Faith, Even When it is Inconvenient

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

25 June 2017

First reading                                                                                               Jeremiah 20:10-13

Jeremiah said:

I hear so many disparaging me,

‘“Terror from every side!”

Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’

All those who used to be my friends

watched for my downfall,

‘Perhaps he will be seduced into error.

Then we will master him

and take our revenge!’

But the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero;

my opponents will stumble, mastered,

confounded by their failure;

everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs.

But you, O Lord of Hosts, you who probe with justice,

who scrutinise the loins and heart,

let me see the vengeance you will take on them,

for I have committed my cause to you.

Sing to the Lord,

praise the Lord,

for he has delivered the soul of the needy

from the hands of evil men.

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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 68(69):8-10,14,17,33-35

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Second reading                                                                                                          Romans 5:12-15

Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. Sin existed in the world long before the Law was given. There was no law and so no one could be accused of the sin of ‘law-breaking’, yet death reigned over all from Adam to Moses, even though their sin, unlike that of Adam, was not a matter of breaking a law.

  Adam prefigured the One to come, but the gift itself considerably outweighed the fall. If it is certain that through one man’s fall so many died, it is even more certain that divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant free gift.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! The Word was made flesh and lived among us: to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!

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Gospel	Matthew 10:26-33

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not be afraid. For everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops.

  ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.

  ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

Reflection

by Benj Santiago

“Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

In the early years of Christianity, historical information tells us that a lot of people died because of their Christian faith. In fact all the remaining 11 Apostles except for John, died a martyr’s death. They suffered persecution, and Peter, the leader of the Apostles, even got crucified upside down. Christian martyrs after the apostles abound. The Filipino martyrs Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod were tortured and killed because they were not afraid to die for their faith.

In the present day, there is not so much Christian persecution. We are so blessed that we don’t have to hide in the dark and cower in fear when we attend the Holy Mass and proclaim and celebrate our faith in Christ. We are so fortunate, especially here in the Philippines. But just in case we are to face persecution because of our faith in the present time, can we with boldness and courage proclaim our faith like the martyrs and saints did?  Maybe we could.

However, as I reflect on the Gospel, I am also being challenged in my daily life. Do I proclaim my faith in my work, in my words, in my actions and dealings with other people?  Do I proclaim my faith even when it is inconvenient and disadvantageous for myself?

Prayer

Father in heaven, we thank You for sending us Your Son and all the saints to be our model of faith. We ask You to bless us with the same courage to strongly and boldly proclaim our faith - from the real threat to the littlest things we do in our daily life. This we ask in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Power and Authority For Servant Leaders

First Reading: Is 53:10-11

The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

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

Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,

Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Gospel: Mk 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared."

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection

By: Marky Vertido

Election season is coming not only in the Philippines but also in the United States. As Democrat Obama and Republican Romney battle for the world’s most powerful position, the Philippines will also stage once more the most colorful election in the world. And the color never fades as politicians once more forget the past and ally with enemies. Gradually, the television is starting to show early campaign advertisements by the so called “epal” politicians and soon we will see and hear their jingles everywhere.

Even during the time of Jesus, politics and power were already a dividing factor in Israel. While Romans were ruling over the Israelites, the Israelites themselves rule over other Israelites. And these “rulers” seek self-righteousness and self-satisfaction only. It is one of the reasons why Jesus, the Messiah, was incarnated so that Israelites and all the nations be united not for power and riches but for God.

James and John, sons of Zebedee, show how politics and the aim of power have blinded them to recognize the real purpose of the Messiah. They wanted to have power as the right and left hand of Jesus. It shows then that they have never really understood Jesus. In a time when Israelites are being enslaved by Romans, they have seen the Messiah as one who will revolt to remove the Romans and rule the land soon. So Jesus challenged the two and told them that He is not the one to give either the left or the right position to anyone for it was already prepared by the Father to those who were chosen.

Jesus took the opportunity to teach the disciples the meaning of authority. Clearly, those who wish to be great will be the servant of all. And those who wish to be the first will be the slave of all. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give life as a ransom of many.”

The readings this Sunday all pertain to the true meaning of leadership and authority. It provides us the qualifications needed as we select those who will lead our nation soon. First, a true leader must be God’s “servant who shall justify many, and he will bear their guilt.” Second, we are looking for a leader who is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses” and who was “tested in every way, yet without sin.”

These are very ideal but God will give us the person who shall possess the following. We only need to be very sensitive to recognize that person. The Church in the Philippines would call a true leader as a “servant-leader.” This is the advocacy of the Church  and achieving it is still far from reality.  We can say today that we have good government but when will this last? How about our religious leaders and the laity, have they really realized what it meant to be a servant-leader already?

As we renew our faith this Year of Faith, let us find the real meaning of serving and leading the people who were entrusted to us. Today, we also celebrate World Mission Sunday, let us recognize our mission as heirs of the Kingdom of God to live the Gospel in every way and to evangelize through our examples.

This kind of missionary life was exemplified to us by our very own St. Pedro Calungsod whom the Church through Pope Benedict, raises him to the altars today. Giving us an example of giving one’s life to save others. Let everyone who seeks power and authority be driven in accordance to the Word of God. And let this start with our young generation so that the transformation of our society will continue.

Commitment: Serve faithfully and enthusiastically in any situation we are in.

Prayer

Lord, we thank you for the gift of having St. Pedro Calungsod as our second Filipino Saint. Give us also the virtues that he possessed as Your servant. Let the missionary zeal ablaze in our hearts also that we may respond to our brothers and sisters who are need. Guided by the Holy Spirit, help us in rebuilding our nation. With Mary our Mother, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.