Present Miracles

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

24 June 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1-b3, 13-14ab, 14c-15

Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

 

Reflection

By: Bernard M. Borja

Two years ago, I wrote a reflection based on the same Gospel about the Nativity of John the Baptist. During that time, my son was only 2 weeks old, and I shared some of the things that made me asked, “What, then, will this child be?” Fast forward to today, I want to share some insights that I was able to gain after I continue to witness “partial miracles” and why I think I will keep asking the same question that the neighbors and relatives of Zechariah asked after his mouth opened, and his tongue freed.

My son is now a “terrific” two. I don’t want to say “terrible”, a common label referring to a toddler, because I that may also reflect how I am doing as a parent (at least in words and thought). Just like he was so busy inside his mother’s belly, he became a very active toddler running around at every chance he gets. His cries are louder now, and he can now tell what he wants and insists on it. He sleeps well now but getting him to sleep has become one of the greatest challenges for me and my wife. Everything I thought about him has evolved from an overwhelming emotional and mental rollercoaster, into a gigantic, humongous volcano with its own weather system constantly erupting and thundering inside my head. But he will always be one of our greatest miracles and we will always believe that “the hand of the Lord is always with him.” Seeing only a part of a miracle may help us hold on to faith. However, there are times seeing most of the miracle, if not all, being laid before us may add to those uncertainties that we were already thinking about. I still worry about being a good father; I still worry about guiding him properly in life; I still worry if I’ll be able to take care of him and keep him away from harm all the time. But I continue to learn that these worries are also part of the miracles that push me forward to face every obstacle head on. Because the other part of that miracle is doing my best to be a good father; one part of that miracle is learning how to guide him properly; and another part of that miracle is accepting that my son will experience hurt and pain, but I can choose to be with him as he goes through it.  Being part of a miracle may sometimes take our gaze away from its benefits. Fear came upon the neighbors of Zechariah maybe because they were overwhelmed with emotions thinking about the future that must come – especially the duties and responsibilities they will have. Like them, when we get overwhelmed by the wonderful things, we tend to focus only on the uncertainties and forget that God has always been working His miracles in us. It is also in those moments of being overwhelmed that we need to remember how God calms our hearts and remind us that we are all part of His Divine plan.

The words of the prophet Isaiah – “The LORD called me from birth…from my mother’s womb he gave me my name” – has struck me by the tender certainty of a Father’s voice speaking from the beginning. As a father guiding my little one down life’s path, I know what it feels like to carry dreams for someone who is yet to learn more about life. One of my prayers for my son, as I likely thought Zechariah also whispered to John was: “May your life shine, may your strength be well spent, may your calling be clear.” Sometimes I cannot help but think that like Isaiah’s words, “I thought I had toiled in vain” when I feel I am not giving what my son needs and deserves. Yet I marvel that every distressed effort and every uncertain step has already been intertwined into a recompense only God could plan.

The calling of John the Baptist also recounts to this Divine Plan. Chosen from the womb to prepare the way of the Lord, he lived as a father’s vision of faithfulness manifested. He did not appear on center stage for applause, but stood in the wilderness, a light of conviction, pointing beyond himself. I imagine Zechariah praising God each time his son’s voice echoed across the Jordan river, confident that every prayer of preparation, every offering of guidance, had not been wasted.

While I still ask, “What will my son be?”, I pray that I keep my eyes fixed on the present miracles: the joy of learning and discovery, the tears and comforts during hurts, and the thrill of being part of every precious moment no matter how small it is. Without seeking an answer to my question, I pray that these miracles would keep reminding me that despite fear of uncertainties, I can redirect back my gaze of partaking in the greatest miracle of God, who journeys with His children and help us grow to become strong in spirit.

Prayer

Dearest Lord, in Your perfect timing You granted Elizabeth the miracle of a son. You showed great mercy, and all who heard rejoiced. By Your providence through Zechariah, John’s name was proclaimed, defying expectation and revealing Your wonderful plan. Graciously fill our hearts with the same wonder and amazement that we may praise and glorify you despite our fears. May we, like John, grow strong in spirit, carrying Your eternal light into the desert of our lives until Your presence is revealed. AMEN.

Shout Joyfully to God

    

Sixth Sunday of Easter

14 May 2023

 

First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Second Reading: 1 Pt 3:15-18

Gospel: Jn 14:15-21

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

“Let all the earth cry out to God with joy”

Easter is truly a joyful season. The Lord has risen. His resurrection has given us so much hope and unexplainable joy. And because of this, the disciples finally has become bold and brave to spread and to proclaim the good news and the people paid attention because of the many miracles and signs that Jesus has done after His resurrection. And because of their increase faith, the disciples were able to also perform miracles and cast out unclean spirits, cured the paralyzed and crippled, and many accepted the word of God. There was great joy in the city.

When we also answer God’s call and mission for us, it brings immense joy. Our life should also live the Paschal Mystery of His death and resurrection. Our journey here on earth is not a smooth journey. We face different kinds of challenges and difficulties in doing the mission God has called us to do but it brings immense joy knowing that we serve our God by loving others and bringing the kingdom of God closer to all the people that we meet. When we truly love, we are ready to make sacrifices and submit to the will of God with loving obedience. And in doing this, we experience real joy that can only come from God.

Prayer

Dear Lord, as I spend time with You, I am aware of how blessed I truly am. I think of the love and laughter in my life and I feel grateful. Thank You for always being there for me Lord and for finding joy even in the midst of trials and difficulties. Give me the grace to experience Your joy in every moment of my life. Amen.

Progenitor of grace

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

25 July 2021 

 

First Reading: 2 Kgs 4:42-44

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

Second Reading: Eph 4:1-6

Gospel: Jn 6:1-15

 

Reflection

By: Grace Madrinan

 

"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many?" - John 6:9

When I read this verse in today's Gospel, I can't help but relate it to the community pantry that had since spread all over the country and abroad. I saw how it started with one small cart of basic pantry items along Maginhawa street. If Ana Patricia Non, the progenitor of this community pantry, thought that her help is too little to matter, then 6,700 other community pantries would not have helped feed people in need.

Similar to the boy in today's Gospel, he did not mind sharing his small packed lunch to the disciples. His generosity is innate. In his innocent mind, if he can but make at least a few less hungry then that would be enough, even at the risk of losing food for his own.

And that is what Jesus is waiting for - a progenitor of generosity. Someone to offer even with the littlest he has, so that God can multiply it.

I used to wonder why Jesus had to wait for the boy to offer his lunch. He could just have brought rain of manna like in the time of Moses, or turn stone into bread. But I also thought that it would not look right, since it would look like sorcery and besides, would you eat the food if you knew it used to be a stone? There's going to be a lot of explaining to do! That is definitely not how God operates.

I read somewhere that this is because God wants to cooperate with us. He is not invasive, He is not manipulative, He will move if we allow Him to work. And when we have faith, miracles happen.

 

Prayer

 

"Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous

Teach me to serve You as I should

To give and not to count the cost"

    - Prayer of Generosity (Bukas Palad Ministry)

 

Believe to See

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 5, 2015

We are the people of the Lord, the flock that is led by his hand: come, let us adore him, alleluia.

First reading                                      Ezekiel 2:2-5

The spirit came into me and made me stand up, and I heard the Lord speaking to me. He said, ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to the rebels who have turned against me. Till now they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me. The sons are defiant and obstinate; I am sending you to them, to say, “The Lord says this.” Whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know there is a prophet among them.’

Psalm                                              Psalm 122:1-5

Second reading                              2 Corinthians 12:7-10

In view of the extraordinary nature of these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’ So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

Gospel                                               Mark 6:1-6

Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.”

Jesus started His public ministry and many of those who believed are those who do not have any full knowledge of where He came from and what was His background. Most of those who knew Him as the carpenter’s son did not believe in Him. In one instance He even had to admonish the disciples who had been with Him in His ministry teaching the people and healing the sick. I can sense the frustration Jesus had when He said: “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me”.

It is a paradox. They saw the miracles that Jesus has performed yet they didn’t believe. A lot of us like Thomas has to simply see to believe. But no matter what unfolds in front of us, if we are blinded by disbelief caused by our pre-programmed biases and beliefs we still end up doubting. I really wonder how Jesus felt when His own kin and close friends did not recognize and give Him due honor as a prophet in spite of the many miracles He had performed. In the end, He chose to bring His ministry and healing to other places. He chose to do mighty deeds somewhere else.

To this date, in Israel where Jesus Christ was born, many are still hard-hearted and still is in disbelief even after thousands of years has passed. They still do not give honor to Jesus as a mighty prophet at the least. We who are so far away from where He was born, are so blessed that we have heard the good news of salvation through the disciples and the martyrs and saints and believed! Thus we give Him honor not just as a mighty prophet but us our Lord and Savior!

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we thank You for opening our eyes and erasing our disbelief. We thank You that for allowing us not to have the need to see with our physical eyes but with our eyes of faith to believe that You are our Lord and Savior. That You are our Almighty God! Use us Lord that we may be able to open the eyes of those who still struggle to believe in You! Amen!

Remember the Signs

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Aug 24
First reading                                          Isaiah 22:19-23

Thus says the Lord of Hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:

I dismiss you from your office,

I remove you from your post,

and the same day I call on my servant

Eliakim son of Hilkiah.

I invest him with your robe,

gird him with your sash,

entrust him with your authority;

and he shall be a father

to the inhabitants of Jerusalem

and to the House of Judah.

I place the key of the House of David

on his shoulder;

should he open, no one shall close,

should he close, no one shall open.

I drive him like a peg

into a firm place;

he will become a throne of glory

for his father’s house.

                

Psalm                                                 Psalm 137:1-3,6,8

Second reading                               Romans 11:33-36

How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how
impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know
the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him
anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for
him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.

.

Gospel                                           Matthew 16:13-20

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who

do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some

Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’

Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus

replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that

revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this

rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will 

give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered 

bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he 

gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Reflection
By Bernard Borja

I have a friend who always looks for signs (or formulate conditions) before he decides to do something. Let’s call him “Ace” (not his real name but his favourite song goes like “I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign”). Whenever Ace is on his way to work, he will look for signs whether he shall take the MRT or the bus. He says, “I’ll take the MRT if I arrive at the station early and there are less than ten people in line to buy a ticket.” For some reasons, he always takes the bus. If he wants to go on a diet he will say, “I will only eat fruits today if I pass by the market when I visit my grandmother.” His grandmother’s house was just two blocks away from his and nowhere near any market.

One Saturday night, Ace was feeling sad because he could not find fulfillment at work and the emptiness in his heart was growing as time goes by (maybe some kind of a quarter life crisis). He prayed to God for a sign if he needs to move on and look for another work. Sunday morning, after serving in the church, he came across an old friend who greeted him profusely as they have not seen each other for a long time. They had a little chat and his friend opened up that their company is looking for a new trainer. Ace fits the qualifications and he said to his friend that he’s interested to apply but asks to give him some time. He then handed Ace his business card should he make up his mind. Ace prayed to God that if this is the work he is looking for, he will wait for a sign as he says, “Lord, if tomorrow I’m able to ride the MRT with few passengers, I will send my application for the new work opportunity.” Monday came and to his surprise, there were only a handful of passengers in the MRT. He prayed again saying, “Lord, if my boss and I will not have a disagreement today, I will send my application for the new work opportunity.” All through the day, his boss just agreed to whatever he does (maybe his boss is just too lazy to work that day). Ace was filled with joy as he prayed again saying, “This is it Lord! One last sign! If my friend calls and ask me about my application, I will send it immediately.” Days have passed but there was no call from his friend. He started to feel sad again. Then came Sunday, Ace saw his old friend again and asked about the work opportunity. His friend said to him, “Oh! Sorry. The opportunity closed just last Friday.” To Ace’s dismay, he asked his friend, “Why did you not call me to send my application?” His friend paused for a moment and said, “Well, I was waiting for a sign. That is for you to contact me. You got my card, right?”

Many times, we do not realize that God has always been there for us. We do not even recognize the power He has over us. The miracles of Jesus, from the fishing when they first met to the feeding of the four thousand, may have brought Peter to faithfully declare that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the living God. Earlier in the chapter of the Gospel (Matthew 16), Jesus even made the disciples recall the multiplication of the loaves when they brought no bread. The disciples failed many times to recognize Jesus even though they are the ones who witnessed most of the heavenly signs.

Have we not yet seen enough of God’s work for us to live a wonderful life? Have we not yet recognize His miracles in our everyday schedule? The moment of waking up is already a reminder of God’s love for us. Even in our sleep He is there to protect us from harm. It is easier for us to see God in every good that happens in our life yet take the simple things for granted. But it’s harder for us to see God in our difficulties. Even in our prayers, there are times when we doubt His goodness as if all His promises are never enough.

How do we really come to know who Jesus Christ is? We go to church and hear about Him but there is more to that. It is not just how priests and preachers describe Him and His works. It is not just learning about His miracles in the Bible. We come to know Jesus Christ by living in His unfailing love for us through the signs that we see in every single moment of our life. Because God has revealed His Messiah not just through earthly signs, but by bringing heaven to our life.

Prayer

Jesus, we believe in You. We have seen your miracles not just as it was told to us but as it lives in us. Open our hearts to know You more and become like You as we declare in our life that You are our Saviour, our deepest desire. Lead us Lord, as our Shepherd King, past the perils of despair to the higher heavens in the greater glory of God our Father.Amen.

June 24, 2012

“ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

First Reading: Is 49:1-6

Hear me, O coastlands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother's womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Resp. Psalm: Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15

Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26

In those days, Paul said:

"God raised up David as king;

of him God testified,

I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;

he will carry out my every wish.

From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,

has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.

John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance

to all the people of Israel;

and as John was completing his course, he would say,

'What do you suppose that I am' I am not he.

Behold, one is coming after me;

I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet."

"My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,

and those others among you who are God-fearing,

to us this word of salvation has been sent."

Gospel:  Lk 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child

she gave birth to a son.

Her neighbors and relatives heard

that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,

and they rejoiced with her.

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,

they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,

but his mother said in reply,

"No. He will be called John."

But they answered her,

"There is no one among your relatives who has this name."

So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.

He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name,"

and all were amazed.

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,

and he spoke blessing God.

Then fear came upon all their neighbors,

and all these matters were discussed

throughout the hill country of Judea.

All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,

"What, then, will this child be?"

For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

The child grew and became strong in spirit,

and he was in the desert until the day

of his manifestation to Israel.

Reflection

By Gharri Tulabut

Today is a day not suited for those who are not sport or “pikon” especially if you live or go to the cities of Manila or San Juan in the Philippines.

I am talking about the Filipino (or at least some residents of Metro Manila) tradition on the Feast of St. John the Baptist. That is getting people wet by throwing water(or any liquid) on them not until they get wet but until they get mad.

This, of course is a good tradition that just went wrong. So let us not focus on the negatives but rather on the positive things we can learn about the life of the person whose nativity we are celebrating today – St.John the Baptist

Definitely, there are so many things that we can learn about St. John but focusing on today’s readings, here are three important things I learned from his life:

First, is that with God nothing is impossible. In the Gospel today, there is an old couple giving birth to their first born. There is nothing new about that. We all know that God performed miracles. But do we also believe that God still perform miracles? That the God who did all these miracles during the biblical times is still the God that we have today? So, if those miracles do happen before, they can still happen in our times.

Second, is that greatness awaits all the children of God. Sometimes, this greatness would need a little help from the people around. In the case of St. John, it started from prophesying through his name which means “God is gracious”. (I think parents should really make a good effort to pick the right names for their children.) Christ Himself proclaimed in Matthew 11:11 that “History had not known a man born of a woman greater than John the Baptist”.

Third is humility. No matter how great St. John is, he knew his role. He knew how to recognize greatness beyond His own. He was not greedy with fame and power. How I wish many people are like that especially those at work and in the government. But the important thing in recognizing others’ greatness is learning from them and applying them in mastering one’s craft. So that one day, someone else will recognize us and we can pass on the baton to them.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for Your cousin St.John the Baptist, my model for humility and greatness! May he be a role model for people in all walks of life, especially for those in authority. Amen!