Authentic Expression of Hope in the Lord

   

Feast of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

09 January 2025

 

First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: John 3:13-17

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

 

“Mas mabuti ang pagsunod kaysa paghahandog’ (1 Samuel 15:22) sa mga umaasa kay Jesus.” In English: “Obedience is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15:22) for those who hope in Jesus." This is the theme of this year’s celebration of the Feast of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. The theme stresses the importance of obedience in expressing true devotion and hope in the Lord as obedience is connected to devoutness and hope.

Our Readings focus on obedience to the Lord as an essential part of our spiritual lives. In the First Reading, the Israelites complain to Moses about their hunger in the desert and how they are no longer content or satisfied with the manna they received from the Lord. However, the complaints are not ordinary. They clearly state in the passage that the manna they receive is “wretched food” (Numbers 21:5). By saying this, the Israelites clearly stress that they are ready to rebel against God for what they believe is a lack of care and attention from Him. In response to this statement of the Israelites, God sent them seraph serpents to kill them. This made them realize the error of their ways which led them to repent and express that they will show their hope and devotion to the Lord by obeying Him. Responding to people's petition that Moses brought to Him, God ordered Moses to create a bronze serpent so that the Israelites may live, despite being bitten by deadly snakes.

In the Second Reading, the Apostle Saint Paul illustrates how the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ brought salvation to all of humanity. With his decision to humbly obey the will of the Father until the very end, Jesus saved humanity. In the Gospel, a short summary of our salvation was provided. Because of His true and authentic love for all of us, God decided to save us through the promised Messiah and Savior who is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, His only Begotten Son.

 

Today's Responsorial Psalm reminds us to not forget what God has done. God has done great things and the greatest was to save us through Christ Jesus. In doing so, He has expressed His true and authentic love and mercy for all of us despite our unworthiness.

In response, what should we do? That is to exhibit obedience to God - to obey Him wholeheartedly until the very end. Obedience is an authentic expression of true hope and devotion to the Lord. To prove that we truly hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, who offered His life for all of us, and are truly devoted to Him, we must obey and follow Him wholeheartedly. This is the response that He deserves to receive after everything He has done for all of us. 

Prayer

O Lord, Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, we humbly ask you to help us choose to obey You so that we can authentically express our true love and devotion to You. Amen.

How To Truly Love God?

    

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

29 October 2023

 

First Reading: Ex 22:20-26

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

Second Reading: 1 Thes 1:5c-10

Gospel: Mt 22:34-40

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

 

Throughout the course of history, the Lord God has repeatedly shown His love for humanity. Despite humanity falling into sin, which was caused by the disobedience of Adam and Eve, not once has God became tired or had enough of showing His love for us. Yes, humanity does not deserve the love of God because of our sinful nature. In spite of that, God chose to truly love us. This was the main reason why in various Churches, we see images of the Suffering Christ such as the Black Nazarene and Crucifixes or images of Christ dying on the Holy Cross which are either usually displayed on the main or side altars. We are constantly being reminded by these images of the great love God has for us. Because of His great love for us, God came to this world to save us through Christ Jesus who died on the Cross for our sake and rose from the dead on the third day. 

As Christians, we are also called to express our true love and devotion to God. The readings for this Sunday focuses on this topic  teaching us that true devotion, worship, and adoration for the one true God comes only from those who truly love Him. No one can just plainly say that they truly love God and leave it at that with no action to back it up. 

In the First Reading, the Lord God Himself directly states that He despises affliction and oppression of the innocent. No one deserves to be oppressed and abused. God values everyone, no matter what race or group they belong to. Taking advantage of others, especially the lowly, is despicable in the eyes of the Lord God. In the Second Reading, the Apostle Saint Paul reminds the Thessalonian Christians to follow their example in order for their love and relationship with God to continue to grow and deepen. Now, we must remember that this lesson Saint Paul the Apostle teaches in the Second Reading is not only for the Thessalonian Christians at the time but for us who form the one true Church in the present day. We also have many Saints who form the Communion of Saints. They are examples that we must follow as Christians who form Christ’s Church. In the Gospel, Jesus recites the greatest commandment in response to a question posed to Him by a scholar of the law. As stated, one must also love their neighbor as themselves aside from loving God. Love of God and love for neighbor are connected to each other and cannot be separated. 

Genuine love for the Lord God is reflected and expressed in the words of the Psalm for this Sunday: “I love you, Lord, my strength” (Psalm 18:2). If these words in the Responsorial Psalm are our wish, we must begin by discerning what the will of God is. We must humbly open our hearts and ears to the will of God and obey it. By doing this, we make the words in the Responsorial Psalm our prayer. We will be able to express our true love, devotion, and adoration for the Lord with our actions, thoughts, and words. 

Prayer

Teach us to truly love You, O Lord, You who has loved us first. Make Your will for us known so that we will be able to humbly obey it and express our true love, devotion, and worship for You. Amen.