The Road to Conversion

    

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

21 January 2024

 

First Reading: Jon 3:1-5, 10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: 1 Cor 7:29-31

Gospel: Mk 1:14-20

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo Gonzales

 

Today’s Gospel cues us into the spectacle of conversion. Conversion is comparable to the ‘toss and turn’ we run through as we try to sleep and go in search for the spot that gives us the greatest comfort; do we sleep on one side? On our bellies? On our backs? The shuffling on bed we experience gives us that: the chance of finding which position is most comfortable. While conversion involves quite a longstanding series of toss and turn… of trial and error, in the story of conversion, comfort is where we depart, as the road to conversion is anything but comfortable.

John the Baptist is associated strongly to conversion. As he earnestly called people into repentance, he was labeled rather harshly. His zeal for service among other things that would have him living so austerely such as going from place to place homeless, wearing camel hair over his body, and feeding on locusts and wild honey would brand him upon others a madman; but all this would only bring more attention to his untamed fire for evangelization.

 

Special was John’s relation to the Lord that the Lord would find Himself weeping strongly upon his later execution; but the Lord we see in today’s Gospel did not steer away from service, despite John being delivered up to his captors. Jesus went on to continue His mission, proclaiming to people the Good News of salvation.

In mission, Jesus would find two of His early apostles – Simon who would be called Peter, and his brother Andrew, who would believe in His Messianic Identity. The brothers were casting their nets into the sea, only to be told they would be fishing for much bigger catch – people themselves. If only they knew how much more baffling it would be to perfect the self, let alone to lead others to a life that is spiritually spotless, their ‘yeses’ could have been a more difficult give; but it remains – people are in for some spiritual reeling.

Here, the amazing display we could emulate is how instant Simon and Andrew were to follow the Lord. While not all instant things are good and at times being instant could mean the lack of preparation or thoroughness, Simon and Andrew’s instant ‘yes’ in this case signifies the abandonment of self in the Face of One with Whom they can place their trust in confidence and childlike innocence.

The road to conversion is not always to be spoken of in third person as written accounts of conversion would have us think instantaneously. it is not for the people only – those outside us – to undertake. In the First Reading, in the story of Jonah, it was revealed: the prophets themselves (as are we) may be just in equal need of conversion, if not greater.

In more expounded accounts, Jonah would be shown to be rather obstinate. God would tell Jonah to call Nineveh to repentance, and Jonah, repeatedly, would turn away from the Lord, going into a place he thought he would not be found. He was angry with God for giving importance to Nineveh enough for him to be instructed to deliver God’s message there personally, and so because God was patient with the Ninevites and gave them considerable leeway to correct themselves. These were grating for Jonah to see; but the Lord would later lovingly reply: “is it right for you to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4) “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left? […]” (Jonah 4:11) The Lord would send a big leaf to grow over Jonah’s head, sheltering him from the sweltering heat (Jonah 4:6) – all this love for the dissenting and angry Jonah.

Does this story remind us of anyone familiar? I am welling up with droplets as I am writing this. This show of complicated feelings represents us all. The road to conversion is not at all easy and as others are called to it, so are we. Conversion does not mean perfect – as a standard that impeccable would have everyone falling short; it points instead to the unyielding zest to lay down our arms, to relinquish all defense, to turn back to the Lord with contrite hearts over and over, seventy times seven, the only perfect thing here being God’s love… God’s patience… God’s mercy.

On the road to repentance, does it matter if we start perfectly? Not so. For in the eyes of heaven, who is the son obedient to his father’s request? The son who has said “no” but had a later change of heart and went to follow his father’s wishes, or the son who said “yes” but later recanted his decision? The hearers of the parable would say: “the first.” (Matthew 21:28-32)

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for Your being patient with us in our conversion.

Though we have hearts of stone, please help us gain hearts of flesh and please send within us Your Spirit to help us live in Your statutes. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Though our sins be like scarlet, please make us white as snow; though our sins be like crimson, please make us white as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

In all these, please shower Your love upon us, to make our yokes easy and to make our burdens light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

These we ask in Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.

Great Men of Faith

    

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

14 January 2024

 

First Reading: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

Second Reading: 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20

Gospel: Jn 1:35-42

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo Gonzales

 

Featured in today’s Readings are great men of faith – called to undertake a special service for the Lord, and whose ‘yeses’ resounded in characteristic honor. In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist, deemed by Jesus Christ Himself as one who, born of women, would find relative to himself no one greater (Matthew 11:11) was to go before Christ to direct our paths to Him – to predispose ourselves for the Christ to come. When John the Baptist saw Christ passing by, he was quick to turn the attention of his disciples Andrew and Simon to Christ, making no short work of the mission assigned to him. Andrew, compelled by Jesus’ Identity as the Messiah, eagerly recounted this news to Simon, who would then be called Peter – the rock from which the Church would be built. Such an exchange is overall reminiscent of how we are called into Church – with one having testified, us being convinced, and we all pulling each other invitingly into community.

In the First Reading, we see Samuel, a model character himself. He was to act as prophet and judge among God’s people, leading them towards repentance and providing them with counsel over spiritual and civil affairs. On many accounts, Samuel was touted an impartial judge, arbitrating fairly among God’s people, listening day in and day out to their myriad disputes, and turning them away from their evil ways.

Samuel’s call to service is one we could find some fascination in. He was sleeping in church – an act others would look disapprovingly upon; but the way he was called repeatedly by the Lord nevertheless tells us that the circumstance we find ourselves in when we are called does not matter so much as the purpose for why we are called – and the purpose for which we are beckoned into service is a piece of knowledge only God holds in full. Although appreciated when known, what matters is that we are called, and what we actually do about our calling. John the Baptist and Samuel were model characters of this calling set into proper motion.

To align our bodies with the purpose they were intended for, that is, to run abreast with Christ’s mission, lends us to a life in unity with the Lord and His community – the Church. In today’s Second Reading, not to fornicate is [only] an example of how to preserve the sanctity of our bodies. Anything we do that maintains our body’s honor is homage to the rightful state in which God wants us to treat our bodies – as His very temples or tabernacles; and in so far as we live in consonance with the community around us, being social creatures that we are, the good we do to ourselves is generosity extended to our brothers and sisters.

As we assess our whereabouts for the day, a question we could ask ourselves – one simple enough that we can take with us conveniently would be: “how Christlike have I lived my life today?” Or as we go through the day when we are right in the middle of everything, a variation of this would be the more popular: “what would Jesus do?” In all these, may the Holy Spirit be our ever-living Counsel.

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for giving us good examples to emulate for the conduct of our personal lives.

As we go through each day, may we pattern our lives after Your shining example; and in all the times we fall short of Your golden standard, please give us the grace of forgiveness for the shortcomings with which we have no way else than to make peace, or the grace to persist for those with You we can amend. Please give us the wisdom to know the difference.

These, we ask, in Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.

Unwilling?

    

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 January 2023

 

First Reading: Is 8:23-9:3

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17

Gospel: Mt 4:12-23 or Mt 4:12-17

 

Reflection

By: Cailin Balla

 

God is always calling us to follow Him. He never ceases calling on the people, no matter who they are, what they do, or where do they come from. Whatever our faults may be, He accepts us readily, for He is a God of mercy and love. Everyone is welcome to His kingdom - sinners and good people alike, as long as they turn to the Lord wholeheartedly. Anyone can change, which further stands to reason that with God, anything is possible.

In the Gospel, Jesus called out to the people to repent, especially as the kingdom of heaven is nearing. He called out to the people. Astonishingly, the two pairs of brothers dropped everything and went ahead to follow Jesus. We can all learn a thing or two from Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John.

The only obstacle between us and the Lord which keeps us from fully giving ourselves to Him is our own unwillingness. We may be unwilling to fully believe in Him and let doubt arise, unwilling to let go of our worldly possessions, unwilling to let go of negative feelings such as anger, thirst for vengeance, or hatred, unwilling to leave behind the people in our life, or unwilling to let go of any attachments in particular. It is not uncommon for people to be unwilling to let go of some things, but to be able to truly follow and serve Him is to offer your every being.

Prayer

Lord, You are abounding in mercy, and Your love is ever-gracious. From the darkest depths up to where the light touches, Your hand reaches out to us, always welcoming. Man, as we are, sinful, but You are ready to forgive. Please accept our contrition, guide us to go back into Your arms, and allow us to serve You. Strip us of our worldly attachments and let us join You in the path of righteousness. In Your glorious name, we pray. Amen.

Cailin is the third daughter of God-Speak former Faith Section Lead, Mrs. Anabelle Balla. Cailin is currently taking a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering in De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

Rest

Sto. Nino 21 January 2018

First reading                                                               Isaiah 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God- Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. He will rule as David’s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

Second reading                                                          Ephesians 1: 3-6; 15-18 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and with- out blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to

himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

Gospel                                                                        Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing their little children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them: “Let the children come to me. Do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Reflection

by Grace B. Madriñan

“Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” – Mark 10:15

Why is it that we can’t help but smile when there  is a baby around? Even as you try to ignore them,  they will find ways to catch your attention.  You can’t help but follow them with your eyes and in your mind, you will think, “what is he up this time?”  A toddler is always up to something and their smiles and laughter are contagious.  And even when they did something to hurt you like pull your hair or almost pluck your eyes,  you can’t even get angry with them.  They just show their toothless smile and the pain goes away.

Maybe that’s how God feels about us.  When He sees us,  He also can’t help but smile. His eyes are always on us.  And although He knew what we are up to,  He never intervenes. He joins us in our laughter.  Even though we did something to hurt Him, one smile and “sorry” from us eases His pain.

And  that’s where the problem comes in.  We hurt God but we rarely come to Him first. We run away as far as we can.  We are overpowered by our pride and guilt thinking that our sins are too much to be forgiven with just one "sorry".

If we can only be like a child, who raises up his hands for his father to pick him up whenever he is sleepy or tired from playing. Observe how he stretches out his hands with full trust that he can find rest in his father’s arms.  If we can just do the same, stretch out our hands at the end of the day, “Father, forgive me. I am tired of running. “  God will definitely pull us out and let us rest in His arms for awhile. 

Prayer

Father,  teach us to be more trusting like a child.  May we run to You and be our first source of refuge in times of  rest. Amen. 

Looking With The Eyes of Love

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
13 June 2010


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

First reading 2 Samuel 12:7-10,13
Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord the God of Israel says this, “I anointed you king over Israel; I delivered you from the hands of Saul; I gave your master’s house to you, his wives into your arms; I gave you the House of Israel and of Judah; and if this were not enough, I would add as much again for you. Why have you shown contempt for the Lord, doing what displeases him? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, taken his wife for your own, and killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. So now the sword will never be far from your House, since you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.”’
David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord, for his part, forgives your sin; you are not to die.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 31:1-2,5,7,11

Second reading Galatians 2:16,19-21
We acknowledge that what makes a man righteous is not obedience to the Law, but faith in Jesus Christ. We had to become believers in Christ Jesus no less than you had, and now we hold that faith in Christ rather than fidelity to the Law is what justifies us, and that no one can be justified by keeping the Law. In other words, through the Law I am dead to the Law, so that now I can live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in this body I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake. I cannot bring myself to give up God’s gift: if the Law can justify us, there is no point in the death of Christ.

Gospel Luke 7:36-8:3
One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment. She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has.’ Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply. ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty. They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’ ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right.’
Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’ But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
Now after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.

Reflection
By Rose Guevarra Markell

Her many sins have been forgiven, because she has shown great love.

Our world is divided between good people and sinners. Those who obey the Lord are the good people, and sinners are those who notoriously disobey God's commandments. God loves the good and does not tolerate sins. Simon stays away from sinners, and this is strange, as God does not think like Simon does. He may not tolerate the sins but He always forgives sinners who come to Him for mercy. God does not weigh our good and bad actions to see which is heavier, as that would be a child's game. God knows that we need time to test good and evil, and also to arrive at a mature and stable orientation. Sometimes, He lets us sin because at the end, we will know wrong from right and that we need only Him.

God easily forgets our sins and our excesses if through them we come to genuine love. So why do we look at the speck or sins of others, but do not see the speck or sins in our own eyes? Let us inspect our own lives and sins before we look for specks and sins of our neighbors.

O my God, please help us not focus on the sins of our neighbors, while ignoring our own glaring trespasses. May we learn to forgive those who sinned against us, and that they may too, learn to forgive whatever sins we committed against them. We pray for love, harmony, understanding, forgiveness, but most of all for peace in the whole world.We are thankful that after repentance comes forgiveness. Thank You Lord for loving us! Amen.

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