Manalangin Tayo

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ika-23 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon)

10 September 2023

 

First Reading: Ez 33:7-9

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

Second Reading: Rom 13:8-10

Gospel: Mt 18:15-20

 

Reflection

By: Renato C. Vibiesca

 

Walang palya ang pagsisimba namin tuwing Linggo. Ako, ang misis ko at ang aming dalawang anak ay sinisiguro na sama-sama kaming nagsisimba at bibihira naman na hindi kami magkakasama. Ang paniniwala kasi namin ay lalong pinatatatag ng pagsisimba tuwing Linggo ang aming pamilya. Pero sa pananalangain ay higit pa sa pagpapatatag ng pamilya ang gustong sabihin ng ating Ebanghelyo ngayon. Aaminin ko na sa loob ng dalawampu’t limang taon ng pagsasama namin ng aking kabiyak ay bibihira kaming nananalangin na magkasama, bukod sa pagsisimba naming ng Linggo. Tulad ng karamihan sa atin ay nakasanayan na ang pagdarasal nang mag-isa. Pagkagising sa umaga’y nagpapasalamat tayo at nagpupuri sa Diyos sa buhay na muling ipinagkatiwala sa atin at madalas na hinihingi natin na gabayan tayo sa buong araw na ating gugugulin. Sa gabi naman ay magpapasalamat muli at magmumuni-muni sa nagdaang araw upang humingi ng kapatawaran sa Diyos sa mga nagawang kasalanan bago matulog.  Ganito ang klase ng pananalangin na madalas na nakasanayan ng karamihan sa atin pero nang dumating ang Pandemya, para tayong ginising sa pagkakatulog, binulabog tayo ng samu’t saring pangamba, alalahanin sa buhay, at pagdududa sa kinabukasan. Ngunit dahil sa ating pananampalataya sa Diyos ay mas naging matingkad ang maraming aral na ibinigay sa atin sa panahon ng Pandemya.

Sa panahon ng Pandemya, ipinapahiwatig sa atin na hindi sapat ang nakasanayan nating pananalangin na mag-isa lang. Ibig ng Diyos na manalangin tayo araw-araw  nang sama-sama, na nagkakaisa, na buo ang pamilya kasama ang Panginoon sa harap nila. Malaking hamon sa karamihan ang magsama-sama araw-araw upang magdasal dahil hindi na nga ito ang nakasanayan ng karamihang pamilya. Hindi ba’t mas madalas lang nating ginagawa na magsama-sama sa pananalangin tuwing may mga espesyal na okasyon tulad ng piyesta, padasal sa patay, mga pasiyam o pang 40 days na dasal, mga pakikiisa sa pabasa tuwing mahal na araw, tuwing simbang gabi, at sa mga kasal o binyag.

Pero biniyayaan tayo ng Diyos ng maraming pagkakataon na magkasama-sama nang maranasan ang madalas na lock-down. Ako, ang misis ko at ang dalawang anak ko ay hindi na lamang tuwing Linggo nagdarasal nang sama-sama mula noon. Sa pananalangin namin nang sama-sama ay mas natutuklasan namin na mas marami pa palang dapat ipagdasal. Ipapabatid din sa atin na ang pananalangin nang sama-sama ay pagkakataon upang madama na kasama natin ang Diyos sa ating harapan tulad ng sinasabi ng ating Ebanghelyo.  Higit sa lahat ay pinalalakas ng pananalangin nang sama-sama ang ating pananampalataya na tiyak na diringgin ng Diyos ang anumang hilingin natin sa ikabubuti ng ating pamumuhay. Walang duda na malaking biyaya sa pamilya ang pahayag ng Ebanghelyo: “Sinasabi ko pa rin sa inyo: kung ang dalawa sa inyo rito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyong panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa akin, naroon akong kasama nila."

Prayer

Panginoong Jesus, kami’y nananalig na lalo mo pang pag-iibayuhin ang pagbibigay sa amin ng mga biyaya na magbibigkis sa amin upang sama-sama kaming manalangin sa araw-araw. Buo ang aming pag-asa at pananampalataya na lagi Mong ipagkakaloob sa amin ang mga kahilingan naming higit na makabubuti para sa aming pamumuhay at upang lalo pang mapalapit sa Iyo at makapiling Ka magpasawalang-hanggan. Amen.

I am the Good Shepherd.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Good Shepherd Sunday

25 April 2021 

 

First Reading:  ACTS 4:8-12

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29

Second Reading:  1 JN 3:1-2

Gospel:  JN 10:11-18

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"A good shepherd lays down his life  for the sheep."

 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He knows each and every one of us. And He already laid down His life for us, His sheep. That's how much God loves us. He sent us His Son to save us from our sins. Sheep are mentioned more than 200 times in the Bible, more than any other animal. Sheep are important sources of wool, milk, and meat, and throughout the Bible, sheep served as symbol of God's people. Jesus is portrayed as the shepherd of His chosen flock in the prophetic words of Isaiah and Ezekiel, and most famously in the 23rd Psalm, all in which belongs to the Good Shepherd.

 

Sheep are followers. And as the sheep of our Good Shepherd, Jesus, we ought to follow Him closely so we don't get lost. Following isn't something sheep have to think—about it's an instinct. Sheep remember faces. They recognized faces of other sheep and even of humans who work with them regularly. They are almost human, because sheep remember who treats them well—and even more, they remember who handles them harshly. Sheep find safety in numbers, and when grazing, sheep will keep at least 4-5 other sheep in view. They are very social and extroverted animals, for they do not do well alone, and they value supporting each other by sticking together at all costs. A lost sheep is critical because they do not do well alone. And Jesus cares that we do not get lost from His gaze because without Jesus our life will surely be a mess and empty.

Jesus is the true shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd who was willing to die for those who put their faith in Him. Any other person  who claims to be the true shepherd is a robber or a thief, for they are a false shepherd. Imagine a world where people do not expect to be served but are all eager to serve and care for one another! Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares, watches, and protects those who believe in Him. This is a wonderful message for anyone who seeks peace with God.

To be in a Lord's flock is to be in a life-changing, transformative relationship with the Lord. To know the Lord our Good Shepherd is to see our life changed by that very relationship. It is to know the voice of Jesus and be able to distinguish it from others, so that in all things God may be glorified.

Let me close with these beautiful verses from Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd;

I have everything I need

He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of water

He gives me new strength

He guides me in the right paths as He has promised

Even if I go through the deepest darkness

I will not be afraid Lord for You are with me

Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me

You prepare a banquet for me where all my enemies can see me

You welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim

I know that Your goodness and love will be with me all my life

And your house will be my home as long as I live.

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Good Shepherd who will always be there to guide and protect us. Even if we face the greatest trials and pain and suffering, we know You will always be there to carry us and go through our dark valley. Give us the grace Lord to remain steadfast and increase our faith, hope, and trust in You. Help us to continue to love and serve You in others especially during this pandemic. All this I pray, in Your Mighty Name. Amen.

 

 

 

Peace Be With You

Third Sunday of Easter

18 April 2021 

 

First Reading:  ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9

Second Reading:  1 JN 2:1-5a

Gospel:  LK 24:35-48

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"Why are you troubled?"

 

God knows what we really need this time of Easter. It's amazing how words in the scriptures capture our attention. Even the disciples were still frightened themselves. Imagine losing their Lord and Teacher to death. They could not grasped why it had to happen. They did not yet understand that Jesus has to suffer, die, and will rise again. And in the midst of their anxiety, confusion, and doubts, God greets them. He also greets us "Peace be with you." I often feel like God really knows just what I need to hear and when. I don't know about you, but I'm yearning for more peace during this Easter season.

In this season of CoVid-19 pandemic (sorry if I have been reflecting on the pandemic again) especially here in the Philippines where positive cases continue to rise, our hospitals are filled to the capacity, our health workers are just so exhausted, we just need the greetings of God "Peace be with you." We really can't help but be afraid especially we see people already close to us getting afflicted and suffering from CoVid-19. This is for real.

Today, we really do not understand why it is happening. But just like Jesus who said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."  Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And He said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead  on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness  of sins, would be preached in His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

 

Our mission continues to share the good news of Christ no matter where we are, what we are experiencing right now. We must continue to spread the good news of God's love. That He is present in our suffering because He suffered Himself.

Let me share the lyrics of this beautiful song because there are also words from the Lord that He will be ever with us.

I Am Ever With You

Fr. Arnel Aquino, SJ

Do not let your hearts be troubled

Do not stay afraid

It is really I whom you see

I offer you now my peace

I have waited for this moment

To be with you again

In my heart you'll remain

In your heart I'll stay

I am with you, till the end of your days

I am in you, have faith

That I hold you

Even when you let go

And I love you,

You must know. I am here. I am ever with you.

 

Do not let your hearts be troubled

Do not stay afraid

I'm beyond all anguish all death

I'm risen to life anew.

 

When you feel that you've been emptied

And can give no more

Know that I am your breath and I fill your soul.

I am with you, till the end of your days

I am in you, have faith

That I hold you

Even when you let go

And I love you.

You must know I am here. I am ever with you.

 

Prayer

 

Dear Jesus, many people are suffering, confused, afraid, worried, anxious right now,. Where are You Lord? Lord, we know that You are here with us in our suffering and pain. Please continue to strengthen us. Give us the grace of complete trust and confidence in You. Increase our hope that one day, all shall be well. All these I pray in the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

 

Stay Grateful!

Second Sunday of Easter

Sunday of Divine Mercy

11 April 2021 

 

First Reading:  ACTS 4:32-35

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Second Reading:  1 JN 5:1-6

Gospel:  JN 20:19-31

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting."

 

At this time of the pandemic when people are losing their jobs, businesses are closing down, families are losing their loved ones to CoVid-19, there is just so much uncertainty and anxiety. How long will this pandemic last? How long, O Lord? This is the question of so many of us.

And it can be overwhelming. And today we are reminded to give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting in whatever circumstances we may have.

Can we pause for a while and be present for the moment? This is the Second Sunday of Easter and we should be thankful that we are still alive! Start writing down the things that you are thankful for and you will be surprised! Start it right now. Thank God for  a new life every morning, for the sunshine, for the rain, for the trees, for the flowers, the plants, the mountains, the sea, your eyes to see, your ears to hear, there is food on the table, you still have your feet to walk, you have friends, you can still meet people online, the gift of technology, you can connect and browse the internet, you have your phone, the comfort of your bed, the air-conditioner, the electric fan, your kitchen, your home, and on and on and on. How many were you able to list down?

 

Yes, we may be filled with dark clouds but the Lord is here. Let us keep the faith and hope in the Lord. Let us thank Him for His continued presence and unconditional love. We just have to believe that. The Lord is our only refuge at this time of the pandemic and for that we should already give thanks. We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. We strive for the grand spiritual adventure, which we haven't had, and neglect the many gifts from God that we do have. Let us be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is everlasting!

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus for whatever life may bring I say THANK YOU! Give me the grace of a grateful heart all the time. Because when there is gratitude and humility, there is peace. Thank You for everything You have given me Lord including the gift of life that I sometimes take for granted. All this I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

 

 

The Lord is Risen!

Easter Sunday

The Resurrection of the Lord

4 April 2021 

 

First Reading:  ACTS 10:34a, 37-43

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Second Reading:  COL 3:1-4, 22-23

Gospel:  JN 20:1-9

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"For they did not yet understand the Scripture that He had to rise from the dead."

Today is a very joyous day because it is Resurrection Sunday! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad! The Lenten days of fasting, almsgiving, and repenting are over. Christ's resurrection vividly demonstrates that love is always stronger than fear or hate or even death. Certainly, something to celebrate. And given what we have all been through this past year, we all really need reasons to celebrate, to find joy and reason for our hope. We just came out of the dark days of Good Friday and experience the fullness of Christ's light on Easter!

Maybe some of us would fret at these words, what is there to rejoice when we are in the midst of a pandemic? Many people are dying, our health workers and front liners are tired, the CoVid-19 cases are rising even with vaccination going on already. Where are You, Lord? People are anxious, worried, frustrated. At these moments, it may seem less clear how the Easter story is our story.

Let us take comfort in knowing that this is exactly the situation of Jesus' friends and followers not only during His Passion, but even in the earliest days of the Resurrection. It took time for them to recognize the reality of the Resurrection. The truth of the Easter Sunday is that God's love is victorious. That is the essence of our faith. Good still wins out over evil. Life wins out over death.

Remember that it is not our action that makes Easter happen. Rather, it is about taking the time to be attentive to God's creative action. God's unstoppable love resurrected Jesus from the dead. And it is God's love and not our own action that will lead to our own resurrections—both our bodily resurrections (someday) and the ways we experience new life now, in the midst of fear, suffering, grief, and even death.

Our part is simply to acknowledge our feelings, pay attention, wonder, and pray.

• If I am feeling emptiness or grief, I can bring my sense of emptiness to God and, like Mary Magdalene, wait for God, paying attention to where I might find new life beyond the tomb.
• If I am feeling fear and am shut inside my own room, I can bring those fears to God and know that God will enter right into that space with me. God can surprise me beyond the confines of my own understanding.
• If I am feeling doubt, I can express these doubts to God and, like Thomas, wonder how God invites me to touch the reality of the Resurrection.
• If I am feeling a desire for increased connection with God, I can let God walk with me, talk with me, and even "feed" me with the divine presence. I can let myself love God and let God love me in turn.

The Lord is risen. There is reason for hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. There is a silver lining amidst the dark clouds.

 

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, I know You are here with us right now, walking with us, consoling us, embracing us, loving us. We just need to be aware and conscious of Your presence. Let me not be afraid . Let me receive Your peace. Thank You Jesus and all these we pray in Your Name. Amen.

 

 

 

Good Stewards

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

04 October 2020
First reading Isaiah 51:1-7

Let me now sing of my friend,

my friend's song concerning his vineyard.

My friend had a vineyard

on a fertile hillside;

he spaded it, cleared it of stones,

and planted the choicest vines;

within it he built a watchtower,

and hewed out a wine press.

Then he looked for the crop of grapes,

but what it yielded was wild grapes.

Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah,

judge between me and my vineyard:

What more was there to do for my vineyard

that I had not done?

Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes,

did it bring forth wild grapes?

Now, I will let you know

what I mean to do with my vineyard:

take away its hedge, give it to grazing,

break through its wall, let it be trampled!

Yes, I will make it a ruin:

it shall not be pruned or hoed,

but overgrown with thorns and briers;

I will command the clouds

not to send rain upon it.

The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,

and the people of Judah are his cherished plant;

he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed!

for justice, but hark, the outcry!

Second reading                                                          Philippians 4:6-9

Brothers and sisters:

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received

and heard and seen in me.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:

"Hear another parable.

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,

put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. 

Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.

When vintage time drew near,

he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. 

But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,

another they killed, and a third they stoned. 

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,

but they treated them in the same way. 

Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,

'They will respect my son.'

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,

'This is the heir.

Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’

They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 

What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"

They answered him,

"He will put those wretched men to a wretched death

and lease his vineyard to other tenants

who will give him the produce at the proper times."

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

by the Lord has this been done,

and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,

the kingdom of God will be taken away from you

and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

The theme of today’s readings is about vineyards and seeing the fruit of one’s labor. In the Gospel, Jesus shares the story of a vine owner who leases the vineyard to others who seek only their own benefit from fruits of the vineyard. Too obvious it may seem, God is like the owner of the vineyard. The servants are the prophets from the Old Testament. They were sent by God to be messengers and protectors of his creation. The Son is Jesus. The son dragged outside the vineyard is Jesus’ passion and death on the cross.

The readings made me think of the things, people and events God has given me. Going more into thinking made me feel grateful and happy yet going deeper into the depths of my thoughts, I asked this question to myself, what have I done with all God has entrusted to me? In spite of a few true friends, supportive boyfriend and a loving family, there are still nights where I feel all alone. I know I am doing my part maximizing God’s gifts to me like for example the gift of emphatic listening. I listened very well, without judgment, without pre-conceived notion. Yet, in most cases I feel drained and tired of listening to people’s trauma, pains and desolations. Sometimes they bring back my own childhood trauma. Sometimes, I feel worthless especially when I cannot do anything to help. My powers are limited. My skills fell short. I have been given many tools that I can use in order to care for the part of the vineyard which God has let me work. I am sometimes tempted as the tenants in the Gospel, to be greedy and see what I can get out of the crop just for myself.

At night I ask myself, am I still willing to help them carry their crosses faithfully and be exemplary counselor and journey with them in their highs and lows? Maybe, this is my cross too. Maybe this is what I have been called to do. As St. Therese of Lisieux is famous for her “little way”, in which she said, no amount of effort, no matter how small, is insignificant in the effort for the conversion of souls and glory of God. I tell this to myself. I would like to be like her. She had her moments of being insane too but she became a saint, a doctor of the Church in fact.

At the start of this pandemic in the Philippines, I feel sorry and I also cried to all the fallen heroes. To the doctors, health professionals and frontliners who willingly sacrificed their lives in the service of their professions. Yet as months progresses, there are the “other” frontliners who are courageous to give their time and skills listening to people’s mental health issues, helping people manage and lessen their anxieties, extending spark of hope so people can continue to choose to live and to breathe. Simply because they cannot say “no” to the inner crops in their soul. They listened to it and stay faithful to their call.

At this time of global pandemic, we are all invited to be beacons of God’s light, truth and hope. This may expose both the best and worst of humanity but we should bear witness to God’s love and show His love to one another in these trying moments.

PRAYER

Blessed are you, O Lord God, provider and owner of all things. Through Your goodness, You have gifted us with care of those who You have entrusted to us. We ask that we may continue to be good stewards and give back to You the praise, glory, and honor that is due to You. May we follow the example of Your Son in the way that He treated and cared for Your people. In this way, we can experience true and lasting peach which is beyond all understanding. Amen.