Unconditional Love

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross 

14 September 2025

 

First Reading: Numbers 21:4b-9

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: John 3:13-17

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life …” John 3:16

I am assured that everything begins with God’s love, and that God’s love is not small or selective. It is for the whole world, for every single person, sinners and holy. As in everyone even the corrupt and the murderers who repent. Because of this great love, God gave us His greatest gift: His Son, Jesus Christ fully revealed on the Cross. When Jesus was “lifted up” on the Cross, He carried our sins and gave His life for us. His sacrifice offered forgiveness and eternal life. We just have to believe.

To “believe in Him” means more than just knowing about Jesus. It means trusting Him, following Him, and letting His love guide our lives. It means turning away from our sins and following Him. When we put our faith in Jesus, we don’t have to fear being lost or condemned. Instead, we are promised eternal life—a life with God that begins now and lasts forever.

The Cross, then, is not a sign of punishment, but a sign of love. It reminds us that no matter what we go through, or how big the sin we have committed, God’s love is stronger than sin and death. John 3:16 is truly the Good News: God loves us, God saves us, and God gives us life through His Son.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank You for showing us Your great love by giving Your life on the Cross. Help us all to believe in You with all our hearts, to trust, and to follow You in everything we do. Teach us to live with hope, to share Your love with others, and to never forget that we are saved by Your sacrifice. May Your Cross always remind us of the eternal life You have promised. Amen.

At the Table of the Humble

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

31 August 2025

 

First Reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

 

Reflection By:

Bro. Carlo Alexis Malaluan

Diocese of Imus

 

In Filipino culture, there’s something sacred about a "handaan" —a feast, a gathering. Whether it’s a wedding, a town fiesta, a graduation, or even a simple birthday, meals are never just about food. They’re about relationship. To be invited is to be noticed, remembered, counted. To be welcomed and given a place at the table is to feel that your presence matters. There is a beautiful Filipino word for this, "Kumbida" from Spanish, "Con vida", pointing out that it is not simply meals that we share but life.

We all know that feeling when we’re treated with special regard at a gathering—when someone sets aside a seat for us, serves us first, or even calls us by name with affection. And perhaps, just as deeply, we also know the sting of being left out, of not being invited, of being placed on the margins — literally and figuratively.

So when Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel about a wedding banquet, we understand what’s at stake. He watches as guests choose the best seats for themselves — the places of honor. And He offers a gentle yet piercing parable: “When you are invited, go and take the lowest place… For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

At first, it might seem like a lesson in social etiquette. But Jesus isn’t teaching manner. He’s teaching the posture of the Kingdom. In a world where we often measure worth by status, recognition, or visibility, Jesus reminds us that at His table, the most honored are those who do not demand honor. The most welcome are those who do not compete for space, but create it for others.

He then turns to the one hosting the meal and says: “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” It’s a reversal. The usual logic—of inviting those who can repay us—is dismantled. Jesus invites us into a deeper way of relating: one that does not seek return, but gives for the sake of love.

This is challenging. Because so often, even unconsciously, we carry with us a desire to be seen, to be acknowledged, to be rewarded. Even in our acts of kindness or service, we might quietly hope for a thank-you, a seat of honor, or at least a sense of recognition. But the Gospel invites us to a purer kind of generosity—one that mirrors God's: generous without conditions, welcoming without counting.

And perhaps that’s what Jesus wants us to see: that the true banquet of the Kingdom isn’t about where you sit, but how you love. It’s not about being important in the eyes of others, but being small enough to make room for someone else.

In our Filipino gatherings, we know how it feels to be part of the celebration, and how deeply human the longing is to belong. But Jesus teaches us that the deepest belonging comes not from being treated as special, but from treating others—especially the overlooked—as beloved.

So today, we might ask ourselves: In the gatherings of my life—at home, in community, at work—do I seek the place of honor, or do I create space for others to feel honored? Do I give only where I expect return, or am I learning to love quietly, freely, like the Host who invites all?

Because in the end, the truest feast is not the one where we are celebrated, but the one where we make others feel they have a place at the table.

Prayer

Our Daily Cross

    

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

02 July 2023

 

First Reading: 2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

Second Reading: Rom 6:3-4, 8-11

Gospel: Mt 10:37-42

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

All is grace. No matter how seemingly unclear, incomprehensible, and unacceptable our circumstances are, there is always grace in that experience. We find it difficult to see the goodness in our struggle so we can continue to move forward. Knowing that our suffering is a part of greater purpose gives us strength to endure and continue. At the end of each day, in the silence of ourselves, resting our tired bodies in bed, let's think of all the goodness we have received during the day. That genuine smile of a kid you passed by, the meal that you ate, the warm bed that soothes your body.

This Sunday readings call us to notice the goodness of the Lord and share this to others even if it pains us. That is we are to share in Jesus' sufferings so that we can also share in His glory. When we chose to journey with Jesus, sacrifices and sufferings are part of it too. Humans that we are, we complain, we surrender, we are bound to quit, but when we choose to carry out the mission, then we are given the power to transcend, so that God's love can flow through us. We are called to enter into the depth of life where we encounter His love and mercy in the ordinary flow of life. The way of this life is through sacrifice, self-denial, and carrying our daily cross. In doing this, we will receive our just reward of true peace, real happiness, and eternal life.

Recently, I got a promotion at work. I was so excited about the glory of it, especially in the power that comes with it, that I can now start things, make changes, and create a vision for the department. Days turned to weeks, now it's already two months of struggling to meet the minimum demands of my work, my excitemenf turns to desolation. At this point, I can freely give up the position and go back to my normal happy days if that will be part of my choices. But reading the Gospel in advance, allowing it to get through me, listening to myself and to God in prayer, I was given hope and consolation. I am choosing to focus on the good, on the greater purpose of what I am doing, on the things that became easier because of my sacrifices, and of the promise that I am not alone. Jesus is with me. Jesus is in me. That, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. May you continue to hold on to your cross and find the grace that comes with carrying it.

Prayer

Thank You Lord for all the graces and opportunities I have to serve others. May You continue to provide me with encounters to serve others in whatever ways I can. Give me the courage to always choose what is pleasing no matter the inconveniences that may come with it. Lead me to people who may be needing more of Your presence and guidance. Amen.

CoVid Takes, Jesus Saves!

Twenty-fourth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

12 September 2021 

 

First Reading: IS 50:5-9a

Responsorial Psalm: PS 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Second Reading: JAS 2:14-18

Gospel: MK 8:27-35

 

Reflection

By: Theresa Ballo

 

Who do people say that I am? We have been hearing this question probably once a year in the Gospel, and each year we may have different responses. In this pandemic, I was just wondering who people say Jesus is.

For the past two months, I lost two uncles and two aunts. All three siblings of my mother and her sister in law. Only my aunt, mom's only sister died of complications due to CoVid-19. She fought severe CoVid for more than a month in the hospital. Her hospital bills went to 3.2 milion where none of us have millions in the bank. And she's the last among them who died. Our house was just next to her house. So when five of them tested positive for CoVid-19, we were also positive. Three in our household, both of my parents and I. We all recovered from CoVid-19 except her.

For the past three years, I was living away from my parents. I see them twice or thrice a month. I went back here to Bulacan from Laguna to attend my uncle's funeral who died of a liver problem. Little did I know that three more deaths would follow. When we were all symptomatic, I was really worried about my parents' lives. I would wake up in the middle of the night just to check if there were still breathing. I prayed not for my healing but theirs. I have mental health problems, so dying is something I would take pleasure from. Just the thought of ending life's miseries and hopefully being with our Creator is something I really look forward to. So I asked for God's mercy and healing for my parents' and one special night I asked Jesus to heal me because no one will take care of my parents if I go ahead of them. The anxiety, the fear, the loss CoVid-19 brings to a number of families is real. No one wants that. Nobody wants to spend their last days physically alone, around strangers. It's something you wouldn't want to wish for anyone, not even for your enemy.

Jesus remains to be my healer and savior. In Him, I find rest. Truly, as we read the Psalms this Sunday, He has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk in the land of the living. Grief takes many aftershocks and having that number of deaths in the family in a matter of two months brings desolation, differences, and drought in Spirit. Maybe this is where Jesus' invitation comes in. To take up His cross and still follow Him.

But Jesus is God. Yes, He may share with us human experiences but definitely He is a way more stronger than we are. I can just recall how much He suffered on His way to the cross. Accepting that death in itself is a part of life makes coping a bit easier. When I see my aunt suffer in the hospital, procedure after procedure. She cannot talk. She cannot say where it hurts. We all surrendered to God's ways because we are hurting seeing her suffer, not being able to do anything to alleviate her pain. Believing in God's mercy and Jesus' promise of afterlife, makes letting go easier.

Jesus teaches us that if we want to save our lives, we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. What attachments do we hold dearly that hinders us from having a deep and loving relationship with Him? Are we obsessed with life that we take for granted to actually live? How do we respond to detachments and losses in life?

Listen to Jesus. What is He telling you today?

 

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, make my heart the same as Yours. Help me to value events, people, and things the way You do. Teach me to follow You especially when it entails making a personal sacrifice and discomfort for me. Give me grace to see You in all things, the courage to say yes and continue, and the strength to carry my cross. Amen.

 

Jesus' Salvivic Sacrifice

Second Sunday of Lent

28 February 2021 

 

First Reading:  GN 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

Second Reading:  ROM 8:31b-34

Gospel:  MK 9:2-10

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo M. Gonzales

 

Today, we behold the story of Jesus' magnificent Transfiguration. Jesus, spending many of His human days with the apostles, had miracles of prophecy, healing, and deliverance to hint at the apostles His divine reality, but in the Transfiguration, Jesus' divinity takes to another degree. At such moment, Jesus transformed before the apostles lucidly so mystically! I can only imagine how incredible a sight it was for the apostles to behold!

The placement of Jesus amid Moses and Elijah, would you believe it has a rather popular and interesting interpretation? It was not arbitrary. To have Jesus situated deliberately in the midst of the two signifies His being culmination of what they represented: Moses, the Law, and Elijah, the Prophets!

In the Transfiguration, God the Father greatly extolled Christ the same way Christ was exulted in His Baptism. In Jesus' Baptism, the Father called Jesus "the Son whom [He] loves, with whom He is well-pleased" (Matthew 3:17). In the Transfiguration, Jesus was held as the Beloved Son, whom we should listen to" (Mark 9:6). It is clear as day in the Transfiguration how to Jesus, we must be all ears, but also minds, hearts, and souls.

Apart from listening, God also assigns us the task of evangelization. He may have told the apostles to observe silence as regards the Transfiguration, but He told them to proclaim Jesus' resurrection. Jesus' Transfiguration gave the apostles a glimpse at His God Nature, with His Ascension to the Father, soon to follow the Transfiguration, meaning we have a Great Advocate to speak to the Father on our behalf (as our Representative) and in our behalf (for our benefit); but it was Jesus' Passion and Resurrection in the first place that meant: in His death and triumph over it, we have One whose sacrifice pays ultimately for our sins. In the Bible,"the wages of sin is death", (Romans 6:23) and to exonerate the guilt, a sacrifice must be paid. Jesus is the eternal Price paid for the cost of our sins—multiple generations of them—would have incurred. This is why it is understandably  apparent the necessity to spread His salvivic Resurrection.

 

Prayer

 

Jesus, thank You for dying for us on the cross and for rising to life. It is with Your triumph over death that we have life. May the life You promise us in heaven afforded by Your sacrifice move us to be cultivators of good here on earth, and as we complete our good work, may we enjoy the fruits of our labors in heaven with You for eternity. Please always be with us and replenish us in our work of spreading You and Your good work. We ask these, in Jesus' most holy Name, Amen.

 

 

 

The Treasure We Seek

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 26 July 2020
First reading 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life f your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.

Second reading                                                          Romans 8:28-30

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Gospel                                                                         Matthew 13:44-52

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old".

Reflection

By Jose Paulo Gonzales

In today’s Gospel, we are given more parables to describe the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the Parables of the Treasure in the Field and the Pearl of Great Price, we see the true value of the Kingdom of Heaven; so great it is a price that once we find it, we would relinquish all else to keep it.

The Kingdom of Heaven is of such great value that the riches of this world would not match it—all with its eternal glory. But as valuable it is a treasure, there is a great challenge to complete: we must yearn; we must pursue to find it. Truth be told – there is a likelihood that one may stumble upon treasure by pure chance, but he sure increases the probability by seeking treasure every day! And this is where it is great to read between the lines—the lessons given by the parables. There is far too great a harvest, but only few willing to labor (Matthew 9:37), so we must not tire out in doing good, for our harvest will come if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).  

The Parable of the Net closely resembles the Parable of the Wheat in last Sunday’s Gospel; it presents us with a dichotomy of personalities: one group whose goodness can be likened to quality-catch fish, and the other, the evil, resembling the fish to be thrown out. The parable calls us to be like quality-catch fish: that with our good works, we would be good finds ourselves, just like the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price.

Parables about the Kingdom of Heaven sure do give us a wealth of analogies to better understand God’s Kingdom—His reign. They also give us great parameters to determine if we conform to the behaviors of one who can be likened to such treasures. It is my hope that we more closely, day by day become like the treasure we seek so earnestly to find! It is the Holy Spirit who can help us in this daily endeavor.   

Prayer

Abba, thank You for giving us a treasure worth giving up all else just to secure, a great pearl whose quality we should try to harness within ourselves, and good fish whose so being a good catch we should try to be, ourselves.

We could only wait with expectant hope about the glorious eternal life that is about to unfold. Thank You for giving us a great future to hope for. May You always be with us and patiently, unyieldingly help us as we yearn for it with good works.


May our good works and exaltation of You be perpetually pleasing to You as our humble sacrifices, in Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.

Self-giving

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28 June 2020
First reading 2 Kings 4:8-11; 14-16a

One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal. 9 She said to her husband, “Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

One day when he came there, he went up to the chamber and lay down there. He said, “What then may be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood at the door. He said, “At this season, in due time, you shall embrace a son.” She replied, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not deceive your servant.”

Second reading                                                          Romans 6:3-4, 8-11

My brethren, Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel                                                                          Matthew 10:37-42

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up he cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

Reflection

By Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan

As a seminarian, I am always asked with the question: Why did you leave all these things? Imagine, I have a stable relationship. I am waiting for a good-paying job after earning my degree in college. I have a supportive family. My life dreams are only a stone-throw away. But I chose a life of selfless giving. Was it suicidal? 

It is clear that if we are going to walk with Jesus, we have a price to pay. Suffering and sacrifice is not a secret and are essential part of the journey. Christ teaches us that that is the way to life and freedom in the scheme of the Gospel. The discipleship of Jesus enriches and expands our vision and horizons. When Jesus demands something from us, He is not asking for a masochistic and suicidal act instead we are invited beyond the surface, outside the narrow limits of our selfishness. We are called to enter into the depths of life where we meet the wonders of God’s love in the ordinary flow of life.

It is clear. The sacrifice and reflection leads to the transformation of our lives. This sacrificial effort opens up how we relate to other people, how we face the challenging world of suffering as we neglect our indulgent lifestyle. 

We are not called to the road of self-destruction. When Christ asked something from us, He didn’t meant we are forced to become empty. We are invited to a life of self-giving. As we leave behind our small fortunes, God has now the space to fill our cups with enormous blessings we cannot imagine. 

Prayer

O CHRIST IN THE CROSS! You have given up Yourself on that wooden pedestal of love. Teach me by Your example to give my life in every moment. Allow me to follow You by forgetting myself and by thinking of the good of others. Amen.

I Long for the Day

Fifth Sunday of Easter

10 May 2020

First reading                                                                        Acts 6:1-7
During those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.
And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.”
What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Second reading                                                        1 Peter 2:4-9

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, so that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Gospel                                                                     John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his apostles:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

Reflection

By Gary Tulabut

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms!

So, how are you going to celebrate?  Will you be together with mom? (I am writing on the perspective of a son 😊) Or are you celebrating away from each other because of quarantine?

If you’re away, please make sure to call her on this very special day. But if you’re together, please do practice social distancing.

Me, I even refrain from kissing my parents’ hands nowadays because I take social distancing seriously.

All these entail sacrifices. And during these times, not just ordinary sacrifice. We sacrifice because we do not want that one thing to happen. We do not want our loved ones to get sick, especially the seniors. Especially, not because of us.

Sacrifices hurt. But we do them because of love. Love is the reason why we maintain distance from our loved ones.  Love is the reason why we don’t visit them nowadays. Love is the reason why we don’t see them in person.

My sister, who only lives a few blocks away from us, with my mother, one time expressed how she misses hugging our mom. What more during this Mother’s day. I am not a touchy person but how I long for the day when I also am not afraid to kiss and embrace my mom.

But all we can do is to take joy in knowing that we sacrifice because of love. Let us “…stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14) because, in God’s grace, this, too, shall pass.

Do you miss mom, or dad, or your friends? There’s this one person I know who truly misses us. All of us, moms or not. He misses us so much that He’s prepared mansions for each of us (as mentioned today in the Gospel). Now I know why He’s raised as a carpenter. 😊

Jesus longs to be with us one day, that He made the ultimate sacrifice.

Prayer

Thank You, Jesus… for the mansions… for mom… for Your sacrifice. Amen!

Falling into the Ground

5th Sunday of Lent  18 March 2018

First reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 “The days are surely coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt – a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” Second reading:  Hebrews 5:7-10 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Gospel: John 12:20-30 Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say – ‘ Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this our. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.”

Reflection
by Pietro S. Albano

Sam and Liz have been married for a few years and were blessed with children.  Unfortunately, the marriage did not last because Liz left her husband and children for another man. At first, Sam couldn't make sense of Liz's betrayal. He tried to win her back, but to no avail. He almost lost hope and wanted to killed himself. What changed his mind was the look in the eyes of his kids. They were more helpless than he is. They were more clueless than he is. They were weaker than he is.  Considering his kids' predicament and what would be their loss if he also turned his back on them, he decided to become more caring to them. He worked double-time for them. He learned the things that Liz used to do such as cooking, laundering, etc. He became more prayerful. Eventually, his kids found in Sam a father and mother rolled into one. Sam could have chosen the easy path of getting even with Liz, but no, he chose to be like that grain of wheat falling into the ground of embarrassment of being cheated by one's wife, falling into that ground full of heartaches and discouragement, so that his children will live, so that he may become fruitful unto eternal life.

Faced with trials from various directions, are we willing to make sacrifices, to give up our own personal gain for the good of others? May this holy season be a time for us to pause and think, to see in the Crucified Christ that life can only have meaning if it is shared with others.

Prayer

Loving Father, You sent Your only Son to die for our sins so that we may live as Your children. Inspired by His sacrifice, may we share our lives generously with others especially our family and those in need. In His Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.