To Whom Shall We Go?

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 August 2021 

 

First Reading: JOS 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Responsorial Psalm: PS 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

Second Reading: EPH 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32

Gospel: JN 6:60-69

 

Reflection

By: Gary Tulabut

 

This is not an exaggeration. But in the last two weeks, I always wake up every morning with sad news either someone tested positive of CoVid, is seriously ill, or worst, has passed away. My social media feed is occupied by photos of candles or prayer requests.

Then we hear reports of corruption here and there as revealed by the Commission on Audit.

And here comes what's happening in Afghanistan. (Let us pray for the people of Afghanistan).

Oh, and as I write this article, we just recorded an all-time high in new CoVid cases just as the latest Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is being downgraded to, oh don't know all the NECQs (Never Ending Community Quarantines).

I have a confession to make. Since the pandemic started, I haven't been 100% consistent in attending Mass, even if it's just virtual.

It's a shame but I have been busy with many other online spiritual activities such as serving in the online Feast (our prayer meeting); editing videos of my co-leaders at the Feast for our daily online "Faith O' clock Habit"; making my own videos for this "Faith O' clock Habit"; making bulletins for our prayer meeting; attending a Bible study every Thursday; updating my Facebook page every day with the latest videos of my favorite lay preachers and homilist priests; joining community pantries; attending a caring group; and holding another Feast online with my business colleagues.

Every Sunday, I have always intended to attend Mass. But because of these "busy-ness", I just get too exhausted that instead of hearing Mass, the most I could do with my remaining energy for the day is listen to the Word Exposed by Cardinal Chito Tagle.

In the passages immediately preceding this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus emphasized the importance of the Eucharist, declaring, He is the bread of life. (John 6:26-58)

And in today's Gospel, the disciples could not understand what they just heard about Jesus' declaration. They could not accept His declaration and many of them turned back and stopped follllowing Him.

I do not fully understand what is happening in the world right now. Maybe all those busy-ness are just my way to divert my attention from all these negativities.

But St. Peter's reply to Jesus when He asked the twelve, if they, too, wanted to leave Him is a wake up call.

Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go?" (John 6:68)

Good thing I have already prioritized and blocked a Mass schedule every Sunday even before this realization. If you haven't yet, see how Jesus reiterated The Eucahrist's importance in John 6:26-28 even though many of us could not yet accept Him sacramentally.

Prayer

 

Lord, embrace us as we go to these difficult times. You are our refuge. You are our fortress. Amen.

 

On the Same Sea

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 9 August 2020
First reading 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13

At that place Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. ” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Second reading                                                          Romans 9:1-5

I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 14:23-33

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.

Immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid. ” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. ” He said, “Come. ” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Reflection

By Bernard M. Borja

Let me share a story about a fisherman and his son:

One late evening, a fisherman took his 13-year old son with him on a boat and went fishing. They threw their nets out when they were at the middle of the sea and waited. As the hours passed by, the weather was becoming rough. The wind blew stronger and the waves started crashing to both sides of their boat. The fisherman was afraid but not because of the storm. He was used to this kind of weather ever since he was a young fisherman. This time, he was afraid for his son. This was his son’s first fishing at the middle of the sea. He was being tossed from both ends of the boat as the wind got stronger and the waves got bigger. But the look on the boy’s face made him curious and somehow enough to calm the fear of the fisherman. His face shows as if everything will be fine.

“Don’t worry, father. All is well with us. The storm will pass in a while.” said the boy with such an assuring look in his eyes. As they both tried to pull the nets, they saw another boat not far from where they are. It was full of people trying to hold on for their lives. But the fisherman and his son were stunned when a white figure appeared near where the struggling men are.

“Father, look!” said the boy pointing at the white figure. “I think I know that man!” The fisherman was astounded not because he also recognized the man, but they were seeing him walking on the water and unfazed by the strong winds. Suddenly, they saw one man going out of the other boat and tried to get near the man in white. The fisherman and his son were amazed to see that the man who came from the boat can also walk on water. But after a few steps from the boat, the man began to sink and was crying out for help. The man in white reached out his hand to pull the sinking man and they both got back into the boat. Suddenly, the storm passed and the sea became calm as if nothing happened.

The fisherman asked his son, “How did you find the courage and believe that the storm will not take us? I was afraid that you might despair and cry out when we were getting hit by the waves. But it was you who assured me that everything is well.” The boy said to him, “Because you are with me. I know that any father would not mean harm to his child especially if he wants to teach his good ways. I am the son of a fisherman who still insists on fishing in spite of the rough weather and even if his family does not want him to go.

But most of all, before we even got into the boat, our supper made me trust someone who I know will take care of us even if he is not near. It was you who wanted to go and listen to that man before we go fishing. We only have five loaves and two fish which are enough to sustain us in the middle of the sea while fishing. But when I offered these to that man, he multiplied it and shared the food to everyone who was also there. We still have more when we return home. That moment, I knew that all will be well if we trust that God will take care of our needs.”

The fisherman smiles as he says, “You’re right, son. I am somehow ashamed to have forgotten the grace we have received yesterday. But seeing that same man who we listened to, walking on the water while the storm got terrible, I had a feeling that he will save not just that boat full of men, but also all the other boats in this sea.”

Of course this story is not in the Bible, but somehow this alternate story may remind us that the saving grace of God will always be for all. As St. Paul said, even the Jews and Gentiles in spite of their unbelief, are included in the divine plan of eternal salvation. The apostle was even willing to be excluded from this salvation if it will help his fellow Jews understand and believe that Christ is the Messiah.

Trusting is one big part of the whole plan. But being aware of the presence of God is as important as trusting and believing. Today, we are invited to become aware of God’s presence as He continues to reveal Himself to us in this difficult time. Just like how God revealed Himself to Elijah through a light whispering sound (a sound like silence), we need to constantly seek God through silence and be able to dwell in His presence. Though in the middle of this storm, we might have doubts arising like the disciples in the sea. But we must remember how Jesus revealed himself saying, “It is I. Take courage.”

The disciples,especially Peter, did not immediately recognize Jesus. Peter still insisted for Jesus to reveal Himself again through something extraordinary. Jesus responded to Peter’s request, and Peter was able to walk on water. But even in walking, Peter may not still be aware of the presence of Jesus. Only because of the strong winds, and as he started to sink, did he acknowledge that Jesus is with them.

Maybe we are like Peter. After all the extraordinary things we have witnessed in our life, we still seek more of it. Maybe because we are used to being aware of the presence of God in the grander events in our life. God is inviting us to find Him in all things, most especially in ordinary things. Today, we may be in the middle of the sea being tossed by the waves because of a violent storm, but looking at how the men and women in white (our healthcare workers) extend their reach to the needy may remind us of how Jesus pulled Peter out of the water. God also reveals Himself today through simple things like a prayer that we came across social media, which also moved us to pray; or a phone call from a loved one who really wants to see and embrace us but are not able to, which remind us that all will be well in time; or the provisions that we have which enables us to give a portion to the needy, but still have enough for our own household.

Finding God today may be difficult if we can only see the pain and suffering. But these pain and suffering may help us cry out to God, Who helps us see and feel His consolation through the people who continue to give without counting the cost, the people who work hard but do not seek rest, and through the people who continue to serve even without receiving any reward.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for staying with us always to assure us that everything will be well. Help us to trust in You always and be aware of Your presence in all things. In moments of doubts, we ask You not to turn away but pull us out from the water as we sink. May we strengthen our faith as we continue to seek You in each other. Please continue to protect us especially our healthcare workers as they risk their lives in saving the lives of the sick. This we ask through the intercession of our dear Mother Mary. Amen.

It is the Lord!

Third Sunday of Easter

05 May 2019

First reading                                                                        Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
When the guards had brought in the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name.

Second reading                                                        Revelation 5:11-14

I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Gospel                                                                     John 21:1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his followers. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

“It is the Lord!”, cried St John the Beloved, when he recognized it was Jesus who was waiting for them and giving them instructions where they could catch fish. That recognition was enough for St Peter to put his clothes on, jumped into the sea, and meet Christ. That encounter brought together the Master and His disciples for a meal. Having been nourished by the breakfast Jesus prepared Himself, what came next was a surprise for St Peter when he was asked not once, but thrice, if he loved the Lord. Having given the affirmative, he was called to missionary discipleship. Hence, looking back at the First Reading, we see not a cowering fisherman, but a courageous fisher of people.

Over these past few weeks, we read news of how Christians were persecuted. The bombings in Sri Lanka come to mind. The vandalization of churches here and there are another. At home, we see how the country's president called God 'stupid' to the glee of  his followers. One could say it is not that easy to become a Christian nowadays. It is never easy! Regardless, let us remain faithful to Jesus. 

“It is the Lord!”. Through our steadfast faith in the Risen Lord, may those around us - active or lapsed Christians, Christians or non-Christians, believers or non-believers - come to know Him. If that happens, then the experience of the disciples in today's Gospel would become real in our present times.

Prayer

Most loving and faithful Jesus, You were recognized by Your disciples in the sea. Help us too to recognize You in those moments when have not caught any fish in the sea of life.  May our actions and words point our sisters and brothers to You, our Savior. Amen.

O Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us. 

Come and See

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time   14 January 2018

First reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!" and ran to Eli,  and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again."  So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went  to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son;  lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord  had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said,  "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say,  ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!"  And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." As Samuel grew up,  the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. Second reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15                        "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"-and God will destroy both  one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord,  and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the  members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Gospel: John  1:35-42 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched  Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples  heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?"  They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?"  He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him an said,  "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter). Reflection by Grace B. Madriñan " What are you looking for?" – John 1:38 They say if you asked the wrong questions, you will get the wrong answers.   But sometimes, even the right questions, get responded with wrong answers.  We, Filipinos, tend to answer differently to some questions. “Kumain ka na?” (“Have you eaten?”)  One will respond,  “Busog pa ako.” (I’m still full.) “San ka pupunta?” (Where are you going?”) To which the response will be,  “Dyan lang sa malapit.” (Just near here.) I believe the apostles in today’s Gospel are somewhat like us.  When Jesus asked  the two disciples what they were looking for, they replied with another question,  "Where are you staying?"  I think they were a bit hesitant to answer directly so they  answered with another question.  They could have just answered,  “We want to follow You, Lord.  We will go with You.” Like most of us, maybe they don’t  want to commit just yet without making sure that Jesus is indeed, the Messiah.   They want some assurance that He is as good as John proclaimed Him to be. But Jesus knew better, He responded, “Come, and you will see.” (John 1:39).   He invited the disciples to come and be with Him and witness for themselves the kind of Shepherd that He is. And when they followed Him, all hearsay about Him has been  confirmed for they have witnessed His Divine Power first hand.  From then on,   it became easier for them to call their other friends and family to follow Him. Like the disciples,  we need only  to make one step towards the Lord and be willing  to come and experience Him. Only then will our eyes and hearts be opened,  discipleship will become second nature to us. Prayer God, our Father, forgive our reluctance to follow You. Erase our doubts and anxieties  and let Your love overflow so that we may be true disciples of Your Word.   In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Recitation

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 
3 September 2017

First reading

Jeremiah 20:7-9

You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced;
you have overpowered me: you were the stronger.
I am a daily laughing-stock,
everybody’s butt.
Each time I speak the word, I have to howl
and proclaim: ‘Violence and ruin!’
The word of the Lord has meant for me
insult, derision, all day long.
I used to say, ‘I will not think about him,
I will not speak in his name any more.’
Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart,
imprisoned in my bones.
The effort to restrain it wearied me,
I could not bear it.

---

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 62(63):2-6,8-9

                

Second reading

Romans 12:1-2

Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.

---

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our mind,
so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel

Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
  Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
  ‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’

Reflection

by Gary Tulabut

In my classes, I make sure that everybody is given the opportunity to speak during recitations. So, with a simple macro program, I made this random student picker from an Excel worksheet.  With the picker, a seat plan is projected on the board  where names of students are seen by everyone. Once I click a button, each of the  seats shown on the board will be alternately and randomly highlighted. The highlight changes 100 times in five seconds. The student whose name is highlighted when the random picker stops will get to recite.

This makes our recitation days (which is every day) both fun and nervous. But generally, students enjoy being in my classes despite (or probably even because of) this.

One thing I noticed in my classes is that many students are afraid to speak their minds. Well, some because they really are not prepared. But some, especially the bright but shy ones, are just afraid to make mistakes. So I always remind them not to be afraid to make mistakes. That committing mistakes is better than not trying. That they actually have to commit many “first mistakes” in life to succeed and not to commit the same mistakes over and over again. And my list goes on and on. Most of them I got from talks and seminars I listened or attended to in the past.

St. Peter is always known to be bold and outspoken. Sometimes being carried away by emotions and doing things without thinking. And he has committed many mistakes because of this. For example, in the Gospel reading three Sundays ago, he asked Jesus to let him walk on water with Him. But he sank when waves of water approached him due to his “little faith” according to Jesus.

What about when he was hot-headed and cut the ear of one of those who came to arrest Jesus at the garden of Gethsemane? Only to deny Jesus three times before the break of dawn just hours after that.

In today’s Gospel, when Jesus was telling His disciples how He would suffer the hands of the enemies, the show-off St. Peter tried to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."

And just like that Jesus just called St. Peter, well, “Satan.” Well,  Jesus might actually be talking to Satan that time but He was directing His words towards Peter. If you were St. Peter, what would you do? Get disheartened? Resigned from ministry? Form your own group?

Good thing St. Peter did not do those things. Just look at who he has become.

We will not be as great as St.Peter, no. But in our own little endeavors in the different aspects of life, may we use our mistakes as lessons to be learned, as stepping stones towards achieving greatness.

Prayer

Father,  for the many mistakes we committed against You, please forgive us. May we all learn from those mistakes and strive to be better so we can give You more glory on earth as in heaven. Amen.