One and Only Master

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

21 September 2025

 

First Reading: Amos 8:4-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Gospel: Luke 16:1-13

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

“No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one or love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” - Luke 16:13

In this parable of the dishonest steward, Jesus tells us of a manager accused of wasting his master’s wealth. Very apt and timely to what is happening in our country today. Facing dismissal, the steward acts quickly and reduces the debts of his master’s debtors, hoping they will all welcome him and care for him once his master dismisses him. To his surprise, he received the masters’ praises, not for his dishonesty in squandering the wealth, but for his shrewdness in doing good to others using the wealth he squandered.

Jesus I believe does not condone greed and acquiring wealth scrupulously, but He urges all of us to use our material wealth wisely—not selfishly, but generously—so that it leads to eternal rewards. Earthly possessions are all temporary. We can’t bring any of them in the next life. No matter how many Billions or even Trillions your money is, nor how many your expensive cars and SUVs you have, it is still nothing as you can’t bring any of them to the grave. But when used to help others, provide food and medicines to those in need, they gain lasting value in God’s eyes.

Jesus teaches that true loyalty cannot be divided. A servant cannot faithfully serve two masters, because devotion to one inevitably leads to neglect of the other. Chasing and focusing on wealth or worldly possessions gain conflicts with wholehearted devotion to God. Wealth itself is not evil, but when it becomes the master of our hearts, it draws us away from our True Master: God.

Let’s all examine where our heart’s ultimate loyalty lies. Let’s all be reminded that we are called to serve God above all, trusting Him as our true source of wealth and life. May we all be reminded that faithfulness in small matters leads to trust in greater ones. We cannot serve two masters. Our loyalty must belong to God alone, not to wealth or possessions.

Prayer

Lord, make us faithful stewards of Your blessings. Teach us to use our time, talents, treasures, and resources with wisdom and generosity. Free our hearts from the grip of wealth, and guide us always to choose You to be our one and only Master above all else, so we may share in eternal life. Amen.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    

Ika-17 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

28 Hulyo 2024

 

Unang Pagbasa: 2 Hari 4, 42-44

Salmong Tugunan: Salmo 144, 10-11. 15-16. 17-18

Ikalawang Pagbasa: Efeso 4, 1-6

Ebanghelyo: Juan 6, 1-15

 

Pagninilay

Ni: Renato C. Vibiesca

Kapag nahaharap tayo sa matinding pagsubok sa buhay o nawawalan na talaga ng pag-asa, madalas na kumakapit tayo Diyos upang humiling ng milagro o himala. Alam kasi nating hindi lahat ng bagay ay kayang lunasan o ipaliwanag ng kinikilalang batas na siyentipiko. Halimbawa ang problema natin sa pagkakasakit, na kahit na napakaingat natin sa kalusugan ng ating katawan ay dinadapuan pa rin tayo ng karamdaman na hindi kayang pagalingin ng mga duktor at gamot na nirereseta maging sa pinakamamahaling ospital pa ang puntahan.  Isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit sinusundan at dinudumog si Hesus ng mga tao: “…. sapagkat nakita nila ang mga kababalaghang ginawa niya sa pagpapagaling sa mga maysakit.”

Kung tutuusin, tuloy-tuloy ang himala ni Hesus sa tuwing tayo’y nakikiisa sa Banal na Misa; sa pamamagitan ng paghahati-hati at pagtanggap ng Katawan ni Hesus sa Banal na Eukaristiya, patuloy din nating tinatanggap ang katangi-tanging grasya mula sa himalang ito. Ngunit hindi natatapos ang himala sa pagtanggap natin kay Hesus sa Eukaristiya at dahil nananatili ang biyaya ng Diyos sa atin, patuloy nating pinadadaloy ang himala sa pamumuhay natin pagkatapos ng Misa. Hindi ba’t kahanga-hanga ang himalang nangyayari ngayon sa ating bayan pagkatapos bayuhin ng matinding pagsubok dulot ng pagbaha? Pagkaraan ng isa’t kalahating dekada ay naulit ang mala-Ondoy na delubyo ng pagbaha at maraming hikahos sa buhay ang nangailangan ng tulong upang maisalba ang buhay. Kaliwa’t kanan sa ngayon ang nagnanais na tumulong sa mga nasalanta, maging ang walang-wala ay gusto ring mag-ambag ng kanilang munting makakaya upang makaagapay sa higit na nangangailangan. Hindi natin alintana ang hirap na pinagdaraanan dahil nakatuon tayo sa pagtulong sa ating kapwa upang makaahon muli, bayanihan ika nga ang pinaiiral.

Hangga’t patuloy ang pagtanggap natin ng biyaya mula sa himala ng Eukaristiya sa Banal na Misa, nag-uumapaw rin ang himala ng pagbabahagi natin sa ating kapwa na naghihintay sa ating awa at tulong.

Panalangin:

Panginoong Hesus, salamat po sa patuloy na pagdaloy ng Iyong biyaya sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap namin sa Iyo sa Banal na Eukaristiya. Itulot Mo Hesus ang pagpapadaloy din namin ng biyayang ito sa aming kapwa na nangangailangan din ng himala mula sa Iyong kabutihan. Amen.

Tinig ng Mabuting Pastol

  

 Fourth Sunday of Easter

(Ikaapat na Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay)

08 May 2022 

 

First Reading (Unang Pagbasa): ACTS (Gawa) 13:14, 43-52

Responsorial Psalm (Salmong Tugunan): PS (Slm) 100:1-2, 3, 5

Second Reading (Ikalawang Pagbasa): REV (Pag) 7:9, 14b-17

Gospel (Ebanghelyo): JN 10:27-30

 

Reflection (Repleksyon)

By (Ni): Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Sa pagninilay natin sa Ebanghelyo ngayon, malinaw ang pakahulugan na mahalagang napakikinggan nating lagi ang boses o tinig ng Diyos tulad ng mga tupa na alam na alam nila ang tinig ng kanilang mabuting pastol. Sa pamumuhay natin, paano nga ba natin napakikinggan ang tinig ng Diyos? Kung Siya ay tumatawag, ano ang sinasabi Niya?

Kadalasan, sa pagdalo sa banal na Misa sa simbahan o tuwing nananalangin tayo ay iniisip natin na napakikinggan natin ang salita ng Diyos. Siyempre, hindi naman direktang naririnig ng ating mga tainga ang boses ng Diyos; kadalasan ay sa pamamagitan ng pakikinig ng Ebanghelyo sa Biblia o sa sermon ng Pari sa Misa o sa magandang inspirasyon o munting tinig sa ating isip sa tuwing nagninilay tayo habang nagdarasal. Pero tulad ng mga tupa sa kanilang mabuting pastol, alerto tayo kapag naririnig na ang boses ng Diyos sa iba pang bahagi ng ating pamumuhay. Halimbawa'y nakakakita tayo ng ating kapwa na higit na nangangailangan, malinaw na napakikinggan natin ang tinig ng Diyos na dapat tayong tumulong. Ito 'yung mga pagkakataong madadama mo ang awa, mararamdaman mo ang sidhi ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa, napakalakas na tinig ito ng ating mabuting pastol kung kaya't tumatalima tayo agad sa gusto niyang ipagawa. Hindi ba't kung minsa'y kahit walang-wala ka na sa buhay pero kung may nakita kang mayroong higit na nangangailangan ng iyong tulong, halimbawa'y ang kamag-anak mo o kapitbahay mo na nagugutom dahil walang kinita sa isang araw, mas pinipili mo pa ring tumulong sa abot ng iyong makakaya. Ang munting sakripisyo natin para sa kapwang higit na nangangailangan ay nakikita ng ating mabuting pastol. Sinasabing kilalang-kilala ng mabuting pastol ang kanyang bawat tupa at lagi silang sumusunod dito.

May mga pagkakataon naman na ang tinig ng mabuting pastol ay tinutulungan tayo na magpasya nang tama. Napapansin n'yo ba ang parang may bumubulong sa ating kalooban kapag nahaharap sa isang pambihirang sitwasyon na dapat magdesisyon? Tila napipigilan tayo sa tiyak na kapahamakan sa tuwing ating napakikinggan ang tinig ng Diyos na nagpapahiwatig sa ating konsensiya. Isang halimbawa ang pagkakaroon ng tamang desisyon kaysa magpadala sa pagkakataon na makapanlamang sa iyong kapwa o tahasang magnakaw ng hindi sa iyo o manlinlang ng maliliit na tao. Ito 'yung pakikinig sa munting tinig ng Diyos na dinadala ka sa paggawa ng higit na kabutihan. Tulad bukas, araw ng pambansang eleksyon, higit na dapat nating pakinggan ang tinig ng Diyos upang maging tama ang ating desisyon sa pagpili ng mga bagong mamumuno sa ating bansa.

Dahil nga lantad sa Diyos ang bawat detalye o kaliit-liitan mang pangyayari sa ating buhay, na wala tayong maikukubli sa mabuting pastol, minamarapat nating lagi tayong sumusunod sa Kanya. Bakit lagi nating sinusundan ang Diyos? Dahil Siya lang ang makapagbibigay ng walang hanggang buhay na hindi kailanman makukuha pa sa atin. Kung ikukumpara sa kalagayan ng ating bayan, kadalasan ay nalilinlang tayo ng mga mabubulaklak na pananalita ng mga kandidato na nagsasabi kuno ng pag-asa pero napapahamak naman tayo kalaunan kung sila ay nakaluklok sa puwesto. Sa Ebanghelyo ay binibigyan tayo ng pag-asa ng kasiguraduhan na hindi tayo mapapahamak o maliligaw ng landas kung hawak ng Diyos ang ating mga kamay. Ang mismong Diyos Ama rin ay nagbibigay ng kasiguraduhan para sa atin, dahil higit na dakila ang Diyos Ama sa anumang bagay sa mundo. At sa huli ng Ebanghelyo ay pinatutunayan na ang ating Panginooon Jesus at ang Diyos Ama ay iisa. Kaya't kapit lang tayo lagi sa ating Panginoong Jesus, sa ating Diyos Ama.

Prayer (Panalangin)

Panginoon Jesus, lubos ang pasasalamant namin sa pagkilala at pagkalinga Mo sa amin bilang Iyong mga tupa at ganoon din sa pagkakataong sumunod sa Iyo bilang aming Mabuting Pastol. Hayaan mong umapaw ang biyaya sa aming kalooban upang madinig naming lagi ang Iyong tinig sa anumang landasin ng aming buhay. Amen.

Mine, Yours, and Ours

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

18 October 2020
First reading Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him, and the gates shall not be closed:

“For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen,

I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me.

I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god.

I arm you, though you do not know me,

so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west,

that there is no one besides me.

I am the Lord, and there is no other.”

Second reading                                                          1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that belong to him, and to God what belongs to God.”

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

This phrase has become pervasive in our times. It seems at first, a support for the separation of “church and state,” and a framework for understanding that we each have civic responsibility and religious responsibility and that those are separate endeavors. We have duty to the state, and duty to our God. There is a repetitive clamour in President Duterte’s administration and in most cases, the issue of separation of church and state has been the center of debate. Everyone has his or her own political opinion especially in social media whenever the leaders of our country express impulsive and tactful remarks against Catholic faith. 

Nevertheless, when you discern more carefully, the teachings of the Church include being a good citizen, patriotic and being of service to others. Then Jesus’ answer is a call to give all that we have and all that we are to God. It isn’t about giving a part of what actually belongs to Him from the start. But rather it is to share the goods of His creation and provision as much as we can. To give to God what belongs to Him is to share the goods of His creation and provision. 

The Gospel begins with the Pharisees plotting against Jesus. It was a trap so Jesus would say something that they can use to harm and ridicule Him. Have you been this kind of person? A once in your lifetime experience wherein you wanted to prove your own belief at the expense of someone, innocent or guilty. Were you once a Pharisee? On the other hand, have you experienced being in Jesus' shoes? Have you had that intuition when people are interrogating you, pretending a fair chance for you to express yourself but in reality they were convinced of their preconceived notion. 

Being a guidance counselor for more than a decade, a parent and a child relationship reminded me of this scene from the Pharisees and Jesus. Most conflict comes from the inability to listen, to understand, and not to be understood. It is really frustrating when you are in a situation of an expected dialogue but the other party has judgement already. In this case, shame and pride is the end feeling. If these feelings linger on, surely, greater problems will arise. 

The readings remind us that we are not the master of our lives. We come from God and go to God. He doesn’t want to control us but to love us. More so, belonging to God means belonging to each other. We too, have rights and duties to love, to care, to understand. Give to others what belongs to others. Our work for hunger, poverty, education is not merely a charity, it is justice. May we always have the courage to stand up for what is true and just.

Prayer

Loving Father, we belong to You. May we live each day of our lives to praise You for the wonders You have given us and to share these wonders with others especially those in need.  Bless the efforts of all missionaries that all people would know, love, and serve You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Where is Love?

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16 February 2020
First reading Sirach 15:15-20

If you choose, you can keep the commandments and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice. He has placed before you fire and water — stretch out your hand for whichever you choose. Before each person are life and death and whichever one chooses will be given.

For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything; his eyes are on those who fear him and he knows every human action. He has not commanded anyone to be wicked and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

Second reading                                                          1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,” God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 5:17-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the guard and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

After the Taal volcano eruption which affected Batangas and nearby places, a more serious problem happened. It is a pandemic emanating from Wuhan China that has spread so quickly and so deadly in so many countries in the world. 

We were aboard a cruise ship at that time and there were many Chinese on board too. Some of them were wearing their face masks and some were not but I definitely can feel the discrimination and and the suspicious look of the people around them, including myself. 

Instead of love and concern for them and feeling sorry for their country and people, I myself am guilty of looking down and ostracizing them. Righteousness is gone in most of us. We know that we need to love them more, but our actions lay contrary to that which makes us even less compliant than the scribes and Pharisees to the Law of Love. 

Love must reign in our hearts. Love that we need to extend to those who are lovable, but most especially to those who are afflicted and unlovable. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father forgive us our sins to those whom we show indifference instead of love. In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen.

Beyond Disasters

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 09 February 2020
First reading Isaiah 58:7-10

[What is a fast day acceptable to the Lord?] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.

Second reading                                                          1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples,
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“Let your light so shine before men, that they me see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Taal Volcano exploded last January 12, 2020, Sunday afternoon. Thank God no one was killed, except for quite a number of livestock and animals. There was so much devastation to farms and properties within the vicinity of the volcano. The government had to enforce evacuation and locked down critical areas. 

This disaster proved again the generous hearts of many people. Family, friends, associates, and different institutions local and international had collectively and individually made contributions to help out those who are displaced and are in distress. And more blessed are those who do their charitable works in secret. 


I just hope and pray that all these good works we do will continue even beyond disasters. Unlike our ordinary lights (at home, in the office, in the car, in our cellphones, etc.), the light of Christ reflected in our good works must be kept on, it must shine 24/7. It must never be kept under a bushel basket.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for keeping us safe and out of harm's way from the volcanic eruption. We pray Lord that you will continue to inspire us to do good works to give glory to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Reconnected by Love

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

31 May 2019

First reading                                                                        Zephaniah 3:14-18
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.

Gospel                                                                     Luke 1:39-56

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

I visited two elderly aunts in the Philippines last Christmas, Tita Lilia and Tita Laling. Both were already feeble. Tita Lilia could no longer remember me, while Tita Laling, unable to talk, just stared at me. Back in the day, I was so close to them. Now, it felt as though I was losing them, until I heard Tita Lilia told me that I inherited my receding hairline from my grandfather (her father)!

Mary and Elizabeth were two extraordinary women. One bore a son, being a virgin. The other bore a son, in spite of being barren. When Mary greeted her cousin, Elizabeth's baby leapt for joy and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Full of the Spirit, she exclaimed what is now part of our prayer: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus". Both women were reunited by the Lord. Both were reconnected by Jesus who is coming to save the world.

I may have become a 'stranger' to my two beloved aunts. What really matters though is what brings us together: love. Perhaps Tita Lilia's remarks were an affirmation of that! So be it.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You came to bring the Father's mercy to all. As we continue to receive You in Word and Sacrament, may we also bring You to others especially to the sick and other people in need. Amen.

Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us.

Bulag na Kayabangan

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

28 October 2018

First reading                                                                  Jeremiah 31:7-9
Thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.”
“See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”

Second reading                                                     Hebrews 5:1-6

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people.

And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you;” as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Gospel                                                                     Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Reflection

By Nats Vibiesca

Kapag bulag ka, kayhirap makakita ng tutulong sa iyo. Hindi joke ‘yun. Napapansin ko kasi na ang mga namamalimos na bulag sa bangketa ay madalas na dinadaanan lang, hindi pinapansin, walang nakikialam, walang nagmamalasakit tumulong. Sa dinami-dami ng mga dumadaan, iilan lang ang magbibigay-limos. Maitatanong mo nga kung sino ba talaga ang bulag, ang pulubi o ang mga nagdaraan? Tulad ng kuwento sa Ebanghelyo, walang pumapansin sa bulag na si Bartimaeus, kahit pa nagsisisigaw na siya, nainis pa nga ang mga tao sa ingay niya kaya’t pinatatahimik ito. Naramdaman ni Jesus na sinsero ang paghingi ng tulong ng bulag kaya’t pinatawag siya nito.

Dalawang bagay ang gusto kong ibahaging pagmumunimuni: una, ang tungkol sa lihim na kayabangan ko; ang pangalawa nama’y tungkol sa mga kaawa-awang pulubi sa kalsada. Lahat naman siguro ng tao’y may kayabangan sa sarili, may mga sobrang yabang nga lang talaga na kapag nagsalita ay super bagyo o sa kilos ay tipong talbog ang lahat sa paligid kahit pa matapakan ang kapwa. Ang sa akin ay kayabangang tago. Hindi kasi ako masalita at may pagkamahiyain pa. Pero sa isip ko, sa loob-loob ko, ako dapat ang bida, ako dapat ang pinakamagaling. Ang nakikita ko lang ay ang sarili ko. Kaya sa sarili ko, ako ang mataas at ang lahat ay mababa; ako ang bida, sila ang talunan; ako ang may kapangyarihan, lahat sila’y  mahina. Ang problema, kung ano ang iginigiit sa isip, iyon din ang naisasapuso, at ang malala ay lumalabas ito sa kilos. Ang punto ko’y kung mayabang ako sa loob, ganoon din sa gawa.  Kaya’t anumang pagpapapansin ng mga maliliit na tao, dedma lang sa mga mapagmataas na tao. Hindi nga makikita ng mga mayabang na tao (tulad ko) ang sinumang nangangailangan ng tulong kahit pa nagsusumigaw na ito sa harap nila. Sa gabi, bago matulog, pagkatapos ko balikan ang mga kayabangan sa aking sarili, naghuhumiyaw ako sa Diyos na humihingi ng tulong upang maiwaksi sa araw-araw ang lihim na kayabangan. Tanging si Jesus ang siguradong makakarinig ng aking pagsusumamo kung tapat ang dalangin ko. 

Ang pangalawang bagay sa pagmumuni ko’y ukol sa mga kaawa-awang mga pulubi sa kalsada (kahit hindi bulag). Silang laging umaasa na mapansin ng mga taong nagdaraan at mabigyan kahit man lang barya.  Ang iba’y nangingiming tumulong sa mga pulubi dahil baka raw sindikato lang o may mga taong nasa likod ng kanilang pamamalimos. Kung minsan ay naiinis ang mga taong nakakakita sa kanila lalo na kung may mga bitbit pang mga bata o sanggol bilang pagpapaawa. Ipinagbawal pa nga sa batas ang pamamalimos at mismong pagbibigay ng limos, masakit daw sa mata ang makitang nakakalat sila sa kalsada. Pero teka muna! Hindi lahat ng pulubi sa kalsada ay sindikato o gumigimik lang para kaawaan. Karamihan sa kanila’y totoong nangangailangan ng tulong, silang wala na talagang matakbuhan kahit pa pilitin nilang magsumikap upang magkaroon ng marangal na pagkakakitaan pero pinagsamantalahan lang ng ibang tao. Ang nakalulungkot ay sa dami nilang naging tahanan na ang kalsada’y hindi sasapat ang kakaunting tao na tumutulong sa kanila o may pagkakataong wala talagang nagmamalasakit. Ngunit heto ang rebelasyon ng Diyos sa atin sa Ebanghelyo ngayon at para bagang sinasabi Niya sa ating mga dumadaan: Binulag na kayo ng inyong labis na pagmamahal sa sarili kaya’t hindi na ninyo maaninagan man lang ang mga taong nasa harapan ninyo na humihingi ng saklolo; walang-hanggang awa ang ibibigay Ko sa kanilang mga tapat sa pananampalataya at masigasig na humihingi ng tulong. 

Ito rin naman ang pag-asa nating lahat, kung masigasig din tayong hihingi ng tulong sa Diyos at tapat na mananampalataya sa grasya na ipagkakaloob sa atin na makakitang muli, dahil tayo naman talaga ang totoong bulag.


Sa huli, tulad ng bulag na agad pinagaling, kailangan din nating sumunod kay Jesus. Totoong lagi tayong pinapagaling ni Jesus at madaling sabihing susunod na tayo sa Kanya, ngunit lagi rin namang mahirap isakatuparan ang pagsunod o kung minsan pa’y muli tayong naliligaw ng landas. Kung sakaling manumbalik ang ating pagkabulag, wala naman tayong ibang matatakbuhan, kundi ang pagbabalik natin sa ating pananampalataya, paghingi ng awa at grasya ng Diyos upang magpanibagong sigla ang ating paningin. 

Prayer

Ama, maraming salamat po at Ikaw ay hindi bulag sa aming mga pangangailangan. Tulungan mo po kaming magising sa aming kayabangan at magkaroon ng pusong tunay na nagmamalasakit sa aming kapwa. Sa ngalan ni Jesus. Amen.

The King is Among Us

Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe   26 November 2017

First reading

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17

Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will fed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats:

                

Second reading

1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28

Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one.

Gospel

Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’

Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Reflection

by Art B. Reyes

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ, the King of the universe. In today’s Gospel, it is told that the Son of Man will come at the end of time. The final judgment will come upon us, where the good will be rewarded and the bad will be punished. Our true identity will be exposed, stripped of our worldly possessions and obsessions.

The final judgment will be based on what we did or did not do for the Lord, and on the other hand is also based on what we did or did not do for the least of our brothers and sisters.  Let us pray that the Lord grant us wisdom to feel His presence in everyone, be rich or poor, powerful or weak. May the final judgment give us hope and not fear. May we rely not on our self understanding but on God’s mercy.

A king, as we know, is someone who is rich, lavish, and luxurious. But here is Jesus, the King of kings, who associates Himself with the leper, the sick, the lowest of the low, and the outcast. Here is the king who died in a violent death, like a criminal. And here is the king who taught us about taking care of homeless, unfortunate, thirsty, and hungry.

Jesus is King, but not the kind of king we might have imagined or expected. His kingship is hidden to some of us, but those who have faith are able to see and recognize Jesus as King. Why would a king choose to live in the hearts and souls of the poor, oppressed, and those who cry out in suffering? Because Jesus identifies Himself in them. Because He stands by their side. Our King is among the poor and the suffering.

Today's Gospel invites us to make our own judgment. May we, with eyes of faith, recognize that Jesus, the crucified One, is indeed the King and Savior of all.

Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ the King, reign supremely in my heart and in my life. Help us see and recognize You in the poorest among us. Help us to be Your voice speaking out love and acceptance. Help us to be Your feet walking beside those in need, to be Your ears to listen to their cries. Help us to be Your hands to clothe, feed and shelter them.

And when our time comes, may we welcome You not with fear, but with hope. Amen.

Think Outside the Box

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
 10 July 2016    

First reading
Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Moses said to the people: ‘Obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping those commandments and laws of his that are written in the Book of this Law, and you shall return to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

  ‘For this Law that I enjoin on you today is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, “Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?” Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, “Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?” No, the Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance.’

 

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 68:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37

Second reading
Colossians 1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God

and the first-born of all creation,

for in him were created

all things in heaven and on earth:

everything visible and everything invisible,

Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –

all things were created through him and for him.

Before anything was created, he existed,

and he holds all things in unity.

Now the Church is his body,

he is its head.

As he is the Beginning,

he was first to be born from the dead,

so that he should be first in every way;

because God wanted all perfection

to be found in him

and all things to be reconciled through him and for him,

everything in heaven and everything on earth,

when he made peace

by his death on the cross.

Gospel	Luke 10:25-37

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’

  But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

  Reflection
By Arthur B. Reyes

In today’s Gospel, we hear again the parable of Good Samaritan. Of the many parables of Jesus, none is more popular than this story. In fact, the phrase "Good Samaritan" has its own meaning in the dictionary. In the Thesaurus, it is defined as a person who gratuitously gives help or sympathy to those in distress.

It's an old, famous story but its lesson is just as telling today as it was when it was first told. It also presents to us another way through which God is with us. He is with us in the poor, in the just, in the marginalized, sick and weak.

But the parable is more than helping people in need. It is also about excuses and self-justification. Most of us are guilty of pretending to be “blind and deaf” to the needy. And we are very good too in justifying our faults and shortcomings. For many of us, we think that service to those in need is the duty and responsibility of the Church and the government alone. We blame, complain, finger-point, and accuse others instead of using our own capabilities to contribute.

We are all invited to “think outside the box”. That is, to do the unconventional, the uncommon. Jesus wants us to reach out regardless of our social standing, religion, ideology, race, and class. The test of genuine help is when it is given unconditionally, beyond our means and comfort zones. And to show compassion is to suffer with the wounded and the suffering, to share their pain and agony. Anyone who stops beside the suffering of another person, whatever form it may take, is a Good Samaritan.

Who is the neighbor to the robbers’ victim, Jesus asked the man. The man replied that man who treated him with mercy. Jesus then said to the man: “Go and do the same to others.”

Prayer

Lord, please open our eyes. Please let us see those around us that are in need of our compassion. Compel us to listen to them, to hear their needs. Open our hearts so You can stay and guide us in our lives. Help us to love You and others without condition. Amen.