I am Sending You

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

06 July 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14c

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

 

Reflection

By: Fely Santiago

 

“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few” - Luke 10:2

Go out to all the whole world and tell the good news. This is a calling for all of us. In the Gospel today, God appointed seventy-two others aside from the twelve apostles to help Him spread the good news. God is also asking us to help Him. We live in a world today where many people are hurting and I believe they need to experience God’s unconditional love for them. The world is just so noisy with negative news especially in the social media that we do not know who to believe anymore or what is the truth anymore. That is why I believe that in this present time God is also sending us to spread the good news of His love. And we can turn the negative or the bad news into positive with the power of social media by sharing our stories of how the Lord have accompanied us and how He have shown His love for us amidst many ups and downs of life. We can create many contents of how God’s love is shown to us everyday from the simple blessings to the big ones. We can be a living witness of God’s love and mercy. Let us tell the world of His love.

We are being called to a mission to bring heaven to earth, bring many souls to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Only then can we truly experience the peace that God speaks to us many times.

Prayer

Lord the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Give me a discerning heart to listen to your voice may I realize the purpose of my life and the mission you have given me. Lead me Lord. Help me to listen and follow your will in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

What's Your Candy?

Pentecost Sunday

08 June 2025

 

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel: John 20:19-23

 

Reflection

By: Bernard M. Borja

 

In the afternoon of Wednesday, 7th of May 2025, one hundred and thirty-three Cardinals were gathered in the Pauline Chapel, all asking for divine guidance as the Papal Conclave began. “Veni Creator Spiritus” – a prayer and hymn that the Cardinal electors were chanting during their procession to the Sistine Chapel as they receive a final spiritual reflection and begin their sacred task of voting for a Supreme Pontiff. The divine process behind closed doors went on for the next two days. But for us and the rest of the world, we waited. Even though we heard and read some stories about it, and while there were also some depictions through films, imagining the things that happen inside the chapel during the conclave could only be put up to faith. We can only look forward and watch the smoke from the chimney of the Sistine chapel that would signify that “no pope was chosen” or “a pope has been chosen”. Then at last, on May 8, at 6:07pm Rome time, the white smoke appeared, and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began to ring. Minutes later, after the much-anticipated words – “Habemus Papam” has been spoken, and as our hearts started to be filled with joy, the new Pope Leo XIV came out onto the balcony. Then he spoke his first words to the faithful, a much familiar greeting that the risen Christ also said to the disciples – “Peace be with you.”

It is both joyful and consoling when we remember these events that are not just a significant part of our faithful identity but also manifestation of God’s love through The Holy Spirit. Similarly, two thousand years ago, something also happened behind locked doors that eventually led to the birth of the Catholic Church. Both events have the same message of Christ, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” A message that has been passed not only to the church leaders but also to us all.

Today, we are reminded of our identity as a church and manifestation of the works of The Holy Spirit. Like the disciples and Pope Leo XIV, we are also called to proclaim the mighty acts of God to the peripheries of the world. As Pope Leo XIV said, “Together we must try to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges and always dialogues, that is always open to receiving everyone in need. A church that journeys, a church that seeks peace always, that always seeks charity, that wants to be close to people, especially those who are suffering." 

Though sometimes, we may not always find ourselves in a state of carrying out the mission of the church or receiving someone in need. There are times when we feel that what we have is not enough to console someone in need. Saint Paul reminds us that in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body of Christ. But we are all called in our uniqueness to be witnesses in our own ways because as Saint Paul said, “there are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit, different forms of service but the same Lord, different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle shared a moment that happened with him and then Cardinal Robert Prevost during the conclave. Cardinal Prevost became anxious as it became clearer that he was about to be elected as the next pope. Seeing his face with deep sighs, Cardinal Tagle offered him a candy, “Do you want some candy?” Cardinal Prevost said, “Okay, give me one.” It was a funny and warm moment about someone whose anxiety rose up because of a coming responsibility but being consoled by a simple gesture or offering. As Cardinal Tagle said, “It was my first act of charity for the new pope.” This can also remind us how a simple offer can console and encourage someone in need even though help was not being asked. A simple reminder of how we, as a church, can build bridges with the gifts that we have received from The Holy Spirit. A gift, or “candy”, that we can always offer as one with a church that always seeks charity to be lived with others and bring the peace of the Risen Christ that is unarmed and disarming. As Pope Leo XIV also said recently, “the Christian Life is not lived in isolation, like an intellectual or sentimental adventure, confined to our minds and hearts. It is lived with others, in a group or a community, because the Risen Christ is present among the disciples gathered in His name.” Today, as we celebrate the birth of the Catholic Church, may the Holy Spirit fill our hearts and enable us to proclaim the mighty acts of God through our openness to offer a part of ourselves to charity.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,

and in our souls take up Thy rest;

come with Thy grace and heavenly aid

to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry,

O heavenly gift of God Most High,

O fount of life and fire of love,

and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;

Thou, finger of God's hand we own;

Thou, promise of the Father,

Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,

and make our hearts o'erflow with love;

with patience firm and virtue high

the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,

and grant us Thy peace instead;

so shall we not, with Thee for guide,

turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow

the Father and the Son to know;

and Thee, through endless times confessed,

of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,

Who rose from death, be glory given,

with Thou, O Holy Comforter,

henceforth by all in earth and heaven.

AMEN.

“You look just like your mother!”

Fifth Sunday of Easter

18 May 2025

First Reading: Acts 14:21-27

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-5a

Gospel: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo M. Gonzales

 

From childhood to this day, people would often marvel at how I look just like my mother. When they see us side by side or so long as they see either one of us with a picture of the other for reference, I often hear this shred of fascination. Whether live or in pictures, I take one look at both of us, and I cannot deny the resemblance. Truly, I am my mother’s son; but besides facial semblance, how else do we know we are our parents’ children? As children of God, how do we know we are His children, His beloved apostles?

Besides how we look on the outside, we are often associated with the things we do, especially out of habit, and the things we can typically be identified by, such as our traits and characteristics; but as children of God, how do we know we are His apostles? In the days of the Old Testament, the Israelites were judged by how closely they held to the law—the Torah; and this can reasonably be expected of a people whose faith is still in its primacy; whose spiritual journey is still greatly uncharted; but upon the advent of the New Testament—of Christ Himself, people would be awakened to what the Law actually meant; for people have grown accustomed to looking at the letter of the law, not its Spirit. That was why some were militant about the enforcement of the Law. If meat was considered unclean, it would be an abomination to so much as lay one’s hand on it; but when Christ came, Peter himself was rebuked by the Voice of the Lord: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15)

As we grow in spiritual maturity, we become more attuned to what God calls us to do. The Law was and has always been good, but it has always been our interpretation of the Law that sets the chaff apart from the wheat; the goat apart from the sheep; some do not follow the law altogether; all of us follow It to a relative measure though imperfectly, and some follow It too fastidiously. The Law of God aims to inculcate in us this: to be His followers, it is not enough to only abide by the Law, but to look deeper into Its spirit: why was It brought forth in the first place? What is Its intention? If we follow the Law without the right heart, spirit, and mind that understand with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will not make the connection: all of God’s laws point toward His ultimate Law: for us to love Him and each other, as God has loved us all. This is our ultimate call. Anything less than this relegates us to the status of mere “do-gooders,” acquiescent to external stipulations but lacking in spiritual substance and character. “Love,” according to 1 Peter 4:8, “covers a multitude of things; love is the fulfillment of the Law.” (Romans 13:10b) It is love that instates us as Christ’s apostles.

Do we love God to the extent that will satisfy our innate longing for Him? Have we done our part in sharing Christ’s love with others? Have we extended a healthy dose to ourselves? Love is not only the shimmer of romance in which we express to others anything relationally enticing, as this can be merely idealistic; love is the force that binds us all together in good faith. Love is the work we pour into ensuring as much as possible that we can all live in the context of a socio-spiritually conducive community. Wherever we falter, love is the conciliatory energy that makes up for what our brother or sister lacks. “Love does no harm to a neighbor.” (Romans 13:10a) Even the late Charlie Chaplin has purportedly said something about love for its effect, so good-willing than its easily corruptible value-counterpart: power. Charlie Chaplin is often credited for this adage: “You need power only when you want to do something harmful. Otherwise, love is enough to get everything done.” Love not only remains in us, people, but also radiates in the things we do, no matter how small they may be. Mother Teresa is also associated with this saying: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Have we loved today in a measure spiritually satisfying, no matter how little?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for imparting to us Your commandment of love, for apart from love, which is of You, we can find nothing else which enjoins us since it uplifts others and ourselves, in turn. May love continue to link us all together in harmony, and us to You in perpetuity. These we ask, in Jesus’ most holy Name, with the intercession of our Blessed loving Mother, Mary, Amen.

Very Important Servants

    

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 September 2024

 

First Reading: Wis 2:12, 17-20

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and  8

Second Reading: Jas 3:16—4:3

Gospel: Mk 9:30-37

 

Reflection

By: Bernard C. Borja

 

Almost everyone in Metro Manila is familiar with a scene during rush hours where a convoy of vehicles goes through the heavy traffic with two or more police riding two-wheeled vehicles as escorts. You may have shaken your head at least once during the time when you saw something like this. It may have irritated you more if you found out that it was a government official being ushered so that he or she could get to where he or she is supposed to be faster than everyone else on that road. You may remember how during that time you were so anxious about getting late for work and wishing there could be a faster way, and you had no choice but to sit it out. A scene that when we witness it a lot of times, we become used to it and we just ignore it. Then it becomes our common definition of what it means to be a public servant.

What does it mean to be a leader? What does it mean to be trustworthy of authority? What does honorable mean? In our everyday lives, we can somehow define what being a public servant is by simply looking at and observing what they do.

Almost every day, we hear a lot about government officials who are corrupt and dishonest. There are people who justify a misuse of public funds, or even being dishonest about the purpose of the fund being asked. There are those who use government properties for their own desires and benefits. There are also those who run away during difficult times, especially when the people who they have promised to serve need help. We know how obvious these are and yet they remain “unbowed”. But most of us still support these so-called servants and even defend them. We even discuss who among them is the greatest.

The effect of this may not be obvious but we can say that there are times when we have really lost the sense of true service. In the church or in a community where almost everyone is a volunteer, people sometimes think that they are in a higher position than those who are not volunteering. There are times when I used my servant ID to pass the long line of people waiting outside because I am running late. There are servants who think they have permission to pass through security just to take a photo of a high-profile servant. Oftentimes, we miss the point on why we are called to serve and become our own version of “honorable” or “VIS - very important servant”.

Today’s Gospel reminds us of Jesus being our guide and model for us to know the true meaning of service – Obedience. This does not only mean being obedient to those who are above us. A disciple is not above his or her teacher, and yet the teacher can be a servant of the disciple. The core of obedience is being open. Our openness to God who calls us in ways that are unexpected. We become open when we die to our own desires and empty ourselves for the benefit of other people. We become open when we offer the gifts that God has given to us to those in need. Jesus, being our model, emptied Himself and put first what God asked of him to show us how a true servant should be. If we only pray like Jesus Himself, “Not our will, my Lord, but Yours be done.” Then we will truly know what it’s like to be the first and greatest in the Kingdom of God. 

 

Prayer

PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY

Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God, 

Teach me true generosity. Teach me to serve You as You deserve. 

To give without counting the cost, to fight heedless of wounds, 

To labor without seeking rest, 

To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward 

Save the knowledge that I have done Your will. AMEN.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    

Ika-16 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

21 Hulyo 2024

 

Unang Pagbasa: Jeremias 23, 1-6

Salmong Tugunan: Salmo 22, 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6

Ikalawang Pagbasa: Efeso 2, 13-18

Ebanghelyo: Marcos 6, 30-34

 

Pagninilay

Ni: Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Kung papansinin natin, maraming pari at layko na mahusay mangaral sa ating panahon. Siguradong namamangha tayo sa maraming bagay na kanilang nagagawa bilang mga lider. Laging nahihikayat at napapagaya tayo sa kanilang mabubuting halimbawa ng pagiging tunay na Kristiyano. Malaking tulong din ang lunduyang medyang pang-madla para sa ebanghelisasyon, lalo na ang “online” o “social media” na higit na lumaganap noong panahon ng pandemya. Kaya katulad ng mga apostol sa Ebanghelyo, madali nating makilala ang mga “preacher” dahil parang mga artista na rin sila sa kasikatan. Kahit hindi naman nila tayo kilalang personal, madalas na nilalapitan natin sila upang humingi ng tulong.  Kung minsan ay hindi lang panalangin o tulong ispirituwal ang hinihingi natin, samu’t saring problema ng buhay ang idinudulog natin sa kanila at iniisip na para bang mga Santo silang hindi makatatanggi. Kaya nga alam ng Panginoong Hesus na napapagod din ang kanilang katawan o isipan at kinakailangan din nilang magpahinga, mag-relaks, mag-retreat, na kadalasan ay sa malayong lugar, sa bundok na wala sanang iistorbo sa kanilang pamamahinga.

Ilang dekada na ang nakararaan, madalas na sa Baguio ako nakakasama noon sa mga Retreat kasama ng ilang pari at mga katekista.  Noong araw kasi’y kakaunti pa ang tao sa Baguio, wala pang mga malls, wala pang SM, wala pang traffic, wala pang mga night market, wala pang mga bar, at wala pang kung anu-anong mga establisiyamento. Ngayon ay sobrang dami na ng tao sa Baguio. Ang mga tao ay mula sa maraming siyudad ng Kamaynilaan at iba’t ibang bayan sa ating bansa. Karamihan sa kanila ay dala-dala ang maraming pasanin sa buhay kung kaya’t nais nilang mag-relaks at makatagpo ng kapayapaan sa malalamig na kabundukan na siyudad ng Baguio. Tulad ng sa Ebanghelyo, nauna na ang mga tao sa Baguio upang abangan ang dulot na lunas sa kanilang mga hinaing sa buhay mula sa tulong ng mga alagad ni Hesus. Tuwing araw ng Linggo bukod sa dami ng taong nagsisimba sa Baguio Cathedral ay isinasara ang kahabaan ng Session Road upang magbigay daan sa iba’t ibang palabas para sa kultura, turismo at negosyo. Mas marami pang tao sa Session Road kaysa sa loob ng Cathedral dahil aaliwin ka talaga ng mga presentasyong pangkomersiyo na mapapanood sa kalsada.  Hindi naman masama ang pagnenegosyo at ang pagbibigay serbisyo sa tao na nakakaaliw. Ngunit kung nakapako na lamang ang ating atensiyon sa kayamanan ng mundo at ibinuhos ang buong buhay natin dito, nabubulagan tayo’t hindi na makita ang ating kapwa sa ating harapan na higit na nangangailangan. Sa kabila ng sinasabing pag-unlad ng negosyo sa Baguio, hindi nabibigyang-pansin ang maraming tao na namamalimos sa kalsada, mga taong may karamdaman at hindi makapagpagamot sa ospital, mga matatandang pakalat-kalat sa lansangan, nagkalat din ang mga mandurukot na sinasamantala ang siksikan ng mga tao, at patuloy ang mga krimen at korapsiyon sa pamahalaan sa buong bansa.  Kaya’t hanggang ngayon ay nahahabag sa atin ang Panginoong Hesus dahil para tayong mga tupang walang pastol.

Panalangin:

Panginoong Hesus, patuloy mo Kaming kahabagan at turuan upang manatili kaming sumusunod sa Iyo na aming Mabuting Pastol. Patnubayan nawa ng Espiritu Santo ang mga naglilingkod sa Iyo para sa pagpapatuloy ng Ebanghelisasyon sa aming kasalukuyang henerasyon. Amen.

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    

Ika-15 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

14 Hulyo 2024

 

Unang Pagbasa: Amos 7, 12-15

Salmong Tugunan: Salmo 84, 9ab-10. 11-12. 13-14

Ikalawang Pagbasa: Efeso 1, 3-14

Ebanghelyo: Marcos 6, 7-13

 

Pagninilay

Ni: Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Sa maraming paraan at biyaya ng Diyos, lahat naman tayo ay tinatawag ni Hesus at ipinadadala sa iba’t ibang misyon sa buhay. Sa Mabuting Balita, ipinapakita sa atin ang dapat na maging halimbawa ng mga Apostol kung papaano tayo gagampan sa ating lakbayin bilang mga Kristiyano. Ibinibilin ni Hesus na maging simple lang sila (pinagbawalan pa nga na magdala ng kung anu-ano, light packer ika nga) kahit na ipinagkaloob sa kanila ang maraming kapangyarihan ng Diyos upang tulungan ang mga tao. Pero papaano kung ang mga pari at obispo mismo natin na nagsisilbing mga Apostol ng ating panahon ay kayraming “excess baggage” na dalahin sa buhay? Gagayahin din ba natin sila?

Halimbawa ang pagkakaroon ng maraming mamahaling sasakyan ng ilang kaparian na ang madalas na katuwiran ay donated lang naman daw iyon ng isang mayamang pilantropo o politiko. Naalala ko ang isang mabuting halimbawa ng isang pari mula sa isang relihiyosong kongregasyon na madalas sumasakay ng jeep papunta sa kanyang misyon at kung minsan ay nakikita pa naming nakasabit sa jeep kung wala na talagang upuan, kahit pa may mga sasakyan naman ang kanilang kongregasyon. “Mas maraming mahalagang misyon ang sineserbisyuhan ng mga sasakyan namin kaya mas pinipili ko na mag-jeep na lang”, ang sabi ng paring ito. Kalaunan ay nahalal siya ng kanilang kongregasyon na maging Superior pero hindi pa rin siya bumili ng sarili niyang kotse at kaya pa rin niyang mag-jeep kung kinakailangan.

May naging boss naman ako sa trabaho na isang pari na napaka-cool, parang hindi siya pari ang sabi ng ibang tao. “Father, nasa langit na ba ako?” Naitanong ko ito noon kay Fr. G sa kanyang opisina dahil parang nakalutang na kami sa ulap mula sa kapal ng usok na galing sa kanyang paninigarilyo. Ang totoo, napasindi rin ako ng yosi bago kami nag-usap sa mala-ulap niyang opisina. Isa kasi ito sa bisyo ko noong aking kabataan (na madalas ka-jamming ko pa si Father “cool” sa pagyoyosi). Pero mababait naman po kami nina Father G noon dahil mga kuwento at karanasan base sa Ebanghelyo ang isinusulat namin at inilalathala sa komiks. Teka? Paano nangyari ‘yun, puro bisyo pala kayo at Gospel pa naman ang isinusulat n’yo? Ito ang komento na ayaw naming marinig noon. 

Minsan namang napasabay ako sa sasakyan ng isang pari papunta sa Cordillera, bago bumiyahe paakyat ng bundok ay bumili ng isang kahong alak na Gin ang pari. Nagulat ako dahil napakarami namang alak ang binili niya at binulungan niya ako na para raw iyon sa mga kasama niyang pari dahil sobrang lamig sa bundok. Pero totoo nga na napakalamig sa kabundukan kaya’t napatagay din ako, kaso nalaman ko na gabi-gabi pala nagpapainit ang ilang pari. Naalala ko tuloy ang isang pari sa aming Parokya sa Tundo na gabi-gabi naming nakikitang nakainom kahit napakainit ng panahon, pero mabait naman siya at hindi kami sinesermunan.

Dahil sa mataimtim na pananalangin, pagsisikap at grasya ng Diyos, natatanggal natin ang mga bisyo o mga “excess baggage” na ito. Pero habang tayo’y naglalakbay at naglilingkod sa bayan ng Diyos, patuloy na nilalapitan tayo ng mga tukso at samu’t saring bisyo na pilit sumasama sa ating paglalakbay. Ang masasamang bisyo, maliit man o malaki, mga karangyaang sinasarili natin, mga burloloy o sobra-sobrang palamuti sa ating katawan o pamumuhay ay nagsisilbing “excess baggage” sa ating buhay Kristiyano.  Nagkakaroon ng mas malaking pakinabang ang mga “excess baggage” na ito kung naipapamahagi sana ang katumbas na halaga nito sa mga mas higit na nangangailangan sa buhay.

Panalangin:

Panginoong Hesus, tulungan Mo kami at ang mga lingkod ng bayan sa aming lakbayin, lalo na ang mga Kaparian at lahat ng nagsisilbi sa simbahan, upang tunay na maihatid ang Iyong Mabuting Balita sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mabuting halimbawa. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit

    

Pentecost Sundy

28 May 2023

 

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel: Jn 20:19-23

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

“Lord send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth”.

The Holy Spirit is all around us. And He is always there when you call Him even in so ordinary times like when I look for a parking space in a full mall. Always, when I sing “Come Holy Spirit I need you...", there goes a space made available for me just where I waited to find a space. Just amazing!

Or it can be when I am about to prepare a presentation I always ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit for wisdom and inspiration and the ideas and thoughts just keep flowing and when the presentation is done and I receive a lot of affirmations, I just know I am really guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Let us receive the Holy Spirit to renew us and be filled with its fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control.

Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love that we may become the channel of your peace that the world really needs now. Amen.

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.

---

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!

---

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.

Blessed are We!

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ 

18 June 2017

First reading                                                                                               Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16

Moses said to the people: ‘Remember how the Lord your God led you for forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, to test you and know your inmost heart – whether you would keep his commandments or not. He humbled you, he made you feel hunger, he fed you with manna which neither you nor your fathers had known, to make you understand that man does not live on bread alone but that man lives on everything that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
  ‘Do not become proud of heart. Do not forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery: who guided you through this vast and dreadful wilderness, a land of fiery serpents, scorpions, thirst; who in this waterless place brought you water from the hardest rock; who in this wilderness fed you with manna that your fathers had not known.’

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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20

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Second reading	1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ, and the bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ. The fact that there is only one loaf means that, though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the living bread which has come down from heaven,
says the Lord.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.
Alleluia!

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Gospel	John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowd:
‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,
for the life of the world.’
Then the Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood
has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me
and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’

Reflection

by Benj Santiago

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

In the Last supper, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and instructed the Apostles to do it over and over in remembrance of Him. This event makes it more clear how the apostles (and their successors) will execute the teaching Jesus spoke to the Jews in today's Gospel.

Imagine if we were part of the crowd whom Jesus spoke to. Telling us that salvation and eternal life can only be attained by drinking His Blood and eating His Flesh! I guess we would react the same way as the Jews who were present. But I believe that Jesus wants to show how much He loves us that He is willing to give His life for all of us. He wants to show us that God cares for all of us.

And we are so blessed as Catholics for the institution of the Holy Eucharist. It allows us to perpetually commemorate the Last  Supper where we are able to eat the Body and drink the Blood of Christ in the form of Bread and Wine. We are so blessed that we can partake of His Body and Blood every time we go to Mass. An opportunity for us to receive the love of the Lord that will bring us to eternal life.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming down from heaven to offer Your Body and Blood as our food and drink so that we can have an everlasting life. We thank You for Your presence in the Holy Eucharist as a manifestation of Your Father’s Love for all of us. We pray that with Your Holy Blood you will cleanse away all our sins, and by Your Holy Body, we can all be united in peace. We ask this through the most holy intercession of our Mother Mary . Amen.

A Stick is All We Need

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 12, 2015

Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the God who saves us, alleluia.

First reading                                      Amos 7:12-15 

Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, said to Amos, ‘Go away, seer;’ get back to the land of Judah; earn your bread there, do your prophesying there. We want no more prophesying in Bethel; this is the royal sanctuary, the national temple.’ ‘I was no prophet, neither did I belong to any of the brotherhoods of prophets,’ Amos replied to Amaziah ‘I was a shepherd, and looked after sycamores: but it was the Lord who took me from herding the flock, and the Lord who said, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”’

Psalm                                              Psalm 84:9-14

Second reading                              Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.

Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ,

to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence,

determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ

for his own kind purposes,

to make us praise the glory of his grace,

his free gift to us in the Beloved,

in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.

Such is the richness of the grace

which he has showered on us

in all wisdom and insight.

He has let us know the mystery of his purpose,

the hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning

to act upon when the times had run their course to the end:

that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head,

everything in the heavens and everything on earth.

And it is in him that we were claimed as God’s own,

chosen from the beginning,

under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things

as he decides by his own will;

chosen to be,

for his greater glory,

the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came.

Now you too, in him,

have heard the message of the truth and the good news of your salvation,

and have believed it;

and you too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise,

the pledge of our inheritance

which brings freedom for those whom God has taken for his own, to make his glory praised.

Gospel                                               Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts.”

Me and my wife love to travel. Each time we go out we make sure all our provisions are prepared. To the minutest detail like what dress to wear each day is planned out. We don’t have just a small bag packed with all the things we need. In fact, we have big luggage and carry on with us to make sure we are well provided.

In the Gospel today Jesus called the Twelve to go out and evangelize to the people around Israel taking nothing with them but a “stick”! Nothing more, nothing less plus the authority over unclean spirits. The disciples obeyed and were able to perform their task of evangelizing to the Jews. They obeyed in spite of the fact that just a few days back, they saw that Jesus, their master, was rejected in His own home town. They obeyed and trusted the Lord their Master, Jesus Christ our Lord, for all their provisions and daily needs.

In our daily lives, we often busy ourselves to make sure we can have all we need without recognizing that what we need essentially is just a stick and the rest will be provided. The stick is practically a tool to ward off any unfriendly humans or animals. A stick is also something that we can depend on to help us on an upward climb. In our situation today, the stick can be our daily scriptures to guide us over our day to day activities.  To remind us that we can always depend on our Lord. And like the Twelve Apostles, we are called today to evangelize, to have the power to drive out demons and heal the sick with our presence not with our own power and preparation but by the power we have obtained through obedience and trust in Him.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we thank You for all the provisions that You continuously provide us even if we don’t deserve it. Because You love us so much all we need is to obey and trust you totally. We pray Lord that You grant us the Spirit of Trust and Obedience that we may continue the task that You have given the Twelve Apostles. One with Mary we make this prayer. Amen!