Baon

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 26, 2015

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

First reading                                      2 Kings 4:42-44

A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing Elisha, the man of God, bread from the first-fruits, twenty barley loaves and fresh grain in the ear.’ ‘Give it to the people to eat’, Elisha said. But his servant replied, ‘How can I serve this to a hundred men?’ ‘Give it to the people to eat’ he insisted ‘for the Lord says this, “They will eat and have some left over.”’ He served them; they ate and had some left over, as the Lord had said.

Psalm                                              Psalm 144:10-11,15-18

Second reading                              Ephesians 4: 1-6

I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.

Gospel                                               John 6:1-15

Jesus went off to the other side of the Sea of Galilee – or of Tiberias – and a large crowd followed him, impressed by the signs he gave by curing the sick. Jesus climbed the hillside, and sat down there with his disciples. It was shortly before the Jewish feast of Passover.

  Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?’ He only said this to test Philip; he himself knew exactly what he was going to do. Philip answered, ‘Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said, ‘There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand men sat down. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready; he then did the same with the fish, giving out as much as was wanted. When they had eaten enough he said to the disciples, ‘Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted.’ So they picked them up, and filled twelve hampers with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves. The people, seeing this sign that he had given, said, ‘This really is the prophet who is to come into the world.’ Jesus, who could see they were about to come and take him by force and make him king, escaped back to the hills by himself.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“When they had their fill, he said to the disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.”

Elisha on the First Reading performs the miracle of feeding a hundred people with twenty loaves of bread. And when these hundred people have eaten there were some leftovers. A miracle of the same kind happened several hundred years later this time with 5 loaves of bread for more than five thousand people and with more than twelve wicker baskets of leftovers.

The scene on this Sunday’s Gospel reading shows several thousands of men, and the count as indicated in the Bible is about five thousand, not counting the women and the children. They were happily listening and were fed by the Word of God. They were in a deserted place for the intention of Jesus to be there was to give the disciples their much needed rest after their mission.

It was getting late and their physical bodies are already in need of food. So Jesus told the disciples to feed all of them. Philip calculated that it will cost them 200 days of wages!  On top of that, they are in an isolated place, so he said, “Where do we buy the food?” Andrew, the brother of Peter saw a boy with five loaves of barley bread and two fish. Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed the food. And the miracle happened! They all ate to their fill and there were even so much more in excess afterwards.

These miracles tell me that Jesus do care so much for us. He wants us to have everything to the fullest, with so much excess overflowing. He does not only care about our spiritual needs but is also concerned on our physical bodies that need nourishment.

Bible scholars believe that the five loaves did not actually multiply. It was the generosity of the little boy that got replicated to all the families who were there. The people who were seated simply brought out their own “baon” and started to share.

We are called to be that little boy to offer what we have. To be generous so we can impact others and create an avalanche of generosity which will be able to help and feed thousands of people. And, because we cannot outdo God in His generosity, we will not run out of food. We shall have leftovers more than what we have given.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we ask You to make us more generous with our gifts. To be more open to give what we have. We pray that You will make us instruments of Your miracle like that little boy with five loaves of bread. Empower us with Your love that we may love and be generous to all people we meet. One with Mary we make this prayer. Amen!

Sincere Leadership

First Reading: Genesis 14:18-20

Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High. He pronounced this blessing:

‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High for handing over your enemies to you.’ And Abram gave him a tithe of everything.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 109: 1-4

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.’ In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.’ Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.

Gospel: Luke 9:11-17

Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.

It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people’ For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.’ They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.

 Reflection

By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

The Gospel for today is the only miracle chronicled in all of the four Gospels, which only proves its significance in the entire salvation history. It could really be that Jesus did all the multiplication. That was how I thought it was. Something like magic, and boom! Bread became so many and the fish magically appeared. However, some experts say that the actual miracle here is the act of generosity and the sharing per se. Historians theorized that Jesus’ followers actually had “baon” with them. Upon knowing that the Apostles only gathered five loaves of bread and two fish from a boy (as narrated in the Gospel of John), the early Christians brought out and shared what they had to everyone. Jesus instructed the Apostles to collect the leftover and they gathered twelve baskets more.

This only presents the basic human behavior of self-preservation. We all have that instinct to bring with us things we need when we travel, to save for ourselves during the rainy days, to keep what we need in order to survive, to be always certain that we have enough. But how many among us can be like that innocent boy who can be selfless enough to give out everything he had? Whether he was coaxed or intimidated by the Apostles, he was willing to give away what he had for that day. That boy presented a model of unconditional trust in Jesus. No questions, no conditions. That kind of utter dependence on the Lord to bless our efforts of goodwill.

This Gospel also points out our thirst for a genuine Church leader, from the parochial level to the entire Catholic flock. Pope John Paul said, “The more Christian and conscious people are of their dignity and of their vital role in the Church, the more they urgently feel the need for priests who are TRULY priests.” This is much evident during Cardinal Tagle’s rise to fame after Pope Benedict stepped down. It is not surprising that the Catholic Church would seek someone who is of young blood, someone who IS among us, someone who is not on a pedestal. With all the scandals a number of priests have committed, we cannot blame the doubters and those who leave our Church to seek for a more sincere leadership. But Pope Francis is not here to let us down. We can see how humble he is. His name choice is true to his character, like St. Francis who lived a sincerely simple life. He is doing his best to rebuild the kind of flock Jesus has originally instituted.

Most importantly, today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, which literally meant the Body of Christ. It is usually celebrated during the Thursday after the Trinity Sunday, but was transferred today as reflected on the liturgical calendar. Today we all commemorate the institution of the Eucharist, the breaking of the bread, which is in fact Christ’s offering of Himself for the salvation of all. By participating in the Holy Mass, we become that which we actually celebrate. We become the Body of Christ.

Prayer

Jesus, our model of trust in God’s will, may we ever remember to put You on top of our needs. Human as we are, we tend to be selfish and be merely occupied on how we can acquire temporal desires, which do not seem to be always enough. We keep on wanting more, when in truth, we can live simple lives. May we channel this longing to be more generous, of not only our material possessions, but more importantly of ourselves. May we use our abilities for Your vineyard, the way You offered Your Body and Blood for humanity. Amen.

Bread, Not Cake

First Reading: Prv 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns; she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. She has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the city: " Let whoever is simple turn in here; To the one who lacks understanding, she says, Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

Second Reading: Eph 5:15-20

Brothers and sisters:

Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies  debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Gospel: Jn 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 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."

Reflection

By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

I’m such a foodie. Plus, I associate great memories with gastronomic experiences. If it’s my Lola Bella’s birthday, we know food would be elegant. It would be in a fine dining restaurant, or at least catered. If it’s my Dad’s birthday, it would be an “inihaw” party with LOTS of fresh seafood they scoured early in the morning from Farmer’s in Cubao. If it’s time to meet up with high school friends, it would be a street food galore since it is reminiscent of our carefree days (well books and “isaw” days, if I may say). If the celebration is among women, you know there’ll be coffee and cakes. You know, I also mark my kids’ milestones with the food they tried. (B tried broccoli and he liked it. M tried bagoong and he had rashes all over. Oops. N tried mashed chayotes with fried Tilapia and her smile was superb!) Everything with food! I guess I am not alone in this, as every culture no matter where in the world, love food. This is basically why Jesus kept on comparing Himself to a bread, and even His blood to wine. Food and drink sustain our lives. Food is something we all need moment by moment. It is the number one basic need of every living organism. Jesus even taught us to say, “Give us this day our daily bread,” after praising and trusting God’s magnificence and power. Prayer

In the same way, Jesus is inviting us to depend on Him, and that His words become our sustenance. He has offered Himself to us so we can quench our thirsty spirit. He is the Bread who gives us eternal life. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” It didn’t say delicious. The Lord’s words may be bitter for someone who would presently want what’s worldly. Iit may be sweet for someone who’s been in his lowest. Or sour and salty for the rest. But one thing’s for sure, seeking the Lord is the most beautiful experience our souls can have. Just like the bittergourd that’s horrendous for me, but does wonders for my blood as I am anemic. The Lord’s Words are the best nourishment for our spirits in order to survive the daily challenges of being human. This we can do by digesting the Scriptures daily. There’s a ton of Catholic Bible guide books, both printed and online, and surely it is not too late to try today. I heard someone before said that the Bible must be the bread on our plate, a staple for daily living, not just a cake that appears only during special occasions.

Now ask yourself:

1. How much have I really depended on God’s will? Have I prayed about my woes more than I’ve talked about them?

2. Have I been giving my soul some vitamins? I have a number of supplements for my body’s health, but what about my mind and spirit’s well-being?

3. Apart from good food, working out is part and parcel of a healthy body. Have I complained about a difficult situation, that I forget that the Lord is my Holy Instructor teaching my spirits some new moves for toning and definition?

Prayer

Jesus, Your body and blood are indeed good for our souls. Thank You for being present in the Eucharist to continuously nourish us all. Amen.

*Tip from a foodie: Love crispy fried/baked breading? (Like those of Chickenjoy and breaded fish fillet?) Let the coated meat, poultry, or seafood sit for at least 10 minutes (and by coat that could be your own rub with flour or your simple pantry breading). Don’t go dunking them into the oil right away. Try and taste the difference. Yes, no need for egg (that’s extra calories). Super crispy? Do double-dipping. Coat your meat/poultry/seafood with flour. Then dip it into your batter (flour, seasoning, baking powder, milk/water), then finally coat with your favorite bread crumbs (mine’s Italian bread crumbs, others use Lays chips, yum!)

If All The Raindrops Were...Pan de Sal & Monay (Oh What A Rain That Would Be! - Barney)

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8

Elijah went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying: "This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, but the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, "Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!" He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Eph 4:30-5:2

Brothers and sisters:

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for usas a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Gospel: Jn 6:41-51

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven," and they said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven?'" Jesus answered and said to them, "Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.

Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

Reflection

By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

If you have read last Sunday’s reflection, you’d know that I am a bread girl (and I’m an old soul, loving Bread songs too, tee-hee!). Oh, and today as I write, it is raining here at my end. I suddenly realized what if it rained bread instead? Yes, bread from heaven! Can you imagine how many hungry street kids would be flocking about, collecting what could be their only meal for the day? Imagine the hullaballoo of baguettes falling from the sky only to land on jeepneys and buses in EDSA – an instant baon for a young professional who’s still adamant to spend their 5-peso change. Or the starving lola under the shed picking up a large monay that just fell beside her makeshift pillow. This idea leaves a smile on my face now, I look like this --> (^^,). Ooooh bread.

Growing up, this was how I pictured Yahweh giving manna to Moses and his people. I thought it rained bread! Now, archaeological research discovered that manna may not actually be bread but was fungus instead. You read that right –Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms that grew in abundance in dewy climates. Coupled with manure from the Israelites’ cattle and sheep, the camp became a healthy environment for these mushrooms to grow. The biblical description matches what is now known as magic mushrooms that according to some, give a person “spiritual” visions once ingested.

This is just one of the many theories of what manna truly is. But one thing’s for sure – God provides. He never failed to give us what we specifically need. The hardships, the successes, the material and spiritual blessings, all of these are part of the grand scheme of things. No accidents, but all in accordance with plans, because that’s how the Father loves us. He only asks that we eat the Bread of life. We do this through partaking in the Eucharist, and more so by digesting the Scriptures. This way we transcend beyond our human weaknesses and overcome our sins, so we may also be like Jesus whose fragrance rises to God.

Now ask yourself:

1. Do I always worry about so many things?

2. Do I trust God’s plan for me?

3. Do I belittle some people I meet, the way the Jews looked down on Jesus?

Prayer

Thank you Father for being our ever generous Provider! With You, everything is in abundance! Amen.

*Tip from a bread girl: Put your bread inside an airtight container/bag and place it in the freezer, if you don’t intend to finish it within the day. It makes the shelf life longer. Thaw, microwave, or toast it before eating. Enjoy!

Oh My, Tinapay!

First Reading: Ex 16:2-4, 12-15

The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!"

Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God."

In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?" for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

Second Reading: Eph 4:17, 20-24

Brothers and sisters:

I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Gospel: Jn 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal."

So they said to him, " What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.? So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

Reflection

By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

Do you love bread? I.SO.MUCH.DO!!! You know that aroma of pan de sal slowly toasting, especially if it’s from a pugon oven? Oh heaven! Sometimes I think that heaven must have smelled like a bakery at 5:30 AM. I really love bread in its simplicity, nothing on top or in between, no butter or cheese spread, no coldcuts, no balsamic vinegar and garlic oil dips, just that warm bare bread. By bread, for me, that could be a bulilit pan de sal from Fernando’s, or the putok from our favorite no name bakery here in Baliuag, or the really soft brioche bread from Max’s (sans the cheese, sugar, and butter), or just a simple slice of white or wheat loaf bread, or a Chinese mantou without the asado filling… Oh, and that bagel out of the microwave, or a freshly baked baguette, or the plain pretzel at French baker... (Now if only I could stop naming my favorites; did I make you hungry?) I’d like to think that I’m a bread kind of gal, not cakes really, and I do carbo-load once in a while. (Oops!) With a good cup of coffee, I’m a happy camper, just the bread and me. 

So when the Lord said that He is the Bread of Life, I cannot help but compare how the simple monay can satisfy my cravings, and how the Lord’s Words nourish my hungry spirit. It is an instantaneous sustenance for my soul. The Lord’s promises bring about joy and hope to my heart. I have read somewhere that when you are at your lowest, and you got absolutely nothing but God’s grace, that’s when an inexplicable joy inundates your spirit. You become a child again. Free of despair, of hatred, and of loneliness.

We don’t even have to ask Him to come to us. Jesus had already offered Himself to the table for all of us to partake. This, we can do by immersing ourselves daily in His Word, by serving others, by simply being kind to everyone you meet, by planting peace and not discord, by realizing that He, the Bread of Life, is enough.

Now ask yourself:

1. Do I complain a lot like the Israelites?

2. Do I still ask God for signs and miracles before I fully believe and trust His power?

3. Do I prioritize working and slaving myself for “perishable food” rather than seeking the “food that gives eternal life”?

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving us Jesus, our Bread of Life! Amen.*Tip from a bread girl: Warm bread in the microwave with a cup of water, or a damp paper towel, in 10 second increments till desired texture. The steam prevents it from hardening. Now you have goodness in a plate that’s not toasted or soggy. Enjoy!

Discipleship 101

Second Sunday of Easter
01 May 2011


The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.


First reading Acts 2:42-47 3
The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone.
The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.
They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 117:2-4,13-15,22-24

Second reading 1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.

Gospel John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

Reflection
By Herminia Jamandri-Flores

In all college courses, the introduction or the basic principles in all major subjects are coded 101. It gives us a glimpse of everything the course has to offer. The Sunday readings talk about the basics of discipleship, the main characteristics and work of disciples. In the Philippines, May 1 is also celebrated as Feast of St. Joseph the “Anluwage”, the Patron of Workers, which also coincides with the public holiday, Labor Day. It is also a day of rejoicing for the Church because it is the Divine Mercy Sunday.

But how do we see discipleship in the ordinary people with ordinary everyday life?

I was on a jeepney on a Saturday, almost dusk, when four men came up, each holding an old bag with hammer, chisel, saw and an assortment of carpentry tools. They were talking very loud all at the same time. They settled themselves on the available spaces unmindful of the discomfort. They give out an acrid smell of dried sweat mixed with cheap men’s cologne which obviously defiled the sweet scent of young people going out on a weekend spree.

Each one of these carpenters has a story to tell. The one seated beside me counted how many weeks of work more before he gets fully paid the small television he bought for his children. The second one is excited to see his son who is just starting to walk. The third man opted to hang by the bar to give his seat to an old woman. He has the loudest laugh and the nastiest remarks. The oldest who was seated at the back of the driver assisted in the giving of fares and change to passengers who neither said “please” nor “thank you.” He was almost 50 years old and has a pregnant 20 year old wife. He is saving for the birth of the child. “Is it really your child or your neighbor’s?,” asked the third guy, and more laughter. Unmoved by the nasty remark, he said that all he believes is the child is a gift from God.

I was moved by the strength of character they showed. They live simple lives. They don’t care if people recognize them or not. But they are concerned about the people they love and the houses they build, and the help they could give to anyone. They alighted the jeep happily celebrating the joy of seeing their loved ones after a week of stay-in work even with little money at hand and knowing that what they built will last.

St. Joseph must have been like them, burly and brawny, the smell of dried sweat but with lots of stories about Jesus and Mary to boast to his friends. Jesus, in His childhood, must have learned a lot from St. Joseph: how it is to be sincere in helping people, that the motive of work is to serve, and that faith is believing that which we cannot see. These are the basic elements of discipleship as seen from the life of St. Joseph, the worker. These are also the life of the early Christians following the teachings of Jesus.

So, is discipleship difficult? Let’s learn from the Carpenter.

Almighty and Ever Living God, You called people to be disciples of your Beloved Son, Jesus. You entrusted Him to St. Joseph, a model of discipleship. In obedience to Your divine plan, he took care of Jesus and Mary with sincerity of heart and faith in Your Word. He walked every step of the way with Jesus in a lifelong discipleship practiced in everyday life. Through his intercession, help us to live our daily Christian lives in loving service and obedience to Jesus’ teachings, to mature in faith through community life and to look forward to the breaking of the bread as spiritual nourishment. Make us see Jesus in the people we meet everyday so that we may be able to offer our work for Your greater glory through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Next week on God-speak
Planting Little Kisses