Your Scroll

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time 24 January 2016

First reading   Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10
Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read.

Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.

He then said, ‘Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.’


Psalm                                                                            Psalm 18:8-10,15                    

Second reading                                                          1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink.

Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. If the foot were to say, ‘I am not a hand and so I do not belong to the body’, would that mean that it stopped being part of the body? If the ear were to say, ‘I am not an eye, and so I do not belong to the body’, would that mean that it was not a part of the body? If your whole body was just one eye, how would you hear anything? If it was just one ear, how would you smell anything?

Instead of that, God put all the separate parts into the body on purpose. If all the parts were the same, how could it be a body? As it is, the parts are many but the body is one. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you’, nor can the head say to the feet, ‘I do not need you.’

What is more, it is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones; and it is the least honourable parts of the body that we clothe with the greatest care. So our more improper parts get decorated in a way that our more proper parts do not need. God has arranged the body so that more dignity is given to the parts which are without it, and that there may not be disagreements inside the body, but that each part may be equally concerned for all the others. If one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it. If one part is given special honour, all parts enjoy it.

Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it. In the Church, God has given the first place to apostles, the second to prophets, the third to teachers; after them, miracles, and after them the gift of healing; helpers, good leaders, those with many languages. Are all of them apostles, or all of them prophets, or all of them teachers? Do they all have the gift of miracles, or all have the gift of healing? Do all speak strange languages, and all interpret them?

Gospel                                                                        Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21
Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.  
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. 
He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,for he has anointed me.He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,to proclaim liberty to captivesand to the blind new sight,to set the downtrodden free,to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’

Reflection

By Anabelle Payod-Balla

Scroll (from the Old French escroe orescroue), is a roll of papyrus parchment,or paper containing writing.

I love reading and sharing inspirational books, quotations and prayers. I regularly feed my Facebook page with positive posts, mostly prayers. I want to proclaim God's love for all of us through this channel, hoping I can inspire at least one soul a day to praise His name, to come near Him.

My posts are mostly coming from other people, from other sources. I only have few of my own. I could have more if only I can spend more time reflecting and listening to God's messages to me.

The prophets and disciples have written their stories, lessons, and visions on scrolls. Jesus has read and taught using the scroll that contains passages from prophet Isaiah. Scrolls carry important information, valuable teachings and lessons from different people in early days.

We all have our own scrolls, our very own stories and visions. Some may have physical scrolls that they share to others, some may have it only in their minds, unorganized and unshared. Where is your scroll? If Jesus will read and teach from your very own scroll, what important information or valuable passage He can find there?

It is time to let others know God's loving messages to you. Share your lessons and visions! They might heal a soul, inspire someone to be better or even save a life, a relationship. Others may echo your message, multiply it and may reach many more souls.

Prayer
Father, please allow me to be Your pen and Your scroll. Use me to send Your love letter to the world. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Believe to See

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 5, 2015

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

First reading                                      Ezekiel 2:2-5

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

Psalm                                              Psalm 122:1-5

Second reading                              2 Corinthians 12:7-10

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

Gospel                                               Mark 6:1-6

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

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

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

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

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

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

Prayer

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

Tough Job!

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
04 September 2011


Come, let us rejoice in the Lord: let us acclaim God our salvation, alleluia.


First reading Ezekiel 33:7-9
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as sentry to the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them in my name. If I say to a wicked man: Wicked wretch, you are to die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked man to renounce his ways, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you do warn a wicked man to renounce his ways and repent, and he does not repent, then he shall die for his sin, but you yourself will have saved your life.’

Psalm: Psalm 94:1-2,6-9

Second reading Romans 13:8-10
Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations. All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbour as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments.

Gospel Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said, ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.
‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.
‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

Just a few weeks ago, there was this controversial artist who participated in an art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). His medium was the images of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Crucifix and many other religious symbols which he blasphemed by doing different sort of things such as putting condoms on one, adding a male organ to another, among others. Many, of course, were offended. Me, personally, I could not even find his works artistic. At first, though I also felt offended, I did not bother to care. I was then thinking that he was only trying to get attention and he does not deserve mine. But when even my non-Catholic friends were posting protests against him on Facebook, I became ashamed and sorry for my initial reaction.

Good thing, the Church leaders did not have the same initial response as mine. The Church was ready, as always, to take the necessary actions to rebuke what they think is not according to the will of God, especially something blasphemous or sacrilegious.

Today in the first reading, God tells Prophet Ezekiel that he must warn the people of their wickedness so that they may be saved. If he did not warn them, he will be held responsible for their death. But if he warned them and they refused to listen, Ezekiel will not be responsible.

Tough job for prophets, huh? Maybe that is why prophets were the least tactful people in the world. They will tell you in your face if what you are doing is not according the will of God. According to this book I read a long time ago, “tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.” True enough, prophets made enemies with the people whose ways they try to reprove or reprimand. The consequences? Well, not only were they abhorred, many of them were put to death. Just look at what happened to St. John the Baptist. Or even what happened to our Lord Jesus.

This is also what’s happening to the Church nowadays. In the example I gave, it just so happen that many, including national artists, also found the artist’s works as distasteful, irresponsible, and disrespectful. That is why the Church was not hit that hard by the public, especially by the netizens (people using the internet). But there were other issues wherein possible consequences are far greater than what those so-called artworks, can bring. Issues such as the RH bill and divorce law where the Church’s stand did not receive popular support.

If you are the Church leaders, what would you do if you see something about to happen that will change the morality of the people and will destroy the Filipino family for good, just like what happened to the nations that embraced these kinds of change? Will you just not care like I first did with the issue of the artworks? Or will you warn about the consequences just like the prophets have done?

Forgive us Lord for failing to defend You at times. Grant us the strength, courage, and wisdom to always stand by You. And Lord, may Your body here on earth be firm in fighting against the disguises of the evil one. And should our efforts be not enough and suffer temporary setbacks, give us the courage and integrity so that we may not fall to the pressure of compromising our values for the sake of what is popularly acceptable to the world. Amen.

Let's Walk The Talk

22nd Sunday In Ordinary Time
30 August 2009



We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8
Moses said to the people: ‘Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. You must add nothing to what I command you, and take nothing from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God just as I lay them down for you. Keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding. When they come to know of all these laws they will exclaim, “No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation.” And indeed, what great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation is there that has laws and customs to match this whole Law that I put before you today?’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 14:2-5

Second reading James 1:17-18,21-22,27
It is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change. By his own choice he made us his children by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he had created. So do away with all the impurities and bad habits that are still left in you – accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. But you must do what the word tells you, and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves.

Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.


Gospel Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ He called the people to him again and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

In May 2008, the production group I was volunteering for brought the Christian band Hillsong United for a one night of praise and worship concert in Manila. Since their songs are popular in charismatic fellowships both for Catholics and non-Catholics, we were able to fill Araneta Coliseum to rafters with a mixture of Christians from different denominations. The Big Dome was rocking that night, rocking with praises and worship for our Lord Jesus. In the midst of the concert, one of my friends told me “If only these 20,000 people will become Christians outside this coliseum, kindness, love, and caring in Metro Manila will be up by 0.2% (she’s good in math, so she must have calculated what percentage of Metro Manila’s population is 20,000). I would give the same comment with the millions of church goers on Sundays.

Early this month, the whole world became witness to the outpouring of love of the Filipino people for the late President Corazon Aquino. Despite the scorching heat or heavy rains, thousands lined up the streets of Intramuros and Greenhills to pay their last respect to who we now call as The Mother of Philippine Democracy. On the day of her interment, thousands more crowded the streets of Metro Manila to show love and support reliving the days of the People Power back in the 80’s. Every Filipino is once again passionate and proud to be one. After Tita Cory’s remains were laid to rest, I asked “what’s next?” How do we continue this flame of patriotism that suddenly ignited in us? I think if only each of those who walked the streets of Metro Manila, together with the millions watching on television, on the day of Pres. Aquino’s burial, would do one small thing for the country (e.g. obey traffic rules, keep the streets clean, or just respect one another), we will have a better Philippines.

Not that I am judging those who praised God in that concert. I was one of them too. Not that I was judging those who came in multitude to Pres Cory’s wake and burial. If not for my physical disability, I would be there too. But I just would like to challenge everyone. Do we walk the talk? Do we practice the love that we profess while worshipping God once we go out of the church? Or how do we manifest our patriotism in our everyday lives?

In my first reflection sharing last July, it was timely that the Gospel talked about how prophets are rejected. In Today’s Gospel, Christ warns us of hypocrisy. Maybe another coincidence for me that today is the last Sunday for this year that I will be sharing my reflections to God-Speak. Maybe God is warning me to live according to what I write or to continue the flame that I have started last month by studying the weekly readings with scrutiny and thereby truly reflecting on what they mean to me as a struggling Christian myself. It was truly a nice experience to write for God-Speak. Not only that I am able to impart what I think is God’s message to the readers but it also helped me in examining myself more often than not. With that I am thanking all who gave me the opportunity to share my thoughts, experiences, and desires to be a good Christian. I will continue to reflect on the weekly readings and post them in my personal blogs. This will be my way to continuously examine my conscience until my next God-Speak sharing. Until then, let’s remember to walk the talk!








Lord, thank You for the gifts and talents you showered upon us. May we always use these gifts in spreading Your words not just in words, but in deeds. Amen!


Next week on God-speak
Ephphata

My Résumé

14th Sunday In Ordinary Time
05 July 2009



We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Ezekiel 2:2-5
The spirit came into me and made me stand up, and I heard the Lord speaking to me. He said, ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to the rebels who have turned against me. Till now they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me. The sons are defiant and obstinate; I am sending you to them, to say, “The Lord says this.” Whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know there is a prophet among them.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 122:1-4

Second reading 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
In view of the extraordinary nature of these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’ So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

Gospel Mark 6:1-6
Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

This is the first time for me to write a reflection for God-speak. And what a nice coincidence that this Sunday’s Gospel reading is about how prophets were rejected!

Since I am a new comer, allow me to introduce myself and let you know my credentials:

I am a sinner. In my 35 years of existence, I have committed too many mistakes. Although none of these mistakes are illegal or could be categorized as crimes, yet they are the ones a Christian will not be proud of.

Nice resume for a reflection writer huh? It doesn’t end there though as I did struggle to straighten my ways... and until now, the struggle goes on. And along the way as I fight to follow the right path to Christianity, I decided I wanted to evangelize. I wanted to start small, with my friends. I thought that if I will be able to lead at least one soul to righteousness, it will be a big success for me. But how will they even listen? First of all, I am not a good speaker. Second, my friends despise preaching. Third, they know my past. (Fourth … and the list goes on) Once they hear me talk about the Good News they will say: “What’s wrong with our friend? Why is he speaking about God? Weren’t we just drinking with him the other night? Isn’t he just a sinner like us?”

Sounds familiar?

Yes, I am one of them. But I will not let a dark past get in the way of my mission to spread the light. I will not let it be the chink in my armour. Instead, I will use these bad credentials as my weapon in gathering His sheep back to His herd. I will use the same mistakes to relate to those who have the same experiences as I do. I will be a living proof that God is a merciful and forgiving God!







Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me for power is made perfect in weaknesses. I will rather boast gladly of my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Amen.”

Next week on God-speak:
Don’t Do All The Talking