Humbly Exalting Christ

Second Sunday of Lent 

01 March 2026

 

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

 

We hear the narrative of the Transfiguration of the Lord twice during the celebration of the Holy Mass in each liturgical year. The first time is this very day, the Second Sunday of Lent. The second time we hear the narrative in this very important event in the life of the Lord during the Eucharistic celebration is on August 6, the date that the Church designated to reflect and celebrate this event. In both days, the significance of this event in the life of the Lord is the primary focus of reflection. Aside from His wonderous Nativity, His Baptism in the Jordan River, His most dolorous and sorrowful Passion and Death, and His most glorious Resurrection, the Transfiguration is a very significant moment in Jesus’ earthly life.

By introducing Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Father shows everyone how to exalt His Son. Even though Jesus brought only three apostles – Peter, James, and John – with Him to the mountain, the words the Father spoke at that very moment were for everyone. The Father mandates everyone to listen and to obey Jesus. Like Abram, who we now know as Abraham, in the featured narrative in the First Reading, we should humbly exalt the Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts and minds by listening and obeying Him.

In the context of the Lenten season, the Church invites us to reflect on this very significant moment in the life of Jesus, namely His Transfiguration, as a moment of revelation. Upon being transfigured, the identity of Jesus as true God was revealed. The Father spoke from Heaven, introducing Jesus as the promised Messiah who should be listened to (Matthew 17:5). As the Messiah, Jesus showed the great mercy of God that was referred to very clearly in the song of praise which the Responsorial Psalm features. The way Jesus did so is clearly explained to by Saint Paul the Apostle in the Second Reading. He did this through His Holy Cross and glorious Resurrection.

As a community of faith who form the Church, let us not steal the spotlight from the Lord Jesus. Rather, we should humble ourselves and exalt Him by wholeheartedly listening and obeying Him. By doing this, we are expressing our faith and devotion to Him.

    

Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly present ourselves to You. We, Your humble servants, humbly ask Your forgiveness for trying to steal the spotlight from You. We humbly thank You for showing us Your love, mercy, compassion, and grace. May we be humble of heart, like You, who we humbly exalt and praise forever and ever. Amen.

Authentic Expression of Hope in the Lord

   

Feast of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

09 January 2025

 

First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: John 3:13-17

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

 

“Mas mabuti ang pagsunod kaysa paghahandog’ (1 Samuel 15:22) sa mga umaasa kay Jesus.” In English: “Obedience is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15:22) for those who hope in Jesus." This is the theme of this year’s celebration of the Feast of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. The theme stresses the importance of obedience in expressing true devotion and hope in the Lord as obedience is connected to devoutness and hope.

Our Readings focus on obedience to the Lord as an essential part of our spiritual lives. In the First Reading, the Israelites complain to Moses about their hunger in the desert and how they are no longer content or satisfied with the manna they received from the Lord. However, the complaints are not ordinary. They clearly state in the passage that the manna they receive is “wretched food” (Numbers 21:5). By saying this, the Israelites clearly stress that they are ready to rebel against God for what they believe is a lack of care and attention from Him. In response to this statement of the Israelites, God sent them seraph serpents to kill them. This made them realize the error of their ways which led them to repent and express that they will show their hope and devotion to the Lord by obeying Him. Responding to people's petition that Moses brought to Him, God ordered Moses to create a bronze serpent so that the Israelites may live, despite being bitten by deadly snakes.

In the Second Reading, the Apostle Saint Paul illustrates how the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ brought salvation to all of humanity. With his decision to humbly obey the will of the Father until the very end, Jesus saved humanity. In the Gospel, a short summary of our salvation was provided. Because of His true and authentic love for all of us, God decided to save us through the promised Messiah and Savior who is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, His only Begotten Son.

 

Today's Responsorial Psalm reminds us to not forget what God has done. God has done great things and the greatest was to save us through Christ Jesus. In doing so, He has expressed His true and authentic love and mercy for all of us despite our unworthiness.

In response, what should we do? That is to exhibit obedience to God - to obey Him wholeheartedly until the very end. Obedience is an authentic expression of true hope and devotion to the Lord. To prove that we truly hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, who offered His life for all of us, and are truly devoted to Him, we must obey and follow Him wholeheartedly. This is the response that He deserves to receive after everything He has done for all of us. 

Prayer

O Lord, Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, we humbly ask you to help us choose to obey You so that we can authentically express our true love and devotion to You. Amen.

Literal Sense

    

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

29 September 2024

 

First Reading: Nm 11:25-29

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

Second Reading: Jas 5:1-6

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

 

Reflection

By: Bernard C. Borja

 

Do you know what a kleptomaniac is? A kleptomaniac takes things, literally.

A mother was cooking a family dinner when someone noticed that she was taking too long. The father checked on her and to his surprise, she was sitting inside the refrigerator. He asked what happened and the mother said, “The cooking instructions said, ‘Chill in the fridge for an hour.’”

During an argument, the girl says to her boyfriend, “I am leaving you. This is not working out.” The boyfriend replied, “I thought we were just arguing. We were not even stretching yet!”

A grandmother bought a movie for her granddaughter to watch at home. While her granddaughter was watching, she cooked dinner and did some chores. After watching, the granddaughter was running to her crying and shaking. The grandmother asked what happened and the granddaughter said, “I did not see any lamb at all!” The title of the movie says, “The Silence of the Lambs.”

We all have the tendency to take things literally, and I do not mean being a kleptomaniac. This means we sometimes lose our common sense. According to Wikipedia, Common Sense is "knowledge, judgement, and taste which is more or less universal, and which is held more or less without reflection or argument. It is often considered to represent the basic level of sound practical judgement or knowledge of basic facts that any adult human being ought to possess.” The keywords here would be, “Sound Practical Judgement.” In our everyday lives, how often do we lose our common sense? Are we even aware that we are capable of sound practical judgement? Listening to the Gospel today, we’ll try to focus on practicing our common sense as a Christian and follower of Christ.

When I was young, I remember a big portrait of Jesus attached on the wall of our house. This picture has an inscription, “The eyes of love” and really, His eyes seem to follow me everywhere. So whenever I want to do a mischievous thing, I would literally hide and make sure that I am out of sight of Jesus’ portrait. The Gospel today reminded me on what Jesus meant when he said, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” It does not really mean cutting off my hand. If my right hand was cut off because I committed sin with it, I still have my left hand to continue committing the same or another sin. And I still have my feet and whole body to do forbidden things. So, it should not be in our literal sense that we try to understand what Jesus said. We can also remember when Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Taking these things literally would mean contradicting His commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.”

In our common sense, or in terms of sound practical judgement, we can understand that Jesus is telling us to put God first. As we are always reminded to have Christ at the center of everything. Not to take out everything that comes after, but to let go of whatever replaces God in our life. If our wealth would make us buy more than what we need and store things for our own benefit, then we may consider our wealth something that replaces God in our life. Jesus may tell us, “It is better for you to take no possession of wealth than to be thrown into the unquenchable fires.” Cutting off these things in this sense would also mean true freedom, in which we become more open to share the same love that Jesus gave to us.

Prayer

Dearest Lord, with grateful hearts, we give You thanks for making us stewards of Your great love. May we share this love with one another according to Your will and for Your greater glory. We ask for forgiveness when we lose our common sense in giving literal encouragement to the poor instead of giving food. May You guide us to seek Jesus first in everything that we do, for us to have the true freedom that You meant for us to have. In Jesus’ Name we pray, AMEN.

Very Important Servants

    

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 September 2024

 

First Reading: Wis 2:12, 17-20

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6 and  8

Second Reading: Jas 3:16—4:3

Gospel: Mk 9:30-37

 

Reflection

By: Bernard C. Borja

 

Almost everyone in Metro Manila is familiar with a scene during rush hours where a convoy of vehicles goes through the heavy traffic with two or more police riding two-wheeled vehicles as escorts. You may have shaken your head at least once during the time when you saw something like this. It may have irritated you more if you found out that it was a government official being ushered so that he or she could get to where he or she is supposed to be faster than everyone else on that road. You may remember how during that time you were so anxious about getting late for work and wishing there could be a faster way, and you had no choice but to sit it out. A scene that when we witness it a lot of times, we become used to it and we just ignore it. Then it becomes our common definition of what it means to be a public servant.

What does it mean to be a leader? What does it mean to be trustworthy of authority? What does honorable mean? In our everyday lives, we can somehow define what being a public servant is by simply looking at and observing what they do.

Almost every day, we hear a lot about government officials who are corrupt and dishonest. There are people who justify a misuse of public funds, or even being dishonest about the purpose of the fund being asked. There are those who use government properties for their own desires and benefits. There are also those who run away during difficult times, especially when the people who they have promised to serve need help. We know how obvious these are and yet they remain “unbowed”. But most of us still support these so-called servants and even defend them. We even discuss who among them is the greatest.

The effect of this may not be obvious but we can say that there are times when we have really lost the sense of true service. In the church or in a community where almost everyone is a volunteer, people sometimes think that they are in a higher position than those who are not volunteering. There are times when I used my servant ID to pass the long line of people waiting outside because I am running late. There are servants who think they have permission to pass through security just to take a photo of a high-profile servant. Oftentimes, we miss the point on why we are called to serve and become our own version of “honorable” or “VIS - very important servant”.

Today’s Gospel reminds us of Jesus being our guide and model for us to know the true meaning of service – Obedience. This does not only mean being obedient to those who are above us. A disciple is not above his or her teacher, and yet the teacher can be a servant of the disciple. The core of obedience is being open. Our openness to God who calls us in ways that are unexpected. We become open when we die to our own desires and empty ourselves for the benefit of other people. We become open when we offer the gifts that God has given to us to those in need. Jesus, being our model, emptied Himself and put first what God asked of him to show us how a true servant should be. If we only pray like Jesus Himself, “Not our will, my Lord, but Yours be done.” Then we will truly know what it’s like to be the first and greatest in the Kingdom of God. 

 

Prayer

PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY

Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God, 

Teach me true generosity. Teach me to serve You as You deserve. 

To give without counting the cost, to fight heedless of wounds, 

To labor without seeking rest, 

To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward 

Save the knowledge that I have done Your will. AMEN.

Pointless Obedience

    

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

01 September 2024

 

First Reading: Dt 4:1-2, 6-8

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

Second Reading: Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Gospel: Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

A well-off man organized an outreach event on a weekend with his friends to help the people in the slum area of the city. During the outreach, an elder woman asked the organizer why he is doing it. The man answered, “It is what our private association has been doing every year. We give donations to the poor because we have been blessed with more than we deserve.” The woman asks the man again about his own reason why he does it aside from the association’s yearly event. The man arrogantly answered, “Why do you question the one who is helping you? Can you just accept what we are giving? Maybe that is why you poor can never be successful in life. You always complain even if it is for your own good!”

A young lady is having her driving exam along with her friend. The instructor then asked a question to test her, “Two people are crossing the street. One is walking slow because he is old. The other is a young kid who is running ahead. What do you hit first?” The young lady smiled and winked at her friend to assure her of a correct answer. She then confidently said to the instructor, “Well, the old person already had a long life, but the kid still has a long life ahead. So, I would hit the old one.” The instructor and her friend could not believe what she said. When the instructor walked away shaking her head, her friend said, “That’s not and will never be the right answer! You should have answered ‘you hit the brakes!’ Why would you even think of hitting a person?” The young lady replied, “Shimenet (She may not) like the content of my answer, but I am answering.”

There are many times when we are too confident, and even proud, that we are not doing anything wrong. We oftentimes think that we are above others who do not follow rules. How many of us have been devoted to offering tithes and services in our community thinking that we are doing more than enough to help the ministries? How many of us feel proud joining an outreach for the poor on a Sunday, only to loathe the commuters who are waiting for a bus on a busy highway because they are blocking the driving lane where we are in? Are we even aware of how we “obey” the rules thinking that we are doing good, but forget how we should build our relationship with God?

Jesus rebuked the people who are so rooted in tradition but are not mindful of how God wants His people to obey His commandments in a loving way. We may eat a meal after carefully washing our hands, but if we waste food or even indulge more than we need to, we are missing the point of valuing food as grace. When we donate hard earned money to the church but despise the poor for not paying taxes, we fail to realize the true meaning of giving. Even if I go to mass every day, or receive the sacrament of reconciliation frequently, if I keep on looking down on people who does not follow rules or laws, this may hinder me in building a better relationship with God.

Everything that is good came from God. Saint Paul said that every perfect gift is from the Father, who planted the word of truth in us. He wants to be doers of the word, not just hearers. This is where we need to be aware of our freedom to choose what is good and loving. Jesus said, “Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” We are all created by God to be good and loving. It is what we do that makes us good or not. If I see injustice in our society but not speak against it, I am choosing to be unjust and letting the goodness that God planted on me decrease. As we become aware of the good nature within us, may we be reminded how Jesus leads us to have a better relationship with God, for us to understand more and obey His commandments in a loving way.

Prayer

Loving Father, we come to You in our unclean state to ask for Your mercy and compassion. Grant us the grace of awareness of the good in us so that we may choose more of the loving way that Jesus taught us. Help us to find Jesus in every person that we meet and let them guide us in building a better relationship with ou. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord, AMEN.

Internal Storms

    

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

23 June 2024

 

First Reading: Jb 38:1, 8-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31

Second Reading: 2 Cor 5:14-17

Gospel: Mk 4:35-41

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

In today's Gospel, a storm almost swamped the boat where Jesus and His disciples were. While the disciples were frightful, the Lord "was in the stern, asleep on a cushion" (Mk 4:38). Pierre Marie Dumont commented "For us Christians, this boat represents more particularly the Church, which will have to confront many storms along its voyage until the end of time, storms in which external forces are unleashed, but also unfortunately, even more dangerous internal storms."

Early this month, Saint Joseph de Gagalangin Parish (Tondo, Manila) was in the eye of an internal storm. Fr. Alfonso "Al" Valeza, its parochial administrator was removed from office and suspended from exercising his priestly faculties due to his persistent defiance. Obedience is one of the vows made by priests during their ordination. To make matters worse, some of his supporters came to his defense to the point of disrespecting a retired bishop who came to the parish office to meet up with the priest.

Storms like the above can hurt or even dishearten us. Like the disciples, we cry, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" (Mk 4:38). Jesus' power of calming the storm shows that He cares. Believing that He cares, these storms can make us better Christians. Indeed, as St. Paul tells us, "whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Cor 5:17).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, even the wind and the sea obey You. Our disobedience has contributed to the internal storms besetting Your family, the Church. Filled with awe on Your power, transform us into a new creation: a people who will live no longer for ourselves, but for You. We pray in particular for Fr. Al and for Saint Joseph de Gagalangin Parish. Grant them the grace to overcome these storms. Amen.

Sumunod Ka Sa Akin

    

Twenty-six Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ika-26 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon)

01 October 2023

 

First Reading: Ez 18:25-28

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Phil 2:1-11

Gospel: Mt 21:28-32

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

May magkaibang kahulugan ang pangungusap na "Sumunod ka sa akin", depende kung nasaan ang diin, kung paano sinabi, at sino ang nagsabi. Sumusunod tayo sa utos, sa batas, sa pakiusap o kaya sa taong may awtoridad.

Sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayon, ang nakatatandang anak ang sinabing sumunod sa kalooban ng ama bagaman noong una ay ayaw niya, nagbago ang kaniyang isip at sa huli ay tumalima. Hindi tulad ng pangalawang anak na umoo nga subalit hindi naman pumaroon.

Kung ating susuriin ang ginawang pagsunod ng dalawang anak na lalaki sa Ebanghelyo, parehong may pagkukulang. Ang una hindi agad umoo, 'yung ikalawa naman, sa salita lamang sumunod, kinulang sa gawa.

Paano nga ba ang tamang pagsunod? Salamat sa Panginoong Hesus na Siyang huwaran natin sa pagiging masunurin. Sinabi Niya sumunod kayo sa akin, kung paano Niya sinunod ang kalooban ng Amang nasa langit, ganoon din ang paanyaya sa atin. Ito ay pinatunayan sa sulat ni Apostol San Pablo sa mga taga-Filipos, sa pagpapakababa ni Hesus, Siya ay itinampok ng Diyos. Ganap Siyang nakasunod bunsod ng pag-ibig sa Amang nag-utos at sa sanlibutang pinag-alayan Niya ng buhay.

Ang pagsunod ni Hesus ay hindi dahil sa takot sa awtoridad ng nag-utos, bagkus ay nag-ugat sa pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa kapwa. Kaya naman napakadali para kay Hesus ang pagsunod dahil ginawa Niya ito sa konteksto ng pagmamahal. Magiging ganap lamang ang ating pagsunod kung tayo ay tatalima bunsod ng pag-ibig. Sundan natin ang huwaran ni Hesus. Mahirap pero kaya kung nanaisin natin at kung tayo ay nagmamahal.

Prayer

Ama, hindi madali ang pagtalima sa Iyong kalooban lalo na sa panahon namin ngayon na napakadaling magreklamo, subalit sa awa Mo at sa huwarang ipinakita ni Hesus, sisikapin naming maging masunurin. Amen.

No Gift is Too Small

   

  Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

02 October 2022 

 

First Reading: Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14

Gospel: Lk 17:5-10

 

Reflection

By: Theresa Ballo

 

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” How many times have we asked this from the Lord? How many times have we doubted our own abilities to face an obstacle? Was there even a time we asked the Lord in prayers, “I cannot do this anymore. When will this end?”

Back then, as a young professional still serving the Parish, I asked God, why is He allowing unfortunate events and heartbreaks to happen in my life. Haven’t I had enough? At a young age, my parents brought me to the Church to serve as they do. I thought it was a privilege, that things in my life will be easier and happier. That I will be meeting and getting along well with Godly persons. Growing up in the Church is an assurance of growing up with real faith. Yet, in my experience this wasn’t the case – at first.

In the Gospel this Sunday, it appeared to me it was more of a guided reflection than a parable, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus’ answer them with an insightful instruction, “If you have the faith the size of the mustard seed…”, He’s telling them “great faith” is not a requirement, not even a necessity. Just with little faith, a size of a mustard seed, God with all His loving power can already do great things through them. God fills us, works on what we have, meets us where we are, so we can still pay forward to others and share who God really is.

When the disciples asked for more faith, Jesus replied to look closely in their roles as servants on the table. This is a lesson on obedience and humility. When the going gets tough, seemingly impossible to understand and even continue to do our tasks, we are supposed to focus on doing our duty as servants of the Lord, no matter how small and seemingly irrelevant our actions may be. At times when we are hurt and wounded, we would stay home and wobble in a corner, Jesus reminded us that our Master, our God is with us. It is the time where we are called to fully trust in Him. “Come here immediately

and take your place at the table?

Obedience is derived from the Latin word, “obedire”, which is translated as “to listen”. Attentive listening is needed for us to fully understand the Lord’s command and plan in our life. Humility is giving back to God all the glory He deserves and accepting that we are merely His “stewards”. Looking back at my younger self, all the disappointments and heartbreaks, led me to be fully dependent on God. To understand the reason for all unfortunate events that happened was to be with Him in prayers, to cry to Him, to just sit with Him in moments of great desolation. Now, I guess, my stories have more depth and meaning because I also allowed Him to work in me so I can share how wonderful this life is when you have a very loving God. At the end of this, only Him can move the mulberry tree and plant it in the sea.

Prayer

Dear Lord,thank You for staying with us in moments of desolation. Thank You for making us feel not alone and for consoling us. Teach us to be obedient as Jesus who went through sufferings yet remained trusting in Your plans. Allow us to be vulnerable in Your presence and take all the pride in our hearts so we can be more loving to ourselves and to others. We lift to You all the glory and honor. Amen.

He Got Me Covered!

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8 December 2021 

 

First Reading: GN 3:9-15, 20

Responsorial Psalm: PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

Second Reading: EPH 1:3-6, 11-12

Gospel: LK 1:26-38

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Payod-Balla

 

"Without me knowing, He makes the best things happen." - Anabelle Balla

Should we go with the flow?

It depends on the nature of the flow and where it is going right?

I had a chance to look back and connect my life's journey from the time I was born. I realized that I did no planning at all when I was young. I was just going with the flow. Fortunately, Jesus found me during my late childhood stage and He has been moving things in my life since then. Those times when things came in easy for me--honed as a young leader in church, getting a college degree despite our financial status, getting a job in a very nice company without intending to apply there, etc., feels like Jesus got me covered without knowing it.

I feel so blessed, so favored and I don't mind to continue going with the flow...with Jesus. Like Mary did when she responded to God with the words "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And she was crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth-favored by God.

I trust that God only wants what is best for us. And I pray that He will continue to lead us and bring us all to the best life that He has prepared for all of us. A life of meaning, contributions and significance, of peace, love, joy, and prosperity at His side.

If He leads us somewhere, He will definitely ensure we successfully get there. He can make the impossible possible just like the miracle of the Immaculate Conception.

Prayer

Father, thank You for having us covered in all aspects in our life. You even gave us Mama Mary, our Mother, who is always there interceding for us and urging us to stay close to You and Jesus. May we be more like her when it comes to humility, obedience, steadfast faith and devotion to Your will. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Mama Mary, please pray for us.

 

The Virtue of Obedience

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time27 September 2020
First reading Ezekiel 18:25-28

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die.

Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die.

Second reading                                                          Philippians 2:1-11

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 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 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders: “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.”

Reflection

By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed on June 25, 2020 the Republic Act 11476 or Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education Act that requires GMRC and Values Education subjects to be taught in the K-12 curriculum after its removal as a regular subject in 2013. If the Philippine government regards respect, discipline, honesty, and obedience among others as essential traits in developing today's generation, what more our Lord Jesus Christ who has been teaching us to become good since 2,000 years ago and promising us an eternal life with Him?

In today's Gospel, Jesus again narrates a parable in order to teach a lesson especially to the chief priests and elders of Jerusalem who recently questioned Jesus of His authority to preach in the temple. He asks who between the two sons obeyed his father's will. Was it the first son who refused when ordered to go and work in the vineyard but later on obeyed? Or was it the second son who accepted the command but did not go? They answered, "The first". "The one who turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is right and just shall preserve his life" as proclaimed in the First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.

This Sunday, Jesus is teaching us about the virtue of obedience. All of us will surely agree that we are disobedient sometimes. In the same way that we factor in the authority of the one giving us commands for either we obey or not. There are instance also when we speak of sweet promises but intend to break it. Our actions do not justify our words. Even though Jesus only gave us two choices between the first and the second son, He does not limit us to better ourselves. The two sons in the Gospel passage had their own share of disobedience. The first son when he refused to comply with his father’s commands. He failed to honor his father as the fourth commandment tells us to do. On the other hand, the second son disobeyed with his actions. He made his father believed that he will do it but end up not. The second son somehow deceived his father who gave his full trust in him. As they say, "actions speak louder than words". The first son that represented sinners who had a change of heart will enter the Kingdom of God.

All of us are requested to work in the vineyard today. In heeding the call, we need a perfect model to emulate. As described by Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians, "Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God, something to be grasped. He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. In Christ's acceptance and submission to the Father's will, He put His full trust in the wisdom of God. His words complimented His actions.

Yes, we may still find it difficult to be obedient, but when we let God work in our heart, then obedience will come naturally. Start applying this virtue in your daily life, in following your parent's command on household chores, your supervisor's work instructions, the queuing in public transport, and dealing with every transaction. How obedient are you?

Let me end this reflection with a quote from my favorite saint, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina as he said, "Obey promptly! Do not consider the age or merit of a person. And in order to succeed, imagine you are obeying the Lord."

Prayer

Father, let Your spirit of obedience helps me to shed my ego and pride, to be compliant and submissive to your beautiful plans. Through Mary's intercession and Christ's redemption, Amen.

The Good Shepherd's Herd

Fourth Sunday of Easter

03 May 2020

First reading                                                                        Acts 2:14, 36-41
Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. . . Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Second reading                                                        1 Peter 2:20-25

If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Gospel                                                                     John 10:1-10

Jesus said to his disciples, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Reflection

By Gary Tulabut

Are you granting the front liners’ simple requests from us?

What are they?

Staying at home. And along with it, social distancing, wearing face mask, and washing of hands. These are very basic, aren’t they?

Just stay home and you help save lives. If you have something else to give, better. But even if we cooperate by just staying home, it is already a big help.

You don’t have to sacrifice like the front liners to save lives. Just stay at home.

But why can’t everybody do it? I hope you can. And I hope you do.

If you do, what can you say about those who do not follow the rules? Are you annoyed with them? Irritated even?

You know what, at home, only my younger sister has a quarantine pass. When she goes out to buy necessities,  she is all wrapped with extra clothes, complete with gloves, face mask and goggles. And she follows social distancing.

When she comes back home, we almost shower her with disinfectant alcohol. Then, her extra outer clothing goes straight to the washing machine. All the goods she buys are disinfected. We even wash fruits and vegetables with soap. And if we buy readily cooked food, we heat them again before consuming.

But look at what others do. They roam around as long as they can keep away from barangay officials and the police. Some gossip. Others gamble. Others drink alcoholic beverage. As if nothing serious is happening.

Worst, I heard from the news, there were some who just received amelioration and used the money for drugs.

But then, of course, there are those who really have nothing. They lost their jobs. Some are “no-work, no-pay” like me. Vendors cannot sell. Drivers are banned from transporting people. They don’t know where to get rice for the day. No money to buy medicine for mom and dad who are both seniors. And there are many other sad stories you will see on the news.

How can we tell them, “Stubborn! Hard-headed!”? Simple things you cannot do. Right?

Today in the second reading, St. Peter said in his first letter, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.” (1 Peter 2:20)

St. Paul said to the Galatians, “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

You keep on doing the right things, but it seems nothing is happening?

Don’t give up. Just continue doing good even if the rest do not mind at all. Following the government, especially in times like these, shows what kind of sheep we are. Are we part of the good sheep, or are we the black sheep?

In his letter to the Romans, St Paul said,” Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves.

If you are among the privileged (those who have enough), these are the right times to obey the authorities, no matter what your political affiliations are. Don’t be a black sheep; be a good one.

And if you are more than privileged (you have more than enough), then why not be a shepherd to others and show that you really are part of the herd of the Good Shepherd?

Prayer

Father, forgive us for our stubbornness. Help us to be more considerate, compassionate and obedient for the sake of many. We continue to pray, please put an end to COVID-19 and grant complete and immediate healing to Your people. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.