Selfless Disposition

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

22 June 2025

 

First Reading: Genesis 14:18-20

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel: Luke 9:11b-17

 

Reflection

By: Bernard M. Borja

 

In every Mass or Eucharistic celebration, we are invited to immerse into the deep mystery of Christ’s self-offering. It is an invitation that speaks directly to our hearts, our communities, and even to the world’s most difficult moments. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, reminds us of a transformative encounter: that every time we gather and break bread together, we remember not only the greatness of Jesus’ love for us through His death and resurrection, but we also participate in Jesus’ work of redemption.

In the words of St. Paul through his first letter to the Corinthians: “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you…” he reiterates the essence of the Eucharist. It is an invitation to remember that Christ’s body was given for us and that His blood seals the new covenant. When we partake in Holy Communion, we are repeatedly invited to reflect on the sacrificial love that exceeds all human understanding. This sacrament calls us to embody the same love, to become living proclaimers of Jesus’ offering by going beyond our individual selves. The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes recalls this offering or divine generosity. Just as a simple meal is multiplied into a feast, our humble offerings — our time, our compassion, and even our small resources — can be transformed into a bounty of grace when given in the spirit of selfless sharing.

In our experience, especially during hardship, we often fall to our tendency of self preservation. When the disciples said to Jesus, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here”, it reflects a common impulse of us humans. When confronted with overwhelming challenges, it is easier to retreat into the safety of our concerns and push others’ needs away. However, by choosing to “dismiss the crowd”, we risk missing the call to generosity that is at the heart of Jesus’ invitation. Instead, He urges us to share whatever we have. In doing so, we participate in a divine act of multiplication, where the simple act of sharing becomes a channel for hope, healing, and abundant provision.

We can also consider reflecting at the continuing tensions in countries such as the conflict between Israel and Iran. The effects on the economy and quality of life for the rest of the world are very evident. Today, fear and uncertainty drive many to concentrate solely on their own survival. The instinct to withdraw from communal care can be powerful when the world seems divided and resources are limited. But the Eucharist and feeding miracles invite us to look beyond our limited perspectives. Just as Jesus used five loaves and two fish to feed the crowd, our seemingly insufficient contributions can also become transformative when they are extended in love. It is an invitation to find God in the midst of chaos and confusion — a reminder that even in difficult times, sharing a small part (or a tenth like Abram offered) of what we possess can ignite hope.

When we reflect on these sacred mysteries, we see that the Eucharist is both a remembrance of Christ’s passion and a command to be His body in the world. When we receive the Blessed Sacrament, we are called to rise above self-centeredness. It challenges us to transform our natural disposition toward self-preservation into a courageous act of community and compassion. In doing so, our lives become a living testimony to the profound truth that God’s grace multiplies even the smallest gestures.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is not just a day of remembrance, but a call to action. It invites us to be bold in our sharing, to overcome the urge to isolate ourselves in difficult times, and to recognize that every act of kindness and love can be the spark that ignites change. By embracing this nature, we affirm that in the celebration of the Eucharist — and in the sharing of our “five loaves and two fish” — we truly live out the call to be the Body of Christ in a world longing for hope and harmony.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we gather before You with humble hearts, remembering the mystery of Your love manifested in the Eucharist. As we break bread together, remind us that every small act of kindness, every shared moment of hope, carries the seed of Your divine grace.

Lord Jesus, You offered Your body and blood as a gift of redemption for all. In times of uncertainty and trouble, may we draw courage from Your sacrifice. Teach us to see beyond our fears and to recognize that even our simplest offerings can be multiplied into miracles of healing and peace. In our struggles and in our moments of doubt, may the Holy Spirit guide us to express a spirit of community and boundless generosity. May our daily actions become a testament to Your enduring promise of hope and a beacon of light that guides others out of darkness. AMEN.

Bear Fruits of Goodness

   

Third Sunday of Lent

23 March 2025

 

First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle P. Balla

 

I have started writing my autobiography and it is challenging to make quick progress with so many events to include. I tried organizing my thoughts based on important people in my life, but the list kept growing. I also attempted to break it into short stories, which resulted in a lot of content to cover. My life has been full of experiences, never boring.

However, beyond the stories and individuals, I reflect on my contributions and impact. Am I achieving my purpose and making a positive difference?

I realized that the measure of a fruitful life goes beyond tangible achievements. It is found in the love I share, the kindness I extend, and the positive impact I have on those around me. It's the comforting words I offer to a friend in need, the lessons I teach my children, and the care I provide to my community. It's not just about the milestones but also the moments of grace, forgiveness, and compassion.

We are meant to live fully, make our lives beautiful and productive, and nurture God's creations with love. With God, we can bear fruits of goodness that can help make this world a better place to live.

Prayer

Father, may the story of my life inspire those around me to cultivate their own fruitful lives, rooted in faith, love, and service. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Live the Day

    

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

17 November 2024

 

First Reading: Dn 12:1-3

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11

Second Reading: Heb 10:11-14, 18

Gospel: Mk 13:24-32

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

The end times. Is it near? Or is it still far away? No one knows. Many doomsday sayers are telling us that the end times is near because of the ongoing conflicts, natural calamities and disasters in different parts of the world. But again, the Bible says, no one knows except the Father.

We come across this passage at this time of the year when we are about to end the Liturgical Year. It is a reminder that I, you, all of us need to be prepared at all times. And the best way to prepare daily is to love others, to forgive those who sinned against us, and ask forgiveness for the sins we committed, plus the sins of omissions.

You and I must continue to appreciate blessings we receive including the opportunity to live another day. We need to show kindness, respect and empathy to people we meet every day.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, I pray that I may appreciate each day I live. May I be a blessing for people I interact with each day. May Your love, generosity, and kindness overflow from me to people I meet every day. Help us Lord to be prepared for the end times every day. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Agreeing vs. Understanding

Thirty-first Sunday in

Ordinary Time

31 October 2021 

 

First Reading: DT 6:2-6

Responsorial Psalm: PS 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

Second Reading: HEB 7:23-28

Gospel: MK 12:28b-34

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

Do we allow the kingdom of God to dominate in our life? Or are we building our own kingdom, with a twisted perspective and belief that we are building it because of love? And do we really understand what real love is, for us to do things for God and for our neighbor?

Loving God means understanding and obeying His commandments. When Jesus said there is no other commandment greater than the two (Love God with all your...and love your neighbor as yourself), it does not make the other commandments least. The greatest commandment and the second have always been the foundation of all commandments.

To love God with all your heart means to learn everyday how God loves and what real love means. One cannot say that he or she understands what love is if he or she does not favor kindness over harshness to others. St. Paul affirmed this in one of his epistles when he said, "Love is kind". We can learn what real love means by choosing kind words and a kind approach to people even in disagreement. Today, we see a culture of hate continuously being tolerated and even promoted by people who think they understand what love is. Love and hatred have always been two opposite and very different things. We cannot say that we love when harsh words come out of our mouth, especially when we think they deserve it and because of what we understand. When we think and "love" like this, we lose our soul. The soul that God breathed into man to be alive. The same soul that God commands us to love Him with all of it. Even worse is to put hatred in our mind and make an effort to manifest this. In this way, we cannot really say that we obey the first and greatest of the commandments. Furthermore, in this perspective of "loving", we only agree to what God says but we choose not to obey.

To agree with what someone says does not really mean we really understand it. When we choose harshness over kindness, we agree to our own perspective of loving but we do not really understand it. Thus, we stray far from the kingdom of God. When we do not take to heart God's words and choose not to obey, we will not be able to receive fully what God has promised to us. Moses says to "Fear the Lord, keep all His statutes throughout our life, and be careful to observe His commandments" for us to grow and prosper more. However, there are times when we choose to build our own kingdom of hatred to those who do not agree with us. Sometimes, in our sense of entitlement, we see others to be undeserving of kindness. We forget to listen to our own prayers when we pray, "Thy kingdom come."

Jesus said to one of the scribes, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” because Jesus knew that the scribe fully understands the commandments. The scribe understands that “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone, and there is no other", means we serve God with all ourself, what God has meant for us in the beginning when he created man. That man was created to give glory to God alone. And that everything the man does is all for the greater glory of God. As one of the scribes says, it is more than giving up all or part of our belongings. It is acknowledging God’s authority over us and that He alone knows whatever is good for us. It is also being blind in the right way, that we put our trust in God as we learn to fully understand His commandments. And it is never about sacrificing something to gain a false sense of humility, but to discern and listen closely in our prayers for God’s wisdom especially to what He asks of us to do.

Prayer

Dear Lord, we open our hearts to be more understanding of Your commandments, as we strive to learn that obeying is more than our own offerings and sacrifices. We beg for the grace of wisdom to understand that loving You with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and

with all our strength, means not to focus on our own understanding but to trust in You alone. May we grow in kindness to each other, and forgive as we learn together what real love means. In Jesus’ Name we pray, AMEN.

 

Empathy in Action

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

14 February 2021 

 

First Reading:  LV 13:1-2, 44-46

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 32:1-2, 5, 11

Second Reading:  1 COR 10:31—11:1

Gospel:  MK 1:40-45

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo M. Gonzales

 

"Moved with pity." In stories of Jesus' healing, most of what we hear is how Jesus can restore people to pristine condition even with the people doing things little in appearance but are actually great displays of faith. Not much attention is given to the feeling that made Jesus deem it necessary to heal. And also this is where we focus on today: "pity."

The "pity" we examine here is not that which is synonymous with "patronization" or "condescension." For the pity of Christian quality is not that which is infested with an "I am better than thou"  mentality, but one which understands, communes with, and bears affection for another who is suffering. The closest pity to the Christian character is that we call empathy: the ability to put oneself in another's shoes.

 

The pity most commendable is that which moves us to positive action. We can see someone suffering and we can look wistfully  at them and say: "I pity", but unless and until there is  action to better other's experience, pity stays as it is: a feeling...a feeling that is soon to stagnate when left on its own.

 

The direction pity takes us is another to consider. Towards which action—positive or negative this pity moves us, we should be wary of, for we can think that we are only "looking out for another", but in our haste and disregard for the other's pace and feelings, little do we know, we could be spreading salt on the wounds he or she has long been struggling with.

It is not enough to pity. To pity is static if it ends in itself but bears good if it directs us towards positive action. Further, even if we may be "well-meaning" to another, we must be caring of his or her situation and disposition. We must think about how he or she is feeling, and how fast or slow, how accepting or resistant he or she is about the actions we recommend to him or her out of pity, for to deal with another in disregard can be dehumanizing, undignified,  and unchristian. Such disregard can lead to falling outs that can happen even in the mundanity of the dinner's table.

The pity, or should we say empathy we should espouse is that of Jesus, who looks lovingly at His sheep and in His wistfulness at their predicament, is moved to healing. Our healing, while not miraculous, may come even in simple words, in humble but steady and warm company, as long as we have and nurture the love Jesus had for others and set it ever ablaze within ourselves.

Lastly, as we talk about pity, another important point must be made. We commonly extend pity to those who have less, but do we realize that we should be extending the same loving pity towards those who give us so many and so much but go without being thanked? Our Gospel for today is that of a leper being healed, and in another story, as we recall, God healed another ten, but only one came back to offer his thanks. May we ever be grateful for the kindness God extends us. If we only knew how many and much He gave and still continues to give, the number of our days would never be commensurate avenues for thanksgiving. So it is our words, as limited as they are, in which we can thank the Lord, but more so, in our deeds the—kindness we "pay forward" to others.

Prayer

 

Jesus, as we adopt in our lives the kind of pity You were inspired by, may we be moved to positive action and so better others' lives, not to be content doing nothing with their plight.

May our pity bring healing to others and not damage them through condescension. May we empathize with them and love them so we turn into You and show Your loving face to alleviate them of their suffering.

In the same vein, in Your righteous and loving pity towards us, may Your miraculous healings to us and others develop in us the natural proclivity and ultimately the will to  thank You back as did the one leper You healed and went back to You to give his thanks, and to extend to others the same kindness You graced us with.

All these in Your most holy Name, o Jesus, Amen.