Authentic Expression of Hope in the Lord

   

Feast of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

09 January 2025

 

First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: John 3:13-17

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

Prayer

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

Feast of the Holy Child Jesus

Feast of the Holy Child Jesus

The Santo Niño

17 January 2021

 

First Reading:  IS 9:1-6

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 98

Second Reading:  EPH 1:3-6, 15-18

Gospel:  MK 10:13-16

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

The 500-year strong faith on the Philippine Islands, we owe to a young Child - the Señor Santo Niño. It was through this venerable icon of the Child Jesus has helped the missionaries to introduce the faith to the natives. Thus, such devotion and affection for the Holy Child is deeply ingrained in the Filipino consciousness. That is why the Holy See, has approved for us a special celebration every third Sunday of January.

 

Many parts of the country celebrate the Feast of the Holy Child. But why is this so? We are a nation of young people. The statistics tells us that children are much bigger in number compare to adult Filipinos. And for that reason, the Holy Child serves as a model for the young. For us, Filipinos who are naturally fond of children, we believe that it is much easier to approach a young child. For us, the image of a God is not a distant creator but a young gentle and kind Child in our midst whom we can talk with familiarity.

 

But, what can we learn from this child? Innocence. The innocence of children teaches us to remain pure in thoughts and desires. In a world corrupted by selfish desires, we are called to remain holy and blameless. Capable of loving like the children. Show love to the children and they will love you back.

 

Let us learn to show compassion to each one. Let us strive to bring consolation to the unfortunate and suffering. Simplicity and openness, the child is not pretentious. We must be like a child who is open and simple, without masking ourselves and hiding who we really are.

We must stick to the identity that we are God's children and in such way, we will learn the greatest lesson the Child teaches us: Total trust and dependence on God. We recognize our weaknesses, shortcomings, and need for god that we are in need of the true God. God became a child to teach us that we must become a child in front of God. By doing so, we allow ourselves to be open to the great mystery of God's goodness and love. On this feast, may we discover the "inner child" within us and imitate the Child Jesus all the days of our lives.

 

Prayer

 

Lord, You became a Child to teach us how to become a child before You. Grant us the grace to learn from You and to approach You as the Child approaches His Father with full trust and confidence in Your goodness and mercy. Amen.

 

 

 

My Super All In One!

“ The Father bears witness from heaven to His Son. The Holy Spirit bears witness, coming down bodily in the form of a dove. The archangel Gabriel bears witness, bringing the good tidings to Mary. The Virgin Mother of God bears witness.”

- St. Cyril of Jerusalem

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,  which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,

as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language?

We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

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

Second Reading: First Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13

Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed." And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many,  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Gospel: John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Reflection
By Anabelle Payod-Balla

I love watching movies. Movies would normally run for one and a half hours or two. But we all know that it takes months or even years to make a very good movie. We see the actors and the actresses on screen but we also know that there are more people other than those we see on screen who played important roles to make the movie happen. We don't see their faces in the movie, they are not hogging the limelight. We only see their names shown on the last part of the movie, when people are already on their way out and no longer paying attention to the screen.

Unlike Jesus, Mother Mary and some famous saints, the Holy Spirit seems to have lesser devotees. It is not common to hear Novena to the Holy Spirit. Though I would say that in most prayers, we always seek the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We know that He is always there, working behind the scene.

I am lucky to have known the Holy Spirit in the early years of my life. I got hold of this prayer to the Holy Spirit when I was in college and I’ve been reciting it as part of my daily night prayer ever since. I feel that I cannot go on without His help. I embraced Him as a vital part of my being, of my family. For me, the Holy Spirit is the life within me. He is my strength, my wisdom, my help, my protector, my comforter, my counselor, my director, my guide! I feel Him. He is like the music in me Who makes me sing in gladness, the wind beneath my wings, the force that helps make wonderful things happen in my life. He is the joy within that nourishes my soul! I love the Holy Spirit and He is with me and my family always. And I am sure, He is with you as well, just waiting for you to make Him part of your life.

As we celebrate the Pentecost, let us welcome and embrace the Holy Spirit and receive again His wonderful gifts of wisdom, understanding, fear of the Lord , counsel, knowledge, fortitude, and piety (reverence). Let us listen and obey His promptings. Let us allow Him to dwell in us so we can bear and share His fruits of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.

Choose the Holy Spirit to be your constant companion. He will keep us close to the Father always.

Prayer

O Holy Spirit soul of my soul, enlighten, guide, strengthen, and console me. Teach me what I should do. Give me Your orders and I promise to be submissive in all that You desire of me and to accept all that You allow to happen to me. Grant only to me to know Your will.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, has taught the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Rekindle The Child In You

“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”

First Reading: Is. 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom

a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy

and great rejoicing,

as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,

as people make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them,

the pole on their shoulder,

and the rod of their taskmaster

you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For every boot that tramped in battle,

every cloak rolled in blood,

will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

His dominion is vast

and forever peaceful,

from David's throne, and over his kingdom,

which he confirms and sustains

by judgment and justice,

both now and forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

Resp. Psalm: Psalm: 97:1-6

Second Reading: 1:3-6, 15-18

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Reflection:

Today is the Feast of the Sto Nino, the little child Jesus. This is a big feast in Cebu City. They have a grand celebration called “Sinulog” where tourists from all over the world flock in to watch this grand parade. Ten days ago, we were there and were fortunate to attend the first day novena mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto Nino. It was a Thursday, 1:30 in the afternoon but the church was filled to capacity that people were really bumping into each other. We witnessed the great devotion of the Cebuanos to the Sto. Nino. And I’m sure not only Cebuanos but most Filipinos have great devotion to Sto. Nino as well. We can see the image of Sto. Nino in many business establishments even in a small sari-sari (mini) store. I hope the devotion doesn’t stop there, treating the Sto. Nino as good luck charm. Our devotion must be lived, practiced in our daily lives. Our devotion should not stop on the grand feast or in the two-week celebration.

Everyday, we must live in child-like trust to God. We must live with honesty and openness that are true marks of a child. Learning is easy and fun for children because of their willingness and eagerness to learn. Everyday, like a child, we must continue to learn and get to know God more, love Him more and serve Him more especially in the people around us, in the people we meet everyday.

May this celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Nino rekindle our innocence and great dependence on God.

Prayer:

Oh, Holy Child Jesus, Who is ever good and loving, we kneel before You, our true God. With humility we implore You to give us Your mercy and grant us all the favors we ask of You so that we will enjoy the blessings of heaven. AMEN.