First Sunday of Lent

26 February 2023

 

First Reading: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Responsorial Psalm: PS 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17

Second Reading: Rom 5:12, 17-19

Gospel: Mt 4:1-11

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil...One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. The first reading reminds me of the "original sin" the sin committed by Adam and Eve at the garden in Eden. Eve was tricked by the serpent to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge. In the Gospel reading, Jesus went through three temptations. First one was again about satisfying hunger. But unlike Adam and Eve, Jesus did not fail into the temptation of the devil. Jesus was able to rebuke the devil by the power of "what was written" or the WORD OF GOD.

Every day of our lives is filled with temptations to be tricked by the devil to do something that is not according to HIS Words. Temptations to be concerned with material possession, wealth, power, and prestige for selfish motives. We are surrounded by people who are obsessed with wealth, position, and power that influences and tempts us to do the same. As we begin our Lenten Season this year, I pray that like Jesus who possesses all the power and glory as the Son of God; we won't be tempted to love money or material wealth, to usurp our position and power for personal gains. But instead we use our wealth and power for service of others and to worship the Lord!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise and glorify You. We give You thanks for all the provisions You have given us. We pray that as we enter the Lenten Season that we fast, abstain, and pray like Jesus. Amen.

Knowing Nothing is Part of Getting Through

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Aug 10

First reading                                           1 Kings 19:9,11-13   

When Elijah reached Horeb, the mountain of the Lord, he went into the cave and spent the night in it. Then he was told, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ Then the Lord himself went by. There came a mighty wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.                                  

Psalm                                                 Psalm 84:9-14

Second reading                               Romans 9:1-5

What I want to say now is no pretence; I say it in union with Christ – it is the truth – my

conscience in union with the Holy Spirit assures me of it too. What I want to say is

this: my sorrow is so great, my mental anguish so endless, I would willingly be

condemned and be cut off from Christ if it could help my brothers of Israel, my own 

flesh and blood. They were adopted as sons, they were given the glory and the 

covenants; the Law and the ritual were drawn up for them, and the promises were 

made to them. They are descended from the patriarchs and from their flesh and blood 

came Christ who is above all, God for ever blessed! Amen.

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Gospel                                           Matthew 14:22-23

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would
send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to 
pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was 
battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went 
towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they 
were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to 
them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if 
it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the 
boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of 
the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at 
once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the 
boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are 
the Son of God.’

Reflection
By Bernard Borja

“I deserve an explanation! I deserve an acceptable reason!”

Memories in the past suddenly filled my mind as I heard this line from Marco during a confrontation with Ginny, when they saw each other again after their breakup for uncertain reasons. This scene was from the movie “Starting Over Again” and it made me recall similar times when I wanted to question God for the trials and burdens I have been encountering. I have had different storms in my life and I realized that most of it, I didn't really have a choice if I get into it or not. I just have to face it head on. Just like what Jesus did to His disciples.

After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus did not give the disciples a choice when He made them get into the boat. Without explaining why, He sent them to sail on the other side of the shore. Jesus knew that the disciples would meet a strong storm and that they will be in danger. But Jesus did this because He wanted to strengthen their faith and trust in Him.

When the boat was being battered by the threatening waves, the disciples struggled to keep it afloat for a while. They tried to hold on. But I wonder what they were saying during these times. Maybe Peter (or the others) was saying, “Lord, why have you abandoned us?” Or something like, “Bakit hinayaan mo mangyari sa amin ito?” (“Why did you let this happen to us?”)

I remember such familiar questions were running in my heart and mind during the most difficult times of my life. The waves of pain and uncertainty have been crashing into me. In those times, I felt that God has deserted me. I was left wondering why I had to go through such difficulties.

But then I realized that whenever I go through such tests, He is always there to save me and calm the storm inside. It is a gentle reminder that God always have the power over us. But He perfectly reveals it during the most difficult times of our life. He just wants us to have faith and remain focus in Him. When Peter got out of the boat, he was able to walk on the water as he remained focused on Jesus. But when Peter noticed the strong winds, he became frightened and began to sink. This also reminds us that we must keep our attention on God. Not on the storms or the crashing waves around us.

We may not feel the presence of God in our trials but He is always near to reach out His hand to us just when we are about to lose hope. Every hardship that we encounter has a purpose and is always for our own good. We realize that we could always trust God to calm the storm, and that He lets us experience trials in life to draw us closer to Him. He does not need to explain further because the moment we realize that He is saving us from drowning, we can say, “Thank You Lord! Your timing is just perfect.”

Prayer

Dearest Lord, grant us courage that we may be able to stand through the storms in our life, and be able to walk with You over the waters of uncertainty. We thank You for all the difficulties that we encounter as it serve Your greater purpose for us. May we receive Your ever helping hand to get through the battering waves and trust that You are the only one who can calm the storm in us. This is all for Your greater glory, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen.

Power and Authority For Servant Leaders

First Reading: Is 53:10-11

The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

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

Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16

Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,

Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Gospel: Mk 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared."

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection

By: Marky Vertido

Election season is coming not only in the Philippines but also in the United States. As Democrat Obama and Republican Romney battle for the world’s most powerful position, the Philippines will also stage once more the most colorful election in the world. And the color never fades as politicians once more forget the past and ally with enemies. Gradually, the television is starting to show early campaign advertisements by the so called “epal” politicians and soon we will see and hear their jingles everywhere.

Even during the time of Jesus, politics and power were already a dividing factor in Israel. While Romans were ruling over the Israelites, the Israelites themselves rule over other Israelites. And these “rulers” seek self-righteousness and self-satisfaction only. It is one of the reasons why Jesus, the Messiah, was incarnated so that Israelites and all the nations be united not for power and riches but for God.

James and John, sons of Zebedee, show how politics and the aim of power have blinded them to recognize the real purpose of the Messiah. They wanted to have power as the right and left hand of Jesus. It shows then that they have never really understood Jesus. In a time when Israelites are being enslaved by Romans, they have seen the Messiah as one who will revolt to remove the Romans and rule the land soon. So Jesus challenged the two and told them that He is not the one to give either the left or the right position to anyone for it was already prepared by the Father to those who were chosen.

Jesus took the opportunity to teach the disciples the meaning of authority. Clearly, those who wish to be great will be the servant of all. And those who wish to be the first will be the slave of all. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give life as a ransom of many.”

The readings this Sunday all pertain to the true meaning of leadership and authority. It provides us the qualifications needed as we select those who will lead our nation soon. First, a true leader must be God’s “servant who shall justify many, and he will bear their guilt.” Second, we are looking for a leader who is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses” and who was “tested in every way, yet without sin.”

These are very ideal but God will give us the person who shall possess the following. We only need to be very sensitive to recognize that person. The Church in the Philippines would call a true leader as a “servant-leader.” This is the advocacy of the Church  and achieving it is still far from reality.  We can say today that we have good government but when will this last? How about our religious leaders and the laity, have they really realized what it meant to be a servant-leader already?

As we renew our faith this Year of Faith, let us find the real meaning of serving and leading the people who were entrusted to us. Today, we also celebrate World Mission Sunday, let us recognize our mission as heirs of the Kingdom of God to live the Gospel in every way and to evangelize through our examples.

This kind of missionary life was exemplified to us by our very own St. Pedro Calungsod whom the Church through Pope Benedict, raises him to the altars today. Giving us an example of giving one’s life to save others. Let everyone who seeks power and authority be driven in accordance to the Word of God. And let this start with our young generation so that the transformation of our society will continue.

Commitment: Serve faithfully and enthusiastically in any situation we are in.

Prayer

Lord, we thank you for the gift of having St. Pedro Calungsod as our second Filipino Saint. Give us also the virtues that he possessed as Your servant. Let the missionary zeal ablaze in our hearts also that we may respond to our brothers and sisters who are need. Guided by the Holy Spirit, help us in rebuilding our nation. With Mary our Mother, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.