Followers of the Spirit of the Law

    

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

12 February 2023

 

First Reading: Sir 15:15-20

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

Second Reading: 1 Cor 2:6-10

Gospel: Mt 5:17-37

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you....Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus in today's Gospel supplements the "sermon on the mount or the Beatitudes" of who are indeed blessed. Another direct challenge to the church leaders of His time; the Pharisees and the scribes. The church leaders knew and had memorized the commandments but they exercised it literally.

We are very familiar to the Ten Commandments which begin with loving the Lord with all our hearts, mind, and soul, and love one another as we love ourselves. In today's Gospel, the Lord Jesus highlighted "Thou shall not kill", "thou shall not commit adultery", and "thou shall not take false oath". We are reminded by the Lord that we need to follow the commandments on a deeper level. We have to obey not just the letter of the law but the spirit of the law. And if we do we shall be rewarded with the promise "If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you".

I thought I am a righteous person for I have never committed adultery and surely I have not killed anyone. But as I reflect on this Gospel, I found myself guilty of "killing" others and committing "adultery". At times I held a grudge and anger with another person, and when I look with lust on another woman. I am indeed guilty and I ask forgiveness. I pray that I would put into practice all the time pure love for one another, avoiding hate, and lustful thinking.

Prayer

Dear God, forgive us for being disobedient to the spirit of the law. Enable us to be more "righteous than the Pharisees and scribes". We pray that You will send Your Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily life to adhere to the commandments. Empower us to be teachers of Your commandments through our righteousness. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Jesus' Answer to Cancel Culture

 Fifth Sunday of Lent

03 April 2022

 

First Reading: IS 43:16-21

Responsorial Psalm: PS 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: PHIL 3:8-14

Gospel: JN 8:1-11

 

Reflection

By: Emerson C. Maala

With the emergence of social media, everyone can now be connected with each other virtually. People who are far away from their relatives, friends, and loved ones can now become closer because of the easy access to social media. Moreover, it also becomes a mode of entertainment for others. One may watch a video of a crying kid, a dancing man, and others. One click of the camera, and then you're now in the social world. When you do good, you may trend positively. But when you do something unappealing to other people, you may trend negatively. This is where the cancel culture takes place. The people become enslaved with hatred and skepticism towards other people. Then it becomes the ground of harsh judgments without really trying to understand the context and searching for the truth. With that, we tend not to allow the person to change and be renewed.

In the First Reading, God reiterated to His people to see new things and not to remember the past. "See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19). One may understand the message of God literally to forget about the past. However, God did not want us to forget the past. God wants us to see good things without the hindrance of the past. For one may not know the grace of God because of the limitation of the past. This also applies to people. We may not understand a person if we only know the negative things he/she has without really trying to understand him/her.

This was affirmed by St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians where he tells us how God allows him to be renewed in Christ. Before, he was a persecutor of those who followed Jesus Christ. But now, he was able to overcome the wrong thing he had done to many allowing himself to follow and preach the Good News, who is Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel, Jesus Christ was cornered by the Scribes and Pharisees as they brought the adulterer woman. They test Jesus by posting a question concerning the law given by Moses and canceling the adulterer woman. But Jesus has an astonishing answer. "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone on her."

In our life, we might have been like the Scribes and Pharisees, cultivating a cancel culture. We become judgmental of others as if we have not sinned against our brothers and sisters. This is what the Fifth Sunday of Lent is telling us. As the Easter fast approaches, Jesus wants us not to look at the sins of others. But on ourselves be renewed and turn away from our own sin, for He gives us every chance to renew our lives and follow Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your word today, help us to become more understanding in every situation. Help us to cancel the cancel culture and replace it with a culture of love. These we ask, in Jesus' Most Holy Name, Amen.

 

Teaching with Authority

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time   28 January 2018

First reading

Deuteronomy 18: 15-20

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet lie me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak-that prophet shall die.”

                

Second reading

1 Corinthians 7: 32-35

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

Gospel

Mark 1: 21-28

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching-with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Reflection

by Grace B. Madriñan

"What is this?  A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." Mark 1: 27

Reading on the verse above, I can’t help but notice how teaching is connected with authority.  Does this mean you can teach without authority?  Looking at a definition of a teacher, a teacher is “someone who helps others to acquire knowledge, competencies or values.  Informally, the role of a teacher may be taken on by anyone”  This means, anyone can teach, but may not necessarily be effective at it.

Therefore, “teaching with authority” means being able to impart knowledge with confidence  and authenticity enough to get the attention of his audience. While others passively hear what the teacher says, his lessons stays with them even after the encounter. 

But how do we teach with authority?  In today’s Gospel, people regard Jesus “as one having authority and not as the scribes”.  Not as the scribes. Unlike the scribes, Jesus do not mince with words, He tells only the truth. He is compassionate. He does not impose unnecessary burden just to seek comfort.  Whatever He teaches, all of it He takes it into life.  There’s no duplicity.

To be a teacher of authority, then, is to be a good model of character and integrity. This is my prayer for myself everyday.  This is my prayer for our Catholic community, our leaders and world influencers.

Prayer

Father,  teach us to lead by example like Jesus. At one point or another, some people will look to us for inspiration.  May we never fail them.  Teach us to be humble always.  Amen. 

Why Cause Grief?

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb 16
First reading Ecclesiasticus 15:16-21

If you wish, you can keep the commandments,

  to behave faithfully is within your power.

He has set fire and water before you;

  put out your hand to whichever you prefer.

Man has life and death before him;

  whichever a man likes better will be given him.

For vast is the wisdom of the Lord;

  he is almighty and all-seeing.

His eyes are on those who fear him,

  he notes every action of man.

He never commanded anyone to be godless,

  he has given no one permission to sin.

Psalm                                                                            Psalm 118:1-2,4-5,17-18,33-34
Second reading                                                        1 Corinthians 2:6-10

We have a wisdom to offer those who have reached maturity: not a philosophy of our age, it is true, still less of the masters of our age, which are coming to their end. The hidden wisdom of God which we teach in our mysteries is the wisdom that God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began. It is a wisdom that none of the masters of this age have ever known, or they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory; we teach what scripture calls: the things that no eye has seen and no ear has heard, things beyond the mind of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him.

  These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God.

Gospel                                                                         Matthew 5:17-37

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.

  ‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

  ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.

  ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.

  ‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

  ‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

Reflection by Rosalinda Markell

The relationship between spiritual leaders and followers can sometimes become troubled. Jesus was very aware of this reality which is why in today's Gospel, He challenged His followers to cultivate a virtue deeper than that of the Pharisees and scribes.  It is unfortunate that these Jewish spiritual leaders did not live up to God's and men's expectation of them.  Jesus was quite blunt to call them hypocrites and blind guides. In another chapter of St Matthew's Gospel, He told people to do what these leaders teach them to do, but not what they do (Mt 23:3). 

Until now, we could still hear or even witness scandals caused by spiritual leaders.  Some of us lose heart that we generalize all spiritual leaders to be bad. Maintaining a cooperative spirit is necessary in order to benefit from those who provide spiritual direction to us. Our first response should be prayerful submission: "obey those who rule over you, and be submissive" (Heb 13-17).  For both leaders and followers, an attitude of mutual submission should prevail: "We are to (submit) to one another in fear of God."  (Eph 5:21). Lest leaders abuse such obedience, Jesus emphasized a heart of servant leadership to those who provide us with direction; "most assured by, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor he who is sent greater than He who sent him." (Jn 13:16). 

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to grant healing to those of us who have been hurt by our leaders' impropriety. Let's also pray for a change of heart to those who have caused grief to their flock.

Prayer

Our gracious Father, thank You for the people You have called to lead our Church. Protect them from errors in both words and actions so that they may lead Your people to the truth. May we provide them encouragement and support. Bless too our government, the leaders of our country, that they may be trustworthy instruments in bringing good to society, not war, envy, greediness, and most of all evil. Give them wisdom, an insight beyond the scope of partisan interests. Maintain peace and increase righteousness throughout the land now and for always. This we beg of You, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo

First Reading: Malachi 1:14, 2:2, 8-10

Cursed is the deceiver, who has in his flock a male, but under his vow sacrifices to the LORD a gelding; For a great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen,

And if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. Yes, I have already cursed it, because you do not lay it to heart.

But you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; You have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts.

I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, Since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions.

Have we not all the one Father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with each other, violating the covenant of our fathers?

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 131:1, 2, 3

Second Reading 1Thess. 2:7, 9, 13

Although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.

With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.

You recall, brothers, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens  (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Reflection
By Patty de la Rosa-Paat


I think most of us are familiar with the song “Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo” this is a classic Filipino folk song by Yano a Folk/Punk rock band here in our country it was released and became popular in the 90s. Yano band being known to their social and political theme they came up with this song which attacks religious hypocrisy.

After 16 years, in May of 2010 the song was popularized again by a semi-finalist contestant of Pilipinas Got Talent named Joel Amper a.k.a “Big Mouth” who is an animal impersonator and stand-up comedian. This guy has a unique interpretation of “Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo”; he made the song sound funny, scary and weird as he sounds like a horse. His performance is a remarkable one and made him known all over the world.

The song may vary in different ways, in different interpretations but its meaning will be the same. It shows the true color of the so called “ Godly Person”.

In Holy Bible Scribes and Pharisees are the hypocrites in Jesus’ time. As Jesus said “For they preach but they do not practice.” These religious leaders pretend to be more righteous than others. They love to be recognized and praised by other people. These people I think are the biggest headache of Jesus during His time.

Unfortunately, this is true and it’s still happen nowadays. There are some followers of Christ who look holy before others, but in reality they do things of which God and conscience disapprove. They claimed to know the right way, demand others to live it, but not live it themselves.

Jesus Himself showed dismay to Scribes and Pharisees for being deceitful and for having egotistical attitude. Jesus said to His disciples “ Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” In God’s eye we are all in equal footing regardless of who we are and what we have or what we achieved in life. We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. And as we do the right thing before Him and we are faithfully following the teachings of Christ, the kingdom of heaven will be open to us.

The Gospel reading reminded me of Andoy’s story which has caught the attention of many on Facebook:

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, there lived a fourth grader boy who would follow this route to school every day: He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from. Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut, passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to God, and faithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect. He was faithfully being watched by a Priest who was happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning,

Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?"

"Opo padre ... "he would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched. He was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy.

"From school...", he advised "Do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road...that way I can see that you are home safe...."

"Thank you father ... "

"Why don't you go home ... why do you stay in this church right after school?"

"I just want to say 'Hi' to my friend, God," and the priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking to himself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar to listen to what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER.

"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat although my seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker and drank my water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not that hungry.

Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walk barefoot next week, you see this is about to be broken... but it is okay....at least I am still going to school.... Some say we will have a hard season this month, some of my classmates have already stopped going to school .... please help them get to school again, please God?

....Oh, you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a mother.... God, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them.... Here... here and .... oh ...blood ....I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay, she is just tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schooling that is why she hits us....Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is two days from now!!! Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you . But it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..." then he stood up and calls out, "Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend ....you can accompany me to the other side of the road now"

This routine happens every day. Andoy never fails. Father Agaton shares this every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust in God, a very positive look at negative situations. One Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it in the Church, he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile and would always find fault in what you do, they were also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party, playfully dashed in.

"Hello God! I ......"

"P----!! (a curse) bata ka!! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal!! Alis!!"

Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me cross the street ... and to be able to cross the street I will have to pass by the back door of this church not only that, I have to greet Jesus. It is His birthday, I have a gift right here....

" Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep!!! (does the sign of the cross fervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!!! So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed. A fast moving bus came in.

There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time. Andoy died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the poor boy, the body of a lifeless young boy ... Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a pure white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came and carried the boy in His arms. He was crying. Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, "Excuse me sir, are you related to this child?

Do you know this child?"

The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, looked up and answered, "He was my best friend . " was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of the lifeless boy, and placed it near His heart. He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight.

The crowd was curious ... On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visited the house, and wanted to verify about the man in white. He consulted the parents of Andoy.

"How did you know that your son died?" "A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother. "What did he say?" The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely about our son's death, as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him.

He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, then he whispered something..." "What did he say?"

"He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank you for the gift .... I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and the father of the boy continued, "and you know for a while, it felt so wonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know is I cried tears of joy .... I could not explain it, Father, but when that man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of love inside ... I could not explain the joy in my heart, I knew my boy is in heaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my son talks to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there ... except at the time of his death ......"Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmured, " ... He was talking to no one ..... but .. GOD...."

Now ask yourself: Are you the child Andoy? Fr. Agaton or one of the Manangs who prayed the rosary?


REMEMBER: “ HYPOCRISY… IS THE LIE, IS THE TRUE SISTER OF EVIL, INTOLERANCE AND CRUELTY ”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we believe that there is only one Church establish by Christ with Your Divine providence. And now we pray for the unity of all believers of Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. May the power of Your Spirit heal us. Help us to strengthen our faith in You so that we may understand the purpose of Your will and to make our love fruitful in service for we are here not to be served but to serve You and Your people. Amen.