Your mercy and how it has helped us overcome all the challenges in life. Thank You for always being there for me Lord and may I also share this love to others.  Give me the grace to always have a loving and compassionate heart especially to those in need. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Selfless Disposition

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

22 June 2025

 

First Reading: Genesis 14:18-20

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel: Luke 9:11b-17

 

Reflection

By: Bernard M. Borja

 

In every Mass or Eucharistic celebration, we are invited to immerse into the deep mystery of Christ’s self-offering. It is an invitation that speaks directly to our hearts, our communities, and even to the world’s most difficult moments. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, reminds us of a transformative encounter: that every time we gather and break bread together, we remember not only the greatness of Jesus’ love for us through His death and resurrection, but we also participate in Jesus’ work of redemption.

In the words of St. Paul through his first letter to the Corinthians: “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you…” he reiterates the essence of the Eucharist. It is an invitation to remember that Christ’s body was given for us and that His blood seals the new covenant. When we partake in Holy Communion, we are repeatedly invited to reflect on the sacrificial love that exceeds all human understanding. This sacrament calls us to embody the same love, to become living proclaimers of Jesus’ offering by going beyond our individual selves. The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes recalls this offering or divine generosity. Just as a simple meal is multiplied into a feast, our humble offerings — our time, our compassion, and even our small resources — can be transformed into a bounty of grace when given in the spirit of selfless sharing.

In our experience, especially during hardship, we often fall to our tendency of self preservation. When the disciples said to Jesus, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here”, it reflects a common impulse of us humans. When confronted with overwhelming challenges, it is easier to retreat into the safety of our concerns and push others’ needs away. However, by choosing to “dismiss the crowd”, we risk missing the call to generosity that is at the heart of Jesus’ invitation. Instead, He urges us to share whatever we have. In doing so, we participate in a divine act of multiplication, where the simple act of sharing becomes a channel for hope, healing, and abundant provision.

We can also consider reflecting at the continuing tensions in countries such as the conflict between Israel and Iran. The effects on the economy and quality of life for the rest of the world are very evident. Today, fear and uncertainty drive many to concentrate solely on their own survival. The instinct to withdraw from communal care can be powerful when the world seems divided and resources are limited. But the Eucharist and feeding miracles invite us to look beyond our limited perspectives. Just as Jesus used five loaves and two fish to feed the crowd, our seemingly insufficient contributions can also become transformative when they are extended in love. It is an invitation to find God in the midst of chaos and confusion — a reminder that even in difficult times, sharing a small part (or a tenth like Abram offered) of what we possess can ignite hope.

When we reflect on these sacred mysteries, we see that the Eucharist is both a remembrance of Christ’s passion and a command to be His body in the world. When we receive the Blessed Sacrament, we are called to rise above self-centeredness. It challenges us to transform our natural disposition toward self-preservation into a courageous act of community and compassion. In doing so, our lives become a living testimony to the profound truth that God’s grace multiplies even the smallest gestures.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is not just a day of remembrance, but a call to action. It invites us to be bold in our sharing, to overcome the urge to isolate ourselves in difficult times, and to recognize that every act of kindness and love can be the spark that ignites change. By embracing this nature, we affirm that in the celebration of the Eucharist — and in the sharing of our “five loaves and two fish” — we truly live out the call to be the Body of Christ in a world longing for hope and harmony.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we gather before You with humble hearts, remembering the mystery of Your love manifested in the Eucharist. As we break bread together, remind us that every small act of kindness, every shared moment of hope, carries the seed of Your divine grace.

Lord Jesus, You offered Your body and blood as a gift of redemption for all. In times of uncertainty and trouble, may we draw courage from Your sacrifice. Teach us to see beyond our fears and to recognize that even our simplest offerings can be multiplied into miracles of healing and peace. In our struggles and in our moments of doubt, may the Holy Spirit guide us to express a spirit of community and boundless generosity. May our daily actions become a testament to Your enduring promise of hope and a beacon of light that guides others out of darkness. AMEN.

What's Your Candy?

Pentecost Sunday

08 June 2025

 

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel: John 20:19-23

 

Reflection

By: Bernard M. Borja

 

In the afternoon of Wednesday, 7th of May 2025, one hundred and thirty-three Cardinals were gathered in the Pauline Chapel, all asking for divine guidance as the Papal Conclave began. “Veni Creator Spiritus” – a prayer and hymn that the Cardinal electors were chanting during their procession to the Sistine Chapel as they receive a final spiritual reflection and begin their sacred task of voting for a Supreme Pontiff. The divine process behind closed doors went on for the next two days. But for us and the rest of the world, we waited. Even though we heard and read some stories about it, and while there were also some depictions through films, imagining the things that happen inside the chapel during the conclave could only be put up to faith. We can only look forward and watch the smoke from the chimney of the Sistine chapel that would signify that “no pope was chosen” or “a pope has been chosen”. Then at last, on May 8, at 6:07pm Rome time, the white smoke appeared, and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began to ring. Minutes later, after the much-anticipated words – “Habemus Papam” has been spoken, and as our hearts started to be filled with joy, the new Pope Leo XIV came out onto the balcony. Then he spoke his first words to the faithful, a much familiar greeting that the risen Christ also said to the disciples – “Peace be with you.”

It is both joyful and consoling when we remember these events that are not just a significant part of our faithful identity but also manifestation of God’s love through The Holy Spirit. Similarly, two thousand years ago, something also happened behind locked doors that eventually led to the birth of the Catholic Church. Both events have the same message of Christ, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” A message that has been passed not only to the church leaders but also to us all.

Today, we are reminded of our identity as a church and manifestation of the works of The Holy Spirit. Like the disciples and Pope Leo XIV, we are also called to proclaim the mighty acts of God to the peripheries of the world. As Pope Leo XIV said, “Together we must try to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges and always dialogues, that is always open to receiving everyone in need. A church that journeys, a church that seeks peace always, that always seeks charity, that wants to be close to people, especially those who are suffering." 

Though sometimes, we may not always find ourselves in a state of carrying out the mission of the church or receiving someone in need. There are times when we feel that what we have is not enough to console someone in need. Saint Paul reminds us that in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body of Christ. But we are all called in our uniqueness to be witnesses in our own ways because as Saint Paul said, “there are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit, different forms of service but the same Lord, different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle shared a moment that happened with him and then Cardinal Robert Prevost during the conclave. Cardinal Prevost became anxious as it became clearer that he was about to be elected as the next pope. Seeing his face with deep sighs, Cardinal Tagle offered him a candy, “Do you want some candy?” Cardinal Prevost said, “Okay, give me one.” It was a funny and warm moment about someone whose anxiety rose up because of a coming responsibility but being consoled by a simple gesture or offering. As Cardinal Tagle said, “It was my first act of charity for the new pope.” This can also remind us how a simple offer can console and encourage someone in need even though help was not being asked. A simple reminder of how we, as a church, can build bridges with the gifts that we have received from The Holy Spirit. A gift, or “candy”, that we can always offer as one with a church that always seeks charity to be lived with others and bring the peace of the Risen Christ that is unarmed and disarming. As Pope Leo XIV also said recently, “the Christian Life is not lived in isolation, like an intellectual or sentimental adventure, confined to our minds and hearts. It is lived with others, in a group or a community, because the Risen Christ is present among the disciples gathered in His name.” Today, as we celebrate the birth of the Catholic Church, may the Holy Spirit fill our hearts and enable us to proclaim the mighty acts of God through our openness to offer a part of ourselves to charity.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,

and in our souls take up Thy rest;

come with Thy grace and heavenly aid

to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry,

O heavenly gift of God Most High,

O fount of life and fire of love,

and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;

Thou, finger of God's hand we own;

Thou, promise of the Father,

Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,

and make our hearts o'erflow with love;

with patience firm and virtue high

the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,

and grant us Thy peace instead;

so shall we not, with Thee for guide,

turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow

the Father and the Son to know;

and Thee, through endless times confessed,

of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,

Who rose from death, be glory given,

with Thou, O Holy Comforter,

henceforth by all in earth and heaven.

AMEN.

Ascending Hope

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

01 June 2025

 

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 or Hebrews 9:24-28;10:19-23

Gospel: Luke 24:46-53

 

Reflection

By: Bernard M. Borja

 

Most of us are familiar with how feeling hopeful feels like. Some of us may have also faced hopelessness once or a few times in our lives. But there can be a path between being hopeless and being hopeful where we may often find ourselves trying to find hope in things that do not really make sense. A path that after pain, suffering, and doubt, we go through restoration and find a renewed hope in ways we never expected.

Jesus, as ever, brings a powerful message of hope—a hope that go beyond boundaries and time. Just as He commissioned His apostles to be His witnesses, assuring them that the Holy Spirit would fill them with grace and power, we witness similar anointing in moments of renewal and leadership in our modern society. Just like the disciples' hope was renewed after the resurrection and the many times Jesus was with them until His ascension, we are reminded that hope is sustained not only by what is seen but also by what is promised. Saint Paul prays that we may have our hearts enlightened so that we may fully comprehend the hope to which we are called. A hope that is rooted in Christ's resurrection, ascension, and His exalted authority over us. But this also says something about our longing for meaning and assurance that, regardless of our circumstances, we will always be part of God's redemption.

After the 2022 elections, I honestly felt hopeless on how people choose our leaders. In the next years after, I have been on a path of picking up the broken pieces and trying to make sense of a blurred hope for our country. But recently, after the midterm elections, we have witnessed a renewal in leadership that many see as an indication of a better tomorrow. The re-election of Pasig City Mayor has reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, accountability, and progressive governance. His leadership has inspired confidence and a belief in change. Also, the proclamation of the new Mayor of Naga, can be seen as a symbol of communal hope and affirmation. This reminds us that genuine leadership, born out of integrity and service to the people, can uplift a society in profound ways. Just as Jesus promised that His followers would be gifted with power to witness His love and truth throughout the earth, today we see leaders who are dedicated to the public good. Triumphs like these also remind us that hope can be restored and that integrity in public service is both possible and necessary.

Seeing this, I came to realize that hope is never passive but will always be persistent. It requires each one of us to look beyond our doubts, and trust in the providence that works through leaders infused with righteousness. In some form of a promise or a vote for reform, hope fuels action. It invites us to be active participants in a movement that bridges the gap between eternal truth and everyday reality.

Hope is alive, ever-renewing, and electable. Just as the disciples were called to be witnesses to a kingdom that reigns from on high, today’s leaders remind us that the spirit of renewal is both a gift and a responsibility. The promise of the Father invites us to trust, to act, and to be the change that our communities so desperately need. In this light, every act of leadership and every empowered vote becomes an echo of that timeless hope, urging us all to look up with expectation, embrace the promise, and work together toward a future filled with divine possibility. As we continue to look up like the disciples during the ascension of Jesus, we ask God for the grace to cultivate this ascending hope in our daily lives.

Prayer

In You alone, Jesus, our hope.

In You alone, Christ,  our strength.

In You alone, Lord, we are justified.

In You alone, we are saved.

We pray that we may open our hearts

and let Your love fill the emptiness in our soul

until it overflows with joy that we are longing for.

Unto You we pour out our hearts,

You alone will save us with Your love and mercy.

AMEN.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit!

Sixth Sunday of Easter

25 May 2025

 

First Reading: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Second Reading: Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

Gospel: John 14:23-29

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo M. Gonzales

 

In the previous Sunday’s Gospel reflection, we have learned how love does no harm to a neighbor (Romans 13:10a), covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), and is therefore the fulfillment of the law.  (Romans 13:10b) We have also learned that love [unlike power which is damaging], is enough to get everything done (a quote often attributed to Charlie Chaplin); and how love is enough to make wonders out of acts so little (a paraphrase of Mother Teresa’s well-shared saying).

This Sunday, we learn Who is our Help—our Advocate in our endeavor to love continuously amid our being imperfect—the Holy Spirit Godself. God has shared with us the Holy Spirit to inscribe in our hearts His Law; “For [we, in our piety to the Law,] are [the “letters” of recommendation of which Paul spoke], written not with ink nor on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts by the Spirit of God.” (2 Corinthians 3:3) It is the Holy Spirit Whose counsel instructs us in our abidance of God the Father’s Precepts and refinement of virtues and whole selves. This is why there is much to rejoice in Jesus’ Ascension which we celebrate this Thursday, May 29. Jesus has shared with us the Holy Spirit to navigate life in His instruction. Christ has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us so that when He comes back and takes us with Him, we may be where He is (John 14:3); “[a wonder] no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human mind has conceived, [which] God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) These are all part of God’s redemptive mission.

There is much to share in God's command for us to love as there is in His Good News: that we are saved by His grace through Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection—all feats of love themselves. As Christ said in the Gospel, [it is beneficial] that He tells us [of the Ascension] before it happens so that when it finally happens, we may believe (John 14:29), and so that our hearts, moved by the Spirit, are spurred towards betterment and eventual action.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to aid us in all things in life. May the grace we receive from the Holy Spirit mobilize us for the good work You have set for us with and may all these be the expressions of love which You ultimately call us to do. These we ask in the most holy Name of Jesus Christ with the intercession of our loving and Blessed Mother, Mary, Amen.

“You look just like your mother!”

Fifth Sunday of Easter

18 May 2025

First Reading: Acts 14:21-27

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-5a

Gospel: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo M. Gonzales

 

From childhood to this day, people would often marvel at how I look just like my mother. When they see us side by side or so long as they see either one of us with a picture of the other for reference, I often hear this shred of fascination. Whether live or in pictures, I take one look at both of us, and I cannot deny the resemblance. Truly, I am my mother’s son; but besides facial semblance, how else do we know we are our parents’ children? As children of God, how do we know we are His children, His beloved apostles?

Besides how we look on the outside, we are often associated with the things we do, especially out of habit, and the things we can typically be identified by, such as our traits and characteristics; but as children of God, how do we know we are His apostles? In the days of the Old Testament, the Israelites were judged by how closely they held to the law—the Torah; and this can reasonably be expected of a people whose faith is still in its primacy; whose spiritual journey is still greatly uncharted; but upon the advent of the New Testament—of Christ Himself, people would be awakened to what the Law actually meant; for people have grown accustomed to looking at the letter of the law, not its Spirit. That was why some were militant about the enforcement of the Law. If meat was considered unclean, it would be an abomination to so much as lay one’s hand on it; but when Christ came, Peter himself was rebuked by the Voice of the Lord: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15)

As we grow in spiritual maturity, we become more attuned to what God calls us to do. The Law was and has always been good, but it has always been our interpretation of the Law that sets the chaff apart from the wheat; the goat apart from the sheep; some do not follow the law altogether; all of us follow It to a relative measure though imperfectly, and some follow It too fastidiously. The Law of God aims to inculcate in us this: to be His followers, it is not enough to only abide by the Law, but to look deeper into Its spirit: why was It brought forth in the first place? What is Its intention? If we follow the Law without the right heart, spirit, and mind that understand with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will not make the connection: all of God’s laws point toward His ultimate Law: for us to love Him and each other, as God has loved us all. This is our ultimate call. Anything less than this relegates us to the status of mere “do-gooders,” acquiescent to external stipulations but lacking in spiritual substance and character. “Love,” according to 1 Peter 4:8, “covers a multitude of things; love is the fulfillment of the Law.” (Romans 13:10b) It is love that instates us as Christ’s apostles.

Do we love God to the extent that will satisfy our innate longing for Him? Have we done our part in sharing Christ’s love with others? Have we extended a healthy dose to ourselves? Love is not only the shimmer of romance in which we express to others anything relationally enticing, as this can be merely idealistic; love is the force that binds us all together in good faith. Love is the work we pour into ensuring as much as possible that we can all live in the context of a socio-spiritually conducive community. Wherever we falter, love is the conciliatory energy that makes up for what our brother or sister lacks. “Love does no harm to a neighbor.” (Romans 13:10a) Even the late Charlie Chaplin has purportedly said something about love for its effect, so good-willing than its easily corruptible value-counterpart: power. Charlie Chaplin is often credited for this adage: “You need power only when you want to do something harmful. Otherwise, love is enough to get everything done.” Love not only remains in us, people, but also radiates in the things we do, no matter how small they may be. Mother Teresa is also associated with this saying: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Have we loved today in a measure spiritually satisfying, no matter how little?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for imparting to us Your commandment of love, for apart from love, which is of You, we can find nothing else which enjoins us since it uplifts others and ourselves, in turn. May love continue to link us all together in harmony, and us to You in perpetuity. These we ask, in Jesus’ most holy Name, with the intercession of our Blessed loving Mother, Mary, Amen.