Ever since Lent 2024, I have been visiting the St Barnabas Cathedral near my workplace whenever I can. This goes on especially this Jubilee Year as the cathedral and Good Shepherd Church which is near where I live are among the jubilee churches in our diocese. I also join the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our parish every Friday night.
Spending a few moments with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has been a rich source of strength, guidance, and inspiration to me as I start the day or as I head home after a busy day. There were times when I was alone with the Lord which made it much easier for me to pour out my heart before Him, cry, or even sing a song. In our family bereavement this year, this beautiful devotion provided an uplifting experience.
A story goes that one of the conversion moments for Edith Stein (aka St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) to Catholicism was witnessing people praying in church. Such action convinced her that God is not a mere idea, but a person that we can relate with. Indeed, that is what we are celebrating today: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). God’s gift of His Son - a Son who desired to be with His people - is second to none. Adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and receiving Him in Holy Communion, may we become faithful witnesses of His abiding presence in the world that “came to be through him but…did not know him” (Jn 1:10).
Prayer
Happy birthday, Jesus! Thank You for becoming one like us. Thank You for dwelling among us despite our unworthiness. Open our hearts to always welcome You and rejoice in the light You bring. Make us zealous in leading others closer to You so that together we may see Your saving power. Amen.
When
Deacon Martyn Swaby (our parish deacon) was ordained, the bishop placed the Book of Gospels in Martyn’s
hands and said “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become.
Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
Regardless of our vocation, we too are called to become heralds of the Gospel.
In our participation in the liturgy or in our own private prayer, we read or
listen to God’s Word. And because it is God’s Word and no one else’s, we
believe in it, we put our trust in it. Like any gift, God’s Word must be shared.
We must teach it to those around us. It could be our family, colleagues,
clients, or even strangers. Sharing the Word would be useless if we do not live
it. Living it requires humility and openness like what Simon, Andrew, James,
and John had shown when Jesus called them to follow Him to become fishers of
people. Witnessing to it requires that zeal in one’s heart like the hearts of
those two disciples who initially failed to recognise Jesus as they travelled
to Emmaus. As we celebrate Sunday of the Word of God, let us ask for the grace
to become God’s Living Word to win more souls for Christ.
·What
is the role of God’s Word in your life?
·Have
you considered becoming a permanent deacon, lector/commentator, catechist, or a God-speak writer in our web? Why or why not?
·The
Sunday of the Word of God is celebrated near the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
(18th -25th January) and Holocaust Memorial Day (27th
January). How can the Word of God be an instrument of unity among peoples,
Christians and non-Christians alike?
Prayer
Lord
Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Open our minds to understand the
Scriptures. Open our hearts to welcome its message of unity. Amen.
Paul and Barnabas went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down,. When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Geniles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Second reading Revelation 7:9, 14-17
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that nobody could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
GospelJohn 10:27-30
And Jesus said to his disciples: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and nobody can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
Reflection
By Pietro S. Albano Jean Vanier was a young philosophy teacher in Canada when he decided to move to France in the 1960s. When asked, he simply said he wanted to "follow Jesus and discover the message of the Gospel”. Invited by a priest friend to an institution for mentally handicapped men where he was chaplain, Jean saw for himself the condition of people with learning disabilities. He then decided to invite two handicapped men to his home. Jean's sharing of everything of him to these two men became the nucleus for L'Arche (the ark), "a worldwide federation of people, with and without learning disabilities, working together for a world where all belong" (https://www.larche.org.uk/). At present, there are 147 communities (in 35 countries) affiliated with L'Arche. In the UK, there are 258 adults with learning disabilities supported by this community. Apart from founding L'Arche, Jean was an author of several books, a retreat leader, and speaker. He once said “There’s something incredibly beautiful in the Gospel message, but at the same time incredibly demanding. And yet, it’s not demanding. It’s the place of joy, because we know that we can’t do it ourselves. It’s when we think we have to do it by ourselves that everything becomes heavy.” Jean passed away on 7 May 2019 at the venerable age of 90. He is, for me, one of the sheep that heard the Good Shepherd's voice and followed Him. How about us?
Prayer Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, You have called us to particular vocations and ministries. At times we think of these as our own. Help us to remember that we cannot do it ourselves; that we need You. Grant us the grace to be humble enough to always hear Your voice and follow You. Amen. May Jean's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
When the guards had brought in the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name.
Second reading Revelation 5:11-14
I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
GospelJohn 21:1-19
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his followers. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection
By Pietro S. Albano “It is the Lord!”, cried St John the Beloved, when he recognized it was Jesus who was waiting for them and giving them instructions where they could catch fish. That recognition was enough for St Peter to put his clothes on, jumped into the sea, and meet Christ. That encounter brought together the Master and His disciples for a meal. Having been nourished by the breakfast Jesus prepared Himself, what came next was a surprise for St Peter when he was asked not once, but thrice, if he loved the Lord. Having given the affirmative, he was called to missionary discipleship. Hence, looking back at the First Reading, we see not a cowering fisherman, but a courageous fisher of people. Over these past few weeks, we read news of how Christians were persecuted. The bombings in Sri Lanka come to mind. The vandalization of churches here and there are another. At home, we see how the country's president called God 'stupid' to the glee of his followers. One could say it is not that easy to become a Christian nowadays. It is never easy! Regardless, let us remain faithful to Jesus. “It is the Lord!”. Through our steadfast faith in the Risen Lord, may those around us - active or lapsed Christians, Christians or non-Christians, believers or non-believers - come to know Him. If that happens, then the experience of the disciples in today's Gospel would become real in our present times.
Prayer
Most loving and faithful Jesus, You were recognized by Your disciples in the sea. Help us too to recognize You in those moments when have not caught any fish in the sea of life. May our actions and words point our sisters and brothers to You, our Savior. Amen. O Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Second reading Colossians 3:1-4
If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
GospelJohn 20:1-9
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.
The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus” head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
Reflection
By Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan “Where is God?” These are the words a trembling voice asked me. It was almost two o’ clock in the morning when my phone rang. The voice was shaking – the person on the other line was crying. “Where is God?”. I have no ready words to say but I uttered: Have faith. We may not see Him but He is with us. Our reflection would focus on an “empty tomb”. Like the anxiety that filled Mary of Magdala and the other disciples upon finding the tomb empty, we too share the same worry when it seems that the Lord is nowhere to be found in our lives. It is quite frustrating not to see the Lord in times when we are in most need of Him. We always ask for visible manifestations. Our rational judgment often requires us to believe only the things that are seen by our naked eyes. And sometimes, we suffer from blindness. We fail to see the very mystery of God unfolding right in front of us because we are too preoccupied lamenting over an empty tomb. He saw and believed. Our empty tombs could mean a fulfillment of God’s promise. Our disappointments could become God’s appointments. Our worry could become graces. We just have to place our faith in God. In instances wherein our lives feel like an “empty tomb”, let us not falter but strengthen our faith in Christ. He is risen! He has fulfilled His promised! I remember the poem, Footprints in the Sand, when the Lord replied, “My precious child, I love you. And I would never leave you. During your times of trial, when you saw only one pair of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
Prayer
God of all tenderness, when our hearts feel anxious, You open a way ahead for each of us: it means entrusting our whole life to You. As we discover the meaning of our existence, may we give our lives on account of Your Gospel and Resurrection. Amen.
When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears; so do a person’s faults when he speaks. The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a person is in his conversation. As its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree, so does our speech discloses the cultivation of our mind. Do not praise anyone before he speaks, for this is the way people are tested.
Second reading 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where thy victory? sting?” The sting of sin, and power sin law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, steadfast, immovable, always abounding work Lord, knowing that your labour not vain.
GospelLuke 6:39-45
Jesus told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye. “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
Reflection
By Bernard M. Borja When I was 5 years old, my kindergarten teacher taught her class not to say bad words. One day after class, I saw her talking loudly with her friends using words I did not know of. I asked my mother what those words mean. Since then, I knew what bad words are. I was 9 when I saw my grade school teacher talk to the parents of my classmates very politely. I remembered the time she was shouting and almost throwing things at us just to make us learn to speak politely not only to elders, but to everyone. The next school day, I cannot even speak to my classmates. In my childhood I was taught to properly dispose off trash. When I have small wrappers, I put those in my pocket when there were no bins around. It was a habit developed even to this day. But I also got used to leaving the place where I ate with all the trash and waste still on the table especially at restaurants. I always say, “May maglilinis naman nyan (Someone will clean those.)” I never realized that cleanliness is a responsibility of everyone in all places, not just in one. Some time ago, I saw posts in the social media from one of the people I look up to. It was about taking care of employees and subordinates properly, treating them as part of the family towards reaching success. I felt very confused because I did not feel “family” being a “student” of this person. It made me ask myself, “Am I a bad fruit of the tree I came from? Or do I ever belonged to be considered a fruit?” These may be common confusions of people today. We think we can tell others what the right ways are, but never consider looking within ourselves first. As I write this, I remember how I have been so much of a “teacher” to those who I look at through their mistakes. I even think of myself how “better” I do things compared to their ways. But I realize that I am looking mostly of my own reflection. I feel ashamed. And this may be the reason why I do not look within myself before I look at others’ mistakes. The very common but worse excuse that we can come up with is to blame others for something that we can actually do something about, but we chose to give the responsibility to other people, so we won’t feel ashamed if it turns out wrong. Jesus reminds us to take responsibility in taking the “log” from our own eyes to see clearly, before deciding to point out others’ mistakes and help them change. Coming from the words of the greatest teacher, Jesus wants to perfect us as we look out for each other and lead one another. He constantly takes us back on track to remind us that we all come from the good tree which produces good fruits. We may often look at others through their mistakes, but Jesus invites us to discern first how we can help ourselves in realizing our own mistakes, so that we can accompany others and learn from one another.
Prayer Dear Jesus, We thank You for opening our hearts to see clearly the good in each other. Teach us to be humble like You so that we may be with each other in our journey as You perfect us to be good fruits of Yours. We also pray to our dear Mama Mary to intercede for us, guide us in the right path, and draw us closer to You. Amen.
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he has taken by his right hand to subdue nations before him and strip the loins of kings, to force gateways before him that their gates be closed no more: ‘It is for the sake of my servant Jacob, of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name, conferring a title though you do not know me. I am the Lord, unrivalled; there is no other God besides me. Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
that, apart from me, all is nothing.’
Second reading
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace. We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction.
Gospel
Matthew 22:15-21
The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, ‘Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, ‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’ They handed him a denarius, and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’
Reflection
by Ma. Rosalina S. Flores
Today’s gospel is the situation of the Filipinos now. As we face the problems on drugs, killing people become rampant. Is it just or not? It seems that we are the Pharisees in the gospel who tried to entrap Jesus in speech, hoping Him to answer wrongly so that we will have the reason to condemn Him and go on with our sins. But like how Jesus intelligently answered the question about census tax, the sixth commandment of God that says “Thou shall not kill” remains unbreakable. As He reiterated the duty of paying to Caesar what is due to Caesar and give to the Lord what belongs to Him, let us be reminded of what is worldly and godly. It is God who gave our life, not the police nor the government leaders; therefore we should always cherish it and safeguard it from harm including the government orders that cause danger to it. We belong to the Father, not to anybody else. On the other hand, to give what belongs to God is not only seen by obeying the Ten Commandments, but also by following the laws of our world. Throwing our garbage properly, obeying the traffic lights, paying the proper tax are only few ways of becoming good citizens which the Lord does not hinder us to do. In fact, He always encourages us to behave properly on earth and use our talents for everyone’s good. Where can you see someone who is more supportive than Jesus? He never asks us to choose between the world and Him. Instead, He guides us in our undertakings. Because He is the Lord of the world, everything we do here also belongs to Him. As we comply with the laws of our land, may we always keep in mind that our actions affect our Lord. Let’s give glory to God with every just and good deed we make.
Prayer
Oh my Jesus, You are the Lord of the world we live in. May our everyday actions here give delight and bring You glory now and forever. Amen.
everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs.
But you, O Lord of Hosts, you who probe with justice,
who scrutinise the loins and heart,
let me see the vengeance you will take on them,
for I have committed my cause to you.
Sing to the Lord,
praise the Lord,
for he has delivered the soul of the needy
from the hands of evil men.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 68(69):8-10,14,17,33-35
Second reading Romans 5:12-15
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. Sin existed in the world long before the Law was given. There was no law and so no one could be accused of the sin of ‘law-breaking’, yet death reigned over all from Adam to Moses, even though their sin, unlike that of Adam, was not a matter of breaking a law.
Adam prefigured the One to come, but the gift itself considerably outweighed the fall. If it is certain that through one man’s fall so many died, it is even more certain that divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant free gift.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia!
The Word was made flesh and lived among us:
to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Matthew 10:26-33
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not be afraid. For everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops.
‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.
‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’
Reflection
by Benj Santiago
“Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” In the early years of Christianity, historical information tells us that a lot of people died because of their Christian faith. In fact all the remaining 11 Apostles except for John, died a martyr’s death. They suffered persecution, and Peter, the leader of the Apostles, even got crucified upside down. Christian martyrs after the apostles abound. The Filipino martyrs Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod were tortured and killed because they were not afraid to die for their faith. In the present day, there is not so much Christian persecution. We are so blessed that we don’t have to hide in the dark and cower in fear when we attend the Holy Mass and proclaim and celebrate our faith in Christ. We are so fortunate, especially here in the Philippines. But just in case we are to face persecution because of our faith in the present time, can we with boldness and courage proclaim our faith like the martyrs and saints did? Maybe we could. However, as I reflect on the Gospel, I am also being challenged in my daily life. Do I proclaim my faith in my work, in my words, in my actions and dealings with other people? Do I proclaim my faith even when it is inconvenient and disadvantageous for myself?
Prayer
Father in heaven, we thank You for sending us Your Son and all the saints to be our model of faith. We ask You to bless us with the same courage to strongly and boldly proclaim our faith - from the real threat to the littlest things we do in our daily life. This we ask in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Peter proceeded to speak and said: "You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through hisname."
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Second Reading: Col 3:1-4
Brothers and sisters:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.
Gospel: Jn 20:1-9
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
Reflection
by Pietro Albano
Many years ago, I attended a pastoral planning event of the parish. During the group dynamics, I was chosen to be the leader of our group. We were working on a draft vision and mission statements when an old lady in our group posed me several questions which all started with the words "Paano ka makakahikayat sa ating parokya kung...?" (How will you convince people to be active in the parish if...?).
At first, I was a bit annoyed and tried to dismiss her questions. But they lingered. Eventually, we came up with the draft statements and presented them to the whole assembly. I couldn't remember the full text of the statements, but the first few words of the vision statement goes like this: "a Christ-centered community". These were then agreed by everyone. I never heard anymore questions from our elderly colleague.
That question "Paano ka makakahikayat?" rings a bell especially during this Year of the Parish. How do we convince people to actively participate in our parish community? There are many answers we could choose from: lay empowerment, a more lively liturgy, more activities, more outreach programs, simple lifestyle, etc.
But one and only one answer should not be overlooked. Amidst all the challenges the Church faces nowadays, let's not forget that the Risen Jesus is the best answer, the best experience we can share to encourage the "unchurched" to be involved in the life of the parish. We may have empowered the laity, have a lively liturgy or a thriving outreach programs, but if Christ is not the center of it all, if His message is silenced by intrigues, if His healing is counteracted by our pride and "pagpapasikat", if His power and mercy are still buried by our stubbornness, we will be like Peter and John in today's Gospel: staring at the tomb, but failing to understand that Jesus must rise again from the dead.
A blessed Easter to all!
Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for sending Jesus Your Son to save us by His Death and Resurrection. With faith renewed, guide us to proclaim with our lives His triumph over sin so as to affirm the faith of others. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
ANABELLE PAYOD-BALLA is married and is blessed with four lovely daughters. Currently the Faith section Editor, Ana is one of the Tanghalang Anluwage’s members since its inception in 1991.
ART B. REYES is a semiconductor engineering professional. He is one of the founding members of Tanghalang Anluwage.
ELIZABETH R. EGUIA is an employee of a software provider company in Malaysia and has dedicated herself in bringing the Gospel to the barangay level.
NICOLA ALBANO-RACHIELE was a cardiac nurse for almost 8 years in Manhattan, NY before moving to Bethlehem, PA where she continues her career at St. Luke's University Health Network Electrophysiology Laboratory.
GRACE B. MADRINAN is an Industrial Engineering graduate of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and currently works for a semiconductor company in Cavite.
EDGARDO TULABUT is a Logistics supervisor, Financial educator, Health Advocate, Future Feast Builder under the Light of Jesus-Pampanga, Blogger, Christian Music Enthusiast, & a Coffee Freak.
FIDJI RIVERA - SARMIENTO is a special educator, answered her calling to teach beyond their home-front by establishing her own intervention center. An advocate of the inclusion education system & of the handmade revolution.
MAYZELLE ATIENZA worked for 12 years as a product engineer in Intel Technology Philippines. She is currently serving as a full-time volunteer staffer for her Catholic charismatic community.
JEANNE THERESE HILARIO ANDRES was a youth worker of Christ’s Youth in Action and now a married mom of two. She and her husband are members of The Sword of the Spirit.
BENJ SANTIAGO is involved with keeping families together, & helping achieve financial independence. A member of Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen & Professionals, and Magis Deo Community.
FELY SANTIAGO is a Financial Teacher at International Marketing Group, a
Financial Mentor, Wealth Circle & Truly Rich Club, Bo Sanchez, Inc, and Head, Financial Mentoring Ministry, The Feast Bay Area.
ROSALINDA MARKELL was a Regent of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate of St. Joseph Church,Gagalangin, Tondo. Now residing in the US, was blessed with 5 children & now have 13 grandchildren, & 3 great-grand-children.
PATTY DE LA ROSA-PAAT is the writer for the web's "Ano Yun?" sub-section. She also serves as a catechist in her parish in Laguna, Philippines.
PAM MANZANO is Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology graduate. She is the only daughter of TA senior member, the late Eliza Manzano and has a son named Piel.
GRACE JAMANDRI - FLORES is a public high school teacher in social studies. She was a parish youth leader and catechist in her younger years.
RENATO C. VIBIESCA
is teaching Literature & Creative Writing at the PUP, Jose Rizal University & St. Paul University in Quezon City. He's also contributing stories for Gospel Komiks and other publications.
THERESA BALLO is a graduate of BS Psychology in UST. She is currently working as a formation staff at the Campus Ministry and Service Office of Xavier School Nuvali.
CRIS BALLA manages a mobile apps and games design and development company. He also writes programs and designs graphics elements. He is the husband of Ana, Faith Section Editor.
MARK RODNEY P. VERTIDO is a teacher who now teaches at Holy Spirit Academy Manila. He is deeply involved in their Diocesan Youth Commission as a volunteer and other youth endeavors.
CARLO ALEXIS MALALUAN is a seminarian for the Diocese of Imus, Cavite. He have earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology before entering the Seminary. He is one of the facilitators of Online Usapang Bokasyon, an online vocation talk show of the Ministri sa Bokasyon of the Diocese of Imus. During his free time, he would spend reading books and illustrating.
MA. ROSALINA FLORES is a Technical Assistant at the Program Division of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines National Headquarters. She's also a member of the Manila Cathedral's Ministry of Lectors and Commentators.
JESSSA JANELLE PADILLA is a government employee. She is also a member of the Manila Cathedral - Basilica's Ministry of Lectors and Commentators.
JOSE PAULO M. GONZALES is a seminarian. He loves biking, swimming, and checking out new places and awesome sceneries. A lifelong learner and curious navigator, he believes there’s still a lot of wonder in life to be found.
