Unconditional Love

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross 

14 September 2025

 

First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: John 3:13-17

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life …” John 3:16

I am assured that everything begins with God’s love, and that God’s love is not small or selective. It is for the whole world, for every single person, sinners and holy. As in everyone even the corrupt and the murderers who repent. Because of this great love, God gave us His greatest gift: His Son, Jesus Christ fully revealed on the Cross. When Jesus was “lifted up” on the Cross, He carried our sins and gave His life for us. His sacrifice offered forgiveness and eternal life. We just have to believe.

To “believe in Him” means more than just knowing about Jesus. It means trusting Him, following Him, and letting His love guide our lives. It means turning away from our sins and following Him. When we put our faith in Jesus, we don’t have to fear being lost or condemned. Instead, we are promised eternal life—a life with God that begins now and lasts forever.

The Cross, then, is not a sign of punishment, but a sign of love. It reminds us that no matter what we go through, or how big the sin we have committed, God’s love is stronger than sin and death. John 3:16 is truly the Good News: God loves us, God saves us, and God gives us life through His Son.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank You for showing us Your great love by giving Your life on the Cross. Help us all to believe in You with all our hearts, to trust, and to follow You in everything we do. Teach us to live with hope, to share Your love with others, and to never forget that we are saved by Your sacrifice. May Your Cross always remind us of the eternal life You have promised. Amen.

Blessings

    

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ika-22 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon)

03 September 2023

 

First Reading: Jer 20:7-9

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Second Reading: Rom 12:1-2

Gospel: Mt 16:21-27

 

Reflection

By: Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Nakapayong si Manong. Lukot na lukot ang hitsura ng mukha niya tulad ng kanyang suot na damit. Panay pa ang mura, “Put…. nang.. ulan ‘to!” paulit-ulit niyang sabi. Pilit niyang iniiwas mabasa ng ulan ang mga resibo na pini-print niya mula sa munting aparatong dala. Sinisilip ko siya mula sa pintuan namin. Basang-basa na siya sa lakas ng ulan. Halatang bwusit na bwusit siya sa perwisyo ng malakas na ulan. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na pumasok muna sa amin, magpatuyo o magpatila muna at yayayain kong magkape dahil umagang-umaga’y naghahanapbuhay na siya bilang taga-basa ng mga kuntador ng tubig. Hinawi niya ang mga halaman na nakatakip sa aming kuntador para mabasa ang metro. Ang kapal ng salamin niya sa mata at lumabo lalo dahil nabasa ng ulan. Kahit hirap na hirap, pinilit niyang mag-print ng resibo at saka sumigaw, “bill ng tubig!”

Nagulat siya nang bigla kong binuksan ang pinto, nakayuko lang siya habang inaabot ang resibo, sabi ko sa kanya, “Blessing din po ang ulan”.  Ang nasa isip ko’y mapagaan man lang ang kalooban niya bago sana alukin magkape, kaso nagmura uli siya, “Putang blessing ‘yan!” Nagulat ako at hindi ko na siya naalok pa magkape pero sinilip ko pa rin siya na tumawid na sa kabilang kalsada upang basahin ang iba pang kuntador. Binato niya ang payong na dala dahil sira na sa lakas ng hangin. Isiniksik niya sa kanyang bag ang mga resibo at ang aparato na pang-print. Panay pa rin ang mura niya habang nakayuko. Naupo muna siya sa gilid ng kuntador na umaanggi ang ulan kahit na may bubong. Baka hindi pa siya nakakapag-almusal sa isip ko. Pero kakaiba siya ngayon, halata ang lungkot sa kanyang hitsura. Nalungkot din ako habang pinagmamasdan siya. Madadama kasi ang bigat ng kanyang dinadala sa buhay. Napaisip ako kung anong klaseng krus kaya ang pinapasan niya ngayon? Hindi naman kasi ganoon ang kanyang asal sa tuwing nakikita ko siya noon. Matapos magprint at iabot ang mga resibo sa mga kapitbahay namin, tinawag ko siya. May inabot ako sa kanya, pangkape sabi ko. Nang makita ang inabot ko, mula sa pagkakayuko, itinaas niya ang kanyang mukha at napangiti, sabay sabi ng: “Salamat sa blessing mo!” Nginitian ko rin siya at sinabing, “Blessing ni Lord! Pasalamat tayo kay Lord!” Pinulot niya ang hinagis na payong at saka kumaway sa akin habang papaalis.

Ang kuwentong ito ay totoong nangyari sa kasagsagan ng malalakas na ulan dulot ng bagyo. Ito ang kuwento ng ating Ebanghelyo ngayon, tungkol ito sa “blessings” ng ating Panginoon. Maraming gustong sabihin ang Ebanghelyo natin ngayon ukol sa pamumuhay natin bilang mga Kristiyano. Pero ang madalas na makapukaw ng pansin natin ay ang tungkol sa paanyaya ni Jesus na pasanin ang krus kung ibig na sumunod sa Kanyang yapak. Aba teka? Kapapasok pa lang ng Setyembre na ang ibig sabihin sa ating mga Pinoy ay malapit na ang Pasko; nasasabik na tayo sa kasiyahang dulot ng kapaskuhan; naghahanda na agad tayo sa selebrasyong ika nila’y pinakamahaba at pinakamasaya, tapos sa unang Linggo ng buwan ay tungkol sa pagpasan ng krus ang Ebanghelyo? Parang hindi tugma, kontra nga ba ang Ebanghelyo sa kasiyahan na diwa ng Pasko? O sadyang masayahin tayo kaya’t pinahaba natin ang selebrasyon ng Pasko kaysa sa Mahal na Araw?

Sa totoong buhay, maraming pagkakataon na nagsasalitan ang kasiyahan o ang masasayang mga araw  at ang mga kalungkutan, pagsubok o ang pagpasan nga natin ng ating mga krus sa buhay. Kaya pagnilayan nating mabuti ang kahulugan ng paanyaya ng Panginoon sa atin sa pagpasan ng krus. Pero bago ang tungkol sa pagpasan ng krus, tumugon tayo sa paanyaya ni Jesus na sumunod sa Kanyang yapak, pero hindi Niya tayo pinipilit. Kung tayo’y kusang loob na susunod kay Jesus, ibig sabihin ay buong-buo nating isinusuko ang ating sarili sa Panginoon. Nangangahulugan ito ng ganap na pagtitiwala sa Diyos sa pag-aalay ng ating buhay upang makamit ang buhay na walang hanggan. At pinapaalalahanan  pa nga tayo na walang mapapala kahit pa makamtan natin ang lahat ng yaman sa mundo kung ang katumbas naman nito’y ang ating buhay.

Sa ating pagninilay, kung susumahin ang aral ng Ebanghelyo ay sapat na biyaya o “blessings” talaga ang inihahain sa atin ng ating Panginoon. Kung minsan ay nabubulagan lang tayo ng panghalina ng materyal na yaman ng mundo kung kaya’t pinipili natin ang kasamaan kaysa sa pagpasan ng mga krus ng ating buhay. Karaniwang halimbawa ng kasamaan ay ang pagiging ganid sa kayamanan, pera, ari-arian na hindi natin pinaghihirapan. Ito ang tahasang pagnanakaw o korapsiyon sa pag-aari ng ibang tao upang magkamal ng kayamanan at saka nagpapasasa na walang pakialam sa mga taong nangangailangan. Samantalang nagiging “blessings” naman ang pagpasan natin ng krus dahil pinapanatili natin ang katapatan sa Diyos sa pagiging matuwid kahit pa naghihirap tayo sa materyal na bagay sa mundo kung ang kapalit naman ay ang makapiling sa langit ang ating Panginoon. Pero sa totoo lang, sa ating pagiging tapat at matuwid, hindi tayo pinapabayaan ng ating Diyos na maghirap nang todo-todo, dahil laging nakikita Niya ang ating mga gawa, nararamdaman Niya ang ating mga panalangin gaano man kalaki o kaliit ito, at lagi Niyang sinusubaybayan ang ating pagtitiyaga na makabangon sa ating pagkukulang at pagpapasan ng krus ng buhay upang tayo’y laging handugan niya ng mga “blessings”. Siguradong namang padadaluyin din natin sa iba pang nangangailangan ang mga biyayang ito upang sila naman ay makatanggap ng maraming “blessing” sa kanilang pagsunod din kay Jesus.

Prayer

Panginoong Jesus, kami ay labis na nagagalak sa mga biyayang ibinibigay mo sa amin sa gitna ng aming paghihirap sa pagpasan ng krus. Magbigay nawa ng kalakasan at katapatan ang Iyong mga biyaya sa aming pagsunod sa iyo. Nawa’y maibahagi rin namin ang biyayang ito sa iba pang higit na nangangailangan at kaming lahat ay panatilihing umaasa sa iyong matimyas na pagmamahal sa amin. Amen.

Our Daily Cross

    

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

02 July 2023

 

First Reading: 2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

Second Reading: Rom 6:3-4, 8-11

Gospel: Mt 10:37-42

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

All is grace. No matter how seemingly unclear, incomprehensible, and unacceptable our circumstances are, there is always grace in that experience. We find it difficult to see the goodness in our struggle so we can continue to move forward. Knowing that our suffering is a part of greater purpose gives us strength to endure and continue. At the end of each day, in the silence of ourselves, resting our tired bodies in bed, let's think of all the goodness we have received during the day. That genuine smile of a kid you passed by, the meal that you ate, the warm bed that soothes your body.

This Sunday readings call us to notice the goodness of the Lord and share this to others even if it pains us. That is we are to share in Jesus' sufferings so that we can also share in His glory. When we chose to journey with Jesus, sacrifices and sufferings are part of it too. Humans that we are, we complain, we surrender, we are bound to quit, but when we choose to carry out the mission, then we are given the power to transcend, so that God's love can flow through us. We are called to enter into the depth of life where we encounter His love and mercy in the ordinary flow of life. The way of this life is through sacrifice, self-denial, and carrying our daily cross. In doing this, we will receive our just reward of true peace, real happiness, and eternal life.

Recently, I got a promotion at work. I was so excited about the glory of it, especially in the power that comes with it, that I can now start things, make changes, and create a vision for the department. Days turned to weeks, now it's already two months of struggling to meet the minimum demands of my work, my excitemenf turns to desolation. At this point, I can freely give up the position and go back to my normal happy days if that will be part of my choices. But reading the Gospel in advance, allowing it to get through me, listening to myself and to God in prayer, I was given hope and consolation. I am choosing to focus on the good, on the greater purpose of what I am doing, on the things that became easier because of my sacrifices, and of the promise that I am not alone. Jesus is with me. Jesus is in me. That, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. May you continue to hold on to your cross and find the grace that comes with carrying it.

Prayer

Thank You Lord for all the graces and opportunities I have to serve others. May You continue to provide me with encounters to serve others in whatever ways I can. Give me the courage to always choose what is pleasing no matter the inconveniences that may come with it. Lead me to people who may be needing more of Your presence and guidance. Amen.

CoVid Takes, Jesus Saves!

Twenty-fourth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

12 September 2021 

 

First Reading: IS 50:5-9a

Responsorial Psalm: PS 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Second Reading: JAS 2:14-18

Gospel: MK 8:27-35

 

Reflection

By: Theresa Ballo

 

Who do people say that I am? We have been hearing this question probably once a year in the Gospel, and each year we may have different responses. In this pandemic, I was just wondering who people say Jesus is.

For the past two months, I lost two uncles and two aunts. All three siblings of my mother and her sister in law. Only my aunt, mom's only sister died of complications due to CoVid-19. She fought severe CoVid for more than a month in the hospital. Her hospital bills went to 3.2 milion where none of us have millions in the bank. And she's the last among them who died. Our house was just next to her house. So when five of them tested positive for CoVid-19, we were also positive. Three in our household, both of my parents and I. We all recovered from CoVid-19 except her.

For the past three years, I was living away from my parents. I see them twice or thrice a month. I went back here to Bulacan from Laguna to attend my uncle's funeral who died of a liver problem. Little did I know that three more deaths would follow. When we were all symptomatic, I was really worried about my parents' lives. I would wake up in the middle of the night just to check if there were still breathing. I prayed not for my healing but theirs. I have mental health problems, so dying is something I would take pleasure from. Just the thought of ending life's miseries and hopefully being with our Creator is something I really look forward to. So I asked for God's mercy and healing for my parents' and one special night I asked Jesus to heal me because no one will take care of my parents if I go ahead of them. The anxiety, the fear, the loss CoVid-19 brings to a number of families is real. No one wants that. Nobody wants to spend their last days physically alone, around strangers. It's something you wouldn't want to wish for anyone, not even for your enemy.

Jesus remains to be my healer and savior. In Him, I find rest. Truly, as we read the Psalms this Sunday, He has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk in the land of the living. Grief takes many aftershocks and having that number of deaths in the family in a matter of two months brings desolation, differences, and drought in Spirit. Maybe this is where Jesus' invitation comes in. To take up His cross and still follow Him.

But Jesus is God. Yes, He may share with us human experiences but definitely He is a way more stronger than we are. I can just recall how much He suffered on His way to the cross. Accepting that death in itself is a part of life makes coping a bit easier. When I see my aunt suffer in the hospital, procedure after procedure. She cannot talk. She cannot say where it hurts. We all surrendered to God's ways because we are hurting seeing her suffer, not being able to do anything to alleviate her pain. Believing in God's mercy and Jesus' promise of afterlife, makes letting go easier.

Jesus teaches us that if we want to save our lives, we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. What attachments do we hold dearly that hinders us from having a deep and loving relationship with Him? Are we obsessed with life that we take for granted to actually live? How do we respond to detachments and losses in life?

Listen to Jesus. What is He telling you today?

 

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, make my heart the same as Yours. Help me to value events, people, and things the way You do. Teach me to follow You especially when it entails making a personal sacrifice and discomfort for me. Give me grace to see You in all things, the courage to say yes and continue, and the strength to carry my cross. Amen.

 

Self-giving

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28 June 2020
First reading 2 Kings 4:8-11; 14-16a

One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal. 9 She said to her husband, “Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

One day when he came there, he went up to the chamber and lay down there. He said, “What then may be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood at the door. He said, “At this season, in due time, you shall embrace a son.” She replied, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not deceive your servant.”

Second reading                                                          Romans 6:3-4, 8-11

My brethren, Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 10:37-42

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up he cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

Reflection

By Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan

As a seminarian, I am always asked with the question: Why did you leave all these things? Imagine, I have a stable relationship. I am waiting for a good-paying job after earning my degree in college. I have a supportive family. My life dreams are only a stone-throw away. But I chose a life of selfless giving. Was it suicidal? 

It is clear that if we are going to walk with Jesus, we have a price to pay. Suffering and sacrifice is not a secret and are essential part of the journey. Christ teaches us that that is the way to life and freedom in the scheme of the Gospel. The discipleship of Jesus enriches and expands our vision and horizons. When Jesus demands something from us, He is not asking for a masochistic and suicidal act instead we are invited beyond the surface, outside the narrow limits of our selfishness. We are called to enter into the depths of life where we meet the wonders of God’s love in the ordinary flow of life.

It is clear. The sacrifice and reflection leads to the transformation of our lives. This sacrificial effort opens up how we relate to other people, how we face the challenging world of suffering as we neglect our indulgent lifestyle. 

We are not called to the road of self-destruction. When Christ asked something from us, He didn’t meant we are forced to become empty. We are invited to a life of self-giving. As we leave behind our small fortunes, God has now the space to fill our cups with enormous blessings we cannot imagine. 

Prayer

O CHRIST IN THE CROSS! You have given up Yourself on that wooden pedestal of love. Teach me by Your example to give my life in every moment. Allow me to follow You by forgetting myself and by thinking of the good of others. Amen.

Our Cross, Our Hope

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

16 September 2018

First reading                                                                  Isaiah 50:5-9
The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Second reading                                                     James 2:14-18

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 8:27-35

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly.

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

Reflection

By Arthur B. Reyes

A man went to buy a rosary and immediately cut the cross attached to it. "I only like the beads" he explained. He doesn't like the cross, he simply wanted the glittering beads on it.
Just like some of us, we call ourselves Christians, but we don’t live to the meaning of it. We would like to take the cross out of our life. When life is fun, and things are going well, it’s easier to put our trust in the Lord. We are even inclined to credit ourselves for our own blessings, and no one else. But when difficulties arise, and everything seems to go wrong, we blame God for our misfortunes. We think that He is punishing us for our misgivings and sins.
At the very center of our faith is the cross. It was our greed, hatred, selfishness, pride, and jealousy that were responsible for His death. God our Father sent us his Son to save us from these sins as we were so helpless and entangled by them. Jesus sacrificed His life and died in the cross to take away our sins. So that by His death, we will live with hope of forgiveness through God’s mercy and grace. All we must do is to trust and put our faith in Him.
Whatever difficulties we are into, be it health problems, financial hardships, failed relationships, or any dilemma that life brings to us, trust Jesus. We carry our cross and at the same time embrace it, it is the way we bear our burdens. God’s love and grace is overflowing and unlimited. It is up to us to claim these.
Prayer

Lord, show me the way to You. Surround us with Your love, fill us with Your grace, and strengthen us. Empower us to respond to the call of Jesus – to deny ourselves, to take up our crosses, and to follow Him. In His Name we pray, Amen.

Take up the Cross

24th Sunday In Ordinary Time
13 September 2015

First reading	Isaiah 50:5-9 ©

The Lord has opened my ear.

For my part, I made no resistance,

neither did I turn away.

I offered my back to those who struck me,

my cheeks to those who tore at my beard;

I did not cover my face

against insult and spittle.

The Lord comes to my help,

so that I am untouched by the insults.

So, too, I set my face like flint;

I know I shall not be shamed.

My vindicator is here at hand. Does anyone start proceedings against me?

Then let us go to court together.

Who thinks he has a case against me?

Let him approach me.

The Lord is coming to my help,

who will dare to condemn me?

---

Psalm
Psalm 114:1-6,8-9 ©

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

I love the Lord for he has heard

  the cry of my appeal;

for he turned his ear to me

  in the day when I called him.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

They surrounded me, the snares of death,

  with the anguish of the tomb;

they caught me, sorrow and distress.

  I called on the Lord’s name.

O Lord, my God, deliver me!

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

How gracious is the Lord, and just;

  our God has compassion.

The Lord protects the simple hearts;

  I was helpless so he saved me.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

He has kept my soul from death,

  my eyes from tears

  and my feet from stumbling.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord

  in the land of the living.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

---

Second reading	James 2:14-18 ©

Take the case, my brothers, of someone who has never done a single good act but claims that he has faith. Will that faith save him? If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, and one of you says to them, ‘I wish you well; keep yourself warm and eat plenty’, without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that? Faith is like that: if good works do not go with it, it is quite dead.

  This is the way to talk to people of that kind: ‘You say you have faith and I have good deeds; I will prove to you that I have faith by showing you my good deeds – now you prove to me that you have faith without any good deeds to show.’

---

Gospel Acclamation	Jn14:6

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

No one can come to the Father except through me.

Alleluia!

Or	Ga6:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord,

through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel	Mark 8:27-35 ©

Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.

  And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’

  He called the people and his disciples to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’

Reflection:

by Art Reyes.


Jesus asks His disciples about His identity: “Who do people say that I am?”

Have you met an old friend after a long time and unable to remember his name? It is embarrassing to even ask his name, isn't it? You however, still awkwardly ask: “Hi Ricky, how is your wife and kids doing?” And this man replied: “Hello, I am Johnny and happily single.”

In the presentation of the life and ministry of Jesus found in the Gospel of Mark, the deeds of Jesus have shown Jesus to be the Son of God. Yet many, including Jesus' disciples, have not yet realized His identity.
This Sunday's reading also outlines the three conditions of Christian discipleship, namely, denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Jesus.

If we leave out the cross in our lives, it is a clear case of “mistaken identity” as Christians. It is wrong to think that Christianity is all about happiness and prosperity. If we follow Christ, there will always be sufferings and persecutions.

Those who have not gone through heavy trials and life difficulties have not really experienced the love and grace of God. Isn't that ironic? But when was the last time you thought that the simplest meal in your home is all you needed? It is when you were starving at the middle of your trip at the most inconvenient place and time. Will we appreciate the light when we have not seen the darkness or enjoy the rainbow if it only has one color? Life will throw everything on us, from victories to defeats, sadness to joy, and everything in between. When facing difficulties, our weak faith can sometimes drive us to question the fairness of it all. But we are capable of overcoming them because our God is faithful.

When we think about it, the difficulties in this life is what define us, what we are made of, how strong and weak we are, and what is really important. It is only through sufferings and it's acceptance that we realize our limits as human beings. In placing our lives wholly in the arms of loving God, we can finally and truly live.

Let us all carry our cross and ask not our God to take it away from us. Because as we bear our own cross we learn to live a life of meaning, purpose, and sacrifice.

Prayer:

Jesus, help us to live in such a way that others will know we profess You to be the Messiah and that we take up our cross after You, and in so doing may many be attracted to follow You. Jesus, You are my one and only God.
Amen

But if it dies, it produces much fruit

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relative how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Gospel: John 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them,  “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Reflection
By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

How many times have you died, but felt so alive?

Let me count the ways.

1.       When you, dear OFW Mom, gave up this week’s lunch and just had crackers, to save up for your daughter’s graduation dress;

2.       When you,  Mr. CEO Dad, did not attend the party your company threw for you, to attend the father and son weekend camp in school;

3.       When you, the family’s eldest, laid your schooling aside, to help your parents work so the little ones can go to school;

4.       When you, Madam teacher, crossed 2 rivers, and walked 5 more miles to reach your public school and light up the faces and minds of your students; 

5.       When you, little boy, gave your unprivileged neighbor your most favorite toy;

6.       When you, Ms. young professional, decided to live simply and ended the vicious cycle of upgrading your phone;

7.       When you, Mr. I-can-do-it-all, finally resigned to God and relied on Him, instead of your own hands;

8.       When you, the betrayed, forgave and let go of all the wrath in your heart;

9.       When you, yes you, gave up your pride, and said the very difficult “Sorry;”

10.   When you, drug rehab patient, finally said yes to the treatment you so need;

11.   When you, a progressive cancer patient, stopped being angry at life, and surrendered everything to your Maker;

12.   When you, Mr. SAF officer, during those last minutes of your breath, thought, “Para sa bayan…”

I can go on and on and list the ways we deny ourselves of the pleasures of life. It is in these times that we die to ourselves, so others may live, and so we transcend to a higher level of life. We taste what true joy is. This is what taking up our cross and following Jesus mean. As He said,

“Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.”

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You. Thank You for giving me the privilege of sharing with You Your sufferings. As I carry my cross and follow You, fill me with peace and courage that with You, I should not be afraid of denying myself. In this worldly time of “me-firsts,” please shift my gaze to Your will as I serve my family, my friends, my subordinates, my neighborhood, those people You send my way. Help me to die to myself so I may don a new life in You, Lord. Amen.