Cutting Off Part of Ourselves

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

26 September 2021 

 

First Reading: NM 11:25-29

Responsorial Psalm: PS 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

Second Reading: JAS 5:1-6

Gospel: MK 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

 

Reflection

By: Theresa Ballo

 

This Sunday Jesus calls us to reflect on our thoughts and actions like any other Gospel. However, in today’s readings He invites us to examine parts of ourselves that are causing us to stumble and fall into sin. In so doing, we can make a choice to detach those part of our lives. Moreover, He also invites us to be tolerant of others because we are all sinners. At times, we may not even know that another person is suffering which may drive him to hurt others as well. Tolerance in excess is bad. But, tolerance to give others the benefit of the doubt, be more open-minded and giving allowances for mistakes that just like me, maybe, the person needs someone who would understand and lead him to a life more pleasing to God. 

For instance, I am recognizing that envy is a source of sin in my life. I often think that some people are just born lucky having all the ideals in life and some people are born to experience trauma, neglect and abandonment. I often asked God why does unfortunate events keep happening in my life. Am I the one to blame? Do I make bad decisions more often? Am I inviting people to hurt me? Honestly, when I get to look closely in my life, I am in trouble because my actions simply have consequences. This often led me to shame especially towards my relationship with Jesus. I am struggling to detach from this but I am surrendering my sinfulness to God by making a confession. When you sin big time, admitting it to a priest, to a human being, makes you feel really humble. I do my best to reflect each night and identify the parts of my day I should be thankful for. 

“Cutting off” parts of ourselves that lead us to sin is really hard and challenging but it is possible. 

 

Prayer

 

Thank you Lord God for letting your Word get through me. I surrender my life to You. Help me to recognize the small blessings I enjoy each day and lead me to trust You that all things work for Your greater glory. Help me to see myself as how You see me. Amen.

 

God’s Generosity vs. Human’s Selfishness

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time20 September 2020
First reading Isaiah 55:6-9

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Second reading                                                          Philippians 1:20-24, 27

It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus said to his disciples: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.’

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.

Now when the first came they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Reflection

By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

When I was in high school, our substitute Math teacher gave us a quiz. I was happy because I topped the exam, 98% if I remembered it right. My hard work in solving algebraic expressions paid off. As someone who was known in class for not copying and never allowing others to copy from me, getting the highest score was really an achievement. But, I never expected the next scenario, as the teacher said that my score will also benefit my classmates who were exempted from the exam, for they represented our school to a Math Quiz Bee the other day, although they did not qualify. My score in the test will be their scores too. I must admit that I felt like being cheated. I could not comprehend the wisdom behind the decision. Since they were exempted, I did not mind if the teacher just give them 100%, but please do not make us even by giving them the same score as mine. Because it seemed to me that I took the exam for them which I found unfair. I was the one who planted but others harvested. When the teacher finished his three-month stay in our school was the point that I let go of my bitterness and accepted his wisdom although I did not fully understand.

In today's Gospel, the vineyard workers were also upset because of the good treatment of the landowner towards the latecomer laborers. Even though the latecomers worked for only one hour, they still received the usual daily wage, equal amount as the pay of those workers who toiled the day's burden and the heat. Despite the grumbling, the landowner stood firm on his decision and generosity.

At first glance, because we think as humans, we will surely agree that the landowner was quite unfair. Why did he give equal pay to each one of them? In the normal job setup, people are paid according to the number of hours they worked for. Those who work less will receive less, and those who work more will be given more - daily minimum wage plus overtime if necessary. But as the Prophet Isaiah proclaimed in our First Reading today, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD", the wisdom and actions of God as symbolized by the landowner in the parable cannot be fully figured out. There are things in our life that cannot be explained because events will unfold according to God's plan and timing. We just have to trust Him.

Another issue presented in the Gospel is human's selfishness compare to God's generosity. Men are naturally selfish but God is ever generous. From the time He created the world and us, to the giving of His own beloved Son to save us from our sins, God will never be outdone in generosity. And that became the problem of the vineyard workers; they felt insecure on how generous the landowner was – a trait that they do not possess. We should be cautious of the two faces of human's selfishness as described in today's Gospel: the desire to be the sole recipient of one's generosity known as greed and the envy towards others' goodness.

Today's parable is also a reminder to all of us that knowing Jesus is a constant call. It does not mean that we heed His call earlier than the others; we are far better and can be sure of eternal life. In fact, those who are following Jesus at this point in time must be more vigilant because they could fall to the sins of complacency and pride. The early the call, the long road to walk on, but rest assured that Jesus is there as our great companion in the journey. And those who will be heeding the call lastly should not be worried, too. Because just like the repentant thief on the cross who was brought by Jesus to paradise, there is no late and last, but always God's perfect timing of changing a stoned-heart. We will be saved by God's grace and not by our good deeds.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to be generous in love as You are to me and all. Give me a heart that finds delight on your generosity to others. Likewise, let me heed Your call now, for journeying with You is always the best and most certain in this world. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

We Are Each Other's Blessing!

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

08 July 2018

First reading                                                                      Ezekiel 2:2-5
When he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, “Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. Their descendants are impudent and stubborn.
I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.”

Second reading                                                     2 Corinthians 12:7-10

In order to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 6:1-6

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Reflection

By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

Do you feel proud whenever Manny Pacquiao wins over his opponent on the boxing ring? How about when Pia Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe 2015? Do you look up to the achievements of Lea Salonga in Miss Saigon and Lisa Macuja in ballet? Yes, of course! We, Filipinos take pride and celebrate the successes of our “kababayan” worldwide.

Unfortunately, Filipino pride is contrary to today’s gospel reading as Jesus was bluntly dishonored in His hometown. His credibility and family history were questioned by those who heard Him teach in the synagogue. They looked  down on Him and took offense at Him. As a result, He was not able to perform any mighty deed in His native place, apart from curing a few sick people by laying His hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Faith, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is our adequate response to God. We are called to completely submit our intellect and will to God the Revealer. Of all the wonderful things that God has made, the salvation that Jesus has offered, and the guidance given by the Holy Spirit, the only way to repay His goodness is to have faith and believe in Him.

Through faith, miracles happen. I bet you already heard testimonials of healing, conversion, and answered prayers. These beautiful stories were fulfilled because of people's unshakeable faith. They never doubted that Jesus can help them in their adversities and petitions. They have given their full confidence and relied heavily on God’s power. Faithful as ever, God did not disappoint them. He allowed them to experience His overflowing love and generosity. If only the people believed in Jesus at that time, they could have experienced more and great miracles compare to other towns in Israel.

On the other hand, as people come and go in our daily lives, we are challenged whether to look at them as blessings or threats. If we let envy win our hearts, chances are we fall like the doubting fellows of Jesus Christ. Because of envy, they could not accept that someone like Jesus Who is also a native of their place will rise up as a good and righteous man, an eloquent preacher, and a wonderful healer.

As we continue to reflect on today’s gospel, may we learn to always have faith in God and believe in His immeasurable capacity. Let us consider each other as blessings so that we may help one another towards our salvation journey. May we take pride in everyone’s achievements. And instead of getting envious, let us be grateful for what they achieved and see them as inspirations.

Prayer

Lord, open my mind, my heart, and my soul to You and to Your people. Strengthen my faith in You and show me the goodness of those around me. I ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.