There's Hope for those who believed.

   

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord 

02 February 2025

 

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10

Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

 

Reflection

By: Bro. Emerson C. Maala

One of the topics we discussed in canon was the seven sacraments and one of it was baptism. Our professor asked me when was the day of my baptism. I answered him the date. It was April 5, 1997. Then he said that it is good that we remember the day of our baptism for it is where the Lord have gifted us our faith. Together with our parents, offering us to the Lord through baptism, hoping for us to grow in faith and holiness.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The Gospel reminds us of Hope that also coincides with the theme of Jubilee year: "Pilgrims of Hope". 

In the Gospel, Jesus is brought to the Temple, by Mary and Joseph, where Simeon and Anna recognize Him as the Messiah. Simeon proclaims that Jesus is destined for the salvation of all people, but also for opposition and suffering. This foreshadows the Hope that Simeon saw for the people of Israel. Hope that Jesus will bring the salvation to the people.

In the same way, we are called to look at our world, not with despair, but with the hope that God is at work. As we celebrate the Jubilee, we must ask ourselves: Do we bring hope to others? Do we trust that God is still leading our Church and our world despite challenges? Do we recognize Christ in the people around us, especially in the poor, the suffering, and those in need of mercy? And so let us ask God for the grace of Hope. To be an instrument of hope for others bringing light in the darkness especially to those who are hopeless. Amen.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, purify our hearts, refine our faith, and guide us in Your truth. Like Simeon and Anna, grant us the grace to recognize Christ in our midst, to trust and hope in You. So that we, too, may become an instrument of hope, despite facing the challenges of the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I Want To See Jesus!

The Holy Family

27 December 2020

 

First Reading 3:2-6, 12-14

 

God sets a father in honor over his children;

a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.

Whoever honors his father atones his sins,

and preserves himself from them.

When he prays, he is heard;

he stores up riches who reveres his mother.

Whoever honors his father will live a long life;

he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

 

My son, take care of your father when he is old;

grieve him not as long as he lives.

Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;

revile him not all the days of his life;

kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

firmly planted against the debt of your sins

--a house raised in justice to you.

 

Second Reading COL 3:12-21

 

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,

if one has a grievance against another;

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love,

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed,

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,

as is proper in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives,

and avoid any bitterness toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything,

for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,

so they may not become discouraged.

 

Gospel LK 2:22-40

 

When the days were completed for their purification

according to the law of Moses,

They took him up to Jerusalem

to present him to the Lord,

just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

Every male that  opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,

and to offer the sacrifice of

a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,

in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.

This man was righteous and devout,

awaiting the consolation of Israel,

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

that he should not see death

before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple;

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,

He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,

according to your word,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory for your people Israel."

The child's father and mother were amazed

at what was said about him;

and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

"Behold, this child is destined

for the fall and rise of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be contradicted

--and you yourself a sword will pierce--

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

There was also a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was advanced in years,

having lived seven years with her husband after marriage,

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.

She never left the temple,

but worshiped  night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions

of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee,

to their town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favor of God was upon him.

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Payod-Balla

 

Is this possible?

 

Would you like to see Jesus?

 

I was passing through the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel of St. Joseph Parish in Gagalangin, when I felt the tug to go inside and gaze upon the Eucharist.

I just came back from the Youth Encounter seminar at that time and I thought it would be nice to spend time with the Lord and thank Him for the opportunity given.

However, the moment I knelt down and closed my eyes, I immediately felt His strong presence that I burst into tears and sobbed openly. It felt like He was hugging me tight, embracing me close to Him. It felt good. It was at that time that I felt my connection with Him was real, that He is real, that He is physically present with me.

Every time I relive that encounter, I feel reconnected to God's embrace. I feel joy, I feel an overwhelming sense of lightness. I want to experience it again. I want to see God, I want to see Jesus.

 

I may not be able to fathom how Simeon and Ana felt when they saw Jesus but I am sure, they were overjoyed and filled with grace.

 

May you seek and see Jesus, and feel His loving embrace This Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

   

Prayer

Father, thank You for allowing us to feel Your presence through Jesus. We want Your loving embrace. We want to see Jesus. Amen.

 

 

The Season for the Family

The Holy Family   31 December 2017

First reading

Book of Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

The Lord honours a father above his children,
and he confirms a mother’s right over her children.
Those who honour their father atone for sins,
and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure.
Those who honour their father will have joy in their own children,
and when they pray they will be heard.
Those who respect their father will have long life,
and those who honour their mother obey the Lord;
My child, help your father in his old age,
and do not grieve him as long as he lives;
even if his mind fails, be patient with him;
because you have all your faculties do not despise him.
For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
and will be credited to you against your sins

                

Second reading

Colossians 3:12-21

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.

Gospel

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Reflection

by Jessa Janelle Padilla

Christmas is the season where every family member does their best to be with their loved ones and become complete to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  This is the season when most of our countrymen who work abroad or out of town come home to spend time with their family. The family is the center of this season and this is underscored as we celebrate today the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

How much do we value, love, and care our family - not only our spouse and children, but also our parents, and even our siblings? Are we an obedient sons or daughters? Our first reading from the Book of Sirach says, “Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself for them. When he prays, he is heard.” Prophet Sirach encourages every child to honor and obey their father since it will bring comfort to the mother. We, the children of our parents, must always obey and honor them because all their commands, against or not in our will, are for our own sake. They are chosen by God to be our guardians and to make us God-fearing children. We are forever indebted to our parents and to God, who choose them, since without them we are nothing.

In our second reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Saint Paul says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God”. Let’s welcome Jesus in our hearts and lives. Let our works be done in honor to Him and let us sing songs that glorify Him. May we include in our playlist, songs glorifying Him and not just songs that remind us how broken we are or rock and roll songs.  Spiritual songs uplift our faith and our well being. It calms us and makes us happy. It would be nice too if we could involve the whole family in singing praises to God, at home or in the church.

Our Gospel reading is all about how Mary and Joseph became obedient to the Law of Moses. They took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. In today’s situation, some parents are not willing to surrender their children to the service to the Lord. They discourage their children from entering the convent or seminary because of personal reasons. They want their children to have a family of their own. In contrast, other parents are willing to surrender their children to the service to the Lord. They’ve become supportive to their children’s decision to become a priest or a religious. Whatever path the children may choose depends on how good and disciplined the parents are. Also in our Gospel, Simeon recognizes and gave honor to Jesus. In our daily lives, how do we recognize Jesus? We can see Jesus in our family, friends, neighbors, children, the sick, the dying, the poor, and unemployed. Jesus is close to the children, the elders and the poor. Let us all treat one another as how we treat Jesus. May we become like Simeon who recognizes Jesus.


May our family be like the Holy family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus: open and obedient to God's will. May we also consider everyone as family, blood or not blood related, since we are all children of God. 

Prayer

Almighty God, we thank You most sincerely for bringing Jesus in our life through Mary and Joseph. Their Holy family is a perfect example of a family. May our family imitate the Holy Family. May our families become closer and open to one another. May You bless every family. We ask this through the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Amen.

Guidance Needed

The Presentation of the Lord Feb 2
First reading Malachi 3:1-4

The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.

Psalm                                                                            Psalm 23:7-10

Second reading                                                          Hebrews 2: 14-18

Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 2: 22-40

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

  Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

because my eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

a light to enlighten the pagans

and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

  There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

  When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

Reflection by Rosalinda Markell
So often life feels like a "parched" or desert place for us-dry without consolation or comfort, and even dangerous at times. We may feel trapped, without direction, and helpless to change things, and sometimes our situation scares us, and we don't know where to find help.  And it is often in those dark and parched times, when we recognize our need and ask for help, that we find the healing that God is offering us. In a world of confusion and fear, guidance is often needed...We can easily be misdirected by the culture around us or by the brokenness within us (1 John 2:15-17)  God's Spirit, however, is here to help, to direct and guide. As the spirit is a reliable guide in life's seas. Simeon and Anna represent those who wait patiently for God to come to their aid, to answer their prayers.  Both didn't know where the Lord was leading them and yet they were open to His Spirit.  Such an expectant joy made them sense the coming of Jesus, the Promised Savior, in the Temple.  Such will be our own happiness if we have faith.

Prayer

God, You reveal Yourself in creation and demonstrate Your kindness in a stranger's sincere smile.  You are tangible but not unfelt and You caress our faces with the wind and embrace us in a friend's arms. Please guide us in our weakness and impatience, our despair and ill-will. Make us more aware of Your loving presence in us so that we may speak of You to those who like us look forward to our salvation.  Amen.