Service

    

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 October 2024

 

First Reading: Is 53:10-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16

Gospel: Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve."

Jesus is truly our role model of service and He exemplified selflessness by consistently placing the needs of others before His own. Imagine He is the Son of God but He came to the world to be like us, who understands our humanity. And we see Him serving the poor, going around healing the sick, driving out demons, giving life to the dead, teaching the disciples.

If we want to be great, we really have to serve first. I started serving the Lord in my college days. I was part of the Legion of Mary in our parish and we would go around doing the block rosary from house to house, I would also go to depressed areas as part of our outreach programs. I also became a member of the Ministry of Lectors and Commentators and other ministries in the church. And when I got married, my husband and I continued serving our parish and there was even a time we would serve the 5AM, 6AM, 7AM, and 8AM Sunday Masses! We also became members of the Magis Deo Marriage Encounter Community serving as Shepherds to ME Classes, helping couples as they journey in their spiritual life. And when we had children, we would also bring them to church and eventually my son became an altar boy/sacristan. Thinking about it right now, I couldn't imagine how we were able to do it with our full-time job and raising four children! But truly when you just say YES to the calling of the Lord, He will equip you so you can do your mission.

My other children also started serving at The Feast of the Light of Jesus Community in the Youth and Worship Ministry and led worship singing to the Lord. Today, my youngest daughter and her husband are full time Youth Missionaries. They gave up their careers in the corporate to serve the Lord. My two children who are already married and have migrated to Sydney, Australia continue to serve at The Feast in Sydney.

It's a joy to serve the Lord as an answer to His calling. He loved us so much unconditionally and we want to share that love to others by serving them. And I truly believe that graces and blessings abound when we serve.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for the opportunities to serve You.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15

Entitlement and Authority

Twenty-ninth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

17 October 2021 

 

First Reading: IS 53:10-11

Responsorial Psalm: PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

Second Reading: HEB 4:14-16

Gospel: MK 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

Have you ever thought of how your achievements and status in life affected how you treat other people? How often do you keep in mind that we alone do not have all authority over the things that have been given to us?

I remember a time when I was in a grocery store, lining up to the cashier. A man suddenly cuts the line, annoying the others, then said, "Abogado ako. May reklamo ka?"  I thoughtI lined up in a "priority for lawyers" lane. But there was only a priority lane for seniors and PWDs, none for lawyers. I'm not sure if cutting in line is one of the perks of being a lawyer.

There was also a time when me and my wife were on the way to a beach resort for a vacation. There was a vehicle service that would take us and other visitors to the resort we're checking in. A group of young women aboard the service suddenly shouted to the driver, "Bakit kami may kasabay? Sabi exclusive ang service para sa amin?" Then one of them followed with words I could not ponder on, "Wag nyo na hintayin na magpakilala ako!"

Sometimes, our achievements and status in life change the way we look at others, especially when we think that we can bend the rules for our own benefit. In today's Gospel, there was some form of entitlement when the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." To add context or background, James and John may have come from a wealthy family as implied during the call of the first disciples (Mark 1:20 "So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.") Their father, Zebedee, may be a wealthy man during his time as suggested that he has hired men. Their wealthy status may have affected how James and John think that they are more favored than the other disciples. I may also think that during this moment, with their tone of asking "we want you to do whatever we ask of you", they forgot the authority of God.

It is natural for us to pray and ask for things that we want from God. Jesus Himself said, "Ask and you shall receive. This is one of the things that we hold on to and somehow gives us assurance that our prayers will be granted. But we tend to forget prayer is a two-way dialogue. When we pray, we also need to listen because we recognize the authority of God and He alone knows whatever is good for us. Even if our prayer is unselfish or not for us alone, we offer it and trust that, "Thy will be done." Though, there are times that in our desperation, we want God to do for us whatever we ask of Him, because we think that "it is our destiny" or "it is our right to have it." But we do not realize if it really is God's will, because we forget to listen and recognize God's authority.

But in spite of us forgetting God's authority over us, He is still eager to listen to our prayers and to whatever it is that we ask of Him. Jesus' response was still a response of how a servant should be, "What do you wish me to do for you?" Authority has often been perceived as the power to control the other. What Jesus offered us is a new understanding of what authority means - it is to open ourselves to be of service to one another, not just for the benefit of one, but for the good of all.

Jesus continues to remind us that when we use our achievements and status in life for us to be perceived as higher than the others, we become slaves of how we want others to respond and do things for us. We become blinded by a power that we thought is ours. Breaking rules, or laws, will be easier for a person who thinks he or she is more favored than others. But Jesus also reminds us that He came to serve and not to be served. As the letter to the Hebrews says, we can confidently approach God to ask and receive His grace in our time of need. When we keep in mind how approachable Jesus is, and how he continues to give His life as a ransom for many, we recognize God's authority over us and we learned to serve God as He deserved.

Prayer

 

Dear Lord, teach us to recognize You in one another as we continue to learn to serve You as we should. May we listen first before we ask, for us to know what You want for us to do. May we always be reminded to acknowledge that whatever achievements and status we have in life, these are all because of Your authority over us. May we humble ourselves to follow Jesus and trust that in our deepest prayers and desires, You always listen and know what is good for us. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

 

The Kingdom or the King?

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 21, 2013

‘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.’

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14

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.’

Responsorial Psalm: 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 Mark Rodney Vertido

I believe that many of us, especially, among the young people want to serve God and His people, the Church. Is serving God one of our goals in life? How do we serve? Do we focus on the Kingdom or the King?

The Lord’s visit to the home of Martha and Mary shows us two different responses. In the story, Martha was complaining to the Lord that Mary is not helping to prepare the house for Him. But the Lord said that Mary has chosen the better way and it will not be taken away from her.

In our generosity and willingness to serve the Lord, sometimes we tend to forget that He is the One we should serve. This reminded me again that in our Catechism, it is written that we live “to know, to love, and to serve the Lord.” It is very clear that first of all, we need “to know” the God whom we want to serve. I recall that I became true active member of the Church back in 2010 when I was invited to serve the young people of our diocese, which I am still doing until this very day. I am more than three years in this ministry and I love it. It motivated and helped me become a better being.

I want to show my appreciation and gratitude to the ministry and so I started to put in more efforts. This was my response to God’s call for me to serve Him. Along the way, I became more and more dedicated to the ministry. I saw myself at the center. I was happy in those days knowing that I can really serve the Lord.

But one day, I felt too exhausted serving the ministry. I felt that my endeavors are not bearing fruits already and all became a frustration. When I introspected, I was surprised to know that I have become personality-centered rather than Christ-centered. That means that I become so overwhelmed in serving the Lord that I had forgotten Him. I know that He is the King but I set Him aside for the sake of the Kingdom. I was not able to fulfill my first task “to know” Him more. I assumed that I already know Him and His teachings very well that I focused more on going out and serving others. It was not enough.

I always remember the words of one of my religious friends who is now a Discalced Carmelite priest. He said to me that being in my vocation entails having a prayer life and the willingness to listen first to God before going out and serve the ministry. This I bear in mind when I do my service for the Lord and His flock.

To end, let me share that I came to know St. Benedict more in 2011 because of my interest to play with words. His motto caught my attention. His motto is “ora et labora” or “prayer and work.” He believes that life should be a balance between prayer and work. Looking at the two words “ora” and “labora”, it is amazing to note that “ora” is found in “lab-ora” which means that our work should be rooted and centered in our contemplative communication with God which is through prayer. I came to believe that these two are inseparable. Let our prayer be our work and our work be our prayer to fulfill Saint Paul’s words: “Pray without ceasing!”

Working for the Lord is a very good thing to do. But if we will forget Him and focus more on the work for Him, then all of our works will not bear fruit. Let God be at the center always so that in all things, God may be glorified!

Prayer

Father, please help us not to forget You as we serve Your people. Amen.

God and Country

" Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth. "

First Reading Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, Subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, Opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, So that toward the rising and the setting of the sun men may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other.

Resp. Psalm: 96:1 , 3-5, 7-9

Second Reading 1Thessalonians 1:1-5

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and (with) much conviction. You know what sort of people we were (among) you for your sake.

Gospel Mt 22:15-2

Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him adenarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

Reflection
By Patty De la Rosa-Paat
 

From this scenario, the Pharisees tried to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the people by laying a trap and maliciously asked him if it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. Jesus is aware about their cleverness if He answer them in negative manner then He will be reported to the Roman officers for disloyalty. But He intellectually responded by saying “ Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”(Caesar means Emperor).

“ Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” From there we can fully understand the concept of separation of CHURCH and STATE. Citizens must pay taxes, it was not forbidden by God. It is lawful to pay taxes for the common good of the society.

Taxes are necessary for all legitimate expenses of the State, it serves many functions. Taxation benefits the citizens. It was implemented by the authorities for the common goal. It was used for social welfare, provided public services, jobs, education etc., economic infrastructure, ensuring health benefits and it was used to legislate and govern with the greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of people and so paying taxes are really important.

“ Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s “ It is broad in meaning because Jesus is not only referring to the obligation of the people to pay their taxes but it explains that, people should be a law-bider. The constituted government implemented law and this law should not violate the law of God. The authorities have the right to implement law but this law must protect the interests of the individuals. Citizens of the country must be legally and morally guided and the individual rights and freedom should be given accordingly.

“ Render to God the things that are God’s.” And our greatest duty is to love God with all our being. Keep His commandments and make Him our priority. These are our duties to God. For God is good, He is a loving God who has given us everything.

And remember God gave us free will. Free will is a God’s grace. He allows us to enjoy this freedom. A freedom to live, to learn, to love, to choose and to run our lives the way we want it to. It is God-given ability to all mankind to hear His call, to response from it and to know His will for us. But we should understand that freedom is associated with responsibility we should be responsible in everything we do and say.

And this is how the church helps us to grow spiritually. The church was called a society founded by Christ in New Testament. It is also called the mystical body of Christ. Here, our Christian life began after receiving the sacrament of baptism and other sacraments. Remember, in every sacrament we receive a particular grace.

Church and State are perfect societies. Obedience to God’s commandments implies our personal love and commitment to Him. As we love and obey God it attributes our behavior to our society. We are becoming a good citizen who respects laws and those in authorities. Thereon, we will be able to contribute for general welfare, through good deeds and by exercising personal responsibility and participating in public services for the good of others. This is what Jesus is teaching us…..To serve God and to serve others the best that we can.

Father in heaven, we are here to pray not only for ourselves but for our country as well. We ask You Lord to guide our leaders. Guide them gently to the right decisions. Help us in our national crisis and give us courage and strength for us to bravely face the burden that has been placed to our shoulders. Allow us all to come together as one nation and lead us to the path of righteousness. You are the source of life and the keeper of our soul. Teach us to love and respect each other. May we stand firm as we pray for all mankind. Amen

Keys to Open God's Heart

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
21 August 2011


Come, let us rejoice in the Lord: let us acclaim God our salvation, alleluia.

First reading Isaiah 22:19-23
Thus says the Lord of Hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:
I dismiss you from your office,
I remove you from your post,
and the same day I call on my servant
Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
I invest him with your robe,
gird him with your sash,
entrust him with your authority;
and he shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
and to the House of Judah.
I place the key of the House of David
on his shoulder;
should he open, no one shall close,
should he close, no one shall open.
I drive him like a peg
into a firm place;
he will become a throne of glory
for his father’s house.

Psalm: Psalm 137:1-3,6,8

Second reading Romans 11:33-36
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.

Gospel Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Reflection
By Nats Vibiesca

When I was a kid, I have no idea about the importance of keys. We were poor like rats. We don’t need keys because we don’t have cabinets to open, no jewelry boxes to unlock, no drawers to keep important documents, even our door was made up of improvised locks.

To my recollection, I’m always amazed watching a locksmith duplicating other people’s keys. Actually, I’m envious seeing other people having many keys while we have none.

But now that I’m married and have my own family, the Lord made us rich! (hmm.. not so very rich) At least I own several keys now! Being a father, I know now the value of taking good care of the keys of the house.

I’m talking about the significance of necessary keys to keep our bodies well here on earth. In the Gospel, Jesus gave Peter the keys for the welfare of our souls. This is the reason why we put our complete trust to our Holy Father or the Pope, the Bishops, and the Priests in all that concerns our faith and morals.

My personal reflection about the Gospel is that Jesus gave all of us special keys to open God’s heart. These are the keys of virtues like responsibilities and love. More than taking care of the keys of our house, God gave me the keys to take care of my family.

As a father, I am also responsible of the keys of leading my children and my wife to know, love and serve God.

As a student, Jesus gave me the key of being responsible in all my school works. Thinking that I’m opening God’s heart everytime I do well in school.

As a teacher, writer, or any endeavor that God entrusted me, Jesus gave me the keys to be responsible and to love with all my heart the job to serve my neighbor. Jesus also gave the keys to empower other people and add value to their lives.

Let me share to you one of my favorite story written by S. Michael Wilcox about the parable of the keys:

Once there was a little boy and a little girl who loved Jesus very much, and He loved them.

"You may come to my house," Jesus told them one day, "and there I will give you a gift."

They met Jesus, and He gave them His gift. It was a key -- a wonderful key.

"Take care of this key," He said. "Put it next to your heart. One day it will open a wonderful door. Whenever you wish, you may return to my house, but each time I will ask to see the key."

They promised Him they would, and they went home. They returned often to Jesus' house, and each time He asked if they still had the key. And they always did.

One day He asked if they would follow Him. He led them to a hill covered with green grass and trees. On top of the hill was a mansion in the middle of a beautiful garden. Even in their dreams they had never imagined anything so magnificent.

"Who lives here?" they asked Him. "You may," He answered. "This is your eternal home. I've been building it for you. The key I gave you fits a lock in the front door. Now run up the path and put your key into the lock."

They ran up the hill and through the garden to the front door. "If it's this beautiful on the outside," they said, "it must be even more wonderful inside!"

But when they reached the front door, they stopped. It was the strangest door they had ever seen. Instead of one lock, the door was covered with locks, hundreds of locks, thousands of locks. And they had only one key.

They put their key into one of the locks. It wouldn't fit. They put it into another. It didn't fit that one either. They tried many different locks. Finally they found the one that fit. They turned the key and the lock clicked. But the door wouldn't open.

They ran back to Jesus. "We cannot open the door," they said. "It is covered with locks, and we have only one key." He smiled at them and said: "Do you think you will be happy living in your mansion all alone? Is there anyone you would like to live with you there?" They thought for a while and then answered, "We would like our families to live with us." "Go and find them," He said. "Invite them to my house, and I will give each one their very own key. Soon you will have many keys."

They rushed out eagerly to find their families. They found their fathers and mothers, their brothers and sisters, and all their cousins and brought them to Jesus' house. Just as He had promised, He gave each one a key. When all had been given a key, together they returned to the great door of the mansion.

Now they had dozens of keys, but there were thousands of locks, and the door still wouldn't open. They needed more keys.

Once again they returned to Jesus. "We have brought our families," they said. "But the door still won't open."

"Do your parents have a mother and father and brothers and sisters?" He asked them. "Do you think they will be happy living in the beautiful mansion without them? If you look hard enough, you will find many, many people. Bring them all to my house, and I will give each one a key."

They looked very hard, just as Jesus had told them. They found mothers and fathers. They found brothers and sisters. They found grandmas and grandpas and great-great-grandmothers and great-great-great grandfathers. Jesus gave each one his or her own key.

Soon all the families were gathered before the great door. There was a lock for every key. They turned the keys, but the door remained closed. There was one final lock, a great big one right in the middle of the door, and no one had its key.

The boy and girl returned to Jesus. "We have found all our families," they said. "But the door still won't open. We're missing a key and don't know where to find it." Jesus smiled, put his arms around them, and gave each one a kiss. "I have the last key," He said, and He held it up. It was bright and shining and beautiful.

"This is the key of my atonement," He said. "Am I not a member of the family? Do you think you will be happy living in your mansion without me? Do you think I would be happy living without you? Now that you have found the whole family, all my brothers and sisters, all our Father's children, together we will enter our eternal home, for home will always be where families live and love together."

He took their hands, and the whole family opened the door, entered the mansion, and spent an eternity of happiness together.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for giving us the keys to open God’s heart! We ask You to help us to be humble to accept our responsibilities in life and to keep our hearts burning with love for You. Amen.