Ang Ubasan ng Diyos

Ika-27 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

04 Oktubre 2026

 

Unang Pagbasa: Isaias 5, 1-7

Salmong Tugunan: Salmo 79, 9 at 12. 13-14. 15-16. 19-20

Ikalawang Pagbasa: Filipos 4, 6-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21, 33-43

 

Pagninilay

Ni: Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Bihira ang ubasan sa ating bayan. Unang beses na nakakita ako ng ubasan sa Candon, Ilocos Sur ilang dekada na ang nakaraan. Mapusyaw na kulay berde ang kulay ng ubas sa Candon at hindi gaanong matamis nang matikman ko. Ang totoo’y wala sa kultura natin ang ubasan at iilang lugar nga lang talaga ang merong taniman ng ubas sa atin. Siguro’y dahil sa klase ng lupa o klima na hindi akma para makapagpabunga ng matamis at masarap na ubas na karaniwang ginagawang alak. Kaya’t hindi katakataka na marami sa atin ang nangangapa sa talinghagang ito sa Ebanghelyo dahil nga halos wala sa kamalayan natin ang pagtatanim ng ubas. 

Nitong nakaraang taon lamang ako namangha nang husto nang makakita ng ekta-ektaryang ubasan at nakarinig ng ilang impormasyon tungkol sa pagtatanim ng ubas. Binigyan pa kami ni Lord ng pagkakataon na makatikim ng ilang klase ng alak mula sa katas ng ubas nang mabiyayaan kami na makapaglakbay sa Europa. Natuklasan ko na masusing inaayos ng magsasaka ang ubasan mula sa paghahanda ng lupa, pagbabakod nito, pagtatayo ng mga gapangan ng baging at ugat, patubig, pruning at pagpapabunga, pamamahala ng peste at sakit ng halaman, paglalagak sa imbakan, pagpipisaan ng ani, hanggang sa metikulosong paghahanda ng sisidlan upang lalong mapasarap ang alak mula sa katas ng ubas. Matrabaho at mahabang pasensiya ang kailangan pala sa pagtatanim ng ubas at dapat na maalam o mayaman sa karanasan ang sinumang magtatanim nito upang magtagumpay. Mahabang tradisyon na nila ang hirap ng pagtatanim ng ubas.

Ang grasya ng paghahanda ng ubasan ang ibinibigay ng Panginoon sa ating lahat. Anuman ang lakbayin natin sa ating buhay ay inihanda na ng Diyos ang lahat na ating kakailanganin upang tayo’y maging matatag sa lahat ng pagsubok. Ipinagkakatiwala ng Diyos sa atin ang biyaya na Kanya mismong inihanda upang masigurong mamumunga ito nang sagana. Ang bunga nito ay hindi lamang upang sarilinin natin at maging sakim sa lahat ng biyaya nito. Itinuturo sa atin ng talinghaga na maging tapat tayo sa Diyos na nagbigay ng saganang biyaya sa ating buhay, at ibalik sa Kanya ang papuri sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap kay Hesus na ating Panginoon. Madalas ay nabubulagan tayo ng ating sariling tagumpay at nakakalimutan na ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit natin tinatamasa ang lahat ng bungang tinatamasa.

Kaya nga’t sa bawat Misa na ating dinadaluhan, nasasaksihan natin ang sakripisyo ng ating Panginoong Hesus sa pagtanggap natin ng Banal na Dugo sa anyong alak mula sa ubasan at Kanyang Katawan sa tinapay na nagbibigay sa ating ng buhay na walang hanggan. Patunay ang Banal na Hapag sa Misa na laging masagana ang bunga na handog sa ating buhay at marapat lamang na pakumbaba nating tanggapin at paglingkuran nang tapat si Hesus upang lagi tayong pagharian ng Diyos. Amen.

Panalangin

Panginoon, maraming salamat sa ubasang ipinagkatiwala Mo sa amin. Tulungan Mo kaming palaguin ito at maibigay nang buong puso ang alak mula sa mga bunga nito. Amen.

Holistic Refinement

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

27 September 2026

 

First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28

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

Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo Gonzales

 

Today’s Gospel entices us into another novelty: Which of the two sons did his father’s will? As we have read and can further surmise, the first son did right by the eyes of heaven because though he made an initial “no,” he showed up for work at his father’s vineyard afterwards, turning his decision around. The appeal of the second brother is understandable being that there is only so much we can place our assurance in with others whose lives take shape and turn out beyond our awareness. We have heard it said in common: “A person’s word is his or her bond; a person is as good as his word;” but as we have seen in Scripture, not as the world runs does heaven conduct its ways; not at first instance does heaven decide who is right; and one’s words are as good as his or her actions can actualize.

A comparable example is Dimas whose story we revisit especially during Holy Week—the thief crucified to Jesus’ right. With a trail of crime that has defined his life enough to sentence him to execution, at the hour of death, Dimas could have defended himself from the charges against him; but at the sight of Jesus, even at the mockery of Gestas, Dimas admitted his guilt, recognized the innocence of Christ, and with his hopeful request, assented to Jesus’ Godship, leading Dimas to Paradise and his very canonization by Jesus, Godself.

In today’s Gospel, the first son is like the tax collectors and the prostitutes who, though morally precarious at the start, ultimately decide to turn their lives around at the mention of Jesus. The second son, on the other hand, is like the chief priests and the elders who, though seemingly agreeable, are exposed by their actions, and are found insubordinate to Jesus.

In these examples, we learn from those found righteous that it is most important not how we start, but rather, how we amend our lives as we come to know Jesus. We do not all start from the same place. How we start is greatly influenced by factors outside our control, but we all receive the grace to repent, so though in the world there is death, we can all find life in Jesus. There is no guarantee that anyone starts his or her endeavors with the purest intentions, so what matters is the humility to admit where we are failing and the ultimate decision to repent not as a one-time but a daily act of refining.

Interestingly, the greatness of some can detract them from repentance; the self-conviction of others can dissuade them from finding what is amiss; and the strife of others can beckon them toward Jesus, so given our circumstances, there are invitations to admit our need for the Lord, ground our hands in God’s work, and remain pliable in spirit to Jesus. In Jesus, as we realize in today’s Gospel, it is not prized most who appears resolute, but those who back away from sin and make amends, as is fitting to the Lord. In this, even hesitance finds grace to be called “blessed”—if it knows its rightful object—or should we say—the “Eternal Subject.”

Prayer

God, thank You for Your Presence and for Your gifts of prudence and discernment. May what we have learned from Your Gospel help our holistic refinement.

As we continue the Season of Creation, we pray for the well-being of everyone, the preservation of our environment, and the temperance not to resort helplessly to artificial means what can be left best for the nurture of human and greater natural life.

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

God's Generosity

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 September 2026

 

First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18

Second Reading: Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a

 

Reflection

By: John Paulo Gonzales

 

Let us picture this: a hard day’s work at the office: a truckload of paperwork, deadlines running concurrently with each other, pressure from multiple authority figures, on top of the widely changing landscape our daily interactions. These present to us giants that need to be conquered every day, which is why it is relieving to receive our salary for a “job well done.” Normally, those who have worked longer at the company receive a proportionate increase in their salary, while juniors are extended the hope of reaping the same benefit come the proper time.

In today’s Gospel, the dynamic of compensation is not so straightforward. In the story, some laborers have been scouted early in the day to render work in the open field, only to realize that at the day’s end, they would receive the same wage as those who started later but ended with them at the same time. The question arises: “Why were they given the same amount?” Does the question sound familiar? This is when what we read becomes a personal experience.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, a comparable inner tempest can be seen. When the profligate son returned home to his father only hoping to be given bare sustenance the same as that given to the least in the household—only to be treated to the finest drapes, food, and festivity instead—the elder brother lamented to their father: “All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. (Luke 15:11-32)”

What is challenging in the Gospel is its relatability. At any point, we can find ourselves wrestling with the same thing: the feeling of not being given what we perceive we are worth… of not being given what we asked for... that indignance; for we know how much we have worked (compared to others). If we have reservations about naming what we deserve, we know how much we have pained (especially more than others did); but the Gospel today helps us realize how easy it is to identify with those who express their injuries openly and how helpless we can be at intuiting those whose pains we do not see readily.

In the Gospel, the problem was not that the grumblers had the temerity to ask, as to ask the Lord is an option not denied (Mark 7:7), but that they were much more keen on keeping score with the late workers. They could have asked the landowner if they could be requited for the work they believe goes beyond the usual daily wage, but instead, they objected to the following: “You have made them equal to us”—which can be taken as a denial of grace. As spectators ourselves, the lesson is just as crucial. It may be easy to associate with someone whose feelings we find personable that we fail to see the feelings of those who, buffeted by their own situation, may not have the strength to voice out their agony with any urgency anymore.

In the Gospel, we may find ourselves given to the groaning of those who started work early because their pain sounds familiar; their plea, we heard in plain; but we can be so unwitting to those subject to a different struggle. Where others have a headway at work, others may find themselves unable to even start. We have much to learn from God, the Landowner, who understood the late starters: “Why do you stand here idle all day?” […] “Because”—they answered—“no one has hired us.” As it turns out, the problem of the late workers is one that has existed for as long as work itself—and is one we still find relevant today. When we espouse God’s love in the way we look at His beloved in our midst, we realize that while all their good work is valuable, no pain from anyone is discountable. The Gospel also points to a most eminent truth: God is sovereign and supreme; He can give to whomever He wants; He remains generous, nevertheless. The Sacrifice of Christ makes a special point, however. The Father is already free to give to whomever He wants; but with the spiritual adoption won by the blood of Christ, who, then, is estranged from God’s generosity? Is there anything barring God from giving anyone a good thing? In this spirit, we can better understand God’s Own indignance in saying: “Am I not free to do as I wish with [what I have]? Are you envious because I am generous?”

If I can opine, the Gospel takeaway is not so much that “there are the blessed, and there are those who are not.” This is a line of thought tempting to the broken, especially to those who have been dented for so long; but that we can find ourselves—at any point—at either end of the discourse—between the “blessed this time” and the “blessed in time.” Anyone, at a time we are vulnerable, can be a “lost sheep,” so it is consoling to remember two things: first, God leaves the ninety-nine (comfortable) to recover the one who is lost (Luke 15:1-7; Matthew 18:12), and second, a community of believers provides a nurturing space where help can be sought and obtained.

Generosity is one revelation of God’s Personal Character—the fullness of which His heart speaks; and it is so expressive that in the Kingdom of God, there is preference for the last, the least, and the lost, so while we are in the world, we do not lose sight of those we must first seek to extend our generosity.

We are called to be generous so that in the order of things, with everything put in its proper place, we know that generosity is the measure to uphold. We all experience our peaks and troughs. One moment, we may be content, and another, we are in need. To the extent that we are capable of generosity, we are called towards it, and for the times when we are struggling, there is grace. To be generous when we are able is virtue, and to be generous when we are unable is great love. Lastly, though the world is rife with triggers for our indignation, there is Christ with Whom we can share our struggles and candid pleas, and our neighbors whose plights—resembling our crosses—we can help ease and offer in prayer.

Prayer

God, thank You for Your Presence. Thank You for reminding us today that as many are the crosses we bear, so do others endure their own sufferings. Please help us lighten each other’s burdens where we can, offer to You the parts we cannot help anymore, and to share with You everything just the same because You are our constant trusted Companion.

As we continue the Season of Creation, we also raise up to you our environment, natural and social, ravaged by inclement weather and multiple forms of violence. Please help us become Your good and faithful stewards. These, we ask, in Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.

Only the Humble

    

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

08 October 2023

 

First Reading: Is 5:1-7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

Second Reading: Phil 4:6-9

Gospel: Mt 21:33-43

 

Reflection

By: Anton Ocampo

 

Both the First Reading and the Gospel for this Sunday involve the use of the image of vineyards. The image of the vineyard is used in the First Reading to highlight how the people of Jerusalem and Judah refused to listen to the will of the Lord God. Instead of fresh grapes, wild, or, in other translations, rotten grapes were found in this specific vineyard, which is none other than the vineyard of the Lord (Isaiah 5:2, 4). With this statement, the Lord, through the Prophet Isaiah, points out only one thing. Despite God loving and valuing His people, they refused to listen to Him due to the hardness of their minds and hearts. This is very ironic, given the words of the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, which also comes from the First Reading: “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel” (Isaiah 5:7). Despite being chosen by God, they refused to listen. A similar image of the vineyard was also used by Jesus in the Gospel for this Sunday. Like the words in the First Reading, the Lord Jesus Christ uses the image of a vineyard to highlight the hardness of the hearts and minds of the people of Israel at the time. The difference is that the focus is not on the vines or grapes itself but on the tenants. Instead of opening their ears, minds, and hearts to the messages of the messengers and even the son of the landowner, the tenants refused to listen and beat up and killed the messengers and even the son of the landowner. Not even the son of the landowner was spared from the violence and bloodthirstiness of the tenants in the parable narrated by the Divine Nazarene, our Lord Jesus, in the Gospel. 

What is the lesson for us? The people in the First Reading and the parable of Jesus in the Gospel both chose to not humble themselves before the Lord. Despite being chosen and cared for by God, despite all the things He has done, they still chose to harden their hearts and minds to Him. Yes, their ears were open, they heard all the messages of the Lord God, which were sent to them by the prophets, but they refused to open their hearts and minds to Him, humble themselves, listen to Him, and obey Him. Even today, this is still evident. We hear the Word of God everyday, yet there are instances where we harden our hearts and minds and reject it. Admit it or not, this often happens. Even though there are many times that this happens, this does not make it the correct thing to do. 

The lesson for us this Sunday is found in the Second Reading. Saint Paul the Apostle reminded the Philippian Christians at the end of his lesson in the Second Reading for this Sunday: “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me” (Philippians 4:9). Of course, Saint Paul the Apostle is not the only one who did this given that there are many holy men and women who are part of the communion of Saints. However, he only means one thing – be humble, open our hearts and minds to the will of God, listen to it, and obey it. 

In order to be able to open our hearts and minds to God, listen to Him, obey Him, and follow Him, we need humility. Humility is necessary in listening, obeying, and following God. With the help of humility, our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds are open to understanding the perspective of the Lord and recognizing its beauty. It is only in being humble that we will be able to appreciate, believe, and trust the way of God wholeheartedly. This is what God wants from us. 

Yes, it is hard to be humble and listen to the will of God and obey it. However, if we truly love God, we will be willing to do this. No matter how difficult it is, we will be willing to humble ourselves before the Lord and listen to His will and obey it if our love, devotion, and worship for Him is genuine. Like our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, who Christ Himself praised when He said in response to a woman: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28), as Christians, we should be humble because it is only in being humble that we will be able to truly offer our genuine faith, love, devotion, and worship to the Lord God. Only the ones who humbly and genuinely believe, trust, love, and worship God will be able to hear His word and obey it.

Prayer

Lord, there are times in our temporary life here on earth where we find it to be very difficult to humbly listen to You and obey You. Teach us to be truly and genuinely humble so that we may truly love You, O Lord, with all our heart, mind, and soul. Amen. 

Ang Katarungan ay Pag-ibig

    

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ika-25 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon)

24 September 2023

 

First Reading: Is 55:6-9

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18

Second Reading: Phil 1:20c-24, 27a

Gospel: Mt 20:1-16a

 

Reflection

By: Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Ang talinghaga ni Jesus sa Ebanghelyo ay pagpapakita ng pambihirang kabutihan ng Diyos sa tao. Ang may-ari ng ubasan sa kwento ay buong araw na naghanap ng mga manggagawa, matiyaga niyang sinusuyod ang liwasang-bayan upang kahit pa ang patambay-tambay lamang ay makapasok bilang manggagawa sa kanyang ubasan. Pagpapakahulugan na ang kabutihan ng Diyos ay para sa lahat ng tao.

Noong bata-bata pa ako, madalas na patambay-tambay, nagpapalipas ng oras, malimit na naghahanap ng pagkakalibangan. Parang iniiisip ko noon na mahaba pa naman ang oras ko sa mundo kaya’t maglibang-libang muna para sumaya sa buhay. Wala pa namang mga gadget noon, walang social media, walang Netflix, wala pang matinong teknolohiya kaya’t literal na tambay na nagpapalipas ng oras sa kwentuhan sa kanto, nababarkada na nauuwi pa sa pagbibisyo, kung saan mayaya ay sumasama agad, ‘yung sinasabi na easy go lucky o sa prinsipyo na “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorow we die”, na sa panahon natin ngayon ay magpaka-YOLO. Pero dahil sa kabutihan nga ng Diyos, hahanapin ka Niya kahit saan ka pa magpunta at aalukin ka Niya ng biyayang hindi natin matatanggihan. Ito kasi ang biyaya ng Diyos na kahit kailan at kahit saan sa mundo ay hindi natin makakamtan. Sa madaling salita ay gusto Niyang maligtas tayo, gusto Niyang makapiling tayo habambuhay na masaya sa Kanyang kaharian. Kung sakali mang muling maligaw tayo ng landas, kahit magdadapithapon na ng buhay ay hahanapin pa rin tayo ng Diyos, dahil nga walang hanggan ang Kanyang kabutihan.  

Isa pa sa mapagninilayan natin sa Ebanghelyo ay ang naging ugali ng ibang manggagawa nang sumapit na ang oras ng kanilang sahod sa pagtatapos ng araw ng trabaho. Parang nawala ang tiwala ng mga manggagawa nang pangatuwiranan pa nila na may mali sa pamamalakad ng may-ari ng ubasan. Ang nag-uudyok sa kanila na parang dinaraya sila ay matinding inggit sa ibang manggagawa na tila nalamangan sila sa oras ng pagtatrabaho. Ito kasi ang madalas na pamantayan natin sa ating mundo, bilangin kung ilang oras nagtrabaho at may katumbas na kabayaran, kung mag-over time ay may karagdagan pa, kung mag-overnight ay may night differential pay pa, kung nag-half day ay kalahati lang ang sweldo at kung undertime ay may kabawasan din sa sweldo. Pero iba naman ang kabutihan ng Diyos. Hindi ito tulad ng pag-iisip natin na parang katarungan sa pagnenegosyo at walang lamangan. Ang katarungan sa Diyos ay maipadama Niya sa lahat ang Kanyang kabutihan ng walang tinatangi, walang VIP, walang favoritism, walang panahon at kahit pa nga ikaw ay sa huling yugto na ng iyong buhay tumugon sa Diyos, at ito ang kabutihan ng Diyos na walang hanggan. Hindi ba’t sa mga huling hininga na nabatid ng isang magnanakaw ang kaligtasan niya nang humingi siya ng tawad kay Jesus habang nakabayubay sila sa krus? Kaya’t hindi natin pwedeng ikahon ang kabutihan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagsusukat natin ng oras ng paglilingkod, o dami ng mga ginawa natin kumpara sa ibang tao. Ang grasya ng Diyos ay walang sukat, ang kabutihan Niya ay walang hanggan. Amen.

Prayer

Panginoong Jesus, labis ang pasasalamat namin sa walang hanggang kabutihan ng Diyos sa amin.  Dalangin namin na maging matibay ang aming pananampalataya sa Diyos upang makapaglingkod kami nang naayon sa kalooban ng Diyos.  Amen.

Good Stewards

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

04 October 2020
First reading Isaiah 51:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend,

my friend's song concerning his vineyard.

My friend had a vineyard

on a fertile hillside;

he spaded it, cleared it of stones,

and planted the choicest vines;

within it he built a watchtower,

and hewed out a wine press.

Then he looked for the crop of grapes,

but what it yielded was wild grapes.

Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah,

judge between me and my vineyard:

What more was there to do for my vineyard

that I had not done?

Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes,

did it bring forth wild grapes?

Now, I will let you know

what I mean to do with my vineyard:

take away its hedge, give it to grazing,

break through its wall, let it be trampled!

Yes, I will make it a ruin:

it shall not be pruned or hoed,

but overgrown with thorns and briers;

I will command the clouds

not to send rain upon it.

The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,

and the people of Judah are his cherished plant;

he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed!

for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Second reading                                                          Philippians 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters:

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received

and heard and seen in me.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:

"Hear another parable.

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,

put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. 

Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.

When vintage time drew near,

he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. 

But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,

another they killed, and a third they stoned. 

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,

but they treated them in the same way. 

Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,

'They will respect my son.'

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,

'This is the heir.

Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’

They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 

What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"

They answered him,

"He will put those wretched men to a wretched death

and lease his vineyard to other tenants

who will give him the produce at the proper times."

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

by the Lord has this been done,

and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,

the kingdom of God will be taken away from you

and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

The theme of today’s readings is about vineyards and seeing the fruit of one’s labor. In the Gospel, Jesus shares the story of a vine owner who leases the vineyard to others who seek only their own benefit from fruits of the vineyard. Too obvious it may seem, God is like the owner of the vineyard. The servants are the prophets from the Old Testament. They were sent by God to be messengers and protectors of his creation. The Son is Jesus. The son dragged outside the vineyard is Jesus’ passion and death on the cross.

The readings made me think of the things, people and events God has given me. Going more into thinking made me feel grateful and happy yet going deeper into the depths of my thoughts, I asked this question to myself, what have I done with all God has entrusted to me? In spite of a few true friends, supportive boyfriend and a loving family, there are still nights where I feel all alone. I know I am doing my part maximizing God’s gifts to me like for example the gift of emphatic listening. I listened very well, without judgment, without pre-conceived notion. Yet, in most cases I feel drained and tired of listening to people’s trauma, pains and desolations. Sometimes they bring back my own childhood trauma. Sometimes, I feel worthless especially when I cannot do anything to help. My powers are limited. My skills fell short. I have been given many tools that I can use in order to care for the part of the vineyard which God has let me work. I am sometimes tempted as the tenants in the Gospel, to be greedy and see what I can get out of the crop just for myself.

At night I ask myself, am I still willing to help them carry their crosses faithfully and be exemplary counselor and journey with them in their highs and lows? Maybe, this is my cross too. Maybe this is what I have been called to do. As St. Therese of Lisieux is famous for her “little way”, in which she said, no amount of effort, no matter how small, is insignificant in the effort for the conversion of souls and glory of God. I tell this to myself. I would like to be like her. She had her moments of being insane too but she became a saint, a doctor of the Church in fact.

At the start of this pandemic in the Philippines, I feel sorry and I also cried to all the fallen heroes. To the doctors, health professionals and frontliners who willingly sacrificed their lives in the service of their professions. Yet as months progresses, there are the “other” frontliners who are courageous to give their time and skills listening to people’s mental health issues, helping people manage and lessen their anxieties, extending spark of hope so people can continue to choose to live and to breathe. Simply because they cannot say “no” to the inner crops in their soul. They listened to it and stay faithful to their call.

At this time of global pandemic, we are all invited to be beacons of God’s light, truth and hope. This may expose both the best and worst of humanity but we should bear witness to God’s love and show His love to one another in these trying moments.

PRAYER

Blessed are you, O Lord God, provider and owner of all things. Through Your goodness, You have gifted us with care of those who You have entrusted to us. We ask that we may continue to be good stewards and give back to You the praise, glory, and honor that is due to You. May we follow the example of Your Son in the way that He treated and cared for Your people. In this way, we can experience true and lasting peach which is beyond all understanding. Amen.

Tried and Tested

Fifth Sunday of Easter 

29 April 2018

First reading                                                                       Acts 9:26-31
When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Second reading                                                        1 John 3:18-24

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

Gospel                                                                     John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Reflection

By Gary Tulabut

Be coachable. Follow the system. 
   These are just a few of the buzz words or phrases one will be told to do under a multi-level-marketing (MLM) business. I was once a member of such. 
    And I struggled. Why? Because I thought I knew better. I devised my own system. I had my own marketing plan. I made my own strategies.
I thought the people there, including my recruiter were no better than I was, especially that most of them were not even college graduates. I was full of pride. 
    And I failed.
    But these people who I looked down at were bringing home victories after victories. And they just followed the system. They were just coachable. They just emptied their cups so they could be refilled.
    MLM business is just like franchising. The difference is that in franchising, the franchisee must follow the methods of the franchiser as part of the contract. In MLM, it is not that strict. But if you follow the tried and  tested methods of those who made it big before you, there is a better chance that you'll succeed.
   Discipleship, Christ's marching order to every Christian during the great commissioning, is also like MLM. Just follow the methods of Jesus Himself. Yes one can preach in front of multitudes, but the Bible also teaches us to emulate Christ's own system. They're all in the Bible. But here are few examples:
     - Making disciples, one friend at a time. Sometimes, we only need to show kindness to our friends and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. When these friends become disciples, it is then their turn to make disciples. Doesn't that sound like MLM? And if you know the power of exponential growth, you'll know that this is better than preaching to thousands without one-to-one relationship.
    - Accepting sinners without judgment. Christ did not ask the tax collector to straighten his ways before He invited him for a meal. He did not judge the adulterer. He made simple fisherfolks as His first disciples. And He appointed a boastful Peter as the foundation of the Church. 
     "I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit" says the Lord.
      Let us remain humble following Christ's ways. Let us follow His best known methods. These are tried and tested methods which will bring us Christ's victory. I cited some examples. The rest are found in the Bible.

Prayer

Lord, grant me humility. Guide me in building relationships so I can win souls for You. Amen.

The Vineyard

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Oct 5
First reading                                        Isaiah 5:1-7
Let me sing to my friend the song of his love for his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug the soil, cleared it of stones and planted choice vines in it. In the middle he built a tower, he dug a press there too. He expected it to yield grapes, but sour grapes were all that it gave. And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I ask you to judge between my vineyard and me. What could I have done for my vineyard that I have not done? I expected it to yield grapes. Why did it yield sour grapes instead? Very well, I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge for it to be grazed on, and knock down its wall for it to be trampled on. I will lay it waste, unpruned, undug; overgrown by the briar and the thorn. I will command the clouds to rain no rain on it. Yes, the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel, and the men of Judah that chosen plant. He expected justice, but found bloodshed, integrity, but only a cry of distress.

Psalm                                                Psalm 79:9,12-16,19-20

Second reading                               Philippians 4:6-9

There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it 
with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can 
understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, fill 
your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and 
pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or 
worthy of praise. Keep doing all the things that you learnt from me and have been taught by 
me and have heard or seen that I do. Then the God of peace will be with you.

.

Gospel                                          Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

Reflection

By Beth Eguia

Today’s reading is about the Parable of the Vineyard. The Vineyard represents “us,” as the Kingdom of God.

Before He created man, He made sure everything was in order. He created the moon, stars, the sun, sky, water, land, animals, all fruit bearing trees, etc.  And then He created us in His very own image and likeness. That means God loves you and me so much that we are almost perfect in everything.

But how do we re-pay His love, His kindness, His generosity to us? Have we lived our lives in accordance with His teachings? Are we good models to others, living decent, honest, truthful lives? Have we used our gifts and talents for the greater good of others not just for our own selves? Do we give back to God what belongs to Him in the form of tithes? Do we take care of our bodies, eating the right kind of food, engage in exercise and having a healthy lifestyle?

These are simple questions that I have to ask myself every day before I sleep, to account myself before the Lord because I never know the time He will come. I admit I am guilty to some of it. I may or may not be aware of it. The good thing is, God gives me reminders. He could use other people, a movie that I’m watching, or situations in life for me to realize that I must be doing something wrong. And He will enlighten me to repent and have confession.

Prayer

Dearest Lord, thank You for today’s Gospel Reading. We humble ourselves before You for we are sinners. Forgive us dear Lord for the many times that we used our time, talents and treasures for own benefits only. Forgive us Lord for not living holy lives. We admit our mistakes and ask for Your pardon. Help us to get up again. Help us to live each day being the best that we can be, to be that fruitful vineyard seeking only Your greater glory dear God. This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.

The Joy of Working in the Lord's Vineyard

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
18 September 2011


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

First reading Isaiah 55:6-9
Seek the Lord while he is still to be found,
call to him while he is still near.
Let the wicked man abandon his way,
the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn back to the Lord who will take pity on him,
to our God who is rich in forgiving;
for my thoughts are not your thoughts,
my ways not your ways – it is the Lord who speaks.
Yes, the heavens are as high above earth
as my ways are above your ways,
my thoughts above your thoughts.

Psalm: Psalm 144:2-3,8-9,17-18

Second reading Philippians 1:20-24,27
Christ will be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would bring me something more; but then again, if living in this body means doing work which is having good results-I do not know what I should choose. I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and be with Christ, which would be very much the better, but for me to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need for your sake.
Avoid anything in your everyday lives that would be unworthy of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day, and sent them to his vineyard. Going out at about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place and said to them, “You go to my vineyard too and I will give you a fair wage.” So they went. At about the sixth hour and again at about the ninth hour, he went out and did the same. Then at about the eleventh hour he went out and found more men standing round, and he said to them, “Why have you been standing here idle all day?” “Because no one has hired us” they answered. He said to them, “You go into my vineyard too.” In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his bailiff, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first.” So those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each. When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius each. They took it, but grumbled at the landowner. “The men who came last” they said “have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat.” He answered one of them and said, “My friend, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?” Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.’

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

A friend once posted rants on Facebook about how she hated a certain manager. I really did not know where all the hatred came from, but some of her descriptions of the manager were cruel slave driver, dictator, and monster.

Then I told another friend who have also read the angry outburst, “Isn’t it nice to think that when we get to heaven, there will be a reversal of roles between us and those who oppressed us, a.k.a. our cruel bosses? That is, if they ever get to heaven!”

Laughter followed.

Of course, we were just trying to make fun of the comments of our upset friend and our bosses whom we may not like but never hated.

Unconsciously, we were actually describing what we thought about heaven which is a place where justice is served. We were thinking that the more we serve God, the greater our rewards will be. That the earlier we become real Christians, the higher our ranks in heaven. We thought that Mother Teresa will have more comforts in heaven than, let’s say, the crucified thief (popularly known as St. Dimas) because Mother Teresa dedicated all her life in the service of the Lord, while St. Dimas was a criminal who was only converted on the eleventh hour of his life.

If you have the same thinking as my friend and I used to have, then today’s Gospel reading is very hard to accept. In fact, even after reading it several times it is still very hard to understand. Maybe because it goes against our standards as humans.

But that’s the point. God’s standards are different from our standards. All we can do is obey and trust in His promise of what is waiting for us in heaven. But how is heaven described in the Bible? I ran a search in the Internet for descriptions of heaven as presented in the Bible and there were many results. But all of them suggest that heaven is a place where joy is far greater than all the bliss on earth put together. Where the mere presence of God is already an ecstasy we could not even imagine. Therefore, our ideas of rewarding what is due a person’s service is nothing compared to what is waiting for us in heaven.

But if you still think a righteous person who has served God’s people all his/her life must get more rewards in heaven than someone who served later in his/her life, why not think about bringing the kingdom of heaven on earth?

The joy of serving for all those years, the joy of being able to bring more people closer to God, and the joy of helping people feel heaven on earth (both spiritually and materially) are, by themselves, rewards. Oh how I wish I have discovered my current Christian Community a long time ago! Not because I am expecting more rewards in heaven. But because, I could have been in the right direction in my spiritual life earlier in my life and I would have helped many people by now in bringing them closer to God. Also, I wouldn’t have missed the joy of offering my youth in His service and of His people.

But now is not yet too late. Decades from now, as I reflect on my life, I will be able to say that I am glad because I was one of the first laborers chosen to work in God’s vineyard a long time ago.

Father, thank You for hiring me to work in Your vineyard. May the fruits of our labor bring a taste of heaven to Your people here on earth. Amen!