The Church is the People

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time 23 August 2020
First reading Isaiah 22:19-23

Thus says the Lord to Shebna, the master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office, and you will be pulled down from your post. On that day I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and will clothe him with your robe and bind your sash on him. I will commit your authority to his hand, and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open. I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honour to his ancestral house.

Second reading                                                          Romans 11:33-36

O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?” “Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Reflection

By Bernard M. Borja

Almost six months after the community quarantine was enforced, churches remain to celebrate The Eucharist, with very few people who attend physically, but continue to extend through online media. During the first weeks of the quarantine, the faithful have been longing to receive the sacraments especially The Holy Eucharist. But because of the quarantine and to slow the spread of the virus, churches have temporarily closed their doors to the people. Since then, the hunger and thirst for spiritual consolation has grown for many people.

After more than a month, many parishes still held Masses especially the commemoration of The Passion and Resurrection of Christ during Holy Week. Many people wanted to go back to

church insisting that the church should also be reopened along with business establishments.

Some even pointed out that the decision of the bishops and clergy to remain close is not acceptable because the faithful need to receive The Eucharist physically. They also went on saying that it is the very foundation of our Catholic faith. While this desire is valid and true because of our longing for Christ, sometimes people forget how Jesus built the Church through Peter and the apostles. Jesus built not just a physical house of prayer but a spiritual home in each of us. Jesus continues to desire to live in our hearts and make it our home, if only we realize that and welcome Him. Sometimes, we become blinded by our pride of knowing more about our faith. Our understanding of the Church is hindered by thinking for our own selves and being entitled to being served. We forget that most of the time, God reveals Himself to us when we are outside of the house of prayer. This is evident during this pandemic and even continues today through the efforts of helping those in need. When the Church closed its doors during the quarantine, it is because the Church has been deployed, and God opened many more churches at homes.

In the Gospel today, Peter, without a doubt, acknowledged who Jesus is. Even though there

were times when Peter has doubts, especially during difficult situations like the storm, he would always remind himself that Jesus is The Son of The Living God. It is our human frailty that reminds us that we need God in our life and through this weakness, we are able to see clearly the power of God through us.

Everything that God has revealed to us is enough for our human mind to take and understand.

There are things that have been revealed to us but could not fathom what it really means, so we interpret in our own human ways (like the different interpretation of the Bible verses). But in these interpretations, it will never be enough to understand the whole of God’s wisdom. This is a limitation of our humanness. But this limitation is a reminder for us to open our hearts in faith. It is because of our humanness that we long to see more of the wonders of the Lord in extraordinary ways. But it is because of our limited understanding that our faith is strengthened. Just as how God’s power is mostly revealed in our weakness, God entrusts the key to the gates of heaven to a human being who also became the foundation of the very Church that God continues to build on earth. The Church is the people. For in this Church that God continues to reveal Himself through each of us, to let His kingdom be brought from heaven to earth.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We know in our hearts and we proclaim to the world that You are The Son of The Living God. We open our hearts to welcome You as we continue to be the church and serve You as we should. We ask You to free us from any binding of spiritual pride which hinders us from thinking and caring for others. We beg for Your grace of patient heart to continuously receive You spiritually, and in the near future physically through The Eucharist. We ask all these with dear Mother Mary’s intercession as we also commemorate her coronation. Amen.

We Are Each Other's Blessing!

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

08 July 2018

First reading                                                                      Ezekiel 2:2-5
When he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, “Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. Their descendants are impudent and stubborn.
I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.”

Second reading                                                     2 Corinthians 12:7-10

In order to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 6:1-6

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Reflection

By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

Do you feel proud whenever Manny Pacquiao wins over his opponent on the boxing ring? How about when Pia Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe 2015? Do you look up to the achievements of Lea Salonga in Miss Saigon and Lisa Macuja in ballet? Yes, of course! We, Filipinos take pride and celebrate the successes of our “kababayan” worldwide.

Unfortunately, Filipino pride is contrary to today’s gospel reading as Jesus was bluntly dishonored in His hometown. His credibility and family history were questioned by those who heard Him teach in the synagogue. They looked  down on Him and took offense at Him. As a result, He was not able to perform any mighty deed in His native place, apart from curing a few sick people by laying His hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Faith, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is our adequate response to God. We are called to completely submit our intellect and will to God the Revealer. Of all the wonderful things that God has made, the salvation that Jesus has offered, and the guidance given by the Holy Spirit, the only way to repay His goodness is to have faith and believe in Him.

Through faith, miracles happen. I bet you already heard testimonials of healing, conversion, and answered prayers. These beautiful stories were fulfilled because of people's unshakeable faith. They never doubted that Jesus can help them in their adversities and petitions. They have given their full confidence and relied heavily on God’s power. Faithful as ever, God did not disappoint them. He allowed them to experience His overflowing love and generosity. If only the people believed in Jesus at that time, they could have experienced more and great miracles compare to other towns in Israel.

On the other hand, as people come and go in our daily lives, we are challenged whether to look at them as blessings or threats. If we let envy win our hearts, chances are we fall like the doubting fellows of Jesus Christ. Because of envy, they could not accept that someone like Jesus Who is also a native of their place will rise up as a good and righteous man, an eloquent preacher, and a wonderful healer.

As we continue to reflect on today’s gospel, may we learn to always have faith in God and believe in His immeasurable capacity. Let us consider each other as blessings so that we may help one another towards our salvation journey. May we take pride in everyone’s achievements. And instead of getting envious, let us be grateful for what they achieved and see them as inspirations.

Prayer

Lord, open my mind, my heart, and my soul to You and to Your people. Strengthen my faith in You and show me the goodness of those around me. I ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Pray Really Hard

First Reading:  2 Exodus 17:8-13

The Amalekites then came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, 'Pick some men and tomorrow morning go out and engage Amalek. I, for my part, shall take my stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.' Joshua did as Moses had told him and went out to engage Amalek, while Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses' arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, with Aaron and Hur supporting his arms on each side. Thus his arms remained unwavering till sunset, and Joshua defeated Amalek, putting their people to the sword.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14--4:2

You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were, and how, ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures -from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and useful for refuting error, for guiding people's lives and teaching them to be upright.

This is how someone who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work. Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I charge you, in the name of his appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, give encouragement -- but do all with patience and with care to instruct.

Gospel:  Luke 18:1-8

Then he told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. 'There was a judge in a certain town,' he said, 'who had neither fear of God nor respect for anyone.

In the same town there was also a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, "I want justice from you against my enemy!" For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, "Even though I have neither fear of God nor respect for any human person,

I must give this widow her just rights since she keeps pestering me, or she will come and slap me in the face." ' And the Lord said, 'You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now, will not God see justice done to his elect if they keep calling to him day and night even though he still delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of man comes, will he find any faith on earth?'

Reflection
By Rosalinda N. Markell

It is so sad to see how messed up our world has become.  We all can clearly see how  Satan is working triple time to destroy the world.  Lots of people seem to lose their belief in God, there is no more respect anymore, children go against their parents, killings and hatred of all sorts are around us, and what do we do?  Politicians who try to get what they want, become too greedy, and some even think they can be better than God, in ruling the country! Children are being raped and killed just like that by pedophiles and some even blame it is the fault of God for creating these men as perverts.   

I've encountered a person, sad to say, who lost his faith in God and thinks that way, he even say that Satan was not to be blamed, but God who created us!

And when I tried to argue with this person, I was called a woman with "no brain at all" because I think differently. "It's a new world, " he says.  All I had to do was to shut my mouth and started praying really hard for this person to wake up!  Yes, it is so sad to see things going down the drain, and they dare to use the name of Jesus in vain!

We all have to stick together and pray really hard!  Perseverance is key in our prayer life. The widow in today's Gospel has shown us such a good example. I am sure we were or are on the same boat as this poor widow. Our prayers may not be answered instantly, but let's keep up the faith in God. We may encounter people whose belief or way of thinking differs from us, whose actions have upset us. In this Year of Mercy, let us bear other's wrongs patiently.

Prayer


Dearest God, lover of our souls, You are the greatest Friend and Protector anyone could ever have.  We feel so low and misunderstood, people are so mean and unjust.  You know how quick some of them find fault and blame others. Please help us understand, if we have done anything which makes them act that way, please help us to be different. Please enlighten their minds, Lord and please remind us when we are afraid, that You are always at our side and will always protect us and our children, most especially our country.  We know with You there is nothing we should be afraid of.  This we pray in Jesus' Name.  Amen.