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.

Detach!

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time 08 September 2019
First reading Wisdom 9:13-18

For who can learn the counsel of God?
Or who can discern what the Lord wills?
For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,
and our designs are likely to fail;
for a perishable body weighs down the soul,
and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.
We can hardly guess at what is on earth,
and what is at hand we find with labour;
but who has traced out what is in the heavens?
Who has learned your counsel,
unless you have given wisdom
and sent your holy spirit from on high?
And thus the paths of those on earth were set right,
and people were taught what pleases you,
and were saved by wisdom.”

Second reading                                                          Philemon 9-10, 12-17

I would rather appeal to you (Philemon) on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.

Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 14:25-33

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“So therefore, whoever  of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

This second Sunday of September reminds me of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who is my inspiration for detachment from everything. We also remember Mama Mary whose birthday we celebrate today. Remember how she humbly accepted God's plan for her to become His Mother? She is a perfect example of complete detachment!

The world teaches us to be competitive, to acquire things, to accumulate wealth and possessions. We fight for position, power and control. I admit that I had been in this pathway for many years. 

I believe that there is nothing wrong to be wealthy, or powerful. God wants us to be rich and prosperous. But, we must be for willing to let go and  use our wealth to help people in need.  We must learn how to detach ourselves from our possessions, power, and position, and even be detached from our own family to be able to follow Jesus!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us today how to be your disciple. We pray that we continue to love God above all. We pray that we be detached from all our possessions, power , and position. This we ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. 

Rest

Sto. Nino 21 January 2018

First reading                                                               Isaiah 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. He will rule as David’s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

Second reading                                                          Ephesians 1: 3-6; 15-18 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and with- out blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to

himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

Gospel                                                                        Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing their little children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them: “Let the children come to me. Do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Reflection

by Grace B. Madriñan

“Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” – Mark 10:15

Why is it that we can’t help but smile when there  is a baby around? Even as you try to ignore them,  they will find ways to catch your attention.  You can’t help but follow them with your eyes and in your mind, you will think, “what is he up this time?”  A toddler is always up to something and their smiles and laughter are contagious.  And even when they did something to hurt you like pull your hair or almost pluck your eyes,  you can’t even get angry with them.  They just show their toothless smile and the pain goes away.

Maybe that’s how God feels about us.  When He sees us,  He also can’t help but smile. His eyes are always on us.  And although He knew what we are up to,  He never intervenes. He joins us in our laughter.  Even though we did something to hurt Him, one smile and “sorry” from us eases His pain.

And  that’s where the problem comes in.  We hurt God but we rarely come to Him first. We run away as far as we can.  We are overpowered by our pride and guilt thinking that our sins are too much to be forgiven with just one "sorry".

If we can only be like a child, who raises up his hands for his father to pick him up whenever he is sleepy or tired from playing. Observe how he stretches out his hands with full trust that he can find rest in his father’s arms.  If we can just do the same, stretch out our hands at the end of the day, “Father, forgive me. I am tired of running. “  God will definitely pull us out and let us rest in His arms for awhile. 

Prayer

Father,  teach us to be more trusting like a child.  May we run to You and be our first source of refuge in times of  rest. Amen. 

Ang Totoong Disipulo

First Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18

My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.For great is the might of the Lord; he is glorified by the humble. The affliction of the proud has no healing, for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him. The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable, and an attentive ear is the wise man's desire.

Psalm: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-13, 14-17

Second Reading: Philemon 1:9-10, 12-17

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers entreat that no further messages be spoken to them. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Now great multitudes accompanied him; and he turned and said to them, "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, `This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Reflection
By Beth Eguia

Paano nga ba maging totoong disipulo ni Jesus? Masasabi ba natin na tunay na disipulo ang isang taong madasalin at pala simba lamang? Ang taong pinagyayabang ang bawat tulong na ginagawa sa kapwa ay isang totoong disipulo ni Jesus? Ang mga pari at madre lamang ba ang mga totoong disipulo ng Diyos?

Ipinaliwanag sa Banal na Kasulatan ngayong Linggong ito na sinuman ang ibig maging disipulo ay dapat kamuhian ang kanyang pamilya, ang kanyang sarili, at pasanin ang  kanyang krus. Ang Diyos ang dapat na “number 1” parati sa ating buhay. Hindi lamang ang mga madre o pari ang tinatawag para maging disipulo ng Diyos kundi tayong lahat.  

Paano nga ba natin maipamamalas ito? Tama lamang na tayo ay maging madasalin sa Diyos, ialay sa Kanya ang lahat ng ating gawain, mga problema, mga krus na pasan-pasan, mga tagumpay sa buhay dahil ito’y isang uri ng pagpupugay at pagbibigay pahalaga sa Kanya. Ngunit hindi natatapos dito ang ating tungkulin. Kalakip nito ang pagtulong sa ating kapwa lalo na sa mga nangangailangan. Noong nakaraang linggo marami tayong mga kapatid na naapektuhan ng baha dahil sa bagyo at habagat. Maraming pamilya ang lumikas sa kanilang tirahan dahil hanggang bubong ng bahay ang tubig. Wala silang mga tuyong damit at pagkain man lamang. Ito ay isang magandang oportunidad para sa atin na tumulong sa pamamagitan ng pag-abuloy ng pagkain, damit o pera. Kung tayo naman ay salat din sa pera ay puwede naman na maglaan ng panahon sa pag-volunteer sa mga relief centers para mag-impake ng mga relief goods. 

Tayo ay tinatawag na maglingkod nang buong puso at hindi naghahangad ng kapalit. Hindi rin kailangan na ipamalita ang anumang magagandang ginagawa natin sa ating kapwa. Araw- araw, patuloy tayong hinahamon ng Diyos para maging tapat at tunay na alagad Niya. Ikaw ba kapatid, tinatanggap mo ba ang hamon na ito?

Prayer

Diyos na mahabangin, maraming salamat sa Banal na Kasulatan. Salamat sa pagpapaalala sa amin kung papaano maging tapat at totoong disipulo Mo. Patuloy Mo kaming gabayan, patuloy Mo kaming akayin upang maglingkod sa Iyo sa pamamagitan ng pag-alay ng aming panahon sa aming kapwa nang taos-puso nang di naghahangad ng kapalit. Amen.

We are Disciples

Ascension of the Lord
5 June 2011

Alleluia! Come, let us worship Christ the Lord as he ascends into heaven. Alleluia!


First reading Acts 1:1-11 3
In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. ‘It is’ he had said ‘what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’
Now having met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’
As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 46:2-3,6-9

Second reading Ephesians 1:17-23
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.

Gospel Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

Reflection
By Benj Santiago

“Jesus Commissions His Disciples”…

The happiest moments during our family reunions are when we start to gather and our siblings arrive. The saddest part on the other hand, is when we bid our farewell. I suppose it is what was in the hearts of the disciples as Jesus prepares to ascend to heaven. And what eases the pain of the separation is the hope to meet again. In fact, not only did they felt sadness, some of them even doubted… “When they saw Him, they worshiped, but they doubted.” (Mt 28:17). And then, He reassured them by approaching them and commissioning them to make disciples of all nations and not just the Jews. Thus, I believe that we are also commissioned to proclaim the Good News to the world. We are in fact “commanded” if we consider ourselves disciples of Jesus. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching then to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20). And what makes it exciting to accomplish this, is His promise that He will be with us always, until the end of ages! What a wonderful assurance!

Heavenly Father, remove all our doubts, fears, and sadness. Make us Your effective and unwavering disciples following all what You have commanded us to do which is to bless the people whom we meet in our daily lives, and making them disciples as well to spread the good news to the whole world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Go out and be a disciple to others!

Discipleship 101

Second Sunday of Easter
01 May 2011


The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.


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

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

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

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

Reflection
By Herminia Jamandri-Flores

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next week on God-speak
Planting Little Kisses