Incovenience Needs

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

16 August 2026

 

First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Second Reading: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

A young professional who works in a corporation at Makati commutes to work as early as 5am from Mandaluyong to Ayala, not because he wants to be early at his office, but he attends the 7am mass at a chapel near his workplace. One day, when he was waiting for the train, the MRT announced a stop operation because someone fell off the tracks and will need emergency response. He thought to himself, “Abala naman ito. Baka hindi pa ako makaabot sa misa. (Another hassle. I might miss the mass.)”

~~~

The disciples’ reaction to the desperate Canaanite woman is uncomfortably familiar: “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” To the disciples, she was a foreigner, an annoyance, and an interruption to their current mission. Today, this exact scene plays out not on the ancient roads of Tyre and Sidon, but along the streets of Metro Manila and within the divided chaotic world of social media. We find a deeply divided society, where the cries of the marginalized are frequently treated as mere noise by those in positions of privilege.

When we reflect on the disciples’ quick dismissal of the woman, we are challenged to ask: “When have we turned away those seeking help because their needs felt inconvenient? Or when have we looked at other’s suffering a disturbance to our comfortable routine?” In our society today, this disconnect is glaring. Consider the ongoing struggles of marginalized sectors, such as traditional jeepney drivers fighting for their livelihoods amid transport modernization, or the people who constantly suffer from flood during rainy season. To the comfortable and the well-off, the protests and pleas of these sectors are often dismissed as "anti-progress" or “not resilient enough”. Worse, most would just say, “Mga tamad kasi (They’re just lazy).” Just as the disciples wanted the Canaanite woman silenced, the privileged often wish the marginalized would simply disappear so their daily routines remain undisturbed.

This deep-rooted division often integrates into our spiritual lives. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God’s house is a "house of prayer for all peoples," yet we often act as gatekeepers to His grace. In a city where abundant, air-conditioned churches sit just few hundred meters away from a stretch of informal settlers, religious biases run deep. It is dangerously easy for the privileged to unconsciously connect their wealth and comfort with divine favor, somehow judging the poor as lacking in faith, discipline, or merit. We forget St. Paul’s powerful reminder that God’s mercy is universal and entirely unearned. We must ask ourselves: “Does our own comfort and perception of "worthiness" prevent us from showing the radical kindness and generosity that God has given to all of us?”

Jesus’ eventual response to the Canaanite woman challenges this spiritual pride. The woman humbled herself entirely, enduring the disciples' disregard to fight for her daughter. Jesus ultimately praises her, saying, “O woman, great is your faith!” Similarly, the most profound faith in our country is often found on the margins—in the parents who work grueling, minimum-wage jobs to feed their children, or those who maintain hope despite the neglect of those who are in the government. Yet, rather than learning from this profound dependence on God, privileged society tends to merely romanticize the "resilience" of the poor without offering true compassion.

To heal the fractures in our society, we must follow Christ’s ultimate example. He crossed the societal boundaries of His time to answer a marginalized woman’s plea. For true faith to flourish, it must move beyond the gates of exclusive subdivisions and comfortable pews. It demands us to stop seeing the poor as an inconvenience, to dismantle our religious pride, and to recognize that the margins of society are exactly where God's transformative mercy is most powerfully at work.

Prayer

Lord, open our hearts to hear the cries of those outside our comfort circle, just as you heard the desperate plea of the Canaanite woman. Forgive us for the times we have treated the suffering of others as a mere inconvenience to our daily routines and comfortable lives. Strip away our spiritual pride and the false belief that our privilege is a sign of greater faith or worthiness. We ask for the courage to cross the boundaries of our comfort zones to offer true compassion, rather than empty praise, to those in need. May we follow your example of radical kindness, ensuring that your house truly becomes a place of grace for all people. Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven and mother of all, intercede for us so that our faith may flourish through transformative acts of mercy and love. AMEN.

A Stone's Throw

   

Fifth Sunday of Lent

06 April 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14

Gospel: John 8:1-11

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, 

This Gospel always hits home. A woman is dragged out and humiliated for her sin, and she stands there, just a stone’s throw away from judgment—literally and emotionally. The crowd is ready, stones in hand, but Jesus steps in and flips the moment upside down with a single challenge: “Let the one who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”

That phrase “a stone’s throw” reminds me how close we often are to judging others. We may not hold physical stones, but sometimes our thoughts, words, or attitudes are just as sharp. We stand, just a step away, ready to criticize, label, or dismiss someone for their mistakes—forgetting that we’ve made our own.

What speaks to me most is how Jesus doesn’t excuse the sin, but He also doesn’t shame the sinner. He protects her dignity, reminds everyone of their own imperfections, and then gently tells her to "go and sin no more." It’s a reminder that Jesus meets us where we are, not to leave us in our mistakes, but to help us rise above them.

In my work as a school counselor, I’ve seen many students judged quickly—for failing grades, bad decisions, or behavior issues—without people taking the time to understand the “why” behind them. And I admit, there are moments I’ve been tempted to mentally throw a stone too. There are times I catch myself being quick to judge others—whether it’s someone who made a bad choice or someone whose actions I don’t agree with. This Gospel reminds me that I’m not perfect either. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve needed forgiveness, and others have shown me grace when I didn’t deserve it.

And maybe, like the woman, I’ve had moments of guilt or shame where I felt unworthy. But the readings reminded me that Jesus doesn’t define us by our failures. He sees the whole person. That gives me hope—and reminds me to offer that same grace to others.

We are all called to be humble, before criticizing others, I reflect on the grace I’ve been given and the second chances I’ve received. In moments of frustration or judgment, I pause and ask: “Am I helping this person grow, or am I just pointing fingers?, or I am projecting my personal issues to him/her?” We are invited to be like Jesus in the crowd to stand between the broken and the stones—offering support, not shame.

“A stone’s throw” can mean being physically close, but in this context, it reminds me how close we can come to choosing judgment over mercy. Jesus shows us a better way: to drop the stone, extend the hand, and walk with others toward healing. That’s the kind of counselor—and person—I strive to be.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to drop the stones of judgment I so easily carry and to see others through Your eyes of mercy. Teach me to respond with compassion, even when it's easier to condemn. Remind me that I, too, have needed grace. May I always choose love, just as You chose love for me. Amen.

Pagtawid: Ang Awa at ang Pagkabuhay ng ating Panginoon

    

Ikalawang Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay / Linggo ng Banal na Awa

07 Abril 2024

 

Unang Pagbasa: Gawa 4:32-35

Salmong Tugunan: 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Ikalawang Pagbasa: 1 Jn 5:1-6

Mabuting Balita: Jn 20:19-31

 

Repleksyon

Ni: Bro. Emerson C. Maala

Bahagi na ng tradisyon ng pagdiriwang ng mga mahal na araw na may mga gumaganap na Apostoles ng ating Panginoong Hesus. Ito'y isang paraan din ng ebanghelisyason upang maipakilala ang labindalawang apostoles sa mga tao.

Sa isang karanasan dito sa bayan ng Taytay, sa probinsiya ng Palawan, ang mga gumaganap na mga apostoles ay hindi lamang makikita sa tatlong araw na pagdiriwang ng pagpapakasakit at pagkabuhay ng Panginoon, bagkus sila ay nagbabahay-bahay upang mag-imbita sa magaganap na pagdiriwang at gayundin ay maipanalangin ang Tahanan at ang Pamilya. Sa aking pakikipagkwentuhan sa kanila, masaya nilang ibinabahagi ang kanilang mga naging karanasan. "Alam niyo brother, unang beses ko na gumanap bilang apostoles. Bagama't nakakapagod dahil sa init at layo ng nilalakad dahil ilang bundok  ang tinawid namin, masaya dahil tuwang tuwa yung isang sitio na pinuntahan namin. Akala nila, hindi namin sila pupuntahan. May Awa talaga ang Diyos. Sinamahan kami sa paglalakbay na ito." 

Pagtawid at Awa ng Diyos.

Sa patuloy nating pagdiriwang ng muling pagkabuhay ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo, at ang ikalawang Linggo ng Pagkabuhay ay tinatawag din na Divine Mercy Sunday, inaanyayahan tayo nito sa patuloy nating pagtawid sa buhay kasama ng ating Panginoon.

Pagtawid. Mula sa salitang tawid na ang ibig sabihin ay pagpunta o pagtungo mula sa isang lugar o sitwasyon patungo sa isa pang lugar o sitwasyon. Ito ang karanasan ni Hesus sa kanyang pagpapakasakit, pagkamatay at pagkabuhay. Tinawid ni Hesus ang kamatayan patungo sa Kanyang buhay na walang hanggan. Bakit? Dahil sa Awa. Awa ng Diyos Ama kaya Niya ibinigay sa atin ang Kanyang Bugtong na Anak. At gayundin, nang dahil sa Awa, tinawid naman ni Hesus ang hirap na kanyang dinanas upang sa gayon, tayo ay maligtas mula sa kadiliman ng kasalanan. Awa na patuloy niyang ipinagkakaloob sa atin sa kabila din ng mga marami nating pagkukulang.

Marami sa atin ang may karanasan ng Pagtawid. Maaaring, pagtawid ng dagat. Pagtawid ng kalsada. Pagtawid sa himpapawid. At gayundin, sa marami din nating pagtawid sa karanasan ng ating buhay. Gayunpaman, sa bawat pagtawid natin, hindi nawawala ang mga pagasubok. Mga bagay na nagbibigay takot at nagpapahina sa ating loob upang makatawid. 

Sa mabuting balita, matinding takot ang naging karanasan ng mga alagad na kanilang hinarap upang makatawid sa kanilang pananampalataya. Nakasarado ang mga pintuan at bintana dahil bilang mga taga-sunod ni Hesus ay maaaring mangyari din sa kanila ang sinapit ng ating Panginoong Hesus. Ngunit hindi naging matagumpay ang takot na ito. Dahil sa tulong ni Hesus, itinawid Niya ang mga apostol mula sa takot, patungo sa patuloy na pananampalataya na nagdudulot ng kagalakan at pag-aalab ng mga puso. 

Gaya din ng sabi ni San Juan sa kanyang sulat, nagtatagumpay tayo sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya. Sa pamamagitan ng panampalataya, sumisibol ang puso na handang magtaya, kahit ng buhay at kamatayan para sa Diyos at kapwa. 

Bunga nito, ang mga apostol ay patuloy na nagpatotoo sa muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus. Buong tapang na ipinahayag na si Hesus ay muling nabuhay at gayundin ay naging daluyan ng Awa ng Panginoon, na magpasahanggang ngayon ay patuloy nating tinatanggap.

Katulad ni Hesus na tumawid mula sa kamatayan patungo sa buhay na walang hanggan at ng mga apostol na tumawid mula takot patungo sa pagsaksi sa muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus, tayo rin ay inaanyayahang tumawid mula sa lumbay patungo sa pag-aalab ng pananampalataya, gayundin sa pagtawid mula sa mga kasalanan patungo sa grasya at Mabathalang Awa ng Diyos. Dahil ang Diyos ay patuloy na nagbibigay sa atin ng kanyang Awa. Amen.

Panalangin:

Ama naming maaawin, patuloy Mo kaming kalingain. May mga takot din kami sa buhay na humahadlang sa aming pananampalataya sa Iyo. Patuloy mo kaming bigyan ng Iyong Awa, dahil hindi kami karapat-dapat sa ginawang pagpapakasakit ni Hesus sa Krus. Nawa sa pamamagitan nito, ay patuloy na mag-alab sa aming mga puso ang aming pananampalataya sa Iyo, sa pamamagitan ng Iyong anak na aming Panginoong Hesukristo, kasamang Espiritu Santo, magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.

Man in the Mirror

   

  Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

23 October 2022 

 

First Reading: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

Second Reading: 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18

Gospel: Lk 18:9-14

 

Reflection

By: Theresa Ballo-Manio

 

When you get up in the morning and see yourself in a mirror, what do you see? That first look in the mirror says most of the truth about us and how we feel. After some time, when we go about our own affairs, be it work or studies, we somehow project a different version of ourselves to others. This may not happen at all which is very ideal. At times we are called to do this and there may be times we live a life differently from who we truly are and how we truly feel. This is hard and really sad because living a life made of lies, arrogance, and self righteousness will eat us alive. It will take out the very human in us, our frailty, our need to depend on God alone. 

This Sunday’s Gospel is related to last week’s parable of Jesus about praying. It is an invitation for us to be truly real in front of God whenever we pray. The tax collector in today’s Gospel presents himself to God exactly as he is, a sinner and someone who falls short of God’s graces to do good all the time. He did not pretend to be someone he is not. Contrary to the Pharisee, who presented a false picture of himself to God, telling all his accomplishments, good works, and exaggerating his virtues up to the point of condemning the tax collector who is also praying beside him. 

When we see ourselves better than our neighbors because of the things that we do (doing outreach programs, attending Church activities, having good jobs)  and the things that we do not do (committing crimes) it somehow gives us a good feeling, perhaps because we see ourselves a bit better than those who fail where we succeed. The parable reminds us not to be prisoners of our own small righteousness and not to be blatantly judgemental to others. We are all sinners and all beloved children of a merciful Father. The Gospel invites us to acknowledge our true self and lay down all our cards to God. We will never be perfect, but we can always be honest. 

God’s unconditional love for us gives us the courage we need to present ourselves to him as we truly are. Yes, it may give us feelings of shame yet God’s grace fills us with another chance to be better, to do better, and see people in His eyes. In the beginning of the Eucharist, we are called to mind all our sins, to continue an honest relationship and meeting of God. In my head, God would look down on us from heaven and say in response, “I know everything about you, but now I am happy that you know your shortcomings too! Now, we can continue to have an honest and open relationship.”

Prayer

Dear God, be merciful to a sinner like me. I feel Your love not because I am good but because You are. Whenever I come towards You or be honest to You, things get lighter. May we always set Your loving kindness as our inspiration to see ourselves better and be kinder to others as well. Amen. 

Christian Humility

 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

27 February 2022

 

First Reading: SIR 27:4-7

Responsorial Psalm: PS 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

Second Reading: 1 COR 15:54-58

Gospel: LK 6:39-45

 

Reflection

By: Sem. Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan

 

Have you ever heard of the consciousness examen? It is an integral part of the Ignatian Spirituality whereby you will look unto the past experiences of the day, examine each encounter, and recognize God’s presence throughout the day. During the examination, one also comes face-to-face with his own flaws and shortcomings. It is an opportunity to confront oneself in the light of the faith. It requires both honesty and humility.

This Sunday’s Gospel passage offers a concrete example.  Jesus' preaching seems only to be about loving our neighbor:  specifically, a sinful neighbor.  Since the two great commandments of Jesus—to love God fully and to love our neighbor as ourselves—converge in Him, we are not to look down on our sinful brother, but rather to look up at him.

You can only see the woundedness and fragility of the other through the eyes of Christian humility.  Both my brother and I are sinners.  We are equal in this – we both share in this.  But Jesus calls me to serve my brother as if I were serving Jesus Himself. Only if we have the capacity to see through our own wounds, we come to relate to other people’s wounds. If we cannot recognize our own weakness, we remain blind of the plight of others.  For this reason, from my state of sinfulness, I look up at my sinful brother.  From this stance, I may help him remove the splinter from his eye.

There are moments in my life wherein I am overwhelmed with my own share of sinfulness and feebleness. At times, I would deliberately ignore or pretend as if they are not present. When I consulted my Spiritual Director and told him this experience, he consoled me and told me: "That’s exactly what God wants you to experience. How can you imbibe the smell of your sheep if you are not one of them?" It makes more sense now. It is only through looking at our own experiences of darkness can we begin to understand and accompany our brothers and sisters.

This Christian way of looking towards others is not a judgmental act of comparing oneself to them, rather, it is an invitation to grow together in holiness. Jesus invites us to become good trees which bears good fruits. And how should we become good fruit-bearing trees? Jesus calls us to be deeply rooted in him – to go deep into our own dirt of woundedness and brokenness and to allow ourselves to be immersed in God’s transforming mercy and love. The more we go down, the more we produce good fruits. 

Prayer

God, we are Your beloved. Even in our unfinished state, You take delight in what we are and we will become. Help us to claim for our own Your gentle leading in our lives and help us to know that You are always hoping for more for us and from us. Give us the strength and peace of heart to be filled with Your power. Amen.

 

God's Love for the World

Fourth Sunday of Lent

(Laetare Sunday)

14 March 2021 

 

First Reading:  2 CHR 36:14-16, 19-23

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading:  EPH 2:4-10

Gospel:  JN 3:14-21

 

Reflection

By: Emerson C. Maala

 

When I was a child, my mother would always bring me with her to the church. She was the one who taught me how to pray to God. By that time, I don't have any understanding of God or the church. I was just a happy and innocent kid asking for an ice cream or toys every after Mass. But who really God is?

It was High School when I joined the Ministry of the Altar Server. There, I was able to understand God; He was the one who created the world, He saved us from our sins, people talked to Him, and others. And what I only knew was that I believed and trusted Him. Being an altar server, I felt a greater attraction to the service. I loved what I was doing in the church. This led me to likely become a priest and enter the seminary. And it was through that greater attraction that led me to love God and understand my faith in Him.

The Gospel today speaks of the loving and merciful God  who sends His only Son. During His time, Jesus was rejected by the people as the Son of God. He was mocked by the Pharisees and other people who hated Him. However, there were people who got attracted to Jesus. At first, they do not really understand their faith in Him, but later on, their attraction leads them to love and follow Jesus. On the other hand, even though Jesus was hated and mocked by the people, He did not give up His love for us. He took up the Cross of salvation to save us from our sins. This was the purpose of God's love and mercy to us. He sends His Son for us to understand His love for us and for us to love Him back.

 

Prayer

 

God our Father, we thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through Your goodness, we were able to understand Your love for us. By this, help us to show Your love and mercy to others so that they, too, may understand Your loving presence to them. We ask You to bless us always and keep us in Your love. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ. 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.

 

 

 

Inseparable Commandments

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

25 October 2020
First reading Exodus 22:20-26

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the children of Israel this:

You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall not abuse any widow or orphan.

If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.

If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them.

If you take your neighbour’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbour’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbour cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate.”

Second reading                                                          1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

The Gospel today gives us two inseparable commandments. To love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind. Secondly which is equally important, is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Thus, we cannot say that we love God but show hatred and harm to our neighbor. More so, we cannot show genuine love to others if we do not show respect and love to ourselves. The two greatest commandment is just two sentences but if we really look into ourselves the meaning and challenge of these two commandments, it is hard to sustain. One way or the other, we will fall short. Everything in this life is about love and relationships. God’s unconditional love to all of us. Our actions in response to that accepting and forgiving love. The kind of relationship we have is deeply connected to how we view and take regard of our ourselves. Isn’t it the challenge of the reading that each time we fail to love ourselves, we also hurt other people, stranger or significant people alike and we disappoint God, we are called to go back and remind ourselves that we are loved from the very beginning of our existence? Someone knows and sees how precious we are. Someone who gave up His son to save us, to save you. Still, God isn’t finish, He sent us the Holy Spirit so we will never be alone. If we do have faith, reading my previous paragraph, I suppose it will somehow make us feel better. What if the Pharisees of the modern times keep on pushing our limits until we fall into the trap and sulk the little faith we have? What does loving myself mean today? What does loving my neighbor mean today? I’m sure we all have our own unique answer in those questions. For me, loving myself especially in moments where people around me makes me feel otherwise means trusting that even I feel alone or abandoned by significant people, I still have God. A loving father who always takes care of me and who always stays. May this faith, no matter how little it is right now, purify me in the eyes of God. God wants to have a deep relationship with you today. He wants you to believe that He is the source of genuine love. He can also give it to you, if you ask it sincerely. He can heal your broken heart so you can be restored again. He will make you more loving and save you from your sins.

Prayer

 Dear Lord,

I know that the love produced by my broken heart is tainted and sinful but I love you. One day, I will be more capable of loving You the right way, loving myself a bit more so I can stop hurting significant people who care about me. Help me to love and be merciful to myself so I can be more loving and merciful to others. Help me to see myself as You see me. Fill me with you Holy Spirit so I can display Your love and not mine. Amen.

Invisible

Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday

19 April 2020

First reading                                                                        Acts 2:42-47
[The community of believers] devoted themselves to the apostles” teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Second reading                                                        1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Gospel                                                                     John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then 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.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Reflection

By Grace B. Madriñan

“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” – John 20:29

We are still in extended community quarantine as I am writing this reflection.  I have no qualms of staying at home.  It is basically business as usual for me since our company allowed working from home.  Not much has changed, until I got sick with amoebiasis and acid reflux.  The sharp pain and round the clock medications kept me up all night while I cried for God’s mercy and compassion.  As I am on my way to recovery, I reflected on what the illness is teaching me. 

It taught me to be more compassionate and grateful.  I am only suffering stomachache; how much more painful can it be for COVID patients?  I am being treated at the comforts of my home, while those patients are generally alone.  There is still a lot of things to be grateful for. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appeared to the apostles several times after His resurrection. But on the earlier appearances, Thomas was not there.  He refused to believe until he sees Jesus in the flesh. So, when Jesus finally met him, He made sure to show Thomas His hands and wounds on the side. That is only when Thomas believed. 

I think I am like Thomas in a way.  I knew what is happening outside, I knew the dangers, the suffering. But it only became more real when I suffered myself.  I remember the scare of having to go to Emergency Room for laboratory tests, the anxiety of waiting for the results. It took an invisible bacteria to make me believe I am at God’s mercy. 

On my path to recovery, I am more conscious of God’s providence from the moment I wake up until I rest in the evening.  As they say, tomorrow is never promised.  Every day is grace. 

Prayer

Father God, we believe. Help our unbelief. Be with us, Father as we continue to thrive in this fallen world. In Jesus' Name.  Amen. 

Extraordinary Time, Extraordinary Faith

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion 05 April 2020
First reading                                                           Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 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.

Second reading                                                      Philippians 2:6-11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death ” even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel                                                                     Matthew 26:14 — 27:66

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?”

At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'” The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.”

Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of ilver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over.

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.”

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.'” The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o”clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and ha provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead,” and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

Reflection

By Grace B. Madriñan

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” – Matthew 27:46

As I am writing this reflection, I can’t help but think of those victims of COVID19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).  To date, there are 111 confirmed cases and 8 deceased.  

A lot of heartbreaking stories have circulated online.  But the one that recently struck me the most was the story of a nurse who became a PUI (person under investigation) due to exposure to a COVID19 patient.  Pregnant and afraid for her family, she locked herself in a room away from her husband and 2 children (ages 1 and 3) in order not to expose them.  She always cried whenever she hears her son knocking on her door, unable to understand in his young mind, why Mommy can’t play with him anymore. These moments, it is much easier for her to say, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

“Did God abandon us?”  some people ask.  My mind can’t reconcile the events to the God that I know, a loving and merciful God.  He will never abandon His children. So, in my mind, this is out of His character. 

But in today’s Gospel, Jesus Himself exclaimed this, while hanging on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Did He suddenly got angry to God for allowing Him to suffer at the cross?  He already knew this would happen.  He even begged His Father if it is His will to take away the cup of suffering and yet He allowed the will of the Father.  So why did He say these words?  I honestly don’t know the answer. I am neither a scholar nor a religious authority to confirm.  But what this tells me is that Jesus was human too.  In His agony, He is capable of feeling frustration and exhaustion.  That it is okay to cry out to the Father with our woes and frustrations -- as long as it still He whom we call on to.

Did God abandon us? No. He is even more present among us, holding us while we cry, strengthening us during community prayer. I think He is more hurting, for how could a good Father endure seeing His children suffer? I believe what is happening now is a consequence of our actions. Our indifference to our neighbors and haphazard attitude towards nature has become the pit of our destruction.  

I believe this too shall pass. For how long? Until we learned our lesson? Until the Earth finally recovers? God only knows.  But I believe God is not an intervening God lest we become whiners for every petty problem that we have.  We must collectively pray, not just for our community, but for the whole world.  We live in an extraordinary time, which requires extraordinary faith. 

Prayer

Dearest God, You are a good Father.  It is who You are, and You will never leave us unaided.  Help our unbelief, God and let Your mercy shine upon us all. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.