Love Your Enemies
Matthew 5:38—48

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

"You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

The Teaching About the Law
Matthew 5:17—37

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 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. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

"It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife—unless the marriage is unlawful— causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."

Salt and Light
Matthew 5:13—16

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Luke 2:22—40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty–four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Jesus Begins to Preach and Calls His First Disciples
Matthew 4:12—23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Behold, the Lamb of God
John 1:29—34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

The Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:13—17

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

The Magi Visit the Messiah
Matthew 2:1—12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel."

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

The Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2:13—15, 19—23

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.

Christmas Masses - The Birth of Jesus
(Readings)



Mass at Midnight

FIRST READING
Isaiah 9:1–6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 96:1–2, 2–3, 11–12, 13 (Luke 2:11)
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

SECOND READING
Titus 2:11–14
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:1–14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Mass at Dawn

FIRST READING
Isaiah 62:11–12
See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 97:1, 6, 11–12
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

SECOND READING
Titus 3:4–7
Beloved:
When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

ALLELUIA
Luke 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:15–20
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Mass During the Day

FIRST READING
Isaiah 52:7–10
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 98:1, 2–3, 3–4, 5–6 (3c)
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

SECOND READING
Hebrews 1:1–6
Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Longer Form John 1:1–18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Shorter Form John 1:1–5, 9–14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

Joseph Accepts Jesus
Matthew 1:18—24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Are You the One Who is to Come?
Matthew 11:2—11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Prepare the Way of the Lord
Matthew 3:1—12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Stay Awake!
Matthew 24:37—44

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

FIRST READING
2 Samuel 5:1—3
In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.'" When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 122:1—2, 3—4, 4—5
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD." And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

SECOND READING
Colossians 1:12—20
Brothers and sisters:
Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

ALLELUIA
Mark 11:9, 10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 23:35—43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
"He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple
Luke 21:5—19

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here— the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end."

Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

"Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

The Question About the Resurrection
Luke 20:27—38

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her." Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out 'Lord,' the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

Jesus and Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1—10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Luke 18:9—14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1—8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11—19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant
Luke 17:5—10

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

"Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19—31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

The Parable of the Dishonest Steward
Luke 16:1—13

Jesus said to his disciples,
"A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.

"For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon."

The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son
Luke 15:1—32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety–nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety–nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

"Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Then he said,
"A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns, who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

The Cost of Being a Disciple
Luke 14:25—33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."

Jesus at a Pharisee's House
Luke 14:1, 7—14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

The Narrow Gate
Luke 13:22—30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

I Have Come to Set the Earth on Fire
Luke 12:49—53

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother–in–law against her daughter–in–law and a daughter–in–law against her mother–in–law."

The Parable of the Watchful Servants
Luke 12:32—48

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."

The Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12:13–21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

The Lord's Prayer
Luke 11:1–13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

At the Home of Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38–42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 30:10—14
Moses said to the people:

"If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.

"For this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. It is not up in the sky, that you should say, 'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 69:14, 17, 30—31, 33—34, 36, 37
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me.

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

"See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. The descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it.

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

or Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (9a)
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

SECOND READING
Colossians 1:15—20
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

ALLELUIA
see John 6:63c, 68c
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 10:25—37
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half–dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

FIRST READING
Isaiah 66:10–14c
Thus says the LORD:
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 66:1–3, 4–5, 6–7, 16, 20 (1)
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

He changed the sea into dry land; through the river they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice in him. He rules by his might forever.

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness!

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

SECOND READING
Galatians 6:14–18
Brothers and sisters:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

ALLELUIA
Colossians 3:15a, 16a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 10:1–12, 17–20
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

FIRST READING
1 Kings 19:16b, 19–21
The LORD said to Elijah:
“You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.” Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 16:1–2, 5, 7–8, 9–10, 11
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My LORD are you.” O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life, Fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

SECOND READING
Galatians 5:1, 13–18
Brothers and sisters:
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

ALLELUIA
1 Samuel; 3:9; John 6:68c
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of everlasting life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 9:51–62
When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

FIRST READING
Genesis 14:18–20
In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4 (4b)
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion: “Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor; before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Brothers and sisters:
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

SEQUENCE
Lauda Sion

Laud, O Zion, your salvation,

Laud with hymns of exultation, Christ, your king and shepherd true:

Bring him all the praise you know, He is more than you bestow. Never can you reach his due.

Special theme for glad thanksgiving Is the quick’ning and the living Bread today before you set:

From his hands of old partaken, As we know, by faith unshaken, Where the Twelve at supper met.

Full and clear ring out your chanting, Joy nor sweetest grace be wanting, From your heart let praises burst:

For today the feast is holden, When the institution olden Of that supper was rehearsed.

Here the new law’s new oblation, By the new king’s revelation, Ends the form of ancient rite:

Now the new the old effaces, Truth away the shadow chases, Light dispels the gloom of night.

What he did at supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, His memorial ne’er to cease:

And his rule for guidance taking, Bread and wine we hallow, making Thus our sacrifice of peace.

This the truth each Christian learns, Bread into his flesh he turns, To his precious blood the wine:

Sight has fail’d, nor thought conceives, But a dauntless faith believes, Resting on a pow’r divine.

Here beneath these signs are hidden Priceless things to sense forbidden; Sign, not things are all we see:

Blood is poured and flesh is broken, Yet in either wondrous token Christ entire we know to be.

Whoso of this food partakes, Does not rend the Lord nor breaks; Christ is whole to all that tastes:

Thousands are, as one, receivers, One, as thousands of believers, Eats of him who cannot waste.

Bad and good the feast are sharing, Of what divers dooms preparing, Endless death, or endless life.

Life to these, to those damnation, See how like participation Is with unlike issues rife.

When the sacrament is broken, Doubt not, but believe ‘tis spoken, That each sever’d outward token Doth the very whole contain.

Nought the precious gift divides, Breaking but the sign betides Jesus still the same abides, Still unbroken does remain.

Lo! the angel’s food is given To the pilgrim who has striven; See the children’s bread from heaven, Which on dogs may not be spent.

Truth the ancient types fulfilling, Isaac bound, a victim willing, Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling, Manna to the fathers sent.

Very bread, good shepherd, tend us, Jesu, of your love befriend us, You refresh us, you defend us, Your eternal goodness send us In the land of life to see.

You who all things can and know, Who on earth such food bestow, Grant us with your saints, though lowest, Where the heav’nly feast you show, Fellow heirs and guests to be. Amen. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 16:12–15
Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

FIRST READING
Proverbs 8:22–31
Thus says the wisdom of God:
“The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; from of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water; before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth; while as yet the earth and fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.

“When the Lord established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep; when he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth; when he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command; then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the human race.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29–30, 31, 34 (see 30)
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place— What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him?

R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet.

R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

SECOND READING
Romans 5:1–5
Brothers and sisters:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

ALLELUIA
Revelation 1:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 16:12–15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

FIRST READING
Acts 2:1–11
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29–30, 31, 34 (see 30)
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O LORD! The earth is full of your creatures.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD be glad in his works! Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the LORD.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Romans 8:8–17
Brothers and sisters:
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

SEQUENCE
Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

And from your celestial home Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor! Come, source of all our store! Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best; You, the soul’s most welcome guest; Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet; Grateful coolness in the heat; Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine, Shine within these hearts of yours, And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, we have naught, Nothing good in deed or thought, Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour your dew; Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore And confess you, evermore In your sevenfold gift descend;

Give them virtue’s sure reward; Give them your salvation, Lord; Give them joys that never end. Amen. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 14:15–16, 23b–26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

FIRST READING
Acts 1:1–11
In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 47:2—3, 6—7, 8—9 (6)
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Ephesians 1:17—23
Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jeus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every wat. 

ALLELUIA
Luke 3:4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mark 16:15—20
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

FIRST READING
Acts 15:1–2, 22–29
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them:

“The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 67:2–3, 5, 6, 8 (4)
R. O God, let all the nations praise you! or R. Alleluia.

May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you! or R. Alleluia.

May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you! or R. Alleluia.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. O God, let all the nations praise you! or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Revelation 21:10–14, 22–23
The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.

ALLELUIA
John 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 14:23–29
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

FIRST READING
Acts 14:21–27
After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” They appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 145:8–9, 10–11, 12–13
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. or R. Alleluia.

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. or R. Alleluia.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. or R. Alleluia.

Let them make known your might to the children of Adam, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Revelation 21:1–5a
Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”

The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 13:31–33a, 34–35
When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

FIRST READING
Acts 13:14, 43—52
Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth."

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 100:1—2, 3, 5 (3c)
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or R. Alleluia.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song.

R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or R. Alleluia.

Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends.

R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or R. Alleluia.

The LORD is good: His kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations

R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Revelation 7:9, 14b—17
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Then one of the elders said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

"For this reason they stand before God's throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life–giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

ALLELUIA
John 10:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 10:27—30
Jesus said:
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

FIRST READING
Acts 5:27–32, 40b–41
When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5–6, 11–12, 13 (2a)
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or R. Alleluia.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or R. Alleluia.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or R. Alleluia.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Revelation 5:11–14
I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ is risen, creator of all; he has shown pity on all people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 21:1–19
At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being 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?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a 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. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

FIRST READING
Acts 5:12–16
Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s portico. None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 118:2–4, 13–15, 22–24 (1)
R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. or R. Alleluia.

Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.”

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. or R. Alleluia.

I was hard pressed and was falling, but the LORD helped me. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just.

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. or R. Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Revelation 1:9–11a, 12–13, 17–19
I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus. I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said, “Write on a scroll what you see.” Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest.

When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld. Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.”

ALLELUIA
John 20:29
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord: Blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 20:19–31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

FIRST READING
Acts 10:34a, 37–43
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 his name.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23 (24)
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. or R. Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”

R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. or R. Alleluia.

“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. or R. Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.

R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Colossians 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.

or

1 Corinthians 5:6b–8
Brothers and sisters:
Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

SEQUENCE

Victimae paschali laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeems; Christ, who only is sinless, Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal. Speak, Mary, declaring What you saw, wayfaring.

“The tomb of Christ, who is living, the glory of Jesus’ resurrection;

Bright angels attesting, the shroud and napkin resting.

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
1 Corinthians 5:7b–8a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 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.

Or at an afternoon or evening mass:

Luke 24:13–35
That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.

Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

FIRST READING
Genesis 1:1—2:2
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.

Then God said,
“Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day.

Then God said,
“Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other.” And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. God called the dome “the sky.” Evening came, and morning followed—the second day.

Then God said,
“Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear.” And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land “the earth,” and the basin of the water he called “the sea.” God saw how good it was.

Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it.” And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the third day.

Then God said:
“Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth.” And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the fourth day.

Then God said,
“Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.” And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, “Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.” Evening came, and morning followed—the fifth day.

Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was.

Then God said:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.”

God also said:
“See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.

or

Genesis 1:1, 26–31a
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 104:1–2, 5–6, 10, 12, 13–14, 24, 35 (30)
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever; with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it; above the mountains the waters stood.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You send forth springs into the watercourses that wind among the mountains. Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from among the branches they send forth their song.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You water the mountains from your palace; the earth is replete with the fruit of your works. You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for man’s use, producing bread from the earth.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all— the earth is full of your creatures. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

or Psalm 33:4–5, 6–7, 12–13, 20 and 22 (5b)
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask; in cellars he confines the deep.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

SECOND READING
Genesis 22:1–18
God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.” Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him.

On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you.” Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham: “Father!” Isaac said. “Yes, son,” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?” “Son,” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.” Then the two continued going forward.

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the LORD will see.”

Again the LORD’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing— all this because you obeyed my command.”

or

Genesis 22:1–2, 9a, 10–13, 15–18
God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.”

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.

Again the LORD’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing— all this because you obeyed my command.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 16:5, 8, 9–10, 11 (1)
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

THIRD READING
Exodus 14:15—15:1
The LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”

The angel of God, who had been leading Israel’s camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.

The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians. Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh’s whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Exodus 15:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 17–18 (1b)
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name! Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

The flood waters covered them, they sank into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power, your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

You brought in the people you redeemed and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place where you made your seat, O LORD, the sanctuary, LORD, which your hands established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.

R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

FOURTH READING
Isaiah 54:5–14
The One who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of hosts; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. The LORD calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer. This is for me like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah should never again deluge the earth; so I have sworn not to be angry with you, or to rebuke you. Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you. O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled, I lay your pavements in carnelians, and your foundations in sapphires; I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of carbuncles, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5–6, 11–12, 13 (2a)
R.I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

R.I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing.

R.I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

R.I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

FIFTH READING
Isaiah 55:1–11
Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Isaiah 12:2–3, 4, 5–6 (3)
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

SIXTH READING
Baruch 3:9–15, 32—4:4
Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: listen, and know prudence! How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your foes, grown old in a foreign land, defiled with the dead, accounted with those destined for the netherworld? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom! Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace. Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding; that you may know also where are length of days, and life, where light of the eyes, and peace. Who has found the place of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries?

The One who knows all things knows her; he has probed her by his knowledge— the One who established the earth for all time, and filled it with four-footed beasts; he who dismisses the light, and it departs, calls it, and it obeys him trembling; before whom the stars at their posts shine and rejoice; when he calls them, they answer, “Here we are!” shining with joy for their Maker. Such is our God; no other is to be compared to him: He has traced out the whole way of understanding, and has given her to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved son.

Since then she has appeared on earth, and moved among people. She is the book of the precepts of God, the law that endures forever; all who cling to her will live, but those will die who forsake her. Turn, O Jacob, and receive her: walk by her light toward splendor. Give not your glory to another, your privileges to an alien race. Blessed are we, O Israel; for what pleases God is known to us!

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.

R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.

R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

SEVENTH READING
Ezekiel 36:16–17a, 18–28
The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds. Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols. I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them. But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: “These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land.” So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came. Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came. I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 (42:2)
R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?

R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God, amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival.

R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place.

R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God!

R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Isaiah 12:2–3, 4, 5–6 (3)
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Psalm 51:12–13, 14–15, 18–19 (12a)
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a holocaust, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

EPISTLE
Romans 6:3–11
Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23
R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”

R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”

R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.

R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 24:1–12
At daybreak on the first day of the week the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.

FIRST READING
Isaiah 52:13—53:12
See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Even as many were amazed at him— so marred was his look beyond human semblance and his appearance beyond that of the sons of man— so shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; for those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.

Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by people, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom people hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all.

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12–13, 15–16, 17, 25
R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me. Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.

R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

For all my foes I am an object of reproach, a laughingstock to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends; they who see me abroad flee from me. I am forgotten like the unremembered dead; I am like a dish that is broken.

R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

But my trust is in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God. In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.”

R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. Take courage and be stouthearted, all you who hope in the LORD.

R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

SECOND READING
Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered 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 reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Philippians 2:8–9
Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name.

GOSPEL
John 18:1—19:42
Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”

So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest, went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm.

The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said.” When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm. And they said to him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed.

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews answered him, “We do not have the right to execute anyone,” in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this one but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,” in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. This is what the soldiers did. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Here all kneel and pause a short time.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken.And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

FIRST READING
Exodus 12:1–8, 11–14
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall stand at the head of your calendar; you shall reckon it the first month of the year. Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every one of your families must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household. If a family is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join the nearest household in procuring one and shall share in the lamb in proportion to the number of persons who partake of it. The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present, it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight. They shall take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of every house in which they partake of the lamb. That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

“This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight. It is the Passover of the Lord. For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn of the land, both man and beast, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the Lord! But the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.

“This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 116:12–13, 15–16bc, 17–18
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds.

R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people.

R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Brothers and sisters:
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
John 13:34
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: Love one another as I have loved you.

GOSPEL
John 13:1–15
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Laudato Si Daan ng Krus
By: Czarina Pascual

The Laudato Si Way of the Cross looks at the Passion and Death of Christ and touches the sufferings of mankind and the environment. 

"Tayo ay nakikipagkasundo hindi lamang sa ating kapwa kundi pati na sa ating Mundo at sa lahat ng nanahan dito."

Fr. Charles Rue, SSC from Australia wrote the original in English. Malate Church translated it to Tagalog

You may download a copy of Laudato Si Daan ng Krus by clicking this link:
Daan ng Krus.pdf

FIRST READING
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for consolers, not one could I find. Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving: “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our errors.

Or

Hail to you, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.

GOSPEL
Matthew 26:14-25
One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, AMy appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘“ The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

FIRST READING
Isaiah 50:4–7
The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 22:8–9, 17–18, 19–20, 23–24 (2a)
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.”

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me, they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O LORD, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the LORD, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

SECOND READING
Philippians 2:6–11
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Philippians 2:8–9
Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

GOSPEL
Luke 22:14—23:56
When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.

“And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.

Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” But he replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.”

He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied. He said to them, “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, He was counted among the wicked; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”

Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.” After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”

While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, “Lord, shall we strike with a sword?” And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, “Stop, no more of this!” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”

After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, “This man too was with him.” But he denied it saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A short while later someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them”; but Peter answered, “My friend, I am not.” About an hour later, still another insisted, “Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.”

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” —Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.— Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short period of time.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph, who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

or

Luke 23:1–49
The elders of the people, chief priests and scribes, arose and brought Jesus before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.”

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” —Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.— Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short period of time.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

The Woman Caught in Adultery
John 8:1-11

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable: “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

The Parable of the Barren Tree
Luke 13:1–9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

The Transfiguration
Luke 9:28b–36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

The Temptation of Jesus
Luke 4:1–13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

FIRST READING
Joel 2:12-18
Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the LORD, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the people, notify the congregation; Assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; Let the bridegroom quit his room and the bride her chamber. Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep, And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

SECOND READING
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

ALLELUIA
Psalm 95:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Pause Mo Muna
A Lenten Reflection
Fr. Kurt Zion Pala, MSSC

We are about to begin a new liturgical journey - a time to grow in our faith as Christians - Lent. At this time of the year we are invited to pause. To take our time to slow down and pause for a while. This time of the year is associated mostly about doing penance but there is more Lent.

Pope Francis in his homily on Ash Wednesday last year invited everyone to “Pause” in order to look and con-template, to “See” the real face of Jesus and to “Return” without fear, to experience the healing and reconciling tenderness of God. It is a time to heal our brokenness, rest our weary souls and bring ourselves back together.

Here I am hundred miles away from Malate watching the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana” and writing this brief and light reflection on Lent and Ash Wednesday. Do you still remember Mace and Anthony? Here are a few lines from the movie I find helpful in our reflection on Lent and Ash Wednesday:

PAUSE. “Alam mo ‘yung sinabi ni F. Scott Fitzgerald? There are all kinds of love in this world, but never the same love twice.”

Year after year we go through the seasons of the church - Advent, Christmas, Ordinary time and now finally Lent. What’s the difference this time from last year? There is a big difference - you have been through a year’s worth of journey. Some through a lot of pain while others may be through less.

Our relationship with God is the greatest love story ever told and is still unfolding before us. Hindi pa tapos. Each year we need to pause and remind ourselves of this story. Our love story with God. Relationships of love come in many shapes and forms and there will never be the same love twice. Sabi pa nga sa Jollibee commercial, “Mawalan ka man ng minamahal, hindi mawawala ang pag-asang mag-mahal muli. Have faith in love.”

Pope Francis today invites us to pause a little and leave the chaos that fill our souls with bitterness. We need to pause from the need to move and move faster through life in our careers and ambitions often at the expense of our relationships. Let us pause from the desire to control everything, to know everything, destroy everything which comes from the lack of gratitude in our hearts for the gift of life and all the good we receive. Pause mo muna. Have faith in love.

SEE. “Naaalala ko siya sa lahat.”

Lent is not about you or us. It is about Christ and his great love for us.

In a relationship, especially one for a very long time, one can remember that person in almost everything. Just like Mace na kahit sa paglagay ng ketchup sa hotdog ay naalala niya yung minamahal niya.

We have totally forgotten about our relationship with God. It seems for a year we have called time-out and just locked Jesus out of our lives. This is the time of the year where we can be totally conscious of the faith we pro-fess.. Lent will center us around the person of Christ, His face and His message, His life and passion, His death and resurrection. So that in everything that we do we remember Christ, we see Christ.

Pope Francis invites us to specially “see and contemplate the face of Crucified Love, who today from the cross continues to bring us hope, his hand held out to those who feel crucified, who experience in their lives the bur-den of failure, disappointment and heartbreak. That is to see and contemplate the real face of Christ crucified out of love for everyone, without exception. For everyone? Yes, for everyone.” See the face of Jesus in others.

RETURN. “Where do broken hearts go? Back to the open arms of a love that's waiting there…”

These few lines from the theme song bring us to a place where we long to be - in the arms of a God who waits patiently and lovingly for us and when we come to Him, He opens his arms, ready to embrace us with all our thorns and cuts but only sees the good in each of us.

Our time is full of questions, doubts and sufferings but as Christians we have the answer - Jesus Christ. He is the true light and hope. There is no other way to get out of this sad circle of pain and suffering that takes away all the meaning and joy of our lives and drown us. Jesus took the most personal way to fulfill God’s mission given to him by becoming one of us except in sin. God gave us his only begotten Son because of love.

The ashes reminds us of the shortness of everything including our lives. It reminds us that if we continue to put our trust in the materials things or the positions we have, we will not have true peace in our hearts. By receiving the ash on our foreheads we hear the call and respond to the call to conversion - to recognize our sinfulness and brokenness and so we decide to return to Him.

This Lent take the time to pause, see and return.

You can also read more of Pope Francis’ 2018 Ash Wednesday homily.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-ash-wednesday-celebration-homily--pause-see-return.html

Can a Blind Man Lead a Blind Man?
Luke 6:39–45

Jesus told his disciples a parable,
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye. A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.

“A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Love Your Enemies | Judging Others
Luke 6:27–38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Jesus Ministers to a Great Multitude | The Beatitudes
Luke 6:17, 20–26

Jesus came down with the Twelve and stood on a stretch of level ground with a great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

The Call of Simon the Fisherman
Luke 5:1–11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

No Prophet is Accepted in His Hometown
Luke 4:21–30

Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry
Luke 1:1–4; 4:14–21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

The Wedding at Cana
John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from — although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

The Boy Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

Christmas Masses - The Birth of Jesus
(Readings)



Mass at Midnight

FIRST READING
Isaiah 9:1–6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 96:1–2, 2–3, 11–12, 13 (Luke 2:11)
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

SECOND READING
Titus 2:11–14
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:1–14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Mass at Dawn

FIRST READING
Isaiah 62:11–12
See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 97:1, 6, 11–12
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

SECOND READING
Titus 3:4–7
Beloved:
When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

ALLELUIA
Luke 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:15–20
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Mass During the Day

FIRST READING
Isaiah 52:7–10
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 98:1, 2–3, 3–4, 5–6 (3c)
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

SECOND READING
Hebrews 1:1–6
Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Longer Form John 1:1–18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Shorter Form John 1:1–5, 9–14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

What Should We Do?
Luke 3:10-18

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

The Preaching of John the Baptist
Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

The Return of Christ
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Return of Christ - 2 December 2018
Reflections / Homilies
Fr. Erl Dylan Tabaco

We, as a nation is a “teleserye” fanatic. We are easily drawn by their story line and the versatility of those actors and actresses who have portrayed their corresponding roles. There is something in it that speaks to our heart. We could easily relate in it because it somehow reflects our own story. Among all those teleseryes that we watched, “Pangako Sa ’Yo,” a timeless Filipino classic which was originally showed in 2000 and later on had a modern retelling in 2015, conquered the hearts of many viewers. It is a typical story of two lovers who have endured all the challenges and difficulties that they encountered in their relationship. Despite all the odds their promise to love each other until the end became their source of hope, strength and inspiration. This is how powerful their promise is. A promise sealed by love is stronger than any obstacles and cross roads in life. Perhaps this is the reason why most of us could relate in this story. A promise sealed by love is something that gives us reason to live, to dream, to hope and to do everything for the one that we love. It is in this promise that both husband and wife would do everything to protect their marriage and remained faithful in their vows. It is promise that gives energy to any OFW parents who would sacrifice every single centavo for their children just to give them a brighter future. It is a promise sealed by love that enables someone to make a difference in other person’s lives.

Today is the start of advent season. A precious time for us to pause, savour and ponder God’s promise of saving us from everything that separates us from His love. Promise sealed by love is the core theme of our readings today. Prophet Jeremiah in our first reading speaks of a promise that God wants to fulfil in favour of Israel and Judah. It is a promise that God keeps despite the infidelity of his chosen people. This promise is God’s initiative and He will do everything to his people who suffered from the consequences of their sins and the misery that they experienced from their earthly rulers. After years of being controlled by foreign powers and exiled in the dessert, God has never forgotten his promise in saving his people. Thus in the fullness of time, God send someone a shoot from the line of David and he will be the one to lead God’s people in justice, truth and liberation. They will be no longer lived in darkness, fear and insecurity because God has fulfilled his promise.

The fulfilment of God’s promise is Jesus Christ who is the one who conquered sin and death. In Jesus Christ, God’s promise became visible, alive and available to all of us. As God fulfilled his promise, we too are asked to accept in faith that Jesus Christ is our lord, the one sent from above. But how do we accept and believe that he is really our Lord who liberates us from the dark forces of evil. St. Paul in his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians urges the people to live in a way that pleases God. A life that is pleasing to God should be a concrete response that any believer should have to a God who fulfils his promise. This invitation of St. Paul applies to all of us who put our trust in the lord. To live in faith is not just mere profession of words but all our actions, desires, priorities and attitudes should be consistent with the words that we professed. As believers of Jesus Christ, our life is already a reflection of this the fulfilled promised of God because the Spirit of the lord is already within us. As we grow in love, compassion, generosity, tolerance and hope, our life becomes life-giving to others and it will serve as a light of Christ that continues to radiate in the world we live in.

Once we accept in faith that Jesus is God’s fulfilled promise we need to remain alert and vigilant for many possible things that would happen along our way. In our gospel, Luke presented an apocalyptic image that could draw out fear, anxiousness and insecurity. An image of tribulation, destruction and darkness will take place as a sign that the coming of the “Son of Man” is near. These images should not disturbed us rather strengthen us in our faith in the fulfilled promised of God who is about to come in glory. We should not falter in our faith and not waver in our perseverance to follow the will of God in our lives. Once we do it then there is nothing to be afraid of. We need to stand erect and lift our heads high for our deliverance is drawing near. What had happened in the destruction of Jerusalem during Jesus’ time is a prefiguration of what’s going to happen at the end of time. We have witnessed many unpleasant events in our society today from destruction of our environment to destruction of human life. Nations are fighting against nations. People are using other people for their personal gain. These incidences could overwhelm us and it is very tempting to lose our hope and focus to Jesus. Nevertheless, we should not give in to anything that impedes us to remain sober and faithful. Having a firm faith that God keeps his promise and fulfilled in Jesus then there is nothing to be afraid of.

Let this promise of God sealed by his love be a constant reminder for all of us so that we will never lose our sight on Him. No matter what happens in our life, we will not be overpowered by any forces of evil once we have faith in Jesus, the fulfilled promised of God. Like the teleserye “Pangako Sa’Yo” we will do everything to fulfil our promise to the one whom we love same as what God did to us. May this advent season help us to deepen how important God’s promise of saving us not just for a day but all throughout our life. Amen.

My Kingdom is Not of This World
John 18:33-37

Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

The Coming of the Son of Man
Mark 13:24–32

Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Beware of the Scribes & The Poor Widow's Offering
Mark 12:38–44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
Mark 10:46–52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

The Request of James and John
Mark 10:35–45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Rich and the Kingdom of God
Mark 10:17–30

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments:
You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”

Let the Children Come to Me
Mark 10:2–16

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Whoever is Not Against Us is for Us
Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48

At that time, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection
Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Peter's Confession About Jesus
Mark 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man
Mark 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” — that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

The Tradition of the Elders - 2 September 2018
Reflections / Homilies
Fr. Erl Dylan Tabaco

Jesus said: “Listen to me, all of you and try to understand. Nothing that enters a person from the outside can make the person unclean. It is what comes from within that makes a person unclean.” Oftentimes, we associate cleanliness to external appearance. We keep stereotyping people according to how they look, the color of their skin, the way they speak, the manner they dress and the kind of livelihood they have. We easily judge people according to the standards of the world which eventually affect our mindset to be externally beautiful and attractive.

While I was in the seminary I had an exposure in one of the far-flung communities in the island of Negros. I spent one month there and during my stay with my foster family, I was amazed by the simplicity of their lifestyle. There was no electricity and they needed to walk 3-4 hours just to reach the town where they can but their daily needs. They may be poor materially but I never heard a word of dissatisfaction or complaint from them. In fact, I was enriched by the gratefulness of their heart which was expressed in the way they relate to each other. A simple act of kindness, compassion, and generosity flowed from a heart that is constantly blessed. As I got immersed into their day-to-day life I felt at home with them. Every family that I stayed, I observed how much they value relationship like the way they value the jars that they have, it maybe old and made of clay, but those jars are treasured asset for them. Those jars might appear old, dirty and junk from the outside but inside the jar is clean and shiny for it does not contain only pure water to satiate their thirst but also storage of their food. They really value what’s inside of the jar for it is their source of living.

Remembering that story helps me reflect the core theme of our readings today. It helps me understand the relevance of Jesus’ teaching in response to the criticisms of his detractors that what matters most is not from the outside but what comes from within. Perhaps, this is what Jesus is telling me through the lens of that jar-experience. Our life is represented by that jar. Like those jars that vary externally, we are also different in many ways according to our background, color of our skin, economic status and affiliations that we belong. But behind our differences, there is one thing that holds us together like those jars which holds clean water and a storage of food, and this is our desire to be in communion with God and let our lives be his instrument in touching the lives of others. That desire is deeply rooted in our hearts, a heart that never finds rest until it rest in God.

It is good to examine our hearts and identify the things, values, choices and priorities that we have. Do these things bring us closer to God? Do these things affect our lifestyle and the way we relate with ourselves, to others and the rest of God’s creation? Our heart is the battle ground between the values of the world and the values of Jesus proclaimed in the gospel. Our world formed our consciousness that being great, successful, rich and influential is the sole basis of happy and contented life. Our own experiences don’t validate this because the more we crave the richness of the world the more we felt empty. Our world tells us that the SELF is the most important to the extent of putting others down. But the values of the gospel tells us that it is in giving, loving and caring that truly makes us happy and fulfilled. It is our heart that determines the quality of faith life that we have. It is necessary that our heart should be constantly shaped by the values of Jesus and it is only possible if we allow the grace of God through the Spirit of Jesus work in us.

What kind of heart that we should have so we may follow God’s will in us? How are we going to translate those important qualities that our heart should be so that our lives will become an inspiration and life-giving to others? I would like to highlight three important qualities that our heart should be based on our readings today. First, we need to possess a listening heart so that we can understand the wisdom of God. Moses addressed the chosen people of God in the Book of Deuteronomy that they should listen and observe the commandments of God carefully so they may enter in and take possession of the land that the Lord has promised them. Listening to Yahweh’s word should be accompanied with a careful observant of his decrees is necessary for them to understand the wisdom of God. Same with us we are also invited to listen and discern carefully the importance of God’s word in our lives. We need to allow those word to have an impact to us so that our faith in him will not just remain an empty word.

When we allow God’s word shaped our identity, our heart becomes obedient to His will and this is my second point that an obedient heart helps us align all our actions, desires, choices and priorities to the Will of God in our lives. This is clearly indicated in the letter of St. James emphasizing that to those who believe in Christ, he must be doers of the word and not hearers only. Our faith in Jesus will only be pure and sincere when it can be seen in our lives by taking care of the orphans and widow in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. This is also addressed to us as we are gathered here together. Let our worship to God be seen in the way we live out our lives. This is a constant calling for all us that we worship not just on our lips but let our hearts the source of God’s goodness radiate in our lives. This is exactly what Jesus wants from us and this is the last point of my reflection that a renewed heart helps us to become Christ to others so that His light will consume all the darkness in our world. This is all possible by the grace of God with our cooperation. Our faith becomes authentic and sincere when it is live-out in our day-to-day ordinary activities. No matter how knowledgeable we are about the word of God, no matter how cautious we are in observing external ritual obligations, no matter how good we are with our words and no matter how careful we are in keeping our traditions handed unto us, but if there is no sincerity of our heart then everything remained empty and meaningless. A renewed heart is the heart that transforms external works of piety into a works of mercy, justice, compassion and peace. Let us worship the Lord our God with a heart that listens, a heart that obeys and a heart that always renews its desire to be in union with God forever not just in words but also in our deeds. Amen!

The Tradition of the Elders
Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.— So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.

“From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

The Words of Eternal Life
John 6:60-69

Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

I Am the Living Bread - 19 August 2018
Reflections / Homilies
Fr. Erl Dylan Tabaco

"Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me, and I in them." How do these words of Jesus relate to our own hunger and thirst? How do these words give us a fresh understanding that it is only Jesus who can satisfy the deepest desire of our hearts? How do these words have a transformative power in us so that our life will become a life of service and compassion, seeker of truth and advocate for justice and peace? It is impossible to know its deepest meaning without faith. It is only in the eyes of faith that allows us to understand the importance of eternal food whom Jesus offers every time we celebrate the Eucharist. He is there present in our midst and giving us a priceless gift, his love for all of us, a love that heals, liberates and transforms.

I remember one of my visit in one of the hospitals in my hometown whom I administered the last sacrament to a dying patient who has stage 4 liver cancer. As I approached to his bed, I’ve noticed he was in pain while his wife was attending to his needs. As I introduced myself and invited him to pray, he was smiling at me. He was moved in tears expressing how grateful he was that his prayer was granted. He was there in his bed for two weeks waiting for a priest to visit him. Right after the blessing, he gave something which is valuable to him. Perhaps that was one of his last money. I was hesitant to accept it but what he told me really struck me. “Father, please accept it. That is the only thing that I could give you, a gift that I want to offer to God for all the good things that he has done in my life. I know my time is short but your visit assured me that God is with me all the time. His abiding presence is far greater than the pain that I endured during these last few days. Receiving his body is the best gift that I received for now I’m ready to meet him face to face.” Then he smiled again.

That experienced helped me understand the importance of God in everyone’s life. It is God’s desire for all of us that we continuously seek him, so we can listen to his voice and live out His will in our lives. How do we discover his will in every facet of life?

Today’s readings help us in our discernment on how to live a life according to God’s will. I would like to highlight three important guidelines on how to discover, follow and live out the kind of life that God wants from us. First, we must open our lives to the Wisdom of God. This Wisdom of God is characterized as a lady wisdom in our first reading in the Book of Proverbs where built her house, prepared a feast and invited the fools. Those who accepted her invitation will be nourished and will take the right path of discernment by giving up their foolishness. The invitation of lady wisdom speaks to all of us because we make a lot of foolish decisions in life. We thought that being powerful, famous, and rich and being above than other people makes us happy and wise. The moment we give up the wisdom of the world our life will no longer be prisoner of our selfish desire. The more we give up our attachments to something that is material and temporal the more we experience life to the full. Giving up something is a constant process and this is only possible by the grace of God. This is Paul’s message in his letter to the Ephesians that understanding the will of God must be anyone’s priority. And this is my second point; Let the wisdom of God shaped our values, choices and way of life. Our Lord should be the center of everything. Let our lives mirror the wisdom of God who is Jesus Christ. The fullness of life can only be achieved by self-giving in the way Jesus gave his life on the cross. The cross of Jesus Christ is the power and wisdom of God. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than me, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Our choices, decisions, lifestyle and priorities should reflect the image of Christ that is present in us.

Let’s align ourselves to the way Jesus lived his life for it is in Jesus that would lead us to understand what our life is all about. To be able to do this we need to be constantly nourished by his body and blood and this is my last point; Let our soul be nourished by that wisdom of God who is Christ in the Eucharist. As what Jesus said in the gospel that “I am the living bread from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world.” These words of Jesus give us an assurance that he is with us always. He wants that all of us would share his body and blood. He paid the greatest price in order for us to experience what true love can do.

When we receive him in the Eucharist we will remain in him as he remains is us. Are we ready to receive him? Are we properly disposed in the celebration of the Eucharist? Does this celebration remains mechanical like partaking an earthly food? Let us savor this moment and allow the love of Christ remain in our hearts. Amen.

I Am the Living Bread
John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

GOSPEL
Luke 1:39–56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 15 August 2018
Reflections / Homilies
Fr. Erl Dylan Tabaco

When was the last time that you were visited by someone special or close to you? What was the message that you received? Did the message disturbed you? Did the message challenged you? Did the message inspired you to discover what God has in stored in you?

Whatever message, encounter or visitation that we experienced, it is always God’s way of making himself known to us. He revealed himself in many ways even in the most unexpected moments in our lives. Sometimes we look for signs and get fixated into it. We lost the chance of that sacred encounter because in the first place we were not open that in the ordinariness of life God is there. In our limited capacity God would like us to meet there.

There is no other woman in the history of salvation who remained open to God’s invitation despite her innocence, questions, difficulties and challenges that she has been through. She has been faithful from the start until the end of her earthly journey. The bearer of the one who will conquer sin and death and became the 1st disciple of her son, Mary the Virgin Mother of God.

Today we celebrate one of her feast, Mary is assumed into heaven both body and soul. What a privileged that she has being the mother of God whose merits belong to the work of God in her life. Mary’s greatness is not attributed to what she has done but her greatness was due to her humble acceptance that God can do great things in her life.

Our readings today highlights the promise of God to all of us like what he did to Mary. Mary’s assumption into heaven gives us hope that at the end of our earthly sojourn we will enjoy God’s company in heaven if we remained faithful to Him. This is an invitation for all of us and to be faithful throughout our lives is possible only by the grace of God. We just have to commit our lives to Him and offer whatever we have for his greater glory.

The book of revelation in our first reading gives us a vision that foreshadows the fulfilment of God’s promise of giving us a saviour. “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, clothed with the sun, with moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” This woman who labor in pain gives rise to the one who will conquer the greatest enemy of humanity which is metaphorically represented as the red dragon. In the fullness of time God sent his Son and born of a woman. God entered into human history, immersed himself and lived among us. It was possible through the YES of Mary, the receptacle of the new covenant, the fulfilled promise and the greatest gift that anyone could receive. It’s good to revisit the life of Mary on how she fully participate in the whole plan of God’s saving acts.

Our gospel gives us a narrative on how Mary incessantly shares the goodness of God in her life. Right after her YES to God’s invitation through the message of Angel Gabriel, her heart is full of joy and awe. It was the turning point of her life, she surrendered all the plans that she has so that God’s plan will be done. This is something that we want to emulate from her. Her life is totally aligned to God’s dream for all of us.

Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth reminds me of her very words in response to Gabriel’s salutation, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word.” Her words gave an impact to her life for she believes that being handmaid of the Lord knows no limits and conditions. Mary lived out how it is to be the Lord’s handmaid. It was manifested in her gesture of getting outside from her comfort zone not knowing the possible danger that she might encounter on her way to visit her cousin who is about to give birth. She was not just thinking about herself. She wanted to help and share the fruits of her faith as being the mother of God which was recognized immediately by Elizabeth upon hearing her greetings.

This is what will happen when we have God in our life. What happened to Mary will also happen to us when we have a discerning and listening heart for the word of God to take roots in our hearts. Mary is a listener par excellence for she allowed the word of God to bear fruits in her life. The fruits did not just remain in her. She shared it and through her generosity more people got inspired even until now.

Mary’s life is something that we look forward too. When we are grateful and inspired we can do things beyond our comforts. We can make simple act of kindness, compassion, generosity and love in everywhere we go. In God’s grace all our acts of goodness will bear fruits. At the end of our journey, together with Mary we will hear God’s voice saying “faithful servant come and join the heavenly banquet.” Amen!

Jesus the Bread of Life - 12 August 2018
Reflections / Homilies
Fr. Erl Dylan Tabaco

Are you hungry? What are the things that you are looking for to satisfy your hunger? Do these things shaped by the values of the world? Or do they correspond to the values of the gospel?

Let us examine our lives and keep in touch with our own hunger. This hunger comes in many forms. It could be hunger for daily food on the table, nice clothes in the closet or latest gadget available in the market. It could also be hunger for power, honor, wealth and attachment to worldly things. The more we crave for these temporal things the more we experience dissatisfaction and our hunger is getting deeper and deeper. On the other hand there is also a kind of hunger that none of the riches of the world could satisfy it. This is hunger for peace, reconciliation, healing, wholeness, affection, tolerance, inner freedom and love. This is a kind of hunger that all of us have regardless of state in life. This is the hunger that our lord would want to satisfy us if only we put our trust in him.

Today’s reading is offering us the answer of all our longings and this is the living bread that comes from heaven. It is not just a “manna” that the Israelites received in the desert. It is God himself who became human through Jesus Christ, the ultimate answer of all our hunger. Jesus, the living bread offered his whole life so that none of us will remain hungry.

He is the living bread that nourishes us in our journey towards eternal life. How fortunate we are that we have a God who does not only accompanies us but also satisfies us. Let us not fixed our eyes to temporary food and wasting our time here on earth on hoarding these things which we could never bring with us in eternity. Instead, let us direct our focus on this living bread that our Lord is offering us. He will never disappoint us because in Him there is nothing to ask for more. He will satisfy all our hunger and the more we surrender our lives to him the more we become like him.

Reflecting on the readings, I would like to stress 3 points which highlight the importance of this living bread in our day to day life. First, living bread gives us hope and encouragement. In our first reading in the 1st book of Kings, Elijah, one of the greatest prophet experienced disappointments, fear and even to the point of giving up in his mission. He felt that there in nowhere to go and the only thing in his mind is giving up. He even prayed for death but Yahweh sent his angel to feed him so he can continue in his mission. It was not just food for the day but food for his entire journey until he reached Mt. Horeb. Elijah’s journey is also our journey. Like him, sometimes we felt that life’s adversity is too much to handle. At some stage in our life we wanted to surrender thinking that there is nothing good that will happen to us. If we surrender, God will never do that. He will provide us this living bread that gives us hope and encouragement so that we can continue in our journey.

My 2nd point is that living bread changes our state in life. It is very clear in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians that once we have Christ we have to abandon our old self which is full of rage, anger, insults and every kind of malice, the source of all misunderstanding and conflicts in the world. Once the old self is abandoned, new life will begin and this life is no longer controlled by the ego. It is already Christ who lives in us for it is impossible for the ego and love to stay together in our hearts. When we surrender everything to God and ready to live out the new life that he has entrusted to us then everything changes.

Let’s align ourselves to the way Jesus lived his life and this is my last point, that living bread allows us to know our priorities and leads us to understand what life is all about. This is God dreams for all of us. He wants that all of us would share his body and blood. He paid the greatest price in order for us to experience what true love can do. As what Jesus said in the gospel that “I am the living bread from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world.” These words of Jesus give us an assurance that he is with us always. In the Eucharist the same words are repeated.

Are we ready to receive him? Are we properly disposed in the celebration of the Eucharist? Does this celebration remains only in our mind or does it have an impact into our lives. Let us pause for a while and renew our heart's desire to be with Jesus not only now but to the rest of our lives. Amen.

Jesus the Bread of Life
John 6:41-51

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

Multiplication of the Loaves
John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

The Return of the Twelve
Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

The Mission of the Twelve
Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick— no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Rejection at Nazareth
Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

The Parable of the Growing Seed
Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Who is the Real Jesus?
Mark 3:20-35

Jesus came home with his disciples.
Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Preparations for the Passover
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

To Dream Again
Father Kurt Zion Pala, Columban Missionary
25 May 2018

I am one of the recently ordained and at 36 years old one of the few younger Columbans who are under the age of 50 at a time when the Missionary Society of Saint Columban is celebrating it’s 100th year since its foundation in Ireland. At a recent gathering of young Columbans both lay and ordained, there was a lot of talk about our reality as being a small group. I also attended a regional assembly where most members are retired and aging – and the reality they talk about is of a dying Society. It can be scary and depressing for someone like me who recently became a permanent member listening to the anxieties of many including myself. But the Under 50s’ group in their recent gathering in Tagaytay affirmed that “small is beautiful.” As missionaries, we cannot let this reality become an obstacle but rather celebrate our smallness. We are called to inspire others to hope and to dream. Our smallness now reminds us of our beginnings. Columbans today live out the values of small basic Christian communities, quite similar to the early Christians. Jesus started with twelve disciples. Bishop Ed Galvin and Fr. John Blowick also started with a small group. This demands actual and practical partnership and greater communion on IRD, JPIC, solidarity with the poor. It is an opportune time to be generous of ourselves. We are challenged to find new and creative ways to live and do mission.

As a young missionary, mission is finding home among nations and peoples. It is a dialogue with people, an encounter between peoples – dialogue of life. I believe one should not see it as merely an temporary appointment but finding a home among the peoples. This is what happened to me in Fiji and I am afraid is already happen to me again here in Myanmar. When I was asked what was difficult about leaving the Fiji Islands, I told them that leaving the islands was no longer like going home back to the Philippines. Leaving Fiji was even more difficult because it was now like leaving my home.

Besides finding home among peoples, the deeper calling is to find God not in the familiar but in the strange and poor. Pope Francis highlights two realities we face today: growing multi-culturality and continuing poverty. These clearly challenges our image of who God is. What is the face of God? Who is God? Where is God? Sadly in this world and in this time people live side by side but not face to face. What is the face of God? God is a stranger. He is a foreigner. He is one of another faith. He is the poor. Therefore the language of strangeness/stranger and poverty reveals the other face of God. There is a need to experience this mystery of God not just to understand what this mystery is about.

God’s call is not only from without but also from within. Frederick Buechner affirms that “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” These words resonated well with me. I remember my own father telling me to always follow my heart and do what makes me happy. St. Columban also said in his third sermon, “love yourself rightly, love yourself enough to choose you own happiness in choosing the way to God.” (St. Columban, Sermon 3). In discerning my “vocation within a vocation,” it is important to understand these realities: myself, God and the world or organization I belong to.

At the Under 50s’ Gathering, the Society Superior General, Fr. Kevin O’Neil shared that Columban mission today continues to be about crossing boundaries. We remain true to St. Columban’s words, “Christi Simus Non Nostri. We are no longer for ourselves but for Christ. Pilgrims for Christ. We are called to greater generosity and self-forgetfulness. Something we can only do if we have a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” This personal relationship can only be kept, sustained if we never forget to pray. Pope Francis reminded us that “In prayer we not only contemplate Jesus but we also let ourselves be contemplated by Him.”

Sr. Kathleen Coyle, MSSC commented that “the heartbeat of Christian mission and spirituality is the abiding presence of Christ in our lives. The consciousness of being in Christ evolves not so much in words and ritual as in contemplative silence. God is experienced, rather than spoken about. Essential to mission is the attitude of contemplation and listening to the Spirit.” This is a challenged for me – to live in the abiding presence of my Lord, Jesus Christ.

At a preparatory gathering for the Synod on Young People, Pope Francis quoted the Acts of the Apostles, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams,” adding that today “we need young prophets,” but this can only happen if young people “make the old men dream.” He added that “We must risk, because love knows how to risk, without risk, a young person ages, and the Church ages too,” Francis said. “We need you young people, living stones of a Church with a face that is youthful, but not wearing makeup: not artificially youthened, but revived from within. And you provoke us to escape the logic of ‘it’s always been done this way’ in order to remain creatively in line with authentic tradition.” (1) I believe Pope Francis is speaking to us Columbans, too; especially to us Columbans of the younger generation – we must love and dream again!

What does the Centenary Celebration mean to me as a young ordained Columban? Gratitude. It is a celebration to thank those Columbans (and those who supported them) who dreamed and made the dream reality to bring the Joy of the Gospel initially to China but also to many parts of the world. We thanked them who have spent most of their adult life in mission – dedicated and committed. Fr. Kevin O’Neill in his centenary message said, “The theme for our Centennial is “Sharing gospel joy.” The missionary spirit of God burns in the hearts of all of us wherever we live across the world and so together we celebrate our call to be missionary disciples of Jesus sharing gospel joy in our world today.” This year as we mark our 100th year as a missionary society, let us love and dream again!

Please pray for us, pray for more vocations!

*Most of these reflections are a product of the recent Under 50s’ Gathering of the Society held in Tagaytay, Philippines.

(1) https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/03/19/be-brave-pope-tells-participants-at-vatican-pre-synod-on-youth/

The Commissioning of the Disciples
Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Pentecost Sunday
May 20, 2018
(Solemnity of St. Bernardine of Siena)

FIRST READING
Acts 1:1–11
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29–30, 31, 34 (see 30)
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O LORD! The earth is full of your creatures.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD be glad in his works! Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the LORD.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 12:3b–7, 12–13
Brothers and sisters:
No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

As a body is opne though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

or:

Galatians 5:16–25
Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

SEQUENCE
Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

And from your celestial home Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor! Come, source of all our store! Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best; You, the soul’s most welcome guest; Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet; Grateful coolness in the heat; Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine, Shine within these hearts of yours, And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, we have naught, Nothing good in deed or thought, Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour your dew; Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore And confess you, evermore In your sevenfold gift descend;

Give them virtue’s sure reward; Give them your salvation, Lord; Give them joys that never end. Amen. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
Luke 3:4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 20:19–23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.” As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

or:

John 15:26–27; 16:12–15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

The Prayer of Jesus
John 17:11b–19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

Love One Another
John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

The Vine and the Branches
John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

The Good Shepherd
John 10:11-18

Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

Peace be with you!
Luke 24:35-48

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread. 

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. 

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

Appearance to Disciples
John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Easter Sunday 2018
Fr. Michael Martin

Jesus is raised from the dead. He is risen, He is alive. And we sing: “We remember, we celebrate, we believe.” The celebration of the Resurrection is at the heart of all Christian faith, worship and life. We are invited and called to rejoice with our fellow Christians every Sunday, every first day of the week.

Many Catholic Churches arrange their principal celebration for Holy Saturday night. We in Malate begin our (Tagalog) celebration inside the Church at 3am on Easter Sunday morning: the LIGHT is followed by the WORD, then WATER and the BREAD of LIFE. The LIGHT, which comes from a fire, lights the EASTER candle, and then our Candles; the BIBLE, the written WORD of God, is proclaimed, presented visually, and sometimes dramatized; it presents the STORY of God’s plan revealed in creation and redemption. God’s promises in the Old Testament were gradually, but finally being fulfilled – in Christ. Alleluia.



WATER becomes our third symbol of God’s presence and action in us. We now bless BAPTISMAL water, renew our own BAPTISMAL promises, and celebrate adult baptisms, rejoicing as we are all sprinkled with EASTER baptismal water.

We then follow the example and the command of Jesus lived out by his community of disciples for the past twenty centuries. We are now coming to the end of our Church’s communal 4-part celebration of Easter with the BREAKING of the BREAD and the sharing of the CUP. Our Church worshippers then explode in joyful song, joining our choir and dancers in praying Sydney Carter’s LORD OF THE DANCE.



We rejoice in celebrating the Resurrection as we exchange Easter joy and peace. The months and months of preparation of both young and old have been so worthwhile!

We are almost finished and we leave the Church building as dawn is breaking to join one more exceptionally beautiful pageant inherited from our colonial ancestors. Outside the church doors, all the women worshippers gather behind an image of the Sorrowing Mother, the Dolorosa, while the men form a procession behind a statue of the RISEN CHRIST. Off they go in different directions, and meet at a pre-arranged platform….the SALUBONG, the meeting place of the Risen Lord and His Mother.



There, an angel removes the black veil from Mary and replaces it with a white one, announcing in song: Regina caeoli, laetare, Alleluia …..Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. Your Son has risen as He said, alleluia…

Salubong photos courtesy of Mel Bacani III

The Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
3:00am Resurrection of the Lord

FIRST READING
Longer Form Genesis 1:1—2:2
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.

Then God said,
“Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” Thus evening came, and morning followed—the first day. 

Then God said,
“Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other.” And so it happened: God made the dome, and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it. God called the dome “the sky.” Evening came, and morning followed—the second day.

Then God said,
“Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin, so that the dry land may appear.” And so it happened: the water under the sky was gathered into its basin, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land “the earth,” and the basin of the water he called “the sea.” God saw how good it was. 

Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it.” And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the third day.

Then God said,
“Let there be lights in the dome of the sky, to separate day from night. Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years, and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth.” And so it happened: God made the two great lights, the greater one to govern the day, and the lesser one to govern the night; and he made the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky, to shed light upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. Evening came, and morning followed—the fourth day. 

Then God said,
“Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.” And so it happened: God created the great sea monsters and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems, and all kinds of winged birds. God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying, “Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.” Evening came, and morning followed—the fifth day.

Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened: God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. God saw how good it was.

Then God said,
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.

SECOND READING
Longer Form Genesis 22:1–18
God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.” Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust, set out for the place of which God had told him.

On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you.” Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham: “Father!” Isaac said. “Yes, son,” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?” “Son,” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.” Then the two continued going forward. 

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, “On the mountain the LORD will see.”  

Again the LORD’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing— all this because you obeyed my command.” 

THIRD READING
Exodus 14:15—15:1
The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers.”

The angel of God, who had been leading Israel’s camp, now moved and went around behind them. The column of cloud also, leaving the front, took up its place behind them, so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians and that of Israel. But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed without the rival camps coming any closer together all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.

The Egyptians followed in pursuit; all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and charioteers went after them right into the midst of the sea. In the night watch just before dawn the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic; and he so clogged their chariot wheels that they could hardly drive. With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel, because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians. Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and their charioteers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea, when the LORD hurled them into its midst. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh’s whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. But the Israelites had marched on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.

FOURTH READING
Isaiah 54:5–14
The One who has become your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of hosts; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. The LORD calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the LORD, your redeemer. This is for me like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah should never again deluge the earth; so I have sworn not to be angry with you, or to rebuke you. Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you. O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled, I lay your pavements in carnelians, and your foundations in sapphires; I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of carbuncles, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you.

FIFTH READING
Isaiah 55:1–11
Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

SIXTH READING
Baruch 3:9–15, 32—4:4
Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: listen, and know prudence! How is it, Israel, that you are in the land of your foes, grown old in a foreign land, defiled with the dead, accounted with those destined for the netherworld? You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom! Had you walked in the way of God, you would have dwelt in enduring peace. Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding; that you may know also where are length of days, and life, where light of the eyes, and peace. Who has found the place of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries?

The One who knows all things knows her; he has probed her by his knowledge— the One who established the earth for all time, and filled it with four-footed beasts; he who dismisses the light, and it departs, calls it, and it obeys him trembling; before whom the stars at their posts shine and rejoice; when he calls them, they answer, “Here we are!” shining with joy for their Maker. Such is our God; no other is to be compared to him: he has traced out the whole way of understanding, and has given her to Jacob, his servant, to Israel, his beloved son.

Since then she has appeared on earth, and moved among people. She is the book of the precepts of God, the law that endures forever; all who cling to her will live, but those will die who forsake her. Turn, O Jacob, and receive her: walk by her light toward splendor. Give not your glory to another, your privileges to an alien race. Blessed are we, O Israel; for what pleases God is known to us!

SEVENTH READING
Ezekiel 36:16–17a, 18–28
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their conduct and deeds. Therefore I poured out my fury upon them because of the blood that they poured out on the ground, and because they defiled it with idols. I scattered them among the nations, dispersing them over foreign lands; according to their conduct and deeds I judged them. But when they came among the nations wherever they came, they served to profane my holy name, because it was said of them: “These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land.” So I have relented because of my holy name which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they came. Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel, but for the sake of my holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you came. I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the LORD GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

EPISTLE
Romans 6:3–11
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

GOSPEL
Mark 16:1-7
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”

Good Friday
Fr. Kevin McHugh

Last week, a young student shared with me his confusion. “I don’t understand why we call Good Friday ‘good’. That’s the day that Jesus was killed! It should be a day of mourning”.

In the Lent of 1973, while on a Seminar, I, too, experienced confusion. We were learning a new Hymn which had the lines “We worship you, O Lord, we venerate your cross, we praise your resurrection. Through the cross you brought joy to the world.” I asked the facilitator why the word JOY was used, and where did the lyrics come from? He replied that it is one of the songs that have been sung in churches for over a thousand years during the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday.

On Viernes Santo it is appropriate to call the day GOOD and to express our JOY because one human being by his death and resurrection has shown the rest of humanity how to live a life of service for others and how to die without bitterness in a world that crucifies those who love without conditions… without counting the cost.

For Catholics, the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion begins around 3pm, the time Christ died on the cross.

It has three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. The central part of the celebration is the proclamation of the passion from the Gospel of St. John. Here, the sufferings and death of Jesus are recalled and we, the listeners are shocked at the realization that God was powerless to save his Son from death. We are told that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus pleaded with his Father: “Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me….”. It was not possible. And again, as he was dying on the Cross he was heard to pray the opening verse of Psalm 22 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God answer to the cries of his Son? Yes, but it was with silence. God was present throughout; God suffered with his Son.

The General Intercessions conclude the liturgy of the word. Here in Malate these Intercessions, for the World and for the Church, are introduced in several Filipino languages and also in the some of the languages spoken by our Lay Missionaries in the countries where they live and work.


The Veneration of the Cross follows. Here in the Philippines our people are no strangers to suffering so they easily identify with the sufferings of Jesus on the Cross. For them, the kissing of the feet or hands is not only a ritual but a way to identify with Jesus who showed us how to suffer and to die. During his passion Jesus never uttered a word of bitterness. He was led to Calvary and crucified like a lamb led to the slaughterhouse.

In the third part of the celebration we are invited to receive Holy Communion. (There is no Mass on Good Friday so the Church Ministers distribute the sacred bread that has been consecrated at the Evening Mass of the Last Supper.) The priest holds up the Bread for all to see and says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world…” After the Communion Service, the altar is stripped bare.

The Liturgical celebration of the Lord’s Passion ends here but from now until late into the night hundreds of worshippers join a long queue to kiss the feet of Jesus. Meanwhile people escort the Dead Christ, the Santo Entiero, in procession around the Parish.

In recent years, the Church has revised the contents of the Stations of the Cross; they now begin with the Last Supper and end, appropriately, with the Resurrection. In Malate, the Stations are arranged in the Car Park so that all through Good Friday small groups and families come to pray and accompany Jesus on his way to Calvary and New Life. The crown of thorns becomes the crown of glory.

Yet another activity which has been handed down from our ancestors is the singing of the PABASA. The revised text, Krus at Muling Pagkabuhay, relates the story of our Salvation to those groups who gather in chapels and homes.

Here in Malate our priests are available and willing to hear Confessions all through the days of Semana Santa. The proper name for the day that follows is Holy Saturday, not Black Saturday.

Good Friday in Jeju Island: A comparison of Korean and Filipino Holy Week Celebrations
Fr. Jason Antiquera, SSC

Jeju island is considered the largest island off the coast of mainland South Korea, which is a country where, according to recent census, more than fifty percent of approx-imately 51,000,000 population declared themselves to have no religious affiliation. Sta-tistics on religious affiliation have varied slightly over the past few years, however, ac-cording to 2015 national census, Protestantism got the highest 19.7% of the popula-tion followed by Korean Buddhism, which is 15.5%, and 7.9% Catholicism. Meanwhile, shamanism, which is a native cult, continuous to be popular and represents those who are not affiliated with official religions. Taking into consideration this basic information, I will share a bit of my Holy Week experience as a missionary Catholic priest in Jeju is-land and my reflection of that experience in relation to the tradition I grew up with in the Philippines.

I served in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jeju from November 1, 2016 until January 30, 2017. I also got the privilege to be able to work in two different parishes within the time of my stay in the diocese: Geum Ak parish, where I had a Columban priest as my parish priest, and Hwa Buk Parish, where I worked with a Korean Diocesan parish priest. In 2016, I spent the whole Season of Lent in the first parish and Palm Sunday and Holy Week in the second parish because the bishop requested me to move. It means that, up to the present, I had the privilege to see how things are re done in two parishes within a short period of time. The following are the six liturgical celebrations and practices ob-served during Lent and Holy Week I have chosen to explore for reflection:

1. Ash Wednesday. Korean Catholics receive ashes just like the way it is celebrated eve-rywhere by Catholics to open the Lenten season. However, a foreigner like me can no-tice that the ashes received on the forehead by the Korean faithful is gone soon after they leave the church; they have already cleaned it up. Such a situation is true for the entire of Korea and not just in Jeju island. A few years ago when I was still a seminarian on foreign mission assignment in Korea, one parishioner told a fellow Columban priest who officiated the Ash Wednesday liturgy to clean his forehead of the mark after the Mass because it looked dirty. In the Philippines, we would leave the mark on our fore-head until the day is over. Recently in Korea, however, the ashes that are used are grey fine dust ashes and are no longer mixed with water so that it would not leave a mark on the skin once it is applied. Hence it is unlikely that you will bump with someone either on the street or in a subway station who has a visible mark of it one’s forehead. Com-pared to the Philippines, unless one is either a Protestant or of other religion, Filipinos would know whether someone has received or not the ashes because of the evident black mark on the forehead that people would make sure don’t get removed until the day is over.

2. Stations of the Cross. People do the Stations of the Cross every Friday inside the church building during the entire four-Sunday season of Lent. During Holy Week in Good Friday, Jeju Diocese led by Youth Ministry organized a dramatized Stations of the Cross in which a certain theme was incorporated to the Biblical drama. Youth from the different parishes played the roles. This activity, which took place in St. Isidore farm - a Catholic pilgrimage site in the island, was led by the bishop of the diocese and parish-ioners, nuns and priests came to join the prayer. On the parish level, in Hwa Buk, I ac-companied the elementary school students and the catechists to do the liturgy where representatives from each grade would carry as a group a life-size wooden cross from first to the last station that was done outside the church building but within the parish wall. Compared with the Philippine tradition, however, there was no such a thing as Stations of the Cross going out to the public streets like a procession as one may ob-serve especially on Good Friday.


3. Annual Confession. One practice that struck me as a missionary in Jeju island was the strict observance of Annual Confession a week before Holy Week. In our zone that consists of seven parishes, one of which is the parish where I worked, my parish priest would invite priests from the same zone, from other zones and from the chancery to come and hear confession. A week before Holy Week was spent hearing confession that can last from one to two hours every night from one parish to the other from Monday to Friday. Outside this scheduled confession, unlike ordinary days, I also would spend much longer time hearing confession before and after Mass in our parish a week before Holy Week. Likewise, we set up a separate schedule for our elementary school students making sure that they also get to receive the sacrament. In the Philippines on the other hand, although parishes would hold Annual Confession during Holy Week, I did not get a feeling that this was something that was strictly emphasized.

4. Palm Sunday. My experience in Hwa Buk parish was unique in that, in order to re-enact Jesus riding a donkey to enter Jerusalem, the parish priest and I, while doing the blessing to the people using a palm leaves, had to be carried separately by men parish-ioners on their shoulder from the entrance door of the church to the altar. In the Philip-pine, little girls wearing white gowns with flowers on their foreheads, playing the role of angels chanting Hosanna while riding on a decorated cart on street procession, throw-ing flower petals on people who are holding their beautifully-made palm crosses are not done in Korea.

5. Evening of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of Feet (Holy Thursday). I experienced this liturgy as a two-hour-long ceremony in Hwa Buk parish. At present, per Hwa Buk parish office record, there are approximately 3,000 registered parishioners and each of those who joined the liturgy at that time received this ceremonial washing of feet. Like-wise, huge-size breads were baked and bottles of wine prepared so that everyone could also receive them. In a sense, everyone and not just selected people partake in the cere-mony. I don’t have any idea about how other parishes carry out this liturgy, both in Ko-rea and in the Philippines, and I’m sure there is quite a variation in the practice depend-ing either on the parish priest or liturgy committee. However in Malate Catholic church, a traditional Jewish meal called Seder meal is re-enacted apart from the usual Holy Thursday liturgy.

6. The Lord’s Passion (Good Friday). It is almost hard to remember that anything unique happened for this liturgy when I was in Hwa Buk parish, except for the diocesan-led dramatized Stations of the Cross (I mentioned in no. 1). All I could think of is that the veneration of the cross by all parishioners happened within the liturgy, which made the celebration long. In the Philippines, on the other hand, Good Friday liturgy stands out because of street Stations of the Cross in the morning, another street processions in the evening, extended veneration not only of the cross but also of the dead corpse of the Lord and church pilgrimages, to mention only a few.


I would say that the variation and creativity in the doing and carrying out of Holy Week liturgies can depend a lot on the spirit of the parish community (the People), the in-volvement of its parish pastoral council, and the liturgical style of its pastor (the Parish Priest). However, looking into those five Holy Week liturgical celebrations and the Len-ten Annual Confession and comparing and contrasting how they are practiced in Jeju island, Korea and in the Philippines, three major differences stand out.

The first one concerns with the space in which liturgies take place. The Korean ones are confined within the private wall of parish churches whereas its Philippine counterpart happen not only within the parish church walls but also extends out into the public do-main. The second one concerns about the celebration of liturgies themselves. In Korea, liturgies that are celebrated are those that are found only in Roman Missal as approved by Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship; therefore, Korean Catholic church only practice those that are official. While the Philippine tradition is a combination of official liturgical celebrations and the popular religiosity, e.g. street procession, and extra litur-gical program, e.g. the Cenakulo (Passion Play). Thirdly, the Korean Holy Week tradition is a private, personal thing for Korean Catholics as seen when the ashes received during Ash Wednesday has to be cleaned once they go out of the church and small attendance during Holy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies because people are working; whereas, for Filipinos, it is part of the public and social life of people, e.g., Easter Triduum is a public holiday in the country.

Looking into these comparisons, how can Korean and Filipino Catholics learn from each other? I may sound bias since I am writing as a Filipino. On the other hand, I am also writing as an outsider to Korean Catholic culture, seeing things with an objective lens as well. I believe that Korean Catholic faithful has so much to learn from their Fili-pino Catholic brothers and sisters especially the public and social aspect of liturgy be-cause Korean faith tends to be a private matter and appears like a membership to a club rather than to a community. Christian faith is personal but is never private; it is public in nature and has social witness dimension. One cannot just hide one’s faith as if it is still scared and ashamed just like the fearful apostles hiding in the room after Christ’s death. Christian faith proclaims to the nation – out there -- the crucified yet resurrected Christ. Likewise, Christian liturgy is never limited to what is written only in the Roman Missal, which is a tendency of Korean Catholic Church liturgies; Or else it is a dead worship. Christian liturgy is alive in the Spirit of God, founded on freedom and evolves in and through people. And therefore popular religiosity – the devotion and piety of ordinary people that doesn’t need clergies – can teach the official church.

To conclude this article, I am thankful and grateful to Korean Catholics with whom I lived and work during my stay in Jeju island. Regardless how Holy Week liturgical cele-brations were carried out, it is carried out by sacrificing their time, energy and resources – the essence of liturgy (service). In their self-giving I saw the self-giving of Jesus Christ on the cross.


Pic 1. Palm Sunday (re-enacting Jesus' entry to Jerusalem)

Pic 2. Stations of the Cross in Hwa Buk parish with elementary school students and catechists

Pic 3. Group photo of the cast of Stations of the Cross with Bishop Pedro Kang (Dio-cese of Jeju)

Pic 4. Priests' Day (parishioners prepared lunch for their parish priests after Chrism Mass where priests renew their priestly vows on Holy Thursday). In the photo is my for-mer parish pariest Fr. Johann Hyun (middle), present Coadjutor Bishop of Jeju Moon Pius (on the right; he was an associate priest of our parish until he got ordained bishop) and myself on the left, a curate of the parish.

Pic 5. Diocesan Station of the Cross in action. Crucifixion and Death of the Lord.

Pic 6.Holy Week procession outside the church building inside the parish ground.

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion; Annunciation of the Lord
Mark 14:1-15:47

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. They said, “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”

When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages and the money given to the poor.” They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?” He said to them, “One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” But he vehemently replied, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly.

Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.” He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.

They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’” Even so their testimony did not agree. The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” Then Jesus answered, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” At that the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards greeted him with blows.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” So he went out into the outer court. Then the cock crowed. The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, “Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.” He began to curse and to swear, “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.” And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and wept.

As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted again, “Crucify him.” Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.

They pressed into service a passerby, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

They brought him to the place of Golgotha —which is translated Place of the Skull. They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.

The Coming of Jesus' Hour
John 12:20–33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like 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. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

The Raising of Lazarus
John 11:1–45
(Longer Form)

Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill. So the sisters sent word to Jesus saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” He said this, and then told them, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” So the disciples said to him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.” But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.” So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go to die with him.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, “The teacher is here and is asking for you.” As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him. For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him. So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?”

So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”

Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

John 11:3–7, 17, 20–27, 33b–45
(Shorter Form)

The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?”

So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”

Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

Nicodemus (For God so Loved the World)
John 3:14–21

Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

The Man Born Blind
John 9:1–41
(Longer Form)

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam”—which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.”

The Samaritan Woman
John 4:5–42

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.— Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.”

At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

The Transfiguration of Jesus
Mark 9:2–10

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

The Temptation of Jesus and the Beginning of the Galilean Ministry
Mark 1:12–15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Pano yan Valentine’s Day pero Ash Wednesday, Father?
A Reflection for Ash Wednesday
Father Kurt Zion, SSC
14 February 2018

This is not the first time Ash Wednesday falls on Valentines Day. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Before you get sad and cancel your dinner reservations, let us return to the meaning of Ash Wednesday and we will understand that it is the true definition of what Valentines Day is. Bago kayo malungkot balikan natin ang kahulugan ng araw na ito at maintindihan natin na ang Ash Wednesday ay ang tunay na Valentines Day.

ASH WEDNESDAY Sa tingin ko maaari kung maipaliwanag ang kahalagahan ng paglalagay ng ABO sa ating nuo sa tatlong punto gamit ang mga titik ng salitang ABO:

ABO. Ang abo ay isang mahalagang simbolo ng ating pinaggalingan at kahahantungan, ng ating kahinaan at kakayahan, at ng nakaraan at kinabukasan. Mula sa alabok nilikha tayo ng Diyos, Ako at Ikaw. At yamang sa alabok doon tayo nanggaling, sa lupang alabok ay babalik ka rin. Sa sulat ni San Pablo sa mga taga-Roma: “Hindi ko maunawaan ang aking sarili. Sapagkat hindi ko ginagawa ang ibig ko, bagkus ang bagay na kinasusuklaman ko ang siya kong ginagawa… Sapagkat hindi ko ginagawa ang mabuting ibig ko, kundi ang masamang hindi ko ibig ang siya kong ginagawa.” Mayroong hindi tama sa buhay ko, there is something wrong with my life.

Maaaring intindihin natin sa dalawang paraan ang simbolismong ito. One is to remind me and you that I am and you are a sinner. We are broken, weak, and wounded. Ako ay makasalanan, basag-basag at sugatan. Sabi nga ni Cardinal Tagle, “All of us have been wounded, and continue to experience wounds in our hearts.”

Pero higit sa pagiging makasalanan, basag-basag at sugatan, higit sa tayo ay nagmula sa alabok tayo ay nilikha sa anyo at wangis ng Panginoon. We are capable of holiness and of great things, of doing incredible things. Lahat tayo ay may kakayahang maging banal at gumawa ng kabutihan. Kaya sa panahon ng Kuaresma, “Let us be marked not for sorrow. And let us be marked not for shame. Let us be marked not for false humility or for thinking we are less than we are but for claiming what God can do within the dust, within the dirt, within the stuff of which the world is made and the stars that blaze in our bones and the galaxies that spiral inside the smudge we bear.” – Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace

Hindi ba’t napakaganda mula sa abo, isang walang halagang bagay gumawa ang Diyos ng isang himala na ang tawag ay Ako at Ikaw. Ang himalang tinatawag na TAO ay nilikha dahil sa pag-ibig. When we receive the mark on our forehead the priest says: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.” Conversion or is more than just turning away from our sinful ways but according to Henri Nouwen (1995 interview): Conversion is claiming again and again the truth about myself. And what is the truth of myself? That I am God’s beloved child… long before I was born and I will be God’s beloved child long after I die. I go from God’s intimate embrace to God’s intimate embrace… God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I’ve love you before you were born. I’ve knitted you in your mother’s womb. I’ve molded you in the depths of the world. I was there long before any human being was there and I love you. And I have written your name in my hand. You’re safe in the palm of my hand… And I am sending you into the world for a little time… so you have a chance to say, ‘I love you , too.’”

BUO. Ikaw at ako ay binubuo ng ating nakaraan at kinabukasan maging ng ating pagiging makasalanan at kakayahang gumawa ng kabutihan. Tayo ay tinatanggap ng Diyos Ama tulad ng pagtanggap ng Ama sa prodigal son, tinanggap ng buong-buo. Isa sa paborito kong awitin ay ang “Pag-ibig Ko” kung saan para sa akin umaawit ang Diyos gamit ang mga salitang ito: “Hindi ka kailangang magbago, kahit ito’y mas ibig ko. Hindi ka kailangang magsikap ng husto, upang ika’y ibigin ko. Iniibig kita, manalig ka sana. Ako’y kapiling mo. Kahit ikaw pa ma’y mapalayo.”

ORIHINAL. Kaya balikan natin ang ating pinanggalingan o origin, ang abo, alabok o lupa. Sa latin ang salita lupa o earth ay humus kung saan naman nagmula ang salita pagpapakumbaba – isang kalidad ng tao na tinatanggap ang kanyang mga pagkukulang at kahinaan at pinapa-ubaya sa Diyos ang kanyang buhay. Para kay St. Bernard kung kilala ng tao ang kanyang tunay na sarili, siya ay nagtataglay ng pagpapakumbaba. Si Hesus pinaka-ehemplo ng pagpapakumbaba.

Kung babalikan natin ang ating orihinal na kahulugan ng pag-katao: Ikaw at ako ay nagmula sa lupa – ang ating kahinaan at kapangyarihan. Pero higit sa pagiging makasalanan, basag-basag at sugatan, higit sa tayo ay nagmula sa alabok tayo ay nilikha sa anyo at wangis ng Panginoon. We are capable of holiness and of great things. Lahat tayo ay may kakayahang maging banal, gumawa ng kabutihan at lumigaya. ABO. Ako ay Buo at Orihinal.

Ang hugis ng tanda ay hindi tuldok, hindi X, hindi lang kung anong hugis kundi hugis krus. Ang tunay na ako na hinahangad ng Diyos ay hindi ko nakikita sa sarili. Madalas ako ay isang pagkukunwari. Nagkakamali ako sa aking mga desisyon. Iyan ang bahagi ng abo. Pero sa gitna ng lahat ng ito – ay ang krus. Inaangkin ako at ikaw ni Hesus. Sa likod ng mga salita ng pari at ministro sinasabi ni Hesus na “Ikaw ay akin.”

Pero tanong mo, paano po ang aking nakaraan? Paano po ang aking mga kasalanan? Sagot ni Hesus, “Lahat iyan ay inaangkin ko, lahat yan tatanggapin ko.” The symbol of the cross is the price Jesus is willing to give for us. He wants to win us back, our hearts are broken but it is good. And apparently he believes it is worth dying for. You are worth dying for.

Bakit abo at krus? Abo hindi dahil mas banal ako sa aking kapwa. Abo dahil ako ay makasalanan. Krus dahil mayroon akong Tagapagligtas. The ashes mean I am a sinner. The Cross means I have a savior. Abo dahil ako ay mapagkunwari at hindi ako ang taong hinanghad ng Diyos na puedeng maging ako. Krus dahil mayroong Diyos na naniniwalang may higit pa sa inaakala kung kaya ko maging. Naniniwala siya sa akin higit pa sa paniniwala ko sa sarili ko. The ashes mean I am not who I should be. The Cross means there is a God who fully believes in me that he wants me to be the person who He believes I can be.

As much as you proudly show the mark on your forehead, live out that mark on your forehead with greater conviction and passion: I am God’s beloved child. Happy Valentines Day!

Inspired by Fr. Mike Schmitz of Ascension Press

The Cleansing of a Leper
Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.

He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Jesus Heals Many and Prays in a Solitary Place
Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit
Mark 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 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!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

The Beginning of Galilean Ministry
Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

The First Disciples
John 1:35–42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi”—which translated means Teacher—, “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” —which is translated Christ—. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas”—which is translated Peter.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
January 8, 2018

FIRST READING
Isaiah 55:1–11
Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

or:

Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7
Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Isaiah 12:2–3, 4bcd, 5–6 (3)
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

SECOND READING
1 John 5:1–9
Beloved:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one who testifies, and the Spirit is truth. So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water and the blood, and the three are of one accord. If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son.

or:

Acts 10:34–38
Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 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.”

ALLELUIA
John 1:29
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

John saw Jesus approaching him, and said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mark 1:7–11
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 7, 2018

FIRST READING
Isaiah 60:1–6
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–11, 12–13 (see 11)
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

SECOND READING
Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

ALLELUIA
Matthew 2:2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Matthew 2:1–12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January 1, 2018

FIRST READING
Numbers 6:22–27
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 67:2–3, 5, 6, 8 (2a)
R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

SECOND READING
Galatians 4:4–7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

ALLELUIA
Hebrews 1:1–2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:16–21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2017

FIRST READING
Genesis 15:1–6; 21:1–3
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.

or:

Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14
God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins —a house raised in justice to you.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 105:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 8–9 (7a , 8a)
R. The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! Look to the LORD in his strength; constantly seek his face.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

SECOND READING
Hebrews 11:8, 11–12, 17–19
Brothers and sisters:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age —and Sarah herself was sterile— for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

or:

Colossians 3:12–21
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

ALLELUIA
Hebrews 1:1–2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:22, 39–40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Christmas Masses - The Birth of Jesus
(Readings)



Mass at Midnight

FIRST READING
Isaiah 9:1–6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 96:1–2, 2–3, 11–12, 13 (Luke 2:11)
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

SECOND READING
Titus 2:11–14
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:1–14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Mass at Dawn

FIRST READING
Isaiah 62:11–12
See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 97:1, 6, 11–12
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

SECOND READING
Titus 3:4–7
Beloved:
When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

ALLELUIA
Luke 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:15–20
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Mass During the Day

FIRST READING
Isaiah 52:7–10
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 98:1, 2–3, 3–4, 5–6 (3c)
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

SECOND READING
Hebrews 1:1–6
Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Longer Form John 1:1–18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Shorter Form John 1:1–5, 9–14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

Rejoice in the Lord Always
John 1:6–8, 19–28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said:

“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Rejoice in the Lord Always
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco
17 December 2017

Isa sa di ko makalimutang pangyayari nung nasa Peru pa ako ay yung pakikisalamuha ko sa mga batang may kapansanang physical at mental. Maliban sa aking ministry sa parokya, lingo-lingo ay bumibisita ako sa “Club de Amigo” isang institusyon na binubuo ng mahigit 40 (kwarentang) batang may down síndrome, celebral palsy, epilepsy at multiple disability kasama ang 4 na volunteers mula lunes hanggang Biernes na matiyagang naka-alalay sa kanila. Habang minamasdan ko sila, tilang walang katapusan ang kanilang pagka-masiyahin. Punong-puno ng kagalakan ang kanilang mga puso at ito ay nakikita sa kanilang mga ngiti at kung paano sila makitungo sa kapwa nilang may kapansanan. Kapansin-pansin rin yung pagmamalasakit na ipinapakita ng mga volunteers sa mga batang kanilang inaaalalayan. Nang tumagal yung pakikisama ko sa kanila, nagkaroon ng malalim na epekto ang kanilang isinasabuhay na kagalakan sa aking bokasyon. Ang bawat araw na kasama ko sila ay parang isang malaking pagdiriwang na nagpapatunay na ang kapansanan ay hindi hadlang sa isang taong likas ang pagkamasiyahin. Hindi ko man maintindihan kung ano ang sinasabi nila pero ang pakiramdam ko ay tinuturuan nila ako na yakapin ang biyayang ipinagkaloob ng Diyos sa kasalukuyang panahon. It is in the present moment where we feel God’s love working in us, that’s why the name that he revealed to Moses is “I Am”. Sa kanila ko natutunan kung paano mabuhay sa kasalukuyang panahon na hindi nagagambala sa bakas ng nakaraan at nag-aalala kung ano ang mangyayari sa hinaharap. Ang tangi lamang iniisip kung ano ang meron ngayon kung kaya’t ganun na lamang ang kanilang disposisyon sa buhay. Nang makausap ko ang isang volunteer at ipinahayag ko ang aking paghanga sa kanyang walang kupas na pag-aalay ng kanyang buhay sa paglilingkod sa mga batang inaalagaan niya ay naantig din ako nang sinabi nya na ang mga bata ang naging instrumento upang lubos niyang makilala ang Panginoon at mapalalim ang kanyang pagunawa sa kahalagahan ng buhay na ipinagkaloob sa kanya. At ito ang sinabi niya sa akin: “Brother, likas na masiyahin ang mga batang ito at ito po ang nagdadala ng kasiyahan dito sa aming institusyon.”

Ang pagiging masiyahin at kagalakan sa pusong palaging umaasa sa Dios ay ang tema ng ating mga pagbasa ngayon sa ikatlong linggo ng adviento na kung saan ito ay tinatawag na Gaudete Sunday na ibig sabihin>b> “magalak tayo”. Sa ano nga bang dahilan kung bakit tayo ay magalak? Minsan ba ay tinatanong ba natin ito sa ating mga sarili kung bakit nga ba tayo ay magalak? Para saan? May dahilan nga bah? Kung titignan natin ang mga pangyayari sa ating lipunan tila hindi yata kagalakan ang unang papasok sa ating isipan kasi kaliwa’t kanan ang karahasan na patuloy nagbibigay ng takot at pangamba sa atin. Ikakasaya ba nating makita na laganap ang korupsyon sa ating gobyerno kung kaya’t marami tayong mga kapatid na lubos nang naghihirap at unti-unting nawawalan ng pag-asang mabuhay. Magiging masaya pa ba tayo at makabuluhan pa ba ang ating pasko kung unti-unti na itong kinakain ng consumerismo at mga makamundong pagnanais na maging angat sa iba. Kahit gaano pa man ka makasalimuot at madilim ang daan na ating tinatahak, di ito nangangahulugan na titigil nalang tayo na umaasa na may kagalakan sa puso. Patuloy tayong mapagmatyag sa liwanag na unti-unti na nating masilayan, ang liwanag na papawi sa ating lungkot, takot, pagdurusa at pangamba. Ang liwanag ng Diyos na magbubukas sa ating puso upang mamalagi ang kanyang pagkalinga, pagmamahal at pagyakap sa ating kahinahan. Ito po ang kahulugan ng isang pusong nagagagalak na umaasa.

Ito ang isinisigaw ni Propeta Isaias sa ating unang pagbasa na nasa puso niya ang galak at pananabik sa paghahatid niya ng magandang balita sa mga dukha at sugatan, mga bihag at mga binilanggo. Katulad ni Propeta Isaias tayo ay hinimok ng Panginoon upang buhayin natin ang ating pananampalataya at ito ang magsisilbing ilaw sa mundong ating ginagalawan ngayon na kung saan ang liwanag ay nangaling sa ating Panginoon . Paano nga ba natin ito bubuhayin? Sa ano nga bang concretong pamamaraan natin ito maisasabuhay? Katulad ng mga Kristiyano sa Tesalonica na kung saan ay inatasan sila ni San Pablo na paghandaan ang pagbabalik ng Panginoon, ito rin ay ang paanyaya para sa ating lahat upang lubos nating paghandaan ang pamamalagi ng Panginoon sa ating buhay. Kailangan po natin siya at sa bawat hinaing na makasama natin siya sa ating paglalakbay ay hindi niya tayo bibiguin. Darating siya at babaguhin niya ang ating mga buhay katulad ng pangako na binitiwan ni Juan Bautista habang inihanda niya ang daraanan ng Panginoon. Ang kanyang tinig sa desyerto ay nagsisilbing hudyat na ang paghahari ng Diyos ay malapit na nating matunghayan kung kaya ang lahat na umaasa sa kanyang pagdating ay kailanma’y hindi nito bibiguin.

Kamusta po ang ating mga buhay ngayon? Tayo po ba ay nagagalak sa kanyang malapit na pagdating? Ang mga puso ba natin ay handang-handa na bang tanggapin ang kanyang pamamalagi sa atin? Ang mga buhay ba natin ay sumasalamin ba isang pusong nagagalak na umaasa sa kanyang pagdating? Katulad ng mga batang may kapansanan na nagturo sa akin paano mamuhay sa kasalukuyang panahon, hayaan po nating ialay sa Panginoon ang bakas ng ating nakaraan, at pag-aalala sa kinabukasan upang lubos nating maramdaman na ang Diyos ay kasama natin at palaging nagbibigay ng kanyang pagmamahal sa panahon na ipinagkakaloob niya sa atin ngayon. We will never be joyful when we are haunted by our past mistakes, resentments and painful histories. We will never be joyful when put so much worries on what will happen tomorrow for tomorrow may not come. We will only be joyful if we are attentive to the voice of God by telling us that “I am”, the God of here and now. Amen!

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
Luke 1:26–38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco
8 December 2017

When we are thirsty, our tongue needs water to quench that thirst. No matter how thirsty we are it is customary for us to have a clean glass, vessel or a container that holds the water. If we thirst for pure water, I believe that God’s heart thirsts for love for it is His very nature. Out of love, he created everything good. The greatness of God’s love is shared when He created man and woman in His own image and likeness. Goodness, that comes from His pure and perfect love was His intention for all of us since the time began. But we know from the story of our first parents and even our own story that despite our desire to do good, we always face the reality of evil, tempting us to reject God and His love for us. When sin entered the world, it created a gap between us and God. We could no longer function the way God wants us. We could no longer love God the way He expected us. Our heart is already divided and there is a strong force that keeps feeding our ego wanting for more, more power, more wealth, more possessions, more achievements and more influence. Our heart never runs dry of these earthly longings and these bring emptiness within us. This is a real human condition from past generations up to our time. One’s selfishness aggravates to society’s evil structure of dominance, violence, greed and exploitation. We all witnessed and experienced how the values of the world destroyed our relationship with each other and ultimately to our creator.

In our restlessness, we begin to ask ourselves “why can a loving God allow these things to happen?” and that question never ends. The more we entertain that question the more we see the reality of sin and evil on a bigger scale brought by our selfishness. Nevertheless, we should not lose hope for we know that God’s love is greater than our sins. Our sinfulness makes God’s grace abound all the more. Sin and death don’t have the last say in us. The Lord has chosen Mary to untie the knot of sin and became part of God’s whole plan of salvation, a pure and clean vessel. Her heart and womb was pure all throughout her life for she gave birth to the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the reason why we are celebrating her Immaculate Conception today, one of Marian dogma that our mother church teaches. Mary is highly favored by God for her life is a perfect response to God’s invitation which we wish to imitate. In the fullness of time, God sent His son, born of a woman, born under the law. As Mary was immaculately conceived, it marks the end of a long period of isolation and separation from God because of sin. She opened us the way back to the Father by allowing her womb to be a receptacle of God’s greatest gift to humanity, the birth of His son. She is loved by God and out of pure love her life was totally used by God as an important part of his saving plan. Every act of love leaves a mark like what Mary did and as her children we are also called to do the same. This love is the only thing that matters in life. It is pure love that makes us sensitive, merciful, compassion, caring and generous to others.

This is what God wants from us, a clean and pure heart like a clean vessel that holds the water. It is only a clean heart that can listen to God’s word attentively. It is only a clean heart that can respond and do God’s will. It is only a clean heart that can submit one’s life totally and only for God. This is the life of Mary, whose heart is pure, worthy to receive the privilege that only she can enjoy. She is totally free from any stain of sin for her heart fully belongs to God.

Our readings today highlight our journey as children of God, our journey from darkness to light, sin to grace, addiction to healing, brokenness to wholeness, enslavement to freedom and death to life. Without Mary’s active role being the mother of our savior we won’t be able to reach this far. Her Immaculate Conception modeled to us how to become an instrument of God’s love to make a difference in the world we live in. Mary showed to us that even in the midst of overwhelming presence of evil that enslaves us, God never gives up on us. Her YES to God breaks the chain of sin. Her life marks a new era which changed the entire course of human history.

For us to deepen our understanding what Immaculate Conception is all about I would like to highlight 3 points for my reflection. First, Mary’s humility allowed God to do marvelous things in her life. As a simple woman from Nazareth, her life is pleasing to the eyes of God. She remained open to God’s plan in her life, unlike our first parents whose pride blinded them to see their true nature as God’s wonderful creation and left unsatisfied for they wanted to be like God. Mary’s lowly state underlines the greatness of God as she responded to the angel Gabriel’s salutation as highly favored one. She remained dependent on God’s grace for nothing that she has does not come from the Lord. Her humility teaches us to acknowledge God as the source of everything that we have. We don’t own anything. Everything is grace. Second, Mary’s obedience opened us our way back to the Father. Her YES to God paved the way for our salvation. Her YES does not mean that Mary understands everything that was revealed to her during the Annunciation. In fact, she expressed her confusion and eventually led her to entrust her whole life to God when she said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your Word.” She remained docile to God with a trusting heart that God knows what is best for her. Lastly, Mary’s active faith inspired us to follow her example. Her faith does not remain idle since after she received the invitation of God she acted immediately by visiting her cousin Elizabeth as she brought the good news in her womb. Her faith was strengthened by many adversities that she has been through. She pondered on her heart all those things that had happened to her. As she stood at the foot of the cross when her pure heart was pierced seeing Her son in excruciating pain of abandonment, she realized that her YES that begins in her womb has to end at the tomb. Her steadfast faith fulfilled God’s promise which all of us received. It is her faith that brings us closer to the heart of her Son. It is her faith that enables us to sing the song that her heart was singing, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

In this celebration we are reminded to be like Mary whose life is totally opened to God. Her heart was undivided which serves as our role model to be her Son’s disciple. May all of us be inspired by the life of Mary who never resisted responding God’s invitation despite the uncertainties in life. Let her humility, obedience and active faith be ours as we continue in our journey of becoming God’s instrument of His great love to all. Happy feast day. Amen!

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
Mark 1:1–8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”

John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

Have we ever seen any desert in our lives? Do we envision ourselves to be in the desert for a day or a couple of days? Is there anything in the desert that makes it attractive? Is anything there that awakens our curiosity and interest? Perhaps, most of us would say “what is it in the desert that I want to see and experience?”

In our world today where technology is at its peak, we are easily bombarded with many things that draw our attention. It seems that our eyes are already accustomed to see the latest development of our time. It seems that our ears are already attuned to the noise of the busy district of the metropolis. We begin to feel discomfort if everything would stop for a while and we are left on our own, seemingly a desert experience for us.

The desert has a special space for each of us. We don’t have to go to a physical/geographical desert and stay there for a while in order for us to know its importance. We just have to create a space and allow ourselves to be detached temporarily from the usual routines that we do. Amidst our busy schedules, preparing so many things for this coming Christmas from fixing our Christmas lights and other decorations in our respective houses, making a list of things to buy in order to avail of the many discounts by different stores to organizing Christmas parties in wherever institutions we belong. It’s good to pause for a while and asked ourselves, what is the real meaning of Christmas season and why do we have to prepare ourselves for this important occasion of our faith life. We will only understand the true meaning of Christmas and have a deeper appreciation of this celebration once we allow ourselves to journey with the Lord throughout this Advent season, a time for preparation for His coming into our lives. He surely comes, there is no doubt about it but oftentimes we ignore His presence because our focus is diverted to material things which give us a distorted meaning of Christmas. Let us get in touch with our desert experience that this season of Advent gives.

Our readings today highlight the significance of desert experience in our lives as children of God. There could be no genuine faith unless we go through this experience. It is in our dryness that we experience our need for God. Our desert experience will give us a realization that there is nothing that we need that God won’t give in the way that he knows is best for us. In most instances, we dictate God what we want to happen in our lives based on our limited understanding that happiness is measured on worldly desires. When life gets tough and things that we asked for didn’t happen the way we want it, we start to question God and eventually it affects our relationship with Him. This would bring us to our desert experience where we are confronted with our vulnerabilities and our nothingness. Don’t be afraid if we go through this experience in our lives. This is God’s way to let us feel that there is no one we can rely on aside from Himself. He is leading us there so we may encounter Him in the restlessness of our hearts. He will warm us with his comforting presence that we are not alone in our desert. Prophet Isaiah in our first reading gives a comforting word to the Israelites who had experienced isolation in the desert that after their transgressions, the Lord has looked at them with mercy and compassion. In the desert, they experienced the comforting presence of the Lord like a shepherd who feeds his flock. In their desert experience they found consolation and had a living encounter with the Lord.

The same is true in the 2nd letter of Peter, where the early Christians felt that their waiting was in vain for the Lord has delayed his coming. The Lord does not delay His promise; in fact, He is patiently waiting for us. The delay is not about the Lord but it is caused by our inability to recognize His presence within us. The Lord has brought us peace but we prefer to live in chaos. The Lord sent His consoling message of love but we lived hatred and resentments in our hearts. The Lord forgives us but we cannot forgive those who sin against us. The Lord gives us hope every time we wake up in the morning but we allow our painful history to pull us down and want to remain in our helplessness. There are so many good things that the Lord is doing for all of us just to let us know that He is here and patiently waiting for us to surrender our desert experience to Him.

Our gospel echoes to us an advent figure in the person of John the Baptist, who is the forerunner of the one who is to come. Out from the desert, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when a voice was heard crying out from the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John the Baptist facilitates us to enter into our own deserts. It is in our restlessness where we can experience our need for God. In our darkness where we long for light that only the light of Christ can give. In the hardness of our hearts where we can experience the gentleness of our Lord waiting for our conversion.

As we go through this Advent season let us be aware of how the Lord will meet us in the desert of our hearts. In our own lives we’ve been through a lot of desert experience. When we feel that everything is senseless after our many hours of hard work. When we feel that God seem to be silent when our prayers are not answered. When we feel that life is meaningless due to our unending struggles and difficulties. When we feel that hope is only an illusion because whatever we wish for did not happen. In those moments we begun to entertain questions such as have I done what I am supposed to do? Was my decision right? Was my life worthwhile? When we feel these, let us embrace those moments because they will give us an opportunity to experience the unwavering providence of our Lord who will always give us comfort, tenderness and assurance that his love will never fail us. In the midst of uncertainties, there is only one certain thing that will happen and that is the Lord will always come and he will never abandon us. For “hoping is not the certainty of human sight but hoping is nurtured by faith.” Let the example of John the Baptist whose witnessing mirrors to us how our hope should be proclaimed and transformed our lives and the lives of others. The Lord will fulfil everything that he has prepared for us. How about us? May we use each day to reform our lives and recommit ourselves to our Lord who wished a best preparation for his coming. Amen!

Need for Watchfulness
Mark 13:33–37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

Judgment of the Nations
Matthew 25:31–46

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

The Parable of the Bags of Gold
Matthew 25:14–30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five bags of gold; to another, two; to a third, one— to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five bags of gold went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.

“After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five bags of gold came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of gold. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two bags of gold also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of gold. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received the one bag of gold came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your bag of gold in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

The Parable of the Bags of Gold
Reflection
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

I would never forget my encounter with one of the kids in Smokey Mountain, the biggest dumping site in Metro Manila. I was inspired by our conversation because at a very young age he already did bigger responsibilities not only for himself but for the welfare of his family. Despite the hardships in life the more he became determined to continue his studies. His mother is terminally ill and his father is the only one working with a meager income to raise him together with his 5 brothers and sisters. Being the eldest of the family he has to work hard collecting garbage early in the morning after that that he has to go to school and then late in the afternoon he has to look after for his ailing mother and his siblings. I never heard him complaining, in fact, he is thankful to God for every blessing that they received. He promised to himself that he will strive hard in chasing his dreams and that served his energy through the day. That kid might be young but his principles in life are something that we could learn from. He is preparing something for his future and his family and every day for him is a step closer getting closer to his dream.

Today is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary time, the last Sunday of our liturgical year before the Feast of Christ the King. Our readings today invite us to reflect our own lives and perhaps we could ask ourselves these questions: Are we living the kind of life that God wants from us? Do our plans and decisions contribute to the well-being of others? How conscious are we of the many gifts that we have? Do we use them only for ourselves or for the common good?

It’s good to ponder these questions as we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. Our preparation should inspire us to do our best for our waiting will not put us in vain. The Lord will surely come, not knowing the exact time of his coming is something that all of us should be prepared all the time.

How to prepare ourselves is the challenge that all of us are called for? This preparation should happen now. We should not wait for tomorrow, for tomorrow may not come. We are not left on our own for the Lord lay down the things that are necessary for our preparation. He just not gives us instructions on what to do but he even gives his very self for us to imitate him.

The book of Proverbs tells us the characteristic of a good wife, where her inner values are far much greater than her physical attributes. Her goodness comes from within which highlights her important contribution not only to her husband but to her family as well. Her values are so inspiring which moved her to reach out the poor and the needy. This is what the Lord tells us like a good wife, may her values resonate with us. Imagine if all of us here imitate those virtues, perhaps there will be no people who will be hungry, thirsty, naked and homeless. Everyone has something to share to make this world more loving, accepting and forgiving.

Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians affirmed the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us. It is in the light of Christ that outshines all the forces of evil in our world. All of us who believes in Him share that light for we no longer walk in darkness. Our mission as children of light is to spread the light of Christ that brings justice, compassion, mercy, tolerance and goodwill to the rest of humanity. Our good work is not about us. It solely comes from the one who can be never be outdone in generosity, our most loving and caring God.

In our gospel, we are reminded of God’s generosity. We are equally given by the Lord with graces according to our abilities. No one is left unattended by the Lord. The parable of the talents mirrors the many blessings that we received from the Lord. In the story, the master has entrusted his talents to his servants and after a long journey, not knowing the exact time of his return, he will ask us of our accountability. All of us are the servants in this story. The talent that was given to us is the life and the many blessings that we received from the Lord. Whatever we have are not our own so we are invited to be stewards of all these blessings.

From the parable, we heard about the three servants who received a different quantity of talents. An appropriate number of talents were given to them according to their abilities. The first received five and the rest received 2 and 1 respectively. All of them received out of master’s generosity. The underlying principle here is not about the partiality of the master but on the accountability of the stewards to make use the talents that were entrusted to them. Those servants who invested their talents bore much fruits but the one who did not take the risk to invest was thrown out into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For my reflection, I would like to highlight 3 proper attitudes that we need to imbibe within us to make us worthy recipient of God’s given talents. First, recognize that everything that we received comes from only one source and that is our God. God could never be outdone in generosity is the reason why all of us have talents and the greatest talent that we have is our life. If we look at the talent in a wider perspective we could say that all graces that we received from the Lord are all talents. Talents could be our family, friends, relatives, and our values that we have. It could also be our history, pain, brokenness and difficulties that we offered to the Lord by allowing his grace to transform them and be a source of healing to others. When we recognize that God is the source then we begin to appreciate whatever we have no matter how big or small they are. Second, appreciate that everything is a gift. When we appreciate what God has given us then there will be no room for envy and jealousy in our hearts. We don’t only appreciate the gifts that we have but we also appreciate the gifts of others. The Lord freely gives us the talents not because I am better than the other but out of God’s generosity. His generosity should inspire us to share whatever talents that we have. Lastly, we will be grateful to God who never gets tired of providing us. To be grateful helps us to be generous. The Lord will inspire us to use whatever talents that we have for the common good. As stewards of God, as servants of the master in the parable, all of us are called to live-out these three values: recognition, appreciation and gratefulness with whatever talents that we have.

Now let us examine ourselves in the context of the parable. How do we manage our talents that we have? Do our lives mirror the attitude of the first two servants or are we more of the lazy and wicked servant who never takes the risk of using the God-given talent that he has? When our time here on earth is over and we will be meeting the Lord face to face, all of us will be accountable for all the blessings that we have. The lord will not surely ask us if how many possessions that we have or how powerful we are. He will only ask this one simple question, “How did you use those talents that you have while you were still alive? Did you share your life which I entrusted to you?

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Remedies. Our lady showed us how to make use of our lives as a living example in responding God’s great love to us. She is our mother who cares for us. Her whole life showed us the meaning our life too. She is the one who recognized that whatever she has comes from the greatness of God. Her “fiat” as her response to God’s invitation became her “magnificat” as she went in haste to meet her cousin Elizabeth appreciating the graces that she received in God’s favor. Then her whole life together with her Son is a constant giving of herself by not just being the mother of our Lord but she is also our mother as well. Recognition, Appreciation and being grateful are the key to live a fruitful life. Our life is not our own for we are just stewards of it. May we use our life as a pleasing sacrifice to the one who loves us first. Amen!

The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1–13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Ang Parabula ng Sampung Dalaga
Reflection
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Hindi natin maikakaila na lahat tayo ay nakaka-relate pag ang pinag-uusapan natin ay paghahanda. Lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang pinaghahandaan kung kaya’t iginugugol natin ang ating panahon sa mga bagay-bagay na ating pinaghahandaan at nag-nanais na makamtam yung hinihintay natin. Mula bata hanggang matanda ay may kanya-kanyang paraan sa paghahanda. Mga mag-aaral ay pinaghahandaan ang kanilang mga pagsusulit Kung kaya’t sila ay nagsusunog kilay upang makamtam nila ang tamis ng tagumpay. Mga manggagawa na araw–araw ay nagbabanat ng buto at nagnanais makamtam ang anumang promocion o pagtaas ng sahod. Mga magulang na naghihintay ng magandang kakahinatnan sa kanilang pagpapalaki ng kanilang mga anak. Mga bilanggo na naghihintay sa kanilang paglaya. Mga pamilyang nawasak ng mga hindi kanais-nais na pangyayari sa kanilang buhay at naghihintay na umaasang mabuo ulit. Mga binata o dalaga na naghihintay ng kanilang tunay na pag-ibig. Lahat tayo na nandito ngayon ay may hinihintay at patuloy tayong umaasa sa paghihintay kung kaya’t inihahanda natin ang ating mga sarili.

Ngunit hindi lahat nang hinihintay natin ay nangyayari ayon sa ating kagustuhan. Kadalasan hindi ito nangyayari kung kaya’t binabalot tayo ng takot, kawalan ng kaseguraduhan, pangamba at nawawalan ng pag-asa. At sa mga pangyayaring ito maraming katanungan ang gumagambala sa atin. Ano ba ang pagkukulang ko sa aking paghihintay? Kung di man lang matupad ang mga ninanais ko sa buhay, bakit kailangan pa akong maghanda? Ano ang kahulugan ng aking paghihintay? Ito po ang realidad ng ating buhay. Sa bawat paghahanda natin sa mga bagay na inaasam-asam natin di lahat ng ito ay nangyayari. Ngunit sa lahat ng ating paghihintay may isang hinihintay natin na kailanma’y di tayo bibiguin at ito ang pagdating ng Panginoon sa ating buhay. Isang paghihintay na kailanma’y di magdudulot sa atin ng lungkot at pangamba dahil palagi siyang lumalapit sa atin at inanyayahan niya tayo na buksan ang ating mga puso upang maging handa tayo sa kanyang pagdating.

Ang ating mga pagbasa ngayon ay tumutukoy sa tamang paraan ng ating paghahanda. Higit pa sa panlabas na paghahanda, tayo ay inanyayahan ng Panginoon na paigtingin ang ating panloob na disposisyon na syang susi sa wastong pagtanggap sa kanyang pagdating.

Ang unang pagbasa sa aklat ng karunungan ay hinihikayat tayong magmasid at maging handa sa lahat ng oras. Ang paghahandang ito ay nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa dahil tiyak na makamkamtan natin ang buhay na masagana na tanging ang Diyos lamang ang makapagbigay. Sa mundong ating ginagalawan ngayon kung saan marami tayong pinaghahandaan at walang kasiguraduhan kung yung mga bagay na iyon ay makakamtan natin. Kung kaya’y nagiging balisa, aligaga at madali tayong mawalan ng pasencya sa ating mga sarili kasi pinipilit nating mangyari ang mga bagay na ayon sa ating sariling pananaw ay yun ang tanging magpapasaya sa atin. But the book of Wisdom inspires us to entrust everything to God. It is the Wisdom of God that guides and leads us to the true path of the fullness of life. Ang karunungan ng pagmamahal ng Diyos na nagbibigay ng kahulugan sa bawat pagsusumikap nating tumugon sa kanyang panawagan.

Ito ang isinalaysay ni San Pablo sa kanyang sulat sa mga taga-Tesalonica na kung saan ay hinihikayat niya tayong lahat na huwag mangamba at malungkot dahil ang tunay na kaligayahan ay makakamtan natin sa piling ng Panginoon, at si Hesukristo ang tanging buhay na karunungan ng Diyos na sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Espiritu ay nanatiling buhay sa bawat puso natin.

Ang buhay natin ay di nagtatapos dito sa mundo kung saan puno ng pagdurusa, kasakiman, discriminasyon, walang katarungan, kadiliman, at pagkawasak ng dignidad pang-tao. Sapagkat ang buhay natin sa piling ng Panginoon kasama ang mga kapatid nating yumao ay ang pinakamagandang pangyayari na matatamasa natin kung palagi tayong bukas sa kanyang paanyaya. Ito ang dapat nating paghandaan at sa bawat pagkakataon na ipinagkakaloob sa atin ay sana huwag nating sayangin.

Katulad ng talinhagang ating narinig tungkol sa sampung dalaga na may dalang lampara na siya ang sumasagisag sa ating lahat kung kaya sa lahat ng oras ay dapat tayong mapagmasid at mapanuri. Habang pinagninilayan ko po ang talinhaga ito ang unang pumasok sa aking isip ay yung panawagan ng Panginoon ay para sa lahat. Lahat ay binibigyan ng kakayahan na tumugon sa kanyang panawagan at yung mga lampara na dala-dala ng mga dalaga ay sumisimbolo sa ating mga puso. We all have the capacity to respond God’s love because our life is a concrete manifestation that we are meant to be with God forever. Habang pinakikinggan natin ang kuwento natuklasan natin na yung mga dalagang yaon ay nagkakaiba sa kanilang disposisyon na sumisimbolo sa langis na dala-dala ng mga matatalinong dalaga samantalang yung mga hangal ay tila nakaligtaan yata ang kahalagahan ng langis sa kanilang lampara.

Sa ating buhay minsan ba ay naihahantulad ba natin yung ating mga sarili sa mga hangal na dalaga o sa mga matalinong dalaga? Suriin po natin ang ating mga buhay at tatanungin natin kung gaano ba tayo kahanda sa pagdating ng Panginoon sa bawat oras ng ating buhay. May sapat ba tayong langis sa ating mga lampara na siyang magpapalakas sa ating paglalakbay tungo sa puso ng ating mapagmahal na Dios.

Ang langis na nagpapatibay sa ating pananampalataya upang palaging maliwanag ang ating mga lampara sa madilim na daan na ating tinatahak. Kailanma’y ang apoy na ito ay di mamamatay dahil ito ang ilaw ni Kristo na kung saan ang lahat ng biyaya ay dumadaloy. Ito ang mabuting balita para sa ating lahat. Manalig tayo sa ilaw na ipinagkaloob ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo na siyang maghahanda sa atin sa kanyang pagdating. Amen!

A Warning Against Hypocrisy
Matthew 23:1–12

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 Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Praise of the Father
Matthew 11:25–30

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

The Greatest Commandment - 29 October 2017
Reflection
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

The Two Greatest Commandments

The foundation of everything is love. Everything begins and ends in love. How could we explain life if there is no love? Is it possible for life to exist without love? What are the things that we do in the name of love? Oftentimes, we hear people saying, “I will do everything for the one I love, even give up my life.” We are ready to sacrifice our lives because of love. This is the story of every mother who gives birth after hours of painful labor for her newborn. This is the story of every Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who is ready to leave loved ones behind in the hope of a brighter future. This is the story of many Filipino soldiers who risked their lives to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Marawi. These are some of the stories which invite us to reflect on how love works in our lives.

In my own experience, I would never forget one conversation that I had with “Tatay” whom I met in the New Bilibid Prison. His story impressed me because his love for his family is one of a kind. He grew up in the province and life was tough for him. He was a farmer who worked hard for his family. Despite life’s adversities, he never lost heart in believing that something good would come from bad situations. As we were chatting, he slowly revealed to me the reason why he was imprisoned. He became emotional as he started narrating his story.

He worked a small farm which he inherited from his parents. One day, a rich businessman from another town visited their place and wanted to buy his farm to use it for livestock business. Tatay refused the offer because the farm was his family’s only source of livelihood and the only legacy that he could leave to his children. But the businessman was insistent and ordered his henchmen to do harm to Tatay’s farm to intimidate him. They burned his crops and threatened to harm his family if he will not change his mind. Out of anger, Tatay refused to allow the workmen to enter their house and a bloody encounter ensued. Unfortunately, Tatay accidentally killed one of them. After the incident, a case was filed in court and in just a span of days, a verdict was made due to poor legal assistance. Tatay was adjudged guilty beyond reasonable doubt and his punishment was death penalty. While waiting for execution, he was detained at the Maximum Security Compound of the NBP. As he expressed all his fears of his imminent death, he had a deep encounter with the Lord. He sought forgiveness of all his shortcomings and begged the Lord to look after his family.

Then, a month before his execution, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the law abolishing the death penalty and Tatay’s sentenced was reduced to life-imprisonment. For him, that was the greatest Christmas gift he received from the Lord and he promised to make use of the second chance that was given to him. Inside the prison, he was able to finish his secondary education and took some vocational courses. A visiting priest helped him as he unburdened all the pain that he had been through. He did his confession and was ready to start his new life with the Lord. Through the help of some volunteers, he did a lot of progress especially in his faith. The last time that I visited the prison, I heard that he has become a good painter and the little amount of money that he received from his art works, he sent to the province to somehow provide for the needs of his family. He also became one of the leaders inside the medium security compound and often gave inspirational talk to his fellow prisoners.

For me, the life of Tatay is an inspiration. It is a story of his love for his family inside and outside the penal colony. It is a love that was never destroyed by whatever tragedy in life. He grew in love inside the prison and experienced true freedom which brings forth healing.

Our readings today invite us to deepen our understanding about the importance of love in our lives. This understanding should not solely be in our minds but should also influence our hearts and eventually, our actions. Love is not meant to be an abstract idea. It is a living action that binds all our relationships.

Our readings are timely and relevant also to our celebration today, which is “Prison Awareness Sunday.” Metaphorically speaking, we are all prisoners of our selfish desires which impede our growth in becoming the person that God wants us to be. We are all prisoners of our past, pain, brokenness, selfishness, greed, and inability to forgive. If we are humble and honest enough to accept our flaws in life, then we realize how much we need God’s liberating grace. We need to be freed by these things which limit our capacity to love.

In the first reading, we heard God’s invitation to the Israelites to express their love and fidelity to Him by showing charity and compassion toward others, especially the weak, the alien and the captives. Why is there an urgency to respond to this invitation? This is an indispensable part of Jesus’ mission in proclaiming God’s kingdom. In most cases, we choose people whom we perceive are worthy of our love. We love only those whom we know, those who can provide our needs, and those who are worthy according to the standards of the world. But God loves us very much and he wants his love to be shared not just in words but also in deeds. This love has a universal dimension for God loves all of us equally. How can we say that we love God if we are good only in words? We have been proclaiming the goodness of God’s love, but is it shown in the way we relate with ourselves, with others and the rest of God’s creation?

This is the core of God’s Law which he explicitly summed up into two greatest commandments: Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength; love your neighbor as you love yourself. If we are confused with so many rules on how to live a Christian life, we just have to go back to these two basic commandments which are closely linked together.

This is the center of our reflection today. We need to examine how we are in terms of our relationship with our Lord. Does this relationship reflect in the way we relate with others?

God taught us how to live and this was shown to us by Jesus, the ultimate expression of God’s love. His whole life from incarnation to ascension showed us the way to live a life pleasing to God. All that Jesus did is life-giving because it is in giving of Himself that all of us discovered what our life should be. Everything that Jesus did is an expression of His great love to his Father and to all of us.

The challenge for all of us is how to live out God’s love for us in loving our neighbors, especially those who are in the peripheries. Our love of God will only be true if it is actively working in every relationship that we have. When we utter our words of praise to God who loves us first, may these words open our hearts so that we can accommodate people not just worthy of our love but we give space to everyone because we are all brothers and sisters. May all of us be relentless in our love of God as we accept his Son’s body and blood in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and may it transform us to become God’s channel of grace and love to others. Amen!

Paying Taxes to the Emperor
Matthew 22:15–21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Matthew 22:1–14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

The Parable of the Tenants
Matthew 21:33–43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

The Parable of the Tenants
Reflection
8 October 2017

Everything that we enjoy here on earth is a manifestation of God’s great love for all of us. All the good things that we see, feel, touch and experience are God’s gift to us. It is God’s continuing providence that makes all these things possible. Each day God never ceases in doing great things for all he loves. Even giving himself totally through His Son, he emptied himself in order to embrace our broken humanity. This is what love is all about and this is God’s invitation to all of us to share the gift of His love to all our brothers and sisters.

But when we look around us it seems that we disfigured God’s plan for all of us because of the continuing disintegration of our relationship with each other and the rest of His creation. There is a widening gap between the rich and the poor because of greed for possession and fame to those privilege few who think that they own the world. There is an increasing violation of human rights to those who are in power whose common victims are the poor and the voiceless members of our society. There is continuing destruction of our natural resources which alarmed all of us brought by climate changed. These things happened because we lost our connection to our God who is the source of everything.

Our present reality affects our relationship with ourselves, others and our Lord. In the presence of evil and suffering we often ask why can a loving God allow these things to happen. Many times we asked this question as to how and where do all these evil things come from. Why can’t only good things happen? Why do we have to struggle all these harsh realities of life? Perhaps we will never resolve all our attempts to understand why certain things happen if we take away ourselves from the picture. When we look at things in a perspective that God is in control of everything as if God did not give us the freedom to choose goodness over wickedness, light over darkness and generosity over greediness. God’s love should not be taken as a separate reality from human freedom because out of God’s love we are free to give ourselves fully to him or not.

This is the message of our readings for today where all of us have not responded God’s invitation in the way that he wants from us. Instead of becoming sharers of His divine life what we did is that we put ourselves as the center of everything thinking that whatever He created is under our disposal. As what prophet Isaiah says in the first reading that the owner did everything good for his vineyard and expecting to bear a good fruit but what happened is that it bear wild fruits of abuse and bloodshed. Despite God’s goodness we continue to disobey him and reject his offer of new life every time we follow the ways of our ego. Our self-centered desires lead us to self-absorption and destruction. We became prisoners of our own beliefs that we can achieve fulfillment and happiness if we own the richness of the world. Our lifestyle speaks how greedy and selfish we are. Our desire for more breaks the web of our relationship with each other. We no longer treat each other as brothers and sisters because we are blinded by the empty promises of this world that being rich, famous and powerful is the ultimate source of happiness. This is what St. Paul says in his letter to the Philippians: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. We will have a fruitful life if everything that we do and everything that we desire for will be in accordance to the Will of God. This is God’s dream for all of us and we can only respond to his invitation if our hearts and minds are open to His love.

God’s love in us has a transformative element in our life if we allow him to change our ways. His love is freely given to us. He cannot force us to love him in return because his love in the first place is not imposed to us with conditions. Despite our shortcomings, God never gave up on us. No matter how ungrateful we are amidst all the blessings that we received from him our God finds ways to bring us home. Our home is represented by the vineyard that the parable of our Gospel today wants to highlight.

The owner leased his vineyard to the tenants and went on a journey. When the appropriate time came, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the unexpected event took place where his servants were beaten, stoned and killed. Thinking that that the tenants will pay respect to his son whom he sent, the more they threw him away and killed him. This parable mirrors our response to God’s invitation whom he gave us the responsibility to take care his creation. The sad thing is we responded him inappropriately.

The vineyard is the world that we live in. It was given to us by God for us to cultivate and take care which everyone is given equal opportunity to enjoy its fruits. We are reminded that we are stewards of God’s creation not as owners. But the way we live reflects as if we own God’s creation. We often think that we are entitled to what we have. Having a sense of entitlement pushed us to the limit thinking ourselves as god. We used God’s gift in our own terms and comfort. We even use them as a way to take advantage to those who are underprivileged. All those tenants are accountable to their wickedness which holds true to the selfishness of the human heart. If we are honest to ourselves we will accept all our shortcomings and they destroyed God’s original plan to all his creation.

We see our own faults of not responding to God’s invitation and learned from our mistakes. It’s good to look deeply into ourselves and ask how our lifestyle affects the integrity of God’s creation. Are there times when we asked ourselves if we have done something to the massive corruption in our country which widen the gap between the rich and the poor? Have we done something to the continuing violence that is happening in our country today? Have we shown our compassion and empathy to those who are living in desperate and hopeless situation. Have we given voices to our less fortunate especially our indigenous brothers and sisters who are severely affected by the massive destruction of our rainforest? Oftentimes, we are caught by our own needs and we feel that we have all the right to satisfy our needs to the point of exploiting others and objectifying them.

May all of us seek God’s dream for all of us and we can only do this if we deepen our relationship with our Lord Jesus who showed us and thought us how to live according to God’s plan. As we received the body and blood of Christ, let our hearts be transformed and opened to do His will. We will only do this if we treat our brothers and sisters as important as we are. Everything that we do is always grounded on the love of God and this love reflects on how we relate with others. Amen.

The Parable of the Two Sons
Matthew 21:28–32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

The Parable of the Two Sons
Reflection
1 October 2017

God’s Kind of Love

While I was doing my apostolate in New Bilibid Prison - Medium Security Compound, I met one prisoner who had been in the prison cell for almost 30 years. At first, I was hesitant to approach him because I was bothered by my prejudices towards them who are in the prison. When I saw him smiling, my discomfort started to fade. I began to be more accommodating as to what he wanted to share to me. I felt blessed as he entrusted to me his story which he kept for himself for so many years. He became spontaneous and emotional as he shared how he was brought to the jail and how his life has been during the many years in prison.

Listening to his story, I was moved by how God use the story of every person to make Himself known. There is nothing that can stop God in doing marvellous things to those people who are open to his revelation. Our conversation became a faith-sharing experience. This is how God works. God used whatever time that we had so we could experience his reassuring presence that our encounter was not an accident. Everything happens for a reason. I was sent there in the prison thinking that I will bring God’s love to the inmates but I was surprised because God was already there waiting for me.

God sees more than what we see. He goes beyond the box where we usually think that any person who had a dark history is not capable to change. Even the man himself thought that way because he asked some questions which bothered him a lot. His questions brought him to tears as he expressed his need of God’s forgiveness. Can God still forgive him? Can God still love him? Is he still capable of changing his life even if the society already labelled them as “criminal” and they don’t deserve for a second chance? These are his questions that he constantly asked himself. Alongside with these questions he was grappling with his guilt. He felt sorry for what he did and even asked God every night to forgive him for everything that he has done.

After our conversation I had a deep sense of joy because I saw his face light up. He was able to express everything that he wanted to share. That conversation gave him hope that despite what had happened in his life, God never ceased to love him. He felt the liberating love of God which gave him reason to forgive himself and to embrace whatever goodness that he is capable of doing.

After my visit with that inmate, I left the prison believing that everyone has a chance. Both of us were used by God to be his instrument of healing and hope.

While I was reflecting on that experience, I was brought to the theme of our readings for the past Sundays and our readings for today, “God’s justice is his mercy and love.” We can never understand God’s love for all of us if we use our own way of understanding what love is. Oftentimes, we set our own conditions on people we love. We set our own boundaries, rules and limits as a standard of our loving.

If we measure God’s love against our limited understanding of love, then we would say that God is unfair because God loves both sinner and saint equally. There is no partiality in his love. This is what our first reading on the prophet Ezekiel says, that “The way of the Lord is unfair. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways are unfair.” This is how we see God. We limit God’s love as a merit to our good works. But God’s love goes beyond that. Even the worst sinner or criminal is tenderly loved by God. That is why Jesus’ teaching is unacceptable to the Pharisees and High priests because it does not suit their legalistic framework of who God is. It was even a scandal to them that Jesus dined with public sinners and even invited them to be part of God’s kingdom. God’s love calms the wandering heart of every sinner who wished to change his/her life. It is a kind of love that heals, liberates and transforms.

This is how God loves us. His invitation to love is open to all. The challenge now lies on how we respond to his invitation. This is exemplified by the parable of Jesus that is highlighted by our gospel today. The story about the man who invited his two sons to work in his vineyard is the story of each one of us that explains the quality of our response to God’s invitation. In this parable, we could say that the Father represents God’s invitation to all of us where all of us are given equal opportunity to be part of his community of love. God gives us the grace to be able to respond to his call but his invitation is not imposed on us. God does not suppress human freedom. After all, His love is freely given to us and it needs an open heart to participate to that love. Love begets love. If we only know how deep God’s love for all of us then we could have a special space in our hearts which is docile to his invitation to love.

Our experience tells us that most of the time our response to God is based on our own comfort. We respond to him not according to what he desires for us. Many times, we fail to understand what his love for all of us is because of our limitations. Our selfishness, brokenness, and painful history control us and become obstacles to respond appropriately to God’s love. We cannot love the way he loves us. It is shown in the way the two sons responded to the invitation of their father to work in his vineyard. This is how our life operates. At times, our Yes to God is only in word but not in action. We go to church regularly, pray to God daily, and read the bible as our daily habit, but we do not allow the Lord to transform us. We believe in God, but our lifestyle is still anchored to our earthly desires. It is still our ego which controls us. This is manifested in the way we relate with others and the rest of God’s creation. To some extent we are also like the first son who initially did not respond to his father’s invitation but later on changed his mind. It happens to us when some circumstances of our life change the way we look at things that lead us to conversion experience. With that we try to amend whatever broken relationship that we have. We try to fix things and surrender to God what we wished for our life.

All of us are like these sons. At this point, we are invited by God to examine the quality of our response to Him. The kind of life that we have shown our response to God’s invitation to participate in his mission. We can only do this if we have an active and dynamic faith that God wants us to have.

May the love of God inspire us to say our YES not only in words but also in our deeds. Through the intercession of St. Francis, may these lines of the song: “Lord, make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in giving that we received. When there is death there is new life,” be our song as well. This is what we pray for, - that our life will be a living response to the God who loves and cares for us. Amen!

The Workers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20:1–16

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ “When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

The Workers in the Vineyard - 24 September 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

God’s Justice is Mercy I grew up believing that God’s love is something we earn. I need to be at my best to please God. As a little boy I was constantly told by my grandparents, my parents and even my elementary catechists that I needed to be good all the time so that the Lord will bless me more. This is the image of God that was instilled in me, until I entered the seminary, where I realized I was wrong. I often ask myself, Is God’s love available to all even to those who have walked astray? Is there any partiality in the mind of God? Does God limit his love according to our deeds? Perhaps these are the common questions that we ask if we tried to understand that God’s justice is not the same as how the world sees it. God’s justice is mercy. And everything that God does is always grounded in His love.

The readings for today highlight that God’s ways are not our ways. God has His own way of showing his great love for all of us. His love is unmerited for it is a pure gift that only comes from a God who only knows how to love. Isaiah in the first reading urged his people to turn their backs from their wicked ways for Yahweh will show his great mercy. The Lord is generous in forgiving and his generosity has no limit. Anyone who desire to live with God will surely experience the fullness of life. This is what St. Paul professed in his letter to the Philippians that Christ’s love has transformed his life. It is in living with Christ which became the source of his gospel proclamation. When we live in the Spirit of the Risen Christ, our life will be totally attuned to the gospel values. We became more generous to others like what the owner of the vineyard did in our gospel today.

The Gospel points out that generosity is God’s initiative to bring us back to his flock. Like the landowner who looked and hired for laborers in different periods of time, the Lord also called us in different circumstances of our lives. We are all called and invited to be part of God’s mission but for some reasons we vary in the way we respond to his invitation. Those laborers who agreed to work in the vineyard at different hours of the day but received the same amount of salary show how we struggle in understanding the tension between God’s justice and mercy. Mercy in the first place is God’s nature. Out of mercy God desires to be with us always. He blessed us with different gifts. All that we have does not come from our own effort. Everything is grace. When we think of grace as something that we merit for our hard work then there is a problem in understanding that God’s justice is distinct from His mercy. This is what happened to the laborers who were hired first. They imposed their own standard of justice contrary to the mind of the landowner. They could not accept that they received the same amount of wage as the others laborers had. It was a form of injustice for them.

When our understanding of grace is on the basis of merit rather than God’s gratuitous act then we could say that God is not fair. But if we accept that God’s grace is beyond human effort then we realized how blessed we are. We will be grateful for what we have because we truly understand that God’s justice is mercy.

How about us? How do we understand that God’s justice is mercy? Can these two stand together? In our own lives, do we see ourselves as those laborers who grumbled because of God’s generosity or are we grateful in every blessing that we received. Let us ask the Lord that his generosity will inspire us to be grateful all the time. Having this kind of disposition we will become channel of God’s grace to others. Amen!

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel
Matthew 1:18-23

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us."

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Reflection
8 September 2017

Mary, A True Disciple of God

In the past, God has spoken to the patriarchs, prophets, kings and judges, but in the fullness of time God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law. Centuries have passed; long lists of generations came, but the human still fail to love God despite the immensity of His love for all of us. Humanity continued to walk in the darkness of sin and evil and this broke the heart of God because He created us to share His goodness and divine life with each one of us. Even when the overwhelming presence of evil enslaves us, God never gives up on us.

God’s great love has broken the chain of the ugliness of sin and evil through Mary’s YES to be the mother of our Savior. Her total obedience to the Will of God changed the entire course of human history.

Today, we celebrate the birth of our Mother Mary whose whole life is totally in accordance to the Will of God. Her YES marks the dawn of human’s perfect response to God’s outpouring grace. Finally, we have Mary which points us to her Son, the only mediator to the Father.

We, Filipinos, have great devotions to Mary. We love her so much. We even have many names that are associated with Mary. We have full lists of it. At times we are confused if the Lady of Lourdes is the same as the Lady who appeared in Fatima. Despite this confusion and despite the many names that she has, one thing is for sure. Mary remained the humble servant of the Lord who only knows how to love and make that love active in her life. We may know her very well, but how does our knowledge affect our faith? Have we ever pondered Mary’s life? Have we ever entered into the scenes of her life? Does our faith in her mirror how we live our life? Perhaps, these are good points that we need to reflect on as we celebrate her birthday today.

In our gospel today, we heard how Mary enters into the picture of God’s unfolding revelation of His love. She has been engaged to Joseph but before they lived together, she has been found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Mary lived in a specific context and time. Like any of us she has her own dreams and plans for her life. And living in a society there must be an expectation from her. But all those things changed when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and revealed God’s plan for her. She now has a vital role to play in making God’s plan of salvation concrete and active in our lives.

For my reflection, I would like to highlight four points that represent the four stages of Mary’s life in connection with her mission of being the mother of Jesus and all of us believers.

First, Mary’s Fiat (YES to GOD) paved the way to our salvation. It is her YES that has broken the chain of sin and evil. Her YES did not mean that Mary understood everything that was revealed to her by Angel Gabriel. She has expressed her confusion and tried to make sense of what the message could mean. She did not fully understand but she knew that the invitation was coming from the Lord. Her heart was undivided. She surrendered her entire life to God. She surrendered what she has planned for her life. What great faith she has when she responded to the call by saying, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your Word.”

Second, Mary’s Magnificat. She began her journey, a life full of grace as she brought her faith to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary is a woman of faith and this faith always brings goodness to someone. A faith that fills her heart with joy which made her thought of her cousin Elizabeth who was then pregnant. Her song of praise, “My soul proclaims the goodness of the Lord, MY Spirit rejoices in God my savior,” expressed her fidelity to her call. Instead of staying in her comfort zone, she managed to visit in haste proclaiming the good news of our salvation. She began her journey as a true disciple of her Son. DISCIPLESHIP is her concrete response to the immense love of God.

Third, Mary’s Conservabat. Mary pondered everything in her heart. Her Yes was not a onetime event. It was a Yes that as we know was not easy to live. It was a Yes that bestowed no privileges and distinction. In his prophecy during the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon told her that a sword will pierce her heart, and indeed it did. Her whole life is her authentic witness to her vocation to love nurtured by her intimate relationship with her son.

Last, Mary’s Sufrat. Her maternal love expressed her fidelity to her mission even at the foot of the cross. Now, she understands what her YES was all about. It broke her heart but deepened her faith. We find in her a true mother, one who helps us to keep faith and hope alive in the midst of difficult and painful situations in life. We look at her at the foot of the cross and we feel understood and heard. As she grieved the death of her Son, we have now a mother who understands everything that we go through in life. We can sit down to pray with her and use common language in the face of the countless situations in her own life. We can tell her what is happening in our lives because she understands. She will point us to Jesus the great healer and consoler. Mary is always with us.

As we celebrate her nativity, let us always remember that Mary is a woman of faith, the model of a true disciple. She is not only the mother of Jesus but she is also the mother of the Church. Her whole life testifies that God does not deceive us or abandon us even in moments of situations when it might seem that he is not there.

May Mary’s Fiat, Magnificat, Conservabat and Sufrat be ours so that we will have a fruitful life that God wants for us. Mary, pray for us. Amen!

GOSPEL
Matthew 18:21–35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

GOSPEL
Matthew 18:15–20

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

GOSPEL
Matthew 16:21–27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

The First Prediction Of Passion - 3 September 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

The Ways of God

It is a natural instinct for us humans to avoid pain and suffering. Nobody wants to dwell on their pains and difficulties. As much as possible, everyone desires to have a peaceful, smooth, and happy life. But our experience tells us that life has its own shares of sufferings and pains. We stumble and fall many times. In those times, we felt our brokenness, loneliness and even hopelessness. During those times, we struggled in reconciling our faith in a loving God and the presence of suffering and horrific face of evil in the world. This is not new to us. Even our forefathers, way back to the Old Testament, struggled the same way as we did. How then do we understand suffering in the context of being followers of Jesus Christ? Our readings for today speak of one truth and this truth lies on the continuity of God’s mission despite the possible persecutions, rejections, sufferings, and death. Jeremiah in the first reading had experienced the brutality of his adversaries, the price that he won in doing God’s mission. He almost crashed to the ground with all the pains and sufferings that he had been through in proclaiming the greatness of God against the false gods of his time. He tried to escape away from God but all the more God’s word became a fire burning deep in his heart. No one could resist God’s plan in our lives, even the worst situation that we may experience in life.

St. Paul in his letter to the Romans begs his compatriots to give themselves as a living and holy sacrifice, pleasing to God. What could this holy and living sacrifice mean? For St. Paul, it is allowing our lives to be transformed by the cross of Christ, and not by the empty promises of this world. When we do something for Christ, it gives meaning to our lives. It gives us reason to see beyond what our eyes can see. It is our eyes of faith that can see the sufferings of others more than ourselves. It is the eyes of faith that can see the meaning of life beyond the weight of the cross that we are carrying. It is the eyes of faith that liberates us from the pain of this world, enslavement to our many sins and fear of restless life as we wait for the triumphant loving presence of God in eternity.

Now, Jesus made it clear to his disciples, specifically to Peter, about his imminent death. He revealed to them that the fullness of his earthly mission will take place in Jerusalem where he will be handed over to the Jewish authorities and suffer a terrible death, the most humiliating form of death, death on the cross. His disciples could not understand what he meant because their concept of Jesus as a Son of God is someone who has the authority like an earthly ruler who would eradicate all his enemies. But Jesus has his own way, he chose the way of the cross, a way that was contrary to the expectations of Peter. Peter tried to stop Jesus with playful words, the same as the devil who tried to stop Jesus in doing the mission of His Father which will be fulfilled in the cross.

No one could stop God in loving us. No one could separate us from the love of God. Jesus humbly accepted the worst judgment from the Roman emperor triggered by his own people, insulting words from Jewish authorities, pain of isolation from his friends and terrible brokenness as he was nailed on the cross. He endured all these things because of love. How deep the Father’s love for us that he offered his only beloved son to bring us back into his heart. God is not looking for powerful means; it is through the cross that he conquers evil. Jesus on the cross feels the whole weight of evil, and with the force of God’s love he conquers it, he defeats it with his resurrection. There is no greater love than this for someone who offered his whole life for us.

As we gaze at the cross of Jesus, let us be reminded as well of our own crosses in life. If we wish to follow Jesus we must deny ourselves, take up our own cross and follow him. There is no shortcut in following Jesus. We will experience pain and suffering once we give our life to God. But do not be sad and discouraged because once we endure in carrying our crosses we will experience the fullness of life that only God could give. Are we ready to name our crosses in life and surrender it to Jesus?

I would like to end my homily with a short story. Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly. But instead God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. He asked what went wrong to my prayers. The man was sad, he didn’t understand why his request was mistaken. Then he thought: ok well, God has too many people to care for. So he decided not to question. After some time, the man went to check up on his request that he had left forgotten. To his surprise, from the thorny and ugly cactus a beautiful flower had grown. And the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.

The moral lesson of the story is that God always does things right. His way is always the best way, even if to us it seems all wrong. You can be sure that he will always give you what you need at the appropriate time. What you want is not always what you need. God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep going to Him without doubting and murmuring. Today’s thorn is tomorrow’s flower. God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him. The way of the Cross is the best choice that God has given us. We will never experience the fullness of life without the cross. The cross is a scandal in the eyes of the world but it is precious in the eyes of God.

Let our crosses shine in the four corners of the world where there is so much hatred, violence, greed, selfishness, and indifference. May the self-sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, the greatest expression of God’s love, help us carry the saving cross through the roads of the world, through the alleys of poverty and misery. We will only understand the true meaning of our suffering, the true meaning of our cross, when we allow God to love us deeply in a way to love others. When we suffer because of love, it brings out the best in us.

Our suffering makes us more human because we are living the life that God intends for all of us. As what St. Francis said, “it is in giving that we received, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life”. Amen!

GOSPEL
Matthew 16:13–20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

GOSPEL
Matthew 15:21–28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

Jesus and the Canaanite Woman of Faith - 20 August 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

How deep is our faith? How strong are we given the different circumstances of our life? Oftentimes, our faith is tested when we are in our low moments. We begin to ask questions when the things that we are asking for don’t happen the way we want it. How do we react when everything that we prayed for remained unanswered? Are we patient enough to wait for God’s perfect time? Are we willing to accept God’s will which is far better than ours? How persistent are we in asking? How faithful are we in our prayer?

When I did my Clinical Pastoral Education in San Juan de Dios Hospital 5 years ago, I met a woman in one of the wards of Oncology department. She is the mother of 12 year old boy who was diagnosed of Leukemia, stage 3. Her only son was battling of a deadly disease. In our conversation the mother shared how desperate she was. She was a single mother after she was abandoned by her family and recently by her husband. At the peak of our conversation she became emotional as she narrated her story. “You know what brother I feel so helpless. I don’t know where to go. I don’t know what to do. If I could only change our situation I’ll rather chose to be in my son’s condition. I couldn’t bear the pain of watching my son suffering especially when several apparatuses are injected into his body. I loved my son very much. He is the only one that I have. He is the source of my strength and inspiration. I will do everything for him. I know that I made wrong decisions in life but I asked the Lord to look at me with mercy. I am so bothered by the kind of work that I have which made me think that my son is paying for it. I was forced to be in this situation because of the painful circumstances that I’ve been through. I am so desperate and I keep on asking the Lord to extend the life of my son.” While she was telling the story I noticed that she was wiping the body of her son by a white handkerchief. Prior to my visit she went to Baclaran Church where she spent prostrating herself in front of the image of the Mother of Perpetual Help. As she wiped that handkerchief to her son’s body, she trusted wholeheartedly that what she has is not just an ordinary white cloth but a cloth that contains the healing power of the Lord. Despite the many questions and preoccupations that she has, she remained steadfast in her faith.

The greatness of one’s faith is the theme of our readings today. It is the faith that was first given to the Israelites whom was given not just a privilege but a special mission to share this faith to the rest of humanity. Blinded by their egoistic ideology they have forgotten that other nations as well are beneficiary of God’s grace. It is their pride and honor that puts limit to God’s love.

For my reflection I would like to highlight the 3 acts of faith which is shown in the encounter of Jesus with the Canaanite woman in our gospel today. First, faith is an act of courage. The Jews believe that they are special in the eyes of God. They enjoyed certain privileges which other nations don’t have. As chosen people of God, the Jews used this privilege for their own advantage and became apathetic to the needs of others. Here, the Canaanite woman whom she knew very well that she is outside the circle of Jesus. Not only outside the parameters of Jesus’ mission but also she was treated as an outcast in the Jewish society. Nevertheless, she didn’t allow the prejudices of the Jewish society to stop her in getting closer to Jesus. She showed courage as she started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David.” With the possibility of rejection and humiliation, the courageous act of the woman brought her plea to the attention of Jesus. She remained committed in her quest to appeal for Jesus’ intervention for the healing of her daughter who was tormented by the demon. The more she was reprimanded by Jesus’ disciple the more she insisted. It is her act of courage which made her persistent to bring her request to Jesus’ consciousness.

Faith, as an act of persistence is the 2nd point of my reflection. As the woman knelt before Jesus and even shouted all the more, “Lord, helped me,” showed how firmed she was in her faith. In her desperate move she was thinking all the while that she won’t stop of expressing her need. She pushed herself beyond the limits by breaking the exclusivity of the Jewish thought. When the doors are closed as one tried to knock all the time accompanied by a voice of melancholy, there is still a possibility for the owner to change his disposition. This is what happened to Jesus as his heart was softened by the cries of the woman. No words could stop the woman from asking. Even though she was already reprimanded by Jesus as he expressed his primary mission which is for the lost sheep of Israel, still the woman did not succumb to defeat. Even the worst form of rebuke where she was treated like a dog as Jesus told her “that it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs,” the woman swallowed all the shame of rejection and remained humble as she persistently cried for her plea.

She gave her full trust to Jesus. She never got tired of asking which mirrored how great her faith is. The climax of the story unfolds when the woman made a strong statement expressing her faith as an act of confidence, which is the 3rd point of my reflection. The woman’s response changed the entire course of the story. “Yes, Lord, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table,” is a powerful response that showed confidence to the one whom you have entrusted your plea. It is in her response that made Jesus praised the greatness of her faith. This is a story on how our faith as an act of courage, persistence and confidence make things possible. This is a kind of faith that moves mountain.

Faith as an act of courage, persistence and confidence is an important value that we need to develop in order to deepen our relationship with God. Like this Canaanite woman we are also in need of God’s providence. How many times in our life when we are in our desperate moments? In those times where we don’t know what to do? Are willing to take a leap of faith? Are we willing to exhaust all our energy by incessantly asking the Lord what we want? We need God in our lives. Life without God is like a stream that is running out of water. He is the source of the living water that satiates our thirst. We need to be reminded of God’s loving care for all of us especially in times when life’s difficulties choke us and disorient us. It’s easy to conclude that God doesn’t care when life’s tribulation almost crashed us to the ground and the feeling of emptiness breaks our heart. Nevertheless, God is always at our side. He will never abandon us. He is doing great things in our life. We just have to trust in His ways. He assures his healing presence to us like what had happened to the answered prayer of the Canaanite woman. She showed her great love to her daughter which made her possible to ask the Lord for her healing. Love is the best springboard to take a leap. This is something that we need to hold on.

What is it that we are in need of God’s healing grace at this moment? Is it a physical healing? Is it a healing of our past broken relationship? Is it a healing of our soul wounded by our habitual sins? May the faith of the Canaanite woman help us to persevere in our faith life and persistently ask the Lord for the graces necessary for our spiritual growth. Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost, ” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.”, Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

Jesus Walks on Water - 13 August 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

Conquering our Fears
Are you afraid to fall in love? Are you afraid to get hurt? Are you afraid to confront the things that give you discomfort? Are you afraid to make major decisions in life that will either give you a brighter or dull future? Are you afraid to bring to the surface all your dark moments?
Fear is a stumbling block to our growth. We are so afraid of many things. At times, our fears are groundless and only because we think of the future with pessimism. Every time we do this, we are afraid to go beyond our comfort zone. We don’t take the risk to move an extra mile. We remain complacent where we are. When fears control us, our perspective in life is also affected. The worst thing that could happen is we lose our zest to live our life to the fullest. Our fears paralyze us to become what God wants us to be.

It is good to recognize and confront our fears. Perhaps it takes courage to do it. It takes faith to undergo this life-long and liberating process in dealing with our fears and surrendering them to the lord.

I was reminded of the story of a man sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. So, this man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun-up to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time)! Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this? Just put it in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough. That’s what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. Lord, he said, I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing? The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock.”

Our readings for today give us a clear picture of how God reveals Himself to us in times when we feel his absence. When our fear takes hold of us, we often forget that God is right beside us, constantly telling us that everything will be fine. When our storms in life overwhelm us, the Lord will meet us where we have stumbled and almost crashed to the ground in a seemingly desperate and hopeless situation. There is no mighty wind, disastrous earthquake or blazing fire that God could not calm. There is no deep-seated fear within us that God could not take away.

The rock in the story symbolizes our fear. We are prisoners of our fear. This fear hinders us to recognize the loving presence of our Lord. In our first reading, Elijah waited for the Lord. He thought that he will encounter the Lord in the mighty wind, in the terrible earthquake and in the blazing fire. But he never encountered the Lord there. He was surprised when he heard a gentle voice of the Lord as he stood at the entrance of the cave. God revealed Himself in a most unexpected way. The same is true with what happened to the apostles as they traverse the raging waters brought about by the mighty wind. They did not recognize the presence of Jesus because their fear took away their concentration from him. In fact, Peter tried to get closer to Jesus, and mustered enough courage to walk on the raging waters. Out of sight from Jesus, Peter started to panic and began to sink slowly . Nevertheless, Jesus extended his hands to him and said: “Do not be afraid. It is I. Have faith in me.”

Sometimes we think that nothing seems to be happening with our efforts to come to Jesus. Nothing seems to be happening with the problems we are trying so hard to solve. Sometimes we feel our lives are not moving forward. And we feel so tired and discouraged. The story of Peter and Jesus in the gospel today tells us that God is always doing something beyond what our eyes can see. We just have to trust and keep believing.

Same as the man in the story, he has to get out from his room so that he can push the rock for him to encounter God’s presence. The same is true with Elijah and Peter; they needed to get out from the cave and boat in the midst of great earthquake, mighty wind and overwhelming fear.

How about us? How do we encounter the Lord? I believe we need to get out from the darkest areas of our life. We need to get out from our room where our fears keep haunting us. We are discouraged by our failures, but even our attempts, no matter how feeble, just like Peter’s attempt to come to Jesus, ultimately strengthen us. In the words of Fr. Richard Rohr, everything belongs. I am certain that Peter learned something very important in this situation. He had probably understood more about himself, about Jesus and what it means to have to walk desiring to come to Jesus. The Lord always does something to lead us to better lives, greener pastures. Our part is to remain in Him in obedient, trusting love.

Just like Elijah, we need to stand at the entrance of our caves, whatever may be cold and dark in our lives and pay attention to God’s voice. Because to remain obedient to God is to notice, pay attention and respond to his voice. Take even 5 minutes each day after lunch or after dinner, before you sleep or when you rise, to be silent so that like Elijah you may hear God’s tiny voice in your heart. And like Peter, have the courage and desire to come to Jesus and walk towards him and the wonderful life he desires to offer you.

We need to grow in faith because God’s love is far greater than all our fears in life. May his invitation give us the courage to walk with him amidst all the storms in life. Amen!

GOSPEL
Matthew 7:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

The Transfiguration of Jesus - 6 August 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

On many occasions in my missionary life, I have had many exposures to different communities living in far-flung areas. Most of those communities are situated at the top of the mountain where one can see the grandeur of God’s creation and l. Life can be viewed from a different perspective which is far bigger than what can be imagined. It needs determination, openness, and inspiration to be able to reach those places enriched by a personal encounter with God through the locals whom I have met. And those experiences have given me a deep sense of joy and gratitude which eventually became a channel of my transformation as I begin sharing what has transpired in my journey.

God reveals Himself to us in many ways. He makes his love available to us even before we ask for it. Our life’s stories speak to us about this reality. Every act of love, every act of mercy, every act of belief, every act of asking, every act of enduring the pain and life’s difficulties, God is always there. Those moments give us the foretaste of what transfiguration is all about. When God is in our midst, then we are transfigured to our original identity as beloved children of God. We are loved by God no matter what happen to our lives. There is no short-cut in life. Everyone has to go through a certain process and becoming God’s children both word and deed is a process.

Transfiguration is a special event in Jesus’ life. It happened prior to his journey to Jerusalem where the ultimate act of self-giving took place. We just heard in our gospel today that Jesus took with him Peter, James and John and led them up to the mountain where he was transfigured before them. In Jesus’ transfiguration, two great men in the history of Israel appeared with him, Moses and Elijah, which overwhelmed his apostles to the extent that they wanted to stay there and build three tents for them. That extraordinary experience opened the eyes of his apostles about Jesus’ divinity and at the same time gave them a profound understanding of his humanity where God’s mission has to be in flesh in the earthly life of Jesus from womb to tomb. The tomb is not the end of everything because the power of Christ’s resurrection gives eternal life to those who believe in him. Transfiguration gives us a glimpse of God’s eternal glory expressed by Jesus’ love to the Father and the entire humanity. From that scene, we might be asking why God would choose a mountain from all the places where He wanted to make Himself known to his chosen people. Mountains have significance in the Bible. Our readings today expressed how God’s love story unfolds in the mountain. It is often the place of encounter between God and humanity. It bridges the gap between heaven and earth. It is in Mt. Horeb where God reveals his steadfast love to the Israelites through Moses. It is in the mountain where Elijah saw the great vision of God. It is also in Mt. Tabor where the three apostles experienced the transfiguration of the Lord.

I would like to highlight three points for my reflection today using the image of the mountain, whether literal or symbolic, which has a significant impact to our faith life. First is ascent, our going up to the mountain. As we go up to the mountain, we acknowledge our need of God. In our busy life with all its demands, we need space for ourselves. We need to go away in order to have a break from the usual things that we do, .to spend time with ourselves, and look back at what life has been to us with all its joys, pains, successes, failures, laughter and tears. At times, it is difficult for us to get in touch with ourselves, to climb up the possible mountains that we want to reach because there are some areas of our lives which are broken and need to be healed. It is our determination that energizes us to keep on moving amidst all the possible challenges that we will encounter along our way.

As we moved at the top of the mountain, we encounter the presence of God, the holy longing of our heart that only the love of God can satisfy. Staying at the top of the mountain, which is my second point, gives us a sense of wonder on how God works in our lives. Entering into this sacred space of our hearts where we feel the love of God despite our darkness brought by our selfishness and our inability to love genuinely. It is at the peak of the mountain where love made manifest and active in the form of burning bush experience of Moses that awaits the liberation of the Israelites; in the form of pillar of clouds that Elijah had seen the beatific vision of heaven and in the form of clouds being opened with a voice that comes from above saying “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”, as experienced by the three apostles. On the mountain, God and human become one. The mountain became the meeting place of human and divine. There could be no communion without openness on our part. The God of love reached out to us and lived among us.

That encounter should not remain at the mountain alone. Inspired by the consoling words of God to Moses, “Do not be afraid”, I will be speaking to pharaoh through you to let my people go. “Do not be afraid” as Jesus commanded Peter, James and John in preparation for their mission, reminding them that there could be no true glory without the cross. What was experienced in the mountain became the content of their proclamation. Their intimate encounter with Jesus’ divinity and humanity became their inspiration to go down the mountain where their hearts are burning as they keep on proclaiming the good news that God’s greatest power is love. Love that is so powerful that even sin and death cannot separate us from God. He gives Himself totally in Jesus Christ, God-made man. Through Jesus, with Jesus and in Jesus we are transfigured by his ultimate love on the cross. He offered his life to make us sharers of God’s divine life.

As we are gathered together in this celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we are experiencing as well our own transfiguration. In our ascent to the holy altar by contemplating the body and blood of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of what had happened in Mt. Calvary, the greatest love story of all time. Partaking his body in the form of bread during Holy Communion allows us to experience an intimate encounter with Jesus who now resides in our hearts. Now, he dispels the darkness of sin and the power of evil forces. And this is the good news. I and God are one. All of us are one. Our descent from the altar begins our mission. Now is the time to share this great experience of being loved as we go to the peripheries to meet our brothers and sisters weighed down by sickness, injustice, ignorance, and brokenness. We will not remain here in these four walls of the church without sharing the goodness of God’s great love to all of us. Let us go out and show how this love gives way to other’s transfiguration. Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

Parables of Jesus - 30 July 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

What are the true riches that we are looking for? Where can we find them? What make us think that these are the riches that satisfy us? In our journey, we often encounter these questions and they lead us to constant searching. Our heart is always restless because what we desire here on earth is not the end in itself.

There is a saying that the glory of God is seen and felt by someone whose faith life is active and dynamic. The glory of God is His kingdom and this kingdom is planted in the depths of our heart. In our heart, we encounter the true wealth. Once we find it, we are willing to give up everything that we have and hook ourselves into it. It is the wealth that only the love of God can give. A love that gives us life, strength, light and hope that no matter how difficult life seems to be we would always overcome all the challenges that would come our way. We just have to be patient because our loving God is always patient with us and he will never leave us in our journey in searching for the treasure he has entrusted to us.

Five years ago, I did my ministry with the kids in Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Manila. It is one of the biggest dumping sites of the country. I could not imagine that there is such a place like Smokey Mountain. I have seen the harsh reality of life where poor people were scavenging for food for them to survive. From sunrise to sunset, a huge flock of people both old and young, male and female, working together as they segregate the garbage to find things that would still have value in the market. They are already immune to the awful smell and the scorching heat of the sun because what they have in mind is how to survive. This is their treasure.

In my encounter with the locals, there was one young boy who caught my attention. His name was Romeo. He was 9 years old and the eldest of five children. I invited him to join us in our tutorial session every Saturday afternoon together with some other kids his age. He smiled at me and begun to tell me how eager he was to join our session only that he could not come early to join us. I asked him why, and he shared to me the reason. He said, “Brother, I am the eldest of my four siblings and my mother is very sick. I woke up early in the morning to help my father in scavenging and after that I go to the market to buy our food before I go to school. Sometimes I thought of quitting school but there is a part of me that holds on to my dream to finish school. We are poor and I know how my family struggle to survive. That is why I promise myself that I will strive hard to give my family a better future. I only dream of having a simple life where my family can eat three times a day. At times when I am tempted to quit, I just focus on what I can give to my family if I would finish my study. I condition my mind and body to work hard especially when I am sick. Most of all, I already set my heart that everything that I do is for my family. Hopefully, I could make it because every Saturday I help my neighbor in repacking the charcoal. It would be a big help for me especially that I receive P100 which is good enough for the medicine of my mother.” After he shared his story, he smiled at me with tears in his eyes. I was really struck by what he told me. I became emotional and I was out of words to express how I felt on that encounter.

Every word that I heard from him shows how God works in marvelous way. I thought I have many opportunities to bring God’s love to the people in Smokey Mountain. But I have realized that God was already there waiting for me. He taught me what love and sacrifice is all about through Romeo. Anything that is done in the context of love is life-giving, fulfilling, liberating and very inspiring. This is what the Gospel is all about. The living Word of God makes us go beyond ourselves and our comfort zone in order to make room for others. If the heart is full of love, humility, and compassion for others, then we can say that the Kingdom of God is already within us.

Reflecting on our readings for today, the common theme is all about seeking and finding the true treasure that God wants for us. In our first reading of the Book of Kings, Solomon was rewarded by the Lord because of his selfless motive. He was neither seeking for a long life nor earthly riches but what he asked for was wisdom. Wisdom that would help him discern what is right and wrong. With wisdom, he could help his people and address their needs for good governance.

Jesus Christ, the human face of God, is the true treasure that the Father has given us. When the heaven was opened, the Father sent His Son and through His Spirit of love, all of us became co-heirs of the kingdom. It was mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Romans that “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” We may not have everything that we want and long for in our earthly life. But one thing is sure. If we have God in our hearts then we have everything. This is ironic when our minds and hearts are set to temporal things that our world keeps on feeding us. I believe this is the reason why Jesus used concrete images rather than concepts in explaining what the Kingdom of God is all about. This is why he used a lot of parables because our own story is depicted in these parables. And we heard it from the gospel that Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a treasure in the hidden field. He says: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys the field.”

How about us? How do we define true riches? What are the riches that we are enjoying now? Do these riches satisfy the desires of our heart? Do they fill the emptiness of our hearts? All of us have our own ways and standards in associating richness in our lives. We could associate it with our dreams, professions, achievements, power, reputation, promotions and all our earthly belongings. Yes! These are all treasures. They all come from God. Everything that we enjoy here on earth comes from the generosity of our God. but we tend to limit God’s generosity thinking that what we have is for ourselves alone. The temptation for self-referential is always there. If these gifts make us apathetic, proud, greedy, judgmental and selfish, then this is not what God intends us to use these gifts. This is not the Will of God. It is because all the riches that we have is directed towards our constant search for the true treasure that only comes from God. This is the treasure that would bring us to an everlasting joy. It is the joy that gives us the true meaning of our life. May all our efforts, undertakings and daily endeavors bring us to the greatest treasure that comes from the Lord who sowed them in our hearts. It is in the heart where we bring out memories of love, compassion, goodness and gratitude to the Lord. These memories will make us active and dynamic participant of God’s mission. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be. Amen!

GOSPEL
Matthew 13:24-43

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

He proposed another parable to them. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’”

He spoke to them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.

Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

“Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

The Parable of the Weed - 23 July 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

Love conquers everything. This is the reason why all of us are here today. It is the love of God who made all these things possible. God is love, and out of perfect love, God created everything good. His love is everlasting and he won’t get tired doing marvelous things in our lives. But there are situations in life that shakes our ground and make us doubt the existence of this loving God. If God is love then why does evil exist? Why is there is so much pain, suffering and sins in this world? Where does this evil come from? Why would this loving and merciful God allow evil things to thrive? These are the questions that we keep on asking. No matter how much we analyzed and philosophize, we will not be able to collate any answers for these questions. It is only through the scandal of the cross that we could have a glimpse of the mystery of evil and sin. Our God became a victim of sin and evil. He entered into the darkness of humanity so that he could bring out the light of resurrection, a sign that God’s love is more powerful than any evil that exists.

If we look into our own lives we could attest that all our experiences are both good and bad. As a historical being, whatever we experience in life makes us the person that we are now. They have contributed a lot to our growth. Same with any drama series, we Filipinos easily relate on how the stories unfold, waiting for the clash between the protagonist and the antagonist. Whether it is a GMA or ABS-CBN teleserye, our attention is drawn to it. We are carried away by every scene that we watch. When we saw that the “bida” (protagonist) is being maltreated or exploited by the “contrabida” (antagonist), there is something in us that is triggered. We wanted to do something to curtail the wickedness of the “contrabida.” We wanted to give voice to our anger and at times we would wish to become the director/script writer of the movie so that we could allow goodness to triumph against evil. The success of any of these “teleseryes,” depends on how the actors and actresses affect the consciousness of the viewer. Every time we watch these “teleseryes” have we ever asked ourselves why we are angry. Is it because we know so many bad people in our lives that keep us reminding of the evil deeds that they have done to us? Is it because deep within us we are experiencing a battle between good and evil?

Deep within us there is a tension. There is chaos because the goodness in us is always in tension with our capacity to do evil. Why is that so? It’s difficult to fathom. No words could explain this reality. Why does a powerful God cannot eradicate this tension? As we look into our own lives, our heart is like a ground where both wheat and weeds grow together. This is the central theme of today’s gospel from the parables that Jesus taught to his disciples. Jesus simplified his language so that it would have a lasting effect to his audience. These parables are not just taken out of context. They were used to explain not only to those who are present in Jesus’ time but also to our present time. Our heart, the seat of our desires is the battle ground between good and evil. We have virtues and at the same time we have vices. We want to do good but on the other hand we become prisoners of our past and darkest areas of our lives. This is the reality of the world where we live in. At every step along our way, we encounter different events and make decisions in life. These decisions are either life giving or destructive. But no matter what happens, as long as we have faith as deep as the ocean and as wide as the horizon, then we will have the strength to overcome all our challenges.

For my reflection today, I would like to highlight that our faith life is an important element of God’s kingdom, and Jesus Christ used three metaphors to explain what the Kingdom of God is all about. Our faith life is a process. It is like a mustard seed that needs enough sunlight, water, and other nutrients which represent God’s grace and cooperation on our part to make this seed grow into a tree where birds come and make nests in its branches. Likewise, when our faith is lived out with words coupled by good deeds, it will be like the yeast which the woman took and mixed and became leavened bread. All these things will not happen within just a snap of a finger. It is a process.

In the process, we need first to appreciate our own goodness. All of us here are good because we are created by a good and loving God. We are created to be good and to do good. Our heart is like a mustard seed and yeast that the Lord is preparing for it to grow and bear fruit abundantly. As part of this process we need also to accept our faults, shadows, weaknesses and sinfulness. Even though we are created by good God, this goodness does not reflect on how we live out our lives. We make wrong decisions in life. We use our freedom in the wrong way. That is why we hurt others, we become insensitive to someone’s needs, and we even break our relationship with each other. In spite of this, God continues to love us. He is very patient with us. No matter how much we run away from Him, our God is patiently waiting for our return. And upon our return, we can be sure that He will do all that He could so that we won’t be lost again. When we are lost, he will search for us. Once he finds us, he will make sure that he will not give up on us.

This is His dream for all of us - that at the end of our earthy life we will be with him. During harvest time, may all of us be part of the wheat where God has wished for all of us. This is how the Lord loves us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God and this is something that gives us hope. Hope gives us energy to move on with our lives. In the end, it is goodness that prevails. Goodness will triumph over evil. May the love of God bring fruit to all our efforts in doing His will. The three parables are our own stories. May our lives reflect the wonderful lessons that Jesus wants us to live out. Amen!

GOSPEL
Matthew 13:1-23

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

The disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see, and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted, and I heal them.

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

“Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

The Parable of the Sower - 16 July 2017
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

What kind of ground are we? What kind of preparations have we done so far in order for the seed of faith to get into the depths of our hearts, germinate and yield a bountiful harvest? These are the questions that we need to ponder as we examine the kind of life that we have.

During my final comprehensive exam in theology, one of my panelists asked me, “Why do we need to make a sign of the cross? How would you explain the gesture that we are doing when we touch our forehead, our chest and our shoulder?” It sounded easy because we used to do this before and after any activity. But when I reflected on the gestures about touching our forehead (representing the Father), our chest (representing the Son) and our shoulders (representing the Holy Spirit), the first thing that came to my mind is how God moves in our lives. God moves in vertical and horizontal directions. God is present throughout human history. There was a time when our forefathers in the Old Testament thought of a God who just stayed somewhere out there. A God who showed might and power that even to mention His name “Yahweh” is prohibited. He only existed in the mind as a powerful and unreachable God. But in the fullness of time, God sent His Son out of perfect love. Now, God became one with us and shares our human condition. He took everything that is human except sin. Jesus Christ, the Word of God dwells in our heart.He stays in our heart through his Spirit to make us active sharers of his divine love. The more we share God’s presence in our lives, the more we become a fertile ground where good and bountiful harvest is expected from us. That’s how I understood the movement from our forehead to our chest and eventually to our shoulders which summarize how we journey with our faith life. Our faith should not remain on the head level alone. It must be deepened by a personal relationship with a God who loves us first, perfectly expressed by Jesus’ death on the cross as a sign of self-giving love. This love should form our hearts and reflect a deep personal relationship with Jesus. Ultimately, this personal relationship should be translated into action by loving, caring and understanding our brothers and sisters.

Our readings for today are full of symbolic images which point to a reality on how God manifests his ways. God is always at work using everything that we have so that He can establish His Kingdom here on earth. No one could stop Him in making His will be done in all circumstances of our lives. My theme for today’s reflection is the “generosity of the sower and the receptivity of the ground.” God, the source of everything is always generous. His generosity is limitless, boundless and unconditional. Oftentimes, it is us who put limits to His generosity, thinking that God’s grace is only available for good people. But God gives sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and unjust alike. Like in the story of Matthew’s gospel that we just heard……The sower went out to sow, as he sowed, some seeds fell on various grounds. Here the sower represents the act of God who lavishly poured out His love for us. As he sowed the seeds he was not thinking whether the seeds fell on the right ground or not. He just sowed them and waited for the right time for those seeds to bear fruit. Those seeds represent the Word of God, the living word that Jesus taught and lived out throughout his earthly life. It is the Word of God that brings sight for the blind, food for the hungry, freedom for the oppressed, healing for the sick, good news for the poor and light for those who lived in darkness. These seeds have a transformative power in us if we allow our hearts, the ground of our faith, by accepting and cooperating God’s work in us.

God, the generous sower, allowed the seed of faith to take root in our ground. But how open are we to receive His Word? In the parable, we encounter four kinds of ground where the seeds fell. These four kinds of ground represent our individual hearts which are the recipient of the seeds that Jesus constantly plants. Those seeds that fell along the path are those whose hearts are hardened by their self-gratifying needs. There is no room for the seed to take its roots because the ground is covered by layers of selfishness, complacency and indifference to the needs of others. The seeds that fell on the rocky ground are those whose hearts have initially accepted the Word of God with joy and excitement. But since the commitment to allow the seed to take its roots is not strong enough, the seeds wither. The commitment is shallow because the heart is pre-occupied with appearance and external observance of the law. The motivation was more of self-appraisal by giving impressions to others. The seeds that fell among thistles are those whose hearts are ready to cooperate with God as long as their lives run smoothly. If problems and difficulties come, when the journey of life becomes rocky and bumpy then the heart tends to falter. There are conditions set in allowing the seed to sprout on the ground. Then the last ground, the fertile one which makes the seeds grow and produce crops in hundredfold are those whose hearts are open to God in whatever circumstances of life. This ground has a solid foundation because the heart is totally open to the Will of God. And this is God’s dream for all of us. This is what our journey is leading to. But before we get to be this fertile ground, we need to recognize that at some point in our lives we are like those grounds which never bore fruit because of our self-centered ambitions and longings. If we won’t die with our pride, resentments, anger, fear, greed, cling to power and earthly riches, we will never bear fruit. This should not discourage us. In fact, we need to boast on our weaknesses and shortcomings because God’s grace has overcome it. God is always working in us. He never gets tired doing good things to us. He always does the first move to make our ground fertile and he will always wait for the right time for the good harvest. The Lord never gives up on us. No matter how rough the path is, how rocky and thorny the ground is..….our God is always generous. He was, He is and He will always be. How about us? Are we generous enough to allow our hearts, the ground of our faith, to make the seeds grow and bring forth a bountiful harvest? As we examine our hearts today, let us be humble and accept our need of God in our lives. Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 11:25–30

At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Praise of the Father / The Gentle Mastery of Christ
Reflection / Homily
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

Our faith is strongly link to our image of God. The more we discover God in our lives, the more we grow in faith. All of us have our own images of God. And these images are constantly evolving in our consciousness. Some might have an image of a punishing God, who usually associate that life’s tragedies is a punishment of God for the wrong things that we have done. Others might have an image of a controlling God, thinking that God suppresses human freedom. Human culpability is not at work here because everything is determined already by God. For us children in our times, we grew up with a notion that we needed to be good all the time so that God would reward us. Or else something bad might happen if we are being naughty. We all have these images. Either we got it from our parents, grandparents or friends. But predominantly our image of God is shaped by our experiences. We cannot impose our own image of God to someone who is still discovering who God is in his/her life.

Our readings for today re-echo the image of a God who loves us tenderly. A God who embraces us from all our pains, miseries and weaknesses. God is love. God is mercy. God’s profound tenderness. It is very beautiful and powerful image. Isn’t it? But is it true to all circumstances. Sometimes this image of a loving is being questioned by those people who are experiencing tragedies in life. I remember in one of my encounter in Divine Mercy Village in Cagayan de Oro City. Last December 15, 2011, a strong typhoon named “Sendong” hit my city and left a tremendous damages both properties and people’s lives. It seems that some parts of the city were like a ghost town. I have heard many stories of agony and despair. There was this woman who lost her husband and 4 children. Even until now their dead bodies were still missing. She is the only one who survived in her family. Looking at her I have no words to lighten her pain. I guess what she needed at that time is someone who could spend with her, being there to listen to her cry, anguish and grief. Where is God in the midst of tragedy? Why did God allow me to live? This is too much for me. What have I done to experience all this pain and suffering. God…God…God…why me? These are the questions that I heard from her. I have no answer. I cannot understand how she felt. She has all the right to express those things.

For my reflection today I would like to focus on three things which are essential in our journey of faith. First, we grow in faith when we journey to our inner self. At certain point in our lives we encounter events that would shake our ground. We don’t know what to do. We became helpless. Don’t be afraid to ask questions especially if this is the best way to express how we feel. We need to journey into our hearts, which is the seat of all emotions. We need to confront our pain, anguish, doubts, fears, worries and even our darkness. This is not an easy process. It would take courage and will. It would take patience and gentleness to oneself. In our first reading today as what has been prophesized by the prophet Zechariah “Shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem! For your king is coming, just and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey.” We are not alone in this journey. For we have a humble God who is riding in a donkey accompanying us on our way. God’s way is not like a magician who would take away all our feelings in just a snap of his finger. Our God will get into our feelings and keep telling us to have a space for Him. He would search those restless part within us and in there He will show how wondrous his deeds. He would show how profound his tenderness for all of us. Out of God’s initiative through the working of His grace, we would realize that no matter how painful the process is, no matter how broken we are…..there is always a spark of hope within us because our God has taken the most sacred space in our heart. And this is the 2nd point of my sharing; our journey of faith enables us to accept our need for God in our lives. We need to humble ourselves and accept the fact that we don’t have all the answers of our questions. Sometimes we just have to pause and allow those questions to give way to the inner working of the Spirit. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, we are reminded that “our existence is not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, because the Spirit of God is within us.” Whenever we have the Spirit within us, all our pains will be turned to joy, all our despair will be tuned to hope and all our brokenness will be turned to wholeness. This is how the Lord works. We just have to entrust everything to Him. He knows what to do. And this is the last point of my reflection; our journey of faith is leading us to the heart of God. When we recognize and confront all our feelings and acknowledge our need for God then our Lord conquers everything. What a consoling words that we just heard from the Gospel of Matthew: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest.” This is our journey of faith. Do not be afraid for our God is always with us. As we grow in faith, our image of God will also be purified. We just have to be patient, gentle and meek in heart. Every story of our faith journey always leads to a fruitful life.

The same story that I shared of that woman who have lost everything but through time God put back together all her brokenness. After 6 years, I have heard that the same woman is now one of the leaders in their Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC). The God whom she taught as a punishing God, a distant God and a God who doesn’t care is the God who brought healing and wholeness to her life. Yes she lost her love ones and everything that she has………but her faith transforms her in becoming the person that God wants from her. Her story is our story as well. We all have different circumstances but it’s the same journey that we are about to take…a journey of faith, a journey leading to the heart of God. My question is: “Do we make space for God in our lives?” May the tenderness of God’s love empower us always to entrust our lives to Him. Amen.

GOSPEL
Matthew 10:37–42

Jesus said to his apostles:
“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 his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple— amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

The Conditions of Discipleship / Rewards - 2 July 2017
Reflection
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

In my childhood years I used to hear my classmates saying: “When I grow up I want to become a doctor… I want to become a dentist… I want to become an actor… I want to become a lawyer… I want to become the president of the Philippines. These are the usual ambitions that any kids used to dream of. Then my teacher asked me and the rest of my classmates why we wanted to become someone like those we mentioned. Some responded that they want to be a doctor or lawyer because they want to get rich and famous. Others wanted to get special status in the community. And the list of reasons was getting longer and longer. I haven’t heard someone saying I want to become a priest. Even me myself I didn’t want to become a priest even the idea of serving in the Church was not yet in my consciousness.

While I was reflecting those responses I asked myself why is it that nobody wanted to become a priest. What does it take to become a priest? Are they the only one who can serve and become Christ’s disciples? Is it not possible that one can become a doctor and a disciple of Christ at the same time? Is it not possible that being a lawyer could also be Christ’s disciples as well? Why not? These are the questions that I often asked.

Oftentimes, we limit our understanding of being a disciples of Christ. As if being a disciple is only for selected few. My dear brothers and sisters all of us are called to discipleship. God does not prefer someone from the other. Every moment of our lives God is calling us to share in His mission. We are called in different ways. God can never be outdone in generosity. He keeps on giving us bountiful blessings to show how much He loves us.

Our calling is not about us. It is all about our God who loves us first and make us worthy to His call. But how do we know if God is calling us. How do we recognize His voice amidst the many voices that feed our restless heart? We are turn between two lovers, isn’t it? The world that we lived in keep telling us to become rich, to have more and more until all our worldly longings control our lives. The world re-echoes the message of power, fame and dominance. When we have special status in the society our life would be more dignified than the others. It breeds the culture of competition and exploitation. The more power you have the more voice you have in the society.

These are strong voices that affect our life’s choices and perspectives. These are the voices that make us difficult to understand what God wants from us. If our mind and heart is worldly then Jesus Christ will be the most uncomfortable person to be with. He would challenge us always because His life is contrary to the standards of the world. He came down from heaven not to live like the worldly king that we have. He came down not to store earthly riches and to have power that ostracized others. But Jesus came down to give us life and to teach us what servant hood is all about. He came down to teach us how to love, how to gives ones’ self to others and most especially to teach us how to live our lives with deep faith in Him and His Father. Even in our trying times when we ask whether God abandoned us, Jesus gave us a profound answer in His death on the cross. For Jesus, suffering done outside the context of love is torture. But is suffering is done in the context of love is salvific. It is life-giving. He gave us the real meaning of suffering. This is the cost of discipleship.

In our readings for today, what is being highlighted are the values necessary for someone who wish to follow Jesus. The values that are non-negotiable in becoming God’s disciple in shaping the world through the values that God wants us to uphold. In our first reading in the Book of Kings, we encounter the hospitality and generosity of the rich woman to Elisha. Her discerning heart makes her believe that Elisha is a holy man of God. When the prophet visited her house she was receptive to the invitation of God. Her hospitality was enormous which made her home a dwelling place for the prophet. God is indeed never be outdone in generosity. Her generosity was rewarded by an unexpected blessing which is to bear a son. A great gift that only God can give. In our lives, how open are we to receive stranger. How do we treat those who are different from us especially the poor and the voiceless members of our society? Are we generous with them? Are we open with them or we just ignore thinking that they don’t exist at all. If our lives form part of Jesus’ mission then it will be fruitful and life-giving.

When we follow Jesus our life will be transformed. Our life will never be the same again. And every transformation there is a corresponding cost. There is a price to pay. And that is price is too great and precious that earthly wealth can’t buy. There can be no resurrection without crucifixion. There could be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. There is no shortcut in following Jesus. Discipleship is always a process and this process involves dying and rising. And this is the message of our 2nd reading today from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans and the Gospel of Matthew, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me is not worthy of being my disciple.” What are our crosses today? Are they heavy enough to endure in our road to discipleship? It’s good to reflect our crosses in life. It could be our wrong decisions that we made in life. For some their crosses would be the kind of life that that they have now which is full of fear, anxiety, greed, envy and low self-esteem. Could it also be our difficulty to forgive ourselves which make us difficult as well to forgive others and eventually accepting God’s forgiveness? Or could it be our favorite sin that blocks our growth in becoming the person that God wants us to be. God knows our crosses and he wants us with full trust to surrender those crosses to Him. There is nothing that the Lord can’t do for us. He loves us so much. He died for us. And there is no greater love than this. Are we willing to follow Jesus and be his disciples in this fast changing world? You, I and all of us are called by God. May we have an open heart to respond to His invitation. Amen.

Poyong, The Little Prince
Kurt Zion, Columban Father, Philippines
(Repost from Columban Interreligious Dialogue http://columbanird.org/)

“Mamiss kita kuya!” (I will miss you big brother!), Poyong said while I sipped my last cup of coffee on the island. During that entire week, I got to know him and his friends. On the first day on the island, a medical mission was being conducted which included free circumcision operation for boys. He bravely volunteered to be circumcised and so we accompanied him.

I had been living on the island for almost a week as part of the Silsilah Summer Course on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in Zamboanga City, where young Muslims and Christians come and live together for about a month. After the course I decided to spend a week on the island of Great Sta. Cruz.

The first occupants of the island were Tausugs who left Jolo to escape the war and fighting during martial law days. Now there are about 87 registered families and a total population of about 400 people on the island. I was adopted into the family of Isnira (Ka Indah) and Hanapi Kasan, a couple with their two sons, Firsaud and Rashid. The family lives with the parents of Ka Indah, Inah Amina and Amma Ali. The family also looks after Poyong and his sister Jamila, who are the children of Ka Indah’s sister.

One evening, I found Ama Ali praying inside the house. After his prayers, he told me that as a young man, he decided to focus his life to Allah and perform the “ibadat” which includes doing the “lima waqto” or praying five times a day. After he was done praying, I got a chance to ask him if I go with him to catch crabs and he told me I could. On that night we spoke about life on the island. Amma Ali observed that things has changed, men don’t have time any more to pray but just work and work because life is getting harder and harder on the island. I asked him about a rosary-like thing I saw him carrying one time. He stood up and after some time came back and showed it to me. Then he gave me one of them. The rosary–like thing I referred to was the “tasbih” which they use in reciting the glories/names of Allah.

Amma Ali and I finally went out to catch some crabs the next morning. We sat on the boat and slowly paddled out into the sea. Amma Ali uses a crab trap called “panggal” and he has about 10 of them. We went into lagoon. He dropped the traps as we went deeper into the lagoon. When he was done, he exclaimed, “Allahu Akbar!” (God is great!) then we went on shore to the place were he takes his rest. I noticed there were newly planted mangrove shoots near the shore and so I asked him about them. He told me that he used to cut a lot of mangrove trees for firewood and other things and so in order to replaced what he took from the mangrove forest, he has been planting mangrove trees. Most of the other trees he planted like guavas, lemon and papaya were dying out because of the dry weather. After about an hour, he decided we return to check the traps. He picked up all the traps and only 3 crabs were caught but still he said, “Alhamdullilah!” (Praise be to God!) He added that these days he has been getting less and less, smaller and smaller crabs. He considers the pollution and over harvesting of crabs to be the reason why there are lesser and smaller crabs.

Inah Amina teaches children to read the Quran. Everyday girls and boys come to do “pangadji” or the reading of Quran, some of them to it in a singing manner and are very beautiful to listen to. Among those that come is “Edeng” another grandson of Inah Amina. Edeng comes to the house to check on me and join me on my walks together with the other children. Edeng is the son of Ka Badzair, who is the eldest brother of Ka Indah and the community leader of the island.

My encounter with Poyong the Little Prince, the family of Ka Indah and the entire community on the island helped me understand what dialogue is all about. I remember the conversation of the Little Prince and the Fox. The Little Prince asked the fox to play with him and the fox told him that the prince has to tame him first. Taming is according to the fox like establishing ties. Fr Michel de Girord used the story of the Little Prince to explain what dialogue is in his book “A Parable of Dialogue: The Little Prince Revisited”. Dialogue requires taming the other person. It means that like the fox we are all wild to one another – we unknown to each other, strangers and sometimes violent to each other. We must also allow ourselves to be tamed. I am like the fox to the people of the island. The island and the people have tamed me. I have been considered a friend and a family. Poyong, the Little Prince has tamed me. The fox told the little prince a secret: “It is only through the heart that one can see rightly what is essential is invisible to the eye.” May we begin to see the other through our hearts and not merely through our eyes!

What I have learned about IRD from this, and other experiences?

Interreligious dialogue is about building relationships. It requires more than just understanding the other at the intellectual level like answering empirical questions. It is a lived experience – something one has to encounter, using all the senses.

Dialogue requires that one is not just interested to learn from them but to show genuine interest, how? studying their faith, attending their religious celebrations, asking real and not just for the sake of asking kind of questions. It must also go beyond intellectual inquiries but more into personal interaction later on. Dialogue is not imposing oneself on people but making oneself vulnerable and open to people. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open, people will see we are sincere and not just patronizing them. Allowing ourselves to be tamed.


At an Indian wedding in Fiji With Columbans in Yangon

On a personal level, IRD has allowed me to evangelize through dialogue of life. It has personally deepened my own faith and demands of me to understand, study and know more not just the other’s faith but also about my own self and faith. It also expanded my perspective about life and helped me in overcoming my introversion by learning to reach out first and become more vulnerable and open to people. Lastly, I have found IRD is a great platform for other Society priorities like JPIC.

(All photos by Fr. Kurt Zion)

Courage Under Persecution - 25 June 2017
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

Do not be afraid. This is one of the most consoling words of Jesus that he always used to strengthen the faith of His disciples. I was amazed when I found out that these words “Do not be afraid” appear 365 times in the bible. And we know that there are 365 days in a year. It only shows that our God is reminding us that we are not alone in our journey. When things go wrong and when difficulties shake our ground, the Lord gives us the assurance that He will take care of us. He is with us every moment of our lives.

But brothers and sisters, how would these words of our Lord appeal to us when we are facing the different forms of evil in our society today. When we open our television or even the front page of the newspaper, the usual news that we encounter always inflict fear on us. On-going armed conflict in Marawi, terrorists attack in different parts of the world, widespread of deadly diseases, increasing number of victims in extrajudicial killing and continuing climate change which gives rise to different natural calamities. These are some of the recurring social issues that we are facing today which make us afraid of.

When we look into our own lives, we have many things also that we are afraid of. We are afraid if we still have enough food on the table. We are afraid to fail in an exam which would deem our chances of having a brighter future. We are afraid to fall in love because of the possibility to get hurt. We are afraid to reveal our true selves because of possible rejection from our friends and colleagues. We are afraid to open up to our love ones about some secrets of our lives because they may alienate us. We are afraid if we still have enough wealth in the bank, if we still have power to hold on and if we still have fame to boast ourselves. And the worst thing is that we are afraid that our sinful condition would give rise to God’s anger and anything unpleasant things that happened in our lives, we often associate it that God is punishing us. It’s sad to say that even our image of God is affected by our fears within us.

Fear is a greatest obstacle of faith. Fear paralyzes us to become the best version of ourselves that God wants us to be. We experience all these fears in every circumstances of our lives because we don’t know what will happen in the future. But our readings for today invite us to get in touch with our fears and allow God to have space in our lives so He may touch those areas which are not life giving. As Christians we are always work in progress in becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. In our own journey, God is always cooperating with us. In our desire to follow Him we will be disturbed by some events in our lives. It is normal for us to experience fear because we don’t have the full control of our lives.

I would like to bring out three points for my reflection today. My first point is (1)recognition. When we follow Jesus it is not automatic that we will be exempted from life’s challenges. The more we get closer to him the more we get in touch with our fears. The more we recognize our need for Him. It’s good to recognize our fears and to be honest to our Lord on how those fears affect us. But recognizing our fear is not the end of the story, we need to recognize as well that God’s providential care is bigger than our fears. It was shown in the 1st Reading for today that Jeremiah was denounced by his compatriots for speaking on behalf of God. Nevertheless, he remained faithful to his mission. He is telling us that we need to expel from our mind all our fear and worry because God is with us, he will protect us from all evil. We should not allow our fear to control us. Let God handle our fears and use them for His greater purpose.

If we remained faithful to Him despite the overwhelming challenges that we may encounter along our way, the Lord will liberate us from all our fears. And this is the second point of my reflection, 2) Liberation. This is the reason why Jesus Christ became human like us to liberate us from our brokenness, sinfulness and all worries in this world. True security does not lie on worldly things. It only comes from God, the source of joy and fulfillment. As what St. Paul said in his letter to the Romans that “The grace of God is great and it is a free gift given to us in and through Jesus.” Every act of surrendering all our worries in life and believing that God will take in charge; it is already an experience of liberation.

Once our faith is deepened then we become a new creation. We are no longer those people who lived in darkness because what operates in us is the transforming power of God. And this is the last point of my reflection, 3) transformation. This is the ultimate end of our discipleship. But we won’t have a transformative experience if we don’t go through the first two elements which are recognition and liberation. We have confidence that we will go through this process because of God’s grace. We are special in God’s eyes. It is very clear in our gospel that Jesus commanded us “Do not be afraid, we are worth than many sparrows”

Through this reflection, let us ask ourselves this question. “What are the things that you are afraid of? Offer it to God in this Holy Mass and asked for His grace that you will have the courage to recognize them. As you recognize them, believe in his liberating power that He will fix all the brokenness of your lives. By doing this you will no longer be the person who lives in fear. You are now a transformed and new creation that the Lord wants you to be. Be a channel of God’s healing love to others. Do not be afraid. Amen.

GOSPEL
John 6:51–58

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
(Corpus Christi) - 18 June 2017
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

Do you remember the movie Titanic, Maging Sino Ka Man, and Only you? Or even the famous tagline “May forever ba?” Sounds familiar, isn’t it? We are fun of watching romantic movies. Oftentimes we are carried away on how the story unfolds. We even rushed to the story line and jumped to a conclusion that would resort a happy ending. No matter how beautiful the story is nothing could match the greatest love story which happened 2000 years ago. It is a love story of God to humanity expressed by Jesus in Mt. Calvary. Jesus, the human face of God, took the form of a servant and became obedient even up to death, death on the cross. A death which changed the entire course of human history. A death that liberates, heals, transforms and unites. We bring the memory of that love story now. Jesus is here with us now. He tells us how much he loves us. In the form of bread and wine, Jesus is reaching us and inviting us to receive Him. Holy Eucharist, the sharing of Christ body and blood is a celebration of love, a love that is so inspiring which even until now we still celebrate. There is no greater love than this.

When I was in Peru, I did my mission in a far-flung community which is 4600 meters above sea level, three times higher than Mt. Apo. It is at the top of the Andes Mountain. Imagine how high it is and I even had a problem of breathing because of less oxygen. I felt dizzy and freezing at that time. But one thing that took away my dizziness was when I saw a significant number of people from other distant communities with huge baskets full of fruits and root crops, who were hiking for almost 6 hours just to attend the Mass and there is only one Mass in a year in that community. When they arrived in a small chapel…..they were all excited and their smile was very contagious as they started to greet each other. Then we proceeded to the celebration of the Mass. During the offertory as their leader brought the bread and wine to the altar, they also offered all the fruits of their labor. Everyone participated fully, consciously, and actively in the Mass. It’s a foretaste of a heavenly banquet. After the mass we had lunch together. Whatever they have had they shared it among themselves.

From that story, I could bring out three points for my reflection in relation to our readings for today. My first point is (1)our desire to know our want for God in the Eucharist. In our First Reading in the book of Deuteronomy, it was said “Yahweh made you experience want but he gave you manna to eat for you to show that one does not live on bread alone, but also by everything that comes from the mouth of God.” Looking at their journey who had spent 5-6 hours in a narrow and rocky road under the heat of the sun just to reach the chapel and attend the celebration of the Holy Mass, shows how much they hunger and thirst for God. They know what they want. It’s more than earthly food. It is the bread of life. Their sacrifice was meaningful because after their long journey they have encountered the real presence of Jesus in the appearance of bread and wine. As they received His Body and Blood they became one with Him and which is the 2nd point of my reflection (2)our desire to be in communion with God and others in the Eucharist. As what St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians says “The bread is one and so we, though many, form one body, sharing the one bread.” As they offer all their baskets filled with fruits as a symbol of their gratitude to the Lord for a good harvest, they also offered their challenges, pains, dreams, joys and hopes for each other as one community gathered by a loving God who is always been part of their journey. Their admiration to the Eucharist is so intense which moved me deeply. They may not have the same opportunity to attend masses regularly like us here in Malate but their understanding of the Eucharist was so rich and deep. When they shared what they have after the mass, it expresses how their faith has been nourished and became a living witness of what Eucharist is all about. As what we have heard in the Gospel, “I am the living bread. The bread I shall give is my flesh, and I will give it for the life of the world.” And this is the last point of my reflection, (3)our desire to be transformed to be a living witness of God’s love in the Eucharist. For them there is no gift which is too small. A gesture of compassion, care respect and generosity are the fruits of the Eucharist. True love transcends. Sacrifice born out of love is what Jesus wants us to imitate. And this is the meaning of the Holy Mass.

If we only understand the true meaning of what we are celebrating today “The Body and Blood of Christ” and allowed ourselves to be transformed by the grace that this sacrament brings I believe there will be no beggar on the streets. There will be no violence and hatred among nations. There will be no greed, selfishness, division, corruption and dominance in this world. Because what God wants from us is to share that greatest love story in every people we meet through our words and deeds. Happy feast day and Father’s day as well. Amen.

GOSPEL
John 3:16–18

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Feast of the Holy Trinity - 11 June 2017
Reverend Erl Dylan Tabaco

When I was young around 4 years old, my mother taught me how to make the sign of the cross. That was the earliest memory that I had about the Trinity, the first catechism that I had believing in One God in three persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. As I grew up I became accustomed to it since every gathering that we have had, either in school, church or in our house, we always start and end by making sign of the cross as we invoked the presence of the Trinity. It sounds very simple, even small kids could recite it audibly. But my familiarity with this basic doctrine of our Christian faith remained only as an idea, an abstract idea enough for me to say that I am a Christian, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. The more I became familiar to it the more questions that were puzzling my mind. How can I reconcile my belief that there is only one God but there are three persons? Whom am I worshipping to? Is it the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit? Is there any difference when I only pray to the Father in the morning, Son in the afternoon and Holy Spirit in the evening? What does Holy Trinity is all about?

Trying to understand the reality of the Trinity by using concepts, Bible, theology books or even symbols, we will always fall short in understanding its fullness because Trinity is not an idea. It is a living reality bound by loving communion of the three persons in one God. Our task as a Christian is not to explain fully the doctrine of the Trinity. After all Christianity as religion is not just a list of doctrines. Christianity is about relationship. Hence, outside the context of relationship, Trinity is impossible to understand. Human intellect is not enough, we need God’s grace. It is the grace of God, the Spirit of God who continuously forms our consciousness and transforms our lives to make the Triune God visible within us in the way we relate with others.

We have heard in our first reading in the book of Exodus, that Yahweh is a God full of pity and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in truth and loving kindness. Upon hearing this, it presupposes that God from the very beginning want to have a loving relation with us and the rest of his creation. His love is creative and since it is creative, he always provides. God desires humanity to enter into his inner life. This inner life of God speaks of the mutual love of the three persons in one Godhead. Every time we profess our faith during the Mass, we stand in awe and wonder on how God works in our lives. He never stops working in us. Each day is always an opportunity to grow in love with a God who loves us first. Our Creed is Trinitarian in structure: the Father and the Son are united in the Spirit of love. The inmost secret of all reality is the divine loving communion. Trinity is a relationship, it is a community bound by mutual love. Whenever there is an act of love, an act of compassion and an act of mutual sharing, the presence of the Triune God is there. As our 2nd reading in the 2nd letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians highlighted “The grace of Christ Jesus the Lord, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. He is with us today. This is the reason why we are all gathered here celebrating as one community in Our Lady of Remedies Parish. It’s good to hear that as we celebrate Trinity Sunday, we are also celebrating Parish day bearing the theme “Pagdiriwang ng Pag-ibig ng kabanal-banalang Trinidad sa Sangnilikha.”

This celebration reminds us of our own calling. We are all different in terms of gifts, history, interests and skills. Yet we share the same calling, our vocation to love. Seeing the things that is happening in our world today, armed conflict in Marawi, extra-judicial killing, destruction of our natural resources, persecution of Christians in different parts of the world, wide gap between the rich and the poor, it’s difficult to feel the loving presence of God. So many questions that may come out in our mind. But you know what brothers and sisters, our God is capable of embracing all of human history with all its sinfulness, brokenness and limitations. God draw straight in crooked lines. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Amidst all these happenings, we are always a community of hope because of our faith that God would never abandon us. We know that out of super-abundant love, God created us and shared his Love for all of us so that in return we will love Him by loving each other and the rest of his creation. This is our challenge to continue hoping and believing. And this is the heart of the message of our Gospel today…..God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but may have eternal life. Jesus the human face of God taught us how to live. As he was sent by the Father to show how much we are loved, we are also sent to show to others how loving our God is.

The mutual self-giving of the Father and the Son bound by the Spirit of love should be our model on how we should live out our lives. It is the love of the Triune God that guides all our decisions in life. This is our mission. It is in the silent sanctuary of our own hearts that we make room for the transforming power of love to grow within us and radiate through us. Love is something that gives meaning to our existence because we are all created out of love. After all love without action remains an abstract idea. But if love is lived out and practiced it becomes a reality that would change the present structure of our world. Each day is an opportunity to let this love grow in whatever ways we express. It is only in loving that would help us understand the Trinity. Start loving yourself and let this love grow in your family, community and to where God is leading us to make a better world. Have a Blessed Trinity Sunday to all.

GOSPEL
John 17:1–11a

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.”

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”

7th Sunday of Easter - 28 May 2017
Fr. Leo Distor

Maaring marami sa atin ngayon dito ay may mga pamilya, kamag-anak o mga kakilala na nasa sa ibang bansa at malayo sa atin. Marami sa ating mga kababayang mga ina at ama, anak, kapatid o asawa ang lumilisan sa bayan at nangingibang-bayan ay sadyang iniiwan ang pamilya upang mag-trabaho sa malayo at kumita ng mas malaki-laki.

Nguni’t alam natin na ang paglisan o pangingibang-bayan ng mga kababayan natin ay hindi pag-alis upang mahiwalay, o upang mapalayo. Ito ay isang pagsasakripisyo na ang pakay ay upang lalong mapaghandaan ang darating na kinabukasan ng kanilang mga mga mahal sa buhay. Itong paglisang ito ay hindi pagpapabaya o pamamaalam, kundi pagsisikap, pagtitiyaga, para sa ikagaganda ng buhay ng kanilang mga mahal at ang katuparan ng buhay na ito para sa mga mahal ay tunay nilang tagumpay at kagalakan.

Si Jesus man ay lumisan … umakyat sa kalangitan. Madalas nating ilarawan ang Pag-akyat ng Panginoong Hesus sa langit bilang pag-iwan na sa atin dahil tapos na ang kanyang laban. O kaya naman bilang pagkakamit na niya ng korona ng tagumpay dahil nakamit na niyang muli ang kanyang luwalhati bilang Anak ng Diyos. O kaya naman, tila ito pagpapasa na ng Panginoon sa kanyang mga alagad ng misyon na sinimulan Niya at sila na lang ang bahalang magpatuloy nito.

Hindi umakyat ang Panginoon upang lumisan, kundi upang luwalhatiin ng Ama. Iniluklok ng Ama si Hesus sa kaluwalhatian kung saan ay taglay Niya ang lahat ng kapangyarihan at kaluwalhatian ng langit. Naangkin ni Hesus ang lahat ng kapangyarihan sapagkat bilang ibinangon ng Diyos mula sa kamatayan ay kaniya ang tagumpay at siya ang itinatanghal na Panginoon ng sanlibutan at tagapagligtas ng buong daigdig. Ito ang ipinagdiriwang natin ngayon.

Ang pag-akyat ng Panginoon ay hindi pamamaalam, hindi upang mawala sa ating piling kundi pananatili sa ibang paraan, sa mas mataas na antas sa pamamagitan ng biyaya,. Ang pag-akyat niya ay hindi paglisan kundi para Kanyang tuluyang gawang pagliligtas, at sa pakikipagsalamuha sa atin sa pamamagitan ng kanyang sambayanang Kristiyano….ang kanyang simbahan. Nais ni Hesus na ang lahat ay maging kanyang mga alagad. At ang kanyang pangako….. ay lahat ng araw siya ang kapisan at kaagapay.

Sa pag-akyat ni Hesus sa langit, dala-dala Niya tayo sa kanyang isip, sa kanyang puso. Naalala niya lagi tayo habang nasa luwalhati kasama ng Ama at ng Espiritu Santo. Nananabik siyang makapiling tayong muli at makaugnay muli.

Ang Pag-akyat niya sa langit ay hindi para sa kanyang kabutihan, o kapahingahan, o kaluwalhatian lamang. Bumalik siya sa Ama para sa kapakanan ng kawan na tinipon niya sa lupa, para sa bayang ipinagkasundo niya sa Kaharian ng Diyos. Hindi ba sabi niya na babalik siyang muli?

Ang hamon ay nasa ating mga kamay, hamon na maging tapat sa ala-ala ni Hesus. Ngayong hindi natin siya nakikita sa harapan, minamahal din ba natin ang kanyang ala-ala at lagi ba tayong nabubuhay na may pagtitiwalang nananatili siya sa atin? May pananabik ba tayong makasama siya sa ating buhay? Ang panahon ng pagkakahiwalay natin sa Panginoon ay oras upang pahalagahan at gamitin na inspirasyon ang ala-ala ni Hesus saating pamumuhay. Iniisip niya tayo lagi, ganoon din ba tayo sa kanya?

Pero, tingnan nating muli ang ebanghelyo … Hindi siya lumisan. Hindi siya namaalam. Patuloy siyang nananatili, pero may iniutos siya sa atin: “Humayo kayo at gawing disipulo ko ang buong daigdig.” Tayo ay itinalaga ni Hesus bilang isang kapatiran ng mga misyonero, mga sugo niya, upang ang lahat ng tao ay makaisa niya sa buhay at pag-ibig ng Diyos. Tayo ay inatasan ni Hesus na ipangaral ang kanyang salita at tanggapin ang sumasampalataya sa ating sambayanang Kristiyano - sa ating kapatiran.

Tayo ay pinagkalooban niya ng kapangyarihan na sa kanyang pangalan ay gawin nating mga alagad niya ang lahat ng mga tao. At siya ay mananatili sa piling natin sa bawat sandali. Siya ang magbibigay sa atin ng lakas at tatag. Siya ang kaisa natin at kapiling kasama ng Ama at ng Espiritu Santo hanggang sa katapusan, na siyang simula ng walang hanggan.

Sa ulitin, ang pag-akyat ay pananatili sa piling natin. Ang pag-akyat niya ay isang paghamon, upang tayo ay gumanap sa kanyang ginanap, ang katotohanan tungkol sa kung sino siya … ang Diyos na sumasaatin!

Ang pag-akyat ni Hesus sa langit ay simula ng bagong panahon. Ito ay ang panahon ng simbahan –ikaw, ako, tayo na puno ng Banal na Espiritu upang ipagpatuloy ang gawang pagliligtas ng Panginoon. Ang kaluwalhatian ng Panginoon ay ang siya rin nating kakamtin. Bawat isa sa atin ay may nakalaang tahanan sa Panginoon. At hindi lamang natin ito makakamtan sa kabilang buhay.

Ayon kay Santo Papa Benedicto, ang pagtungo natin at pakikipag-ugnay sa Panginoon, ay ang nagdudulot sa atin ng langit. Kung magkagayon, ang langit ay hindi lugar dun sa kalawakan, Ang langit ay nasa sa pakikiisa natin.

GOSPEL
John 14:15–21

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

6th Sunday of Easter - 21 May 2017
Fr. Leo Distor

Today Peter tells us in the epistle, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” Peter’s statement implies that Catholics are supposed to be persons of hope; and that we need to be capable and ready always to give the reasons for our hope to anyone who asks us. This proclamation of hope is an essential part of the Good News each of us is called to live and proclaim.

This Gospel of Hope is needed today as much as ever because so many people are living without hope. Many are led to fear, despair and suffering by things and situations in the world - the threat of terrorism, the destruction of environment, the problems flowing from drugs and poverty in our own country. Many lose hope due to situations in their own lives —problems at home – marital problems, family problems, difficulties in work places, various health complications and so many other personal situations. Even within the Church, there are other problems that make people lose hope – scandals in the church, many people are not living-out the faith and people come to church only to pray and ask for their self-centered needs. In positions of leadership, there is the failure of many to lead a life that truly cares for the welfare of others and to sacrifice for the people. With all of these problems we cannot seem to hope and succeed in the struggle to live as God wants.

But despite all of these challenges, which are not greater than the challenges that Peter faced in his own time, we should not despair. Peter easily could have despaired because the challenges far exceeded his human ability to face it, but He counted on the Lord to give him what he needed. That’s why Peter’s words to us today in his first letter are so important.

The fundamental reason for our hope has nothing to do with our individual talents, bright personalities, educational attainments, great accomplishments, important connections. The essential reason of our hope is GOD. Hope is based on the deep conviction that God is faithful to his promises, that he will always give us what we need and what is best for us. He who is the all-powerful Lord of the universe loves us with an everlasting love, from which no human situation, no matter how seemingly desperate, can separate us from Him. During this Easter Season, we celebrate the fact that not even Jesus death on the cross can extinguish hope! We have hope because God brought the greatest good out of the worst evil on Good Friday.

One essential reason for our hope today is that God has come back to life through the Holy Spirit. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that when he goes.

GOSPEL
John 14:1–12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, 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, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? 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 speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”

5th Sunday of Easter - 14 May 2017
Fr. Michael Martin

One friend says: Home is where the heart is.
Another prefers: Home is where you are understood.

A young man got involved in crime. He became a robber, and spent 3 years in jail.
Not a single one of his family visited him. He felt disowned by them
Others helped him change. He himself took the initiative and wrote to his parents:
I will be released soon. I do not know if you ever want to see me at home again.
If you do want me to go home: Pin a huge white ribbon on the top of the tall fruit tree in our garden.
If you pin a ribbon on the tree, I will see it from the train which runs past our house.
On the train, he could not sit at rest. The man beside him was willing to listen:
Where is your house, I will keep watch for the tree, but may I ask:
What then is your plan if there is no ribbon?
I will know then that I have no home to go to ever again!
Nervously, the companion kept vigil. Yes, we are getting close now “LOOK, LOOK” the companion said, as both of them looked again and saw the tree, now covered with so many white ribbons

Pope Francis has repeatedly said to us all: Welcome home, the Church was your home; the Church is your home. WELCOME HOME. HEAVEN is our promised home

Jesus repeatedly said: I AM THE WAY, Jesus says. I am going home. I will not leave you orphans. I will come and bring you to where I am. I am the Truth, I am the LIFE. Another translation reads: I am the way, which is Truth and life.

TRUTH: We are a community which gathers to hear God’s word, prays together, cares for one another and for all life and creation, breaks the bread, and is faithful to the teaching of the Apostles.
Is it true that EJK does not apply to drug addicts? It is not true. It is lies. Drug victims are humans like you and me. Shame on the Speaker of such words.
Would you believe words like that or do we not admire WHISTLE BLOWERS who speak the truth and have everything to lose and little to gain? LIFE Death penalty handout

Are Malate’s financial reports on our Parish blackboards TRUE? I am the way, which is TRUTH
Jesus, the Risen Lord, says to us today:

Home has many mansions - all people are welcome - all are invited - walk the way I walked

Parents get a letter from a daughter coming home to Ireland after several years in Australia/I Will take the boat from England to Ireland/Mother says she will meet her/ Daughter says she will wear a red skirt……

Mother: Do you think a mother will not know her daughter, will not recognize her child
Do you think I could ever fail to recognize you, my daughter?

Jesus will recognize you. He has said so. He keeps his promises

Jesus knows that you witnessed to the truth….and respected life.

You were life giving, healing & uplifting spirits, especially the spirits of those most denied life – in our land, in our parish, in our world today.

Amen!

GOSPEL
John 10:1-10

Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came be-fore me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

4th Sunday of Easter - 7 May 2017
Fr. Leo Distor

Ang ika-apat na Linggo ng Pagkabuhay ay laging nakatalaga bilang Linggo ng Mabuting Pastol. Sa ating pagninilay sa mga magandang katangian ng pastol mauunawaan natin ang pag-mamahal, pagmamalasakit, pag-gabay, at pagtatanggol sa atin ni Hesus bilang mabuting pastol.

Kung mayroong plano ang Diyos sa atin bilang kanyang mga anak ito’y para sa ating ikabubuti, hindi niya hangad na tayo’y mapahamak kundi nangangarap siya para sa ating ikabubuti. Ang Diyos natin ay hindi lang natin Diyos, kundi Siya’y ating maituturing na Pastol; isang Mabuting Pas-tol na naghahangad lang sa atin ng isang matagumpay na buhay at isang buhay na ganap, sabi nga sa Salmo Responsorio dinadala tayo ng ating Pastol sa “mainam na pastulan at tahimik na batisan.

Sa ating kapanahunan ngayon, maingay ang ating kapaligiran. Marami ang sala-salabat na tinig, marami ang salu-salungat na takbo ng isipan … maraming umaakit at nananawagan ng ating atensyon. Lahat ay nagpapanggap na may hatid na katotohanan … lahat ay nagsasabing wala nang dapat pang pakinggang iba pa. Ito na at wala nang iba.

Sa panahon natin ngayon, ang buhay ay masyado nang komplikado. Marami ang nakakatakot at nakakapangamba na mga kaganapan sa ating paligid. Naririyan ang patuloy na pagpaslang sa ating kapwa-tao sa ngalan ng digmaang kontra droga sa paniniwalang ang ganitong paraan ay ma-ghahatid sa ating bansa ng ligtas, matiwasay at maginhawang buhay. Naririyan din ang pagkasira at pagpaslang ng ating kalikasan sanhi ng pagtataguyod ng sariling interés ng iilang nagpapakasasa na sa kanilang yaman subalit hangad pa rin ang magpayaman, kayat patuloy pa rin ang dusa ng kalikasan at ng mga kapatid nating mga katutubo dahil sa iresponsableng pagmimina. Naririyan pa rin ang pamamayagpag sa ating mga pamunuan sa ating gobyerno ang kawalan ng tunay na pag-mamalasakit at pagtataguyod para sa tinatawag na ‘common good” at pilit na itinataguyod ang ba-tas na walang puso para sa mga maliliit, kung kaya’t talamak at tumitindi pa rin ang kahirapan at pagdurusa ng nakararami.

Kung minsan parang dumarating na tayo sa punto na nagtatanong tayo sa ating sarili, “nasaan na ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos sa mga kalagayang ito”, “Nasaan na ang mabuting pastol na gagabay at magliligtas sa atin? Maaaring ang dapat na ating katanungan ay, “kinikilala ba natin ang Diyos na tunay nating pastol”?, “kilala at pinakikinggan ba natin ang kanyang tinig”?, “tayo ba ay mabubuting tupa”?

“Nakikinig sa akin ang aking mga tupa; nakikilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin”. Sa isang maiksing pangungusap nasasaad dito ang mga katangian na inaasahan sa mabuting tupa. Una, nakikinig ang mga tupa sa tinig ng pastol.

Sa dami ng opinyon na isinusubo sa atin mula sa media, mga namumuno sa ating lipunan at sa maraming iba pa, nakakalito kung sino ang pakikinggan. Kung di tayo mag-iisip at magbabantay sa mga mali, at di tayo matibay sa ating pananampalataya, madali tayong matatangay ng iba’t-ibang ingay sa kapaligiran.

Ang isang katangian ng tupa na wala sa ibang hayop ay hindi siya puwedeng mabuhay ng walang Pastol, hindi niya kayang ipag-tanggol at asahan ang kanyang sarili, maari niya itong ikapahamak. Parang tao, hindi maaaring wala siyang Diyos sa buhay, bagamat meron siyang mga ibat-ibang resources na maaari niyang gamitin at panghawakang magsasalba sa kanya sa kanyang buhay pero ang totoo “Kulang tayo”.

Una. Kulang tayo ng lawak at lalim ng nakikita at nauunawaan kung kaya’t kailangan natin ang pag-gabay ng mabuting pastol upang mapaalalahanan at magabayan tayo palayo sa kapahamakan at panganib sa ating buhay paglalakbay. Ang tanong, nag-papagabay ba tayo sa Diyos at sa mga kinauukulang pinagkatiwalaan Niya o mas pinakikinggan natin ang ating mga sarili?

Kulang tayo sa katatagan kung saan ay madali tayong mapanghinaan ng loob, mawalan ng pag-asa, madali tayong ma-destruct sa ating nakikita at nararamdaman, madali tayong sumuko at madaling mapagod. Pero ang ating mabuting Pastol, binibigyan tayo ng “pananaw” sa ating puso upang mag-hangad, upang umasa at mangarap. Ang tanong, mayroon ba tayong mga pangarap at hangarin na magpapabago sa simbahan, kumonidad at lipunan natin o para lang ito sa ating sarili?

Kulang tayo ng pagtitiwala at pakikipag-ugnay sa iba. Minsan pakiramdam natin “kaya nating mabuhay ng wala ang ibang tao”, pero ang totoo katulad ng tupa na hindi siya puwedeng walang kawan, nilikha tayo ng Diyos na likas ang kaugnayan sa iba. Sabi sa Banal na Kasulatan kapag ang isang tupa ay nawawala sa kawan, hinahanap ito ng Mabuting Pastol at muling dinadala sa ka-wan. Tunay nating kailangang kilalanin ang Diyos at sundan ang kanyang mapaggabay na tinig pa-ra sa ganap nating buhay. Nakakamtan lamang ito dahil kilala ng tupa ang pastol at buo ang pag-titiwala niya sa kanya.

Maraming paraan nagpapakilala ang Diyos sa atin – sa bibliya, sa sakramento, sa pagtuturo, sa mga nilikha, o sa mga mabubuti at makakapag-bigay buhay, pag-asa, malasakit na mga gawain ng tao sa kapwa. Mahalaga na ilapit natin ang ating sarili sa mga pamamaraang ito at gamitin ito bilang instrumento ng ating pagkilala sa Diyos. Sa mga munting pamamaraan, sikapin din nating maging mabubuting pastol sa mga ipinagkatiwala sa atin.

Ang ika-apat na Linggo ng Muling Pagkabuhay ay laging inilalaan ng Simbahan upang ipagdasal ang pagpapalaganap sa bokasyon hindi lamang ng pagpapari at pagiging relihiyoso kundi sa pagi-ging tunay na kawangis ni Kristo. Malaki ang pangangailangan ngayon ng ating simbahan at ng ating mundo ng mabubuting pastol na naaayon sa halimbawa ni Jesus.

GOSPEL
Luke 24:13–35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

3rd Sunday of Easter - 30 April 2017
Fr. Leo Distor

The disciples on the way to Emmaus saw their hopes and dreams smashed and crushed. They were expecting Jesus to be a mighty warrior and liberator. They never imagined the scandal of the cross. Everything seemed finished and they lost hope.

But Jesus himself drew near and walked with the disciples. Jesus entered their conversation without revealing his true identity. He listened to them and in the light of what they said he read the past for them in a new way. Jesus listened patiently to the version of history that those two disciples had. He didn’t cut them off. He heard them out. Had Jesus cut them off, their doubts and objections would have remained inside them, suppressed and therefore all the more powerful, it would have buried them in their sad past, in hopelessness and despair.

Many of us still remember the violence done to us and we hold on to the pains it caused us. We give so much power to it and let it control our lives that we can become deaf accordingly to the invitation of Christ. We let our pains, hopelessness, fears and doubts tell ourselves to stop moving on and to give-up, we tell ourselves ‘Ganito na ako e, hindi ko na ito mababago, kaya magtiis na lang kayo ”.

If this is the powerlessness and hopelessness that color our vision, then we would also believe that someone who is a “trouble maker” will always be a troublemaker and we fail to see the signs that the person is gifted in some area. Or, we would believe that someone who is a criminal will always be a criminal and will never really change for good, even when there are signs otherwise. We tell ourselves not to dare believe and expect the extraordinary to happen and not to see that life can change. We make snap judgments and we miss the incredible reality of what is in front of us. Jesus is with us and in our midst constantly. He promises us: “Behold I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. He’s here, but too often we don’t see him.

Like those two disciples, beneath our baggage, doubt, sadness and despair lies a deep yearning and a holy hunger. Beneath our disbelief is our hope and our need for God to be alive, vibrant and present.

The risen Christ is with us always… all through the day, in every one we meet. But too often, he goes unrecognized. He is only a Sunday presence at best… here for the breaking of the bread and then ignored in our self-absorption. Jesus does not want His disciples to simply recite a role of hope – reducing hope to an ideology or mere theory, to a mere slogan saying, “Christ is risen”, to mere appearances and feelings.

It is not enough that we see Christ in our midst. It is not enough that we recognize him. It is not even enough that we look for Christ in others. We must show the world that the risen Christ lives in us, too. We must actively witness his love. Our lives must be clear proof of the Resurrection. Jesus wants His disciples like us “to be hope”. We cannot afford to simply be people “who were hoping.” Rather we must become hope.

A grandfather played with his grandson by showing him a cookie on one of his hands then brought his hand behind him and after awhile made his grandson choose which of the closed hands bear the cookie. The grandson opened his grandfather’s left hand and found just half of the cookie and the grandfather opened the right hand to show the other half.

I think that’s where hope lies – when we break bread and life like that,”half for us and half for others”. There is more love when it is given away than when it is kept. Jesus is inviting us and is teaching us to live in a world of loving sacrifice. When we sacrifice for the good of others and of this world, there will be no scarcity and the ‘sacrificers’ are fed by their own sacrifices.

We come here week after week, breaking bread and listening to the good news that Jesus is with us. We strengthen one another when we look around with eyes that are looking for the Jesus who is alive. When we look at the world around and really see what is happening around us through Jesus-eyes, we cannot help but see hope and that we can’t keep it to ourselves anymore but “to be hope”.

As we walk on our Emmaus roads may we dare to turn to those who are walking beside us and see the light of Christ that is in them. Jesus did not call us to be ‘alone, but to be the new community. And He is no longer simply a historical figure, a regretted lost friend, a memory; He is risen; He is the way forward; he is the Way to the Father; “through Him we have access in one Spirit to the Father”.

GOSPEL
John 20:19–31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

2nd Sunday of Easter - 23 April 2017
Fr. Leo Distor

On Easter Sunday there was rejoicing on Jesus’ resurrection but the very next day after Easter, the disciples were hiding in a locked room in fear of the Jews. They had doubt about what they should do.

It is very, very easy to be a person of faith when all goes well. When life is without any really deep crises, it is easy for each of us to be a person of faith. But when a crisis tears at our hearts, then very often we feel our faith shaken, we begin to doubt if God is really with us and cares for us. Many times we enter into a period of doubt and even of anger at God.

Like the disciples, it was easy to believe in the Lord and stick with Him when they felt the magnetism of His words, when they witnessed His healings, when they saw His miracles. But it was much harder for them to believe and remain with him after He had been taken away to be killed. It was harder for them to believe when they realized that they also could be killed for having been His followers. Thomas doubted the Resurrection because he had suffered the crisis of the crucifixion. His faith in God waned. Like the other chosen disciples, Thomas ran and hid. He was too afraid and sad that he could not remember the promise of the Lord that the Lord will rise back to life.

Thomas was sincere that he really doubted the resurrection of Jesus. He didn't pretend. He was bluntly honest about where he was. He told the truth. Thomas did not understand what was happening, so he did not presume that he knew everything. He could not grasp it fully that a person died and came back to life. He was a man who was having trouble hearing from others that Jesus had been raised from the dead and that it was something to rejoice over.

Doubt is a part of life and it is okay. Who among us can tell that we do not doubt? All of us doubt. But let us use our doubts to inform ourselves about what bothers us and what we do not understand. Doubt is a natural part of the faith journey of many Christians. If you doubt, just like Thomas," Tell the Lord about it. Don't hold back in your prayers. God can handle our doubt. God wants us to be completely honest in prayer for it will lead us to a deeper faith than we had previously.

Thomas taught us a lesson that if we do not understand, then, let us humbly, honestly and sincerely accept the fact that we do not know and understand, so we ask others to explain it to us. This does not mean that we have lost our faith. It simply means that we are being called to a deeper faith. At the end Thomas just said: “My Lord and my God!”

At this point Jesus told Thomas about a greater faith, a faith that He has called you and me to grow into. The Lord looked at Thomas and then looked at us and said, "Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe." This is where honesty with God leads. This is the outcome of an open confession of doubt. This is not pretend faith. This is not the sort of Christianity we wear as a wrapping to impress others. It's a genuine faith that comes from the deepest corners of our soul. It's a faith that transforms our lives.

Jesus does not scold Thomas for his unbelief. Rather, he gently and mercifully offers Thomas exactly what he had wanted. Jesus met Thomas right where he was. And he offered himself to Thomas: "Here, touch me, and believe." The same is true about Jesus to us.

In his time and in his way, Jesus comes to us and makes himself known to us. Sometimes he does it in the way we have wanted. Sometimes he doesn't. But he always gives us exactly what we really need. And it comes, not because we have earned it, but by grace.

Many of us struggle with doubt that can seem to choke the very life out of us. We can fall into a pit of despair and cannot get out of it. We can be stuck in unbelief and helpless and hopeless before God. But when we pour our hearts to God, eventually, we may feel a calming presence surrounding and embracing us. The desperate doubts that can torment our souls, is replaced by the deepest peace we desire. Our tears of sorrow may become tears of joy.

When Jesus said to Thomas: "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway." It’s as if Jesus himself is saying to us, “Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" These are words of encouragement for you and me. Because we don't get to see Jesus, you and I are those who have to believe without seeing.

And in this we are blessed. Being blessed does not mean we are great, or worthy, or morally superior. Being blessed means that God has chosen to pour out his goodness upon us, to be gracious to us, to reveal his Son to us. Indeed, all who believe without seeing are truly blessed.

Let us just listen to his invitation to find true life in Him. No matter where we are in our relationship with Jesus today, though we might still feel like we haven't been ready to put our trust in him, the good news is that he meets us where we are at in our faith life. In his time and his way, he graciously draws us near to his heart so we might know his love and grace. He who gave his life for us so that we might be forgiven, He who was raised so that we might live forever, seeks a genuine, honest relationship with us. He wants, not just a religious performance, but an intimate friendship. So no matter where we are on the road of faith, let the risen Jesus walk with us today, tomorrow, and every day from here on.

One time in a good buffet restaurant where we were invited to dine, Fr. Martin was asked by our host, ‘Is your food good, Father?”, he replied, “well, if I don’t have good food it’s already my fault since I have so much that I can choose from”. It is when we choose not only the shouts of “Alleluia” but to be with Jesus who invites us to be present in the Easter moment, which is a way of life, then he enters wherever we are and says “Peace be with you” ... in this, we live the good life that is nothing less than the Kingdom of God. Easter blessings!

Urbi Et Orbi (to the city [Rome] and the world)
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
Easter 2017

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter!

Today, throughout the world, the Church echoes once more the astonishing message of the first disciples: “Jesus is risen!” – “He is truly risen, as he said!”

The ancient feast of Passover, the commemoration of the liberation of the Hebrew people from slavery, here finds fulfillment. By his resurrection, Jesus Christ has set us free from the slavery of sin and death, and has opened before us the way to eternal life.

All of us, when we let ourselves be mastered by sin, lose the right way and end up straying like lost sheep. But God himself, our shepherd, has come in search of us. To save us, he lowered himself even to accepting death on the cross. Today we can proclaim: “The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep, and willingly died for his flock, alleluia” (Roman Missal, IV Sunday of Easter, Communion antiphon).

In every age, the Risen Shepherd tirelessly seeks us, his brothers and sisters, wandering in the deserts of this world. With the marks of the passion – the wounds of his merciful love – he draws us to follow him on his way, the way of life. Today too, he places upon his shoulders so many of our brothers and sisters crushed by evil in all its varied forms. The Risen Shepherd goes in search of all those lost in the labyrinths of loneliness and marginalization. He comes to meet them through our brothers and sisters who treat them with respect and kindness, and help them to hear his voice, an unforgettable voice, a voice calling them back to friendship with God.

He takes upon himself all those victimized by old and new forms of slavery, inhuman labour, illegal trafficking, exploitation and discrimination, and grave forms of addiction. He takes upon himself children and adolescents deprived of their carefree innocence and exploited, and those deeply hurt by acts of violence that take place within the walls of their own home.

The Risen Shepherd walks beside all those forced to leave their homelands as a result of armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, famine and oppressive regimes. Everywhere he helps these forced migrants to encounter brothers and sisters, with whom they can share bread and hope on their journey.

In the complex and often dramatic situations of today’s world, may the Risen Lord guide the steps of all those who work for justice and peace. May he grant the leaders of nations the courage they need to prevent the spread of conflicts and to put a halt to the arms trade.

Especially in these days, may he sustain the efforts of all those actively engaged in bringing comfort and relief to the civil population in beloved Syria, so greatly suffering from a war that continues to sow horror and death. Yesterday saw the latest vile attack on fleeing refugees, resulting in the death and injury of many. May he grant peace to the entire Middle East, beginning with the Holy Land, as well as in Iraq and Yemen. May the Good Shepherd remain close to the people of South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who endure continuing hostilities, aggravated by the grave famine affecting certain parts of Africa.

May the Risen Jesus sustain the efforts of all those who, especially in Latin America, are committed to ensuring the common good of societies marked at times by political and social tensions that in some cases have resulted in violence. May it be possible for bridges of dialogue to be built, by continuing to fight the scourge of corruption and to seek viable and peaceful solutions to disputes, for progress and the strengthening of democratic institutions in complete respect for the rule of law.

May the Good Shepherd come to the aid of Ukraine, still beset by conflict and bloodshed, to regain social harmony. May he accompany every effort to alleviate the tragic sufferings of those affected by the conflict.

The Risen Lord continues to shed his blessing upon the continent of Europe. May he grant hope to those experiencing moments of crisis and difficulty, especially due to high unemployment, particularly among young people.

Dear brothers and sisters, this year Christians of every confession celebrate Easter together. With one voice, in every part of the world, we proclaim the great message: “The Lord is truly risen, as he said!” May Jesus, who vanquished the darkness of sin and death, grant peace to our days.

Happy Easter!

(© Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

We are Easter People… and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!
Fr. Kevin McHugh

One of our parishioners recently reminded me of a Homily I preached one Easter Sunday. It was the opening line that caught her attention. When spoken aloud there is something very solemn, very dramatic about it: We are Easter People… and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!

St Augustine, one of the great saints of the Church, was a Bishop in the country we now call Algeria. One Easter morning, about 1600 years ago, while preaching in his Cathedral he spoke these immortal lines:

     “If we were silent about the joy that comes from the risen Jesus,
     the very stones of our cities would cry out.
     For we are Easter People and ‘alleluia’ is our song”!

Here in Malate church we ‘sing our song’ during the Easter Vigil which begins at 3:00AM. Yes, that’s right, 3AM! Those who have been able to join in this dawn celebration will recall the jubilation that is expressed in the opening verses of the magnificent hymn of praise – the Easter Proclamation.

     Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
     Rejoice and dance, bright stars and blazing suns!
     Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
     Sound the trumpet of salvation.

     Let our joyful voices resound this night!
     Let God’s people rejoice on this Day of days.
     With joyful hearts and spirits set afire
     draw near to sing this Easter Candle’s praise!

A group of dancers then perform the Pandango sa Ilaw around the Candle as if to say, the Christian community of Malate welcomes the Risen Christ.

The celebration of Christ’s Passover from death to life – the Passover of the Christian community – draws powerfully on the rich imagery of the Old Testament Passover stories: the sacrificial lamb, the Passover meal, the passage through the Sea of Reeds, and the entry into the Promised Land.

In the early part of the Vigil the dominant symbol is the Paschal Candle. It is both the ‘pillar of fire’ that led the people of the old covenant through the wilderness, and the light of the risen Christ that shines in the lives of the people of the new covenant. It is placed in a prominent place in the Sanctuary and is lighted for Liturgical Services during the whole fifty days of Eastertide.

Why is the Easter Vigil the most important celebration in our Christian calendar? Because after joining the disciples in an experience of sorrow and defeat we publicly attest to the foundation of our faith: Christ is Risen!

     He has conquered all the forces of evil arraigned against him.
     By his Death and Resurrection he showed the world that:

     Light is stronger than Darkness.
     Good is stronger than Evil.
     God is more powerful than Satan
     Life is stronger than Death!

Jesus opposed the forces of evil in this world and for this he was killed. But this was not the end; Jesus was raised by the Father and is gloriously alive among us today.

It is because of Christ’s victory over the forces of evil that we, the baptized, can walk with faith and hope in the newness of life. We can face failure and rejection, persecution, and even death itself knowing that the God of Jesus is also our God who will never desert us.

So, dear readers, with Christians all over the world, let us rejoice during this Easter Season. Christ is risen! Hallelujah! We are Easter People… and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!

                               

Dust You Are and Unto Dust You Shall Return!
Fr. Kevin McHugh

These are the words you will hear on Ash Wednesday when the Priest or Lay Minister puts ashes on your forehead.

There has been a long custom in our Church to make ashes from palms that were used on the previous Palm Sunday. Ashes are like dust. But what does it mean when we say that we came from the dust of the earth? The Bible does not give us a scientific answer but the Book of Genesis describes the emergence of humanity into our world in this way. “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” (Gen 2:7). We believe that that we have come from Creator God. We are not our own masters. We did not call ourselves into this life. We came from the breath and life of God.

The ashes are reminders of our littleness before God. We are all equal in the sight of God; men and women, young and old, sinner and saint. In themselves, ashes have no value – except in the sight of God. They are nothing but dust. We are nothing without God.

At the beginning of Lent, through the Signing of the forehead with ashes in the form of a Cross, the Church challenges us to take a fresh look at our lives. The message is clear. Don't delay, don't hesitate, now is the time to "Come back to me with all your heart" (Joel 2:12).

What is being asked of you this Lent? Is there something in your life that you need to deal with because you know it is holding you back from wholeheartedly following Jesus? An injury you can't forgive, a jealously that is gnawing at your heart, an anger that is ‘eating you up’?

Take time this Lent, even five minutes a day, to sit quietly and look at your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. The more open and responsive we are to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the quicker our heart is renewed. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead" (Ezek. 36:26).

The penances or little sacrifices we undertake express our desire for this new heart. God works with us and on us in this conversion process, shaping us like the potter forms her clay. How do we compare with those who indeed fasted and prayed but incurred the judgment of God because they neglected that which was far more important - justice? (Is. 58).

True conversion awakens in us a real concern for the plight of others, a determination to fight the causes of injustice, even at great cost to ourselves. "Rend your hearts and not your garments" (Joel 2:12).

Down through the centuries our church, following the Gospel of Ash Wednesday (Matt.1-6, 16-18), encourages us to PRAY, FAST and GIVE ALMS.

In closing I will relate a true story. True, because it happened to me when I was a young boy of 13, a student in a Boarding School for Boys. I ‘gave up’, that is, I fasted from eating candies for the whole of Lent. Any candies that I received from others I put in a ‘supot’ and kept for myself. I ate them all on Holy Saturday as I travelled to my home – a four hour journey by bus. I fasted from candies - Good; but I did not share them with others -Bad, Selfish. I had missed the whole point of the exercise. Following the practice of the Death Squad people I should have printed on my T-shirt, DON’T FOLLOW ME!

What are you going to ‘give up’ or abstain from this Lent? Here are a few suggestions. For children / youth. Depending upon your age you might consider: Cutting down the time on the Computer / Cellphone from 10 hours a day (joke lang) to 1 hour. No drinking of “soft drinks”. Limiting yourself to one Snack a day. Offering to help your mother with household chores. Come home from School at the agreed time – it will save you from being scolded, so it is a Win-Win decision. Go to Mass every Sunday during Lent. Befriend someone in school that has few friends.

For Adult men: I will NOT ALLOW other people to make me angry by the way they drive. I will not drink Alcohol….watch inappropriate material on my Computer….. waste time and money in the Casino.

For Mothers. I will spend quality time with my teenage children every Sunday. I will try to convince my family to come together in our home for one meal every Sunday. I will try to minimize the consumption of Water, Electricity, and Plastics in my home.

The Lord is calling all of us to take seriously the words of the Prophet Micah:
“The Lord has shown you what is good.
He has told you what he requires of you.
He wants you to promote justice.
You must love to show mercy.
And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.” (Micah 6.8.)

Points to ponder:
Do you know of people who would admit that their lives are ‘in ashes’?

Do you know people who, though no fault of their own have ‘bit the dust of the earth; those who live on the dust of the earth and not in a house, who squat on the bare floor; those who have eked out from the dust just enough to have a small pot of rice for a large family.

There are also those who cry out from the ashes of a broken marriage; or children who suffer from the dust of verbal and physical and sometimes sexual abuse.

We all know people like this so during Lent we are challenged to join the HAPAG-ASA Program of the Archdiocese.

A Woman of No Distinction
By Chris Kinsley & Drew Francis
2007

I am a woman of no distinction
of little importance.
I am a women of no reputation
save that which is bad.

You whisper as I pass by and cast judgmental glances,
Though you don’t really take the time to look at me,
Or even get to know me.

For to be known is to be loved,
And to be loved is to be known.
Otherwise what’s the point in doing
either one of them in the first place?

I WANT TO BE KNOWN.

I want someone to look at my face
And not just see two eyes, a nose,
a mouth and two ears;
But to see all that I am, and could be
all my hopes, loves and fears.

But that’s too much to hope for,
to wish for,
or pray for
So I don’t, not anymore.

Now I keep to myself
And by that I mean the pain
that keeps me in my own private jail
The pain that’s brought me here
at midday to this well.

To ask for a drink is no big request
but to ask it of me?
A woman unclean, ashamed,
Used and abused
An outcast, a failure
a disappointment, a sinner.

No drink passing from these hands
to your lips could ever be refreshing
Only condemning, as I’m sure you condemn me now
But you don’t.

You’re a man of no distinction;
Though of the utmost importance.
A man with little reputation, at least so far.

You whisper and tell me to my face
what all those glances have been about, and
You take the time to really look at me.
But don’t need to get to know me.

For to be known is to be loved and
To be loved is to be known.

And you know me.
You actually know me;
all of me and everything about me.
Every thought inside and hair on top of my head;
Every hurt stored up, every hope, every dread.

My past and my future, all I am and could be.
You tell me everything,
you tell me about me!

And that which is spoken by another
would bring hate and condemnation.
Coming from you brings love, grace,
mercy, hope and salvation.

I’ve heard of one to come
who could save a wretch like me
And here in my presence, you say
I AM He.

To be known is to be loved;
And to be loved is to be known.

And I just met you.
But I love you.
I don’t know you,
but I want to get to.

Let me run back to town
this is way to much for just me.
There are others: brothers,
sisters, lovers, haters.

The good and the bad, sinners and saints
who should hear what you’ve told me;
who should see what you’ve shown me;
who should taste what you gave me;
who should feel how you forgave me.

For to be known is to be loved;
And to be loved is to be known.
And they all need this, too.
We all do
Need it for our own.

I brought a young Filipino priest to his new parish, until then cared for by Columban missionaries.
“How do you like your new assignment?” I asked him when we met a month later.
“Fantastic”, he replied, adding a comment which I will never forget:
“The people will convert me – if I let them!”

In 2016, I needed to somehow thank my family and friends whose hearts went out to the survivors of the horrific typhoon that, overnight, killed seven thousand Filipinos.

I put together a small book of short stories about a few of the people who converted and inspired me.
Such people have made me more thankful for the gift of life, the joy of the Gospel, and the call to mission.

I am happy to share a selection on the Malate parish website.

~ Fr. Michael Martin
Columban Missionary

Forgiveness - Elmer Rex
By Fr. Michael Martin
Excerpts from “Walking in Their Light”

Elmer Rex - This man chose to break the chain of violence.

Going back to Kabankalan, even for a short visit, was a pleasure; I had spent ten years there, it was home away from home.

This time, I was chatting to the relatively new Filipino parish priest, Msgr. Pepe Iledan, when the phone rang. Obviously an emergency, it was a call for him from the local hospital: “Please come over, Elmer Rex has been shot”.

In shock, both of us hurriedly got into the nearest vehicle, which was the one I had driven there earlier, and rushed immediately to the town’s small, but always busy, hospital. Informed that Elmer was alive and conscious, my companion went straight to him, knowing I would check on other available resources. There were two doctors with Elmer Rex and several nurses were assisting them; he had been shot at close range just above his neck in the back of his head, and they had intervened to limit and stop the bleeding.

The bad news was that the hospital had no X-Ray equipment, and the doctors had no way of knowing what brain damage he might have suffered. We all knew the nearest hospital with proper equipment and specialist doctors was a hundred kilometres away in the city of Bacolod. Kabankalan had its own ambulance, but that had gone off with another patient a short while earlier.

The first good news was that the bullet seemed to be embedded in the skull bone, but obviously treatment was urgent. The immediate available alternative transport was the vehicle I was using, a Toyota HiAce Van. It’s usual driver was not with me, so I readily offered to drive, and, within minutes we were on our way, accompanied by a doctor and a few hospital personnel, including Elmer Rex’s wife Cecile, who was in fact the head nurse in the hospital.

Elmer Rex and his wife and family were long-time friends. A geologist, he worked for a wealthy enterprising family and in addition, with four young socially conscious town mates, published a local newspaper. Their paper was special; it promoted transparency and accountability, and exposed anomalies.

Politically, Elmer represented those who were most dedicated to social change; he was a friend and adviser to the Church-supported organizers of sugar cane workers and small settler farmers in the hills. He was actually walking towards the office of a Church-sponsored group working with detainees when he was shot from behind, at almost point blank range. He was seen as a threat by some of those entrenched in power. His wife had recently been attacked by a man wielding a knife, so they had been warned.

The result of our mad rush to the city was that Elmer Rex got to the hospital, got an x-ray, was properly treated, and fully recovered. The bullet which was intended to destroy him was a .45 calibre, and it lodged in the skull bone – at its hardest and thickest point - at the back of his head. The surgeon said that the bullet was within a fraction of a millimetre from reaching his brain. He was a lucky man to be alive.

Looking back, the fact that the engine of our HiAce vehicle died out as we entered the city, and we had to transfer all our load to a local shuttle bus, is of little significance to the story – but it did not seem like that to us at the time when we were rushing a seriously injured friend for emergency surgery and treatment.

Elmer, Cecile, and their three children later emigrated to the U.S.A., and brought with them their talents, their love of the Philippines, and their faith. Over the years, we Columbans enjoyed visiting them as friends and seeing their lives as a blessing to many.

In recalling the past, pain is unavoidable, but their forgiveness of those who attacked them stands out. “How can we call ourselves Christians if we get caught up in a chain of violence and retaliation?” the family reflected, “Someone has to stop the cycle of violence.” Elmer vividly remembers the shot that was meant to silence him, and says “I prayed for life, I prayed that I would continue to be a voice that would denounce the injustice which breeds violence.

God has given me a voice and extra time so that somehow, wherever we are, we will be life-giving, and forgiving.”

Life-giving, yes indeed; forgiving, certainly; light giving, absolutely.


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Advent with Mary
By Sr. Redempta Twomey
December 6, 2016

Advent is the gentlest of times. It is Mary's time and your time and the time when, if you open your heart, you will be aware of a quiet, persistent call underlying all the hard and harsh and difficult things in your life. You are being asked to let go of your very real anxieties, your recurring fears and to trust in the mystery of this time. It takes a good deal of courage and commitment to stay waiting with Mary.

She has so many ways of being present to us, but it is especially in Advent that we meet Mary as one who understands our vulnerability, the terrible fragility of our being human. A young woman, pregnant and with little support, she knows the road we walk. Here she is in the final weeks of her pregnancy, tired from the long journey to Bethlehem, among strangers, alone with poor, anxious Joseph. No angel now. No Elizabeth to help her.

St Paul has written of this great mystery of the Incarnation, 'hidden from all eternity'; saints have exulted in the glory of this unassuming woman; artists have painted her on a thousand canvases, made sculptures, composed great music to honor her. We recognize her as "the highest honor of our race."

But what did Mary know in those final weeks of her pregnancy? What did she have to sustain her, to comfort her at this critical time when the birth of the infant in her womb was imminent? The bleakness and poverty of her surroundings - like so many back alleys, refugee camps or shacks today - were a far cry from the angel's stirring words, the promise of "the throne of David his father" (Lk 1:32). She didn't understand; she reflected over and over on her situation. Regardless of the extraordinary circumstances, of there being 'no room at the inn', of her being without her kin at this most crucial time in a young woman's life, of being far from home and from all that was familiar, she first of all and above all, trusted in God's word to her. She believed. This is what Elizabeth saw and what she sang out so that we, down the centuries, could look at Mary and join in this great song: "Blessed is she who believed" (Lk 1:45).

We can take stock of our lives, often bleak, often anxious, littered with broken promises, with failures and betrayals. It may be that we have no one to help us, no friend to turn to, no hope for the future. Mary knows our situation, understands us like a mother and will help us to believe in God's promises, even as she did. Wait with her this Advent, trust her; she will bring you to her Son.

"Following her, you will never go astray. Asking her help you will never despair. Keeping her in your thoughts, you will never wander away. With your hand in hers, you will never stumble. With Mary protecting you, you will not be afraid. With Mary leading you, you will never tire. Her kindness will see you through to the end." (St Bernard).

Columban Sr. Redempta Twomey is the Assistant Editor of The Far East Magazine in Ireland.

Self-confessed Sinners
By Fr. Kevin McHugh, MSSC

It is over 30 years ago since I heard the story about an Indian Jesuit priest who conducted a Retreat for a group of Religious Sisters here in Manila. One of the statements that helped change my life and my ministry was this. God loves us before we sin, while we are sinning and after we have sinned. And therefore, God forgives us before we sin, while we are sinning and especially after we have sinned. I have tried to apply all this to myself and find that while I believe in my head that this is true, I still find the need to confess my sins…. to “go to confession”.

As a Confessor, I have shared this insight with those penitents who had been away from Confession for many years and were carrying a heavy load of guilt. The fear, the doubt that they could ever be forgiven had prevented them from plucking up the courage to go to confession. To know that they had already been forgiven by a merciful God was great news for them; they could now lay down their heavy burden since there was no need to carry it any further.



Recently, I chanced to read an article by the late Dominican Theologian, Fr. Herbert McCabe, which gave me additional assurance that what I had been sharing with penitents over the years was accepted Catholic teaching. In Self-Confessed Sinners McCabe says: “When you come to confession, to make a ritual proclamation of your sin…. you are not coming in order to have your sins forgiven…… you come to celebrate that your sins are already forgiven”.

To emphasize his point, McCabe says in another place: “You are not forgiven because you confess your sin. You confess your sin because you are forgiven”.

Most of us have the mistaken notion that we have to “earn” God’s mercy. We have to plead for it, otherwise it will not be granted.

McCabe continues, “Never be deluded into thinking that if you have contrition, if you are sorry for your sins, God will come and forgive you – that he will be touched by your appeal, change his mind about you and forgive you. Wrong thinking! God never changes his mind about you. He is simply in love with you. This is all the real God ever does, because God, the real God, is just helplessly and hopelessly in love with us. He is unconditionally in love with us”. “God’s love for us doesn’t depend on what we do… or what we are like. God doesn’t care whether we are sinners or not. It makes no difference to him. He is just waiting to welcome us with joy and love.”

The three parables of Jesus as relayed in Chapter 15 of St Luke’s Gospel underline this basic truth about God. All three have similar endings. They describe how an ordinary Housekeeper, a conscientious shepherd and a prodigal father insist on a feast to celebrate that what was lost has been found.

In the Opening Prayer that we occasionally use at Mass here in Malate, we pray:

"What do you look like, O God of compassion?
A shepherd who carries home the lost sheep:
a woman who sweeps the whole house to find a single coin:
a father who never gives up hope that the child who hurt him
will come home to be loved.
So in Jesus you have come searching for us -
and when you find us, you welcome us with open arms
May we never forget how much we are loved.
May we never refuse to love others as much.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN".

In this YEAR OF MERCY, may we all take to heart the advice of Pope Francis and approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation because we know that we have already been forgiven by a loving, merciful God.

Pope Francis’ homily at the Mass of the Easter Vigil

“Peter ran to the tomb.” (Lk 24:12) What thoughts crossed Peter’s mind and stirred his heart as he ran to the tomb? The Gospel tells us that the eleven, including Peter, had not believed the testimony of the women, their Easter proclamation. Quite the contrary, “these words seemed to them an idle tale” (v. 11). Thus there was doubt in Peter’s heart, together with many other worries: sadness at the death of the beloved Master and disillusionment for having denied him three times during his Passion.

There is, however, something which signals a change in him: after listening to the women and refusing to believe them, “Peter rose” (v. 12). He did not remain sedentary, in thought; he did not stay at home as the others did. He did not succumb to the sombre atmosphere of those days, nor was he overwhelmed by his doubts. He was not consumed by remorse, fear or the continuous gossip that leads nowhere. He was looking for Jesus, not himself. He preferred the path of encounter and trust. And so, he got up, just as he was, and ran towards the tomb from where he would return “amazed” (v. 12). This marked the beginning of Peter’s resurrection, the resurrection of his heart. Without giving in to sadness or darkness, he made room for hope: he allowed the light of God to enter into his heart, without smothering it.

The women too, who had gone out early in the morning to perform a work of mercy, taking the perfumed ointments to the tomb, had the same experience. They were “frightened and bowed their faces”, and yet they were deeply affected by the words of the angel: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (v. 5).

We, like Peter and the women, cannot discover life by being sad, bereft of hope. Let us not stay imprisoned within ourselves, but let us break open our sealed tombs to the Lord so that he may enter and grant us life. Let us give him the stones of our rancour and the boulders of our past, those heavy burdens of our weaknesses and falls. Christ wants to come and take us by the hand to bring us out of our anguish. This is the first stone to be moved aside this night: the lack of hope which imprisons us within ourselves. May the Lord free us from this trap, from being Christians without hope, who live as if the Lord were not risen, as if our problems were the centre of our lives.

We see and will continue to see problems both within and without. They will always be there. But tonight it is important to shed the light of the Risen Lord upon our problems, and in a certain sense, to “evangelize” them. Let us not allow darkness and fear to distract us and control us; we must cry out to them: the Lord “is not , but has risen!” (v. 6). He is our greatest joy; he is always at our side and will never let us down.

This is the foundation of our hope, which is not mere optimism, nor a psychological attitude or desire to be courageous. Christian hope is a gift that God gives us if we come out of ourselves and open our hearts to him. This hope does not disappoint us because the Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts (cf. Rom 5:5). The Paraclete does not make everything look appealing. He does not remove evil with a magic wand. But he pours into us the vitality of life, which is not the absence of problems, but the certainty of being loved and always forgiven by Christ, who for us has conquered sin, death and fear. Today is the celebration of our hope, the celebration of this truth: nothing and no one will ever be able to separate us from his love (cf. Rom 8:39).

The Lord is alive and wants to be sought among the living. After having found him, each person is sent out by him to announce the Easter message, to awaken and resurrect hope in hearts burdened by sadness, in those who struggle to find meaning in life. There is so necessary today. However, we must not proclaim ourselves. Rather, as joyful servants of hope, we must announce the Risen One by our lives and by our love; otherwise we will be only an international organization full of followers and good rules, yet incapable of offering the hope for which the world longs.

How can we strengthen our hope? The liturgy of this night offers some guidance. It teaches us to remember the works of God. The readings describe God’s faithfulness, the history of his love towards us. The living word of God is able to involve us in this history of love, nourishing our hope and renewing our joy. The Gospel also reminds us of this: in order to kindle hope in the hearts of the women, the angel tells them: “Remember what [Jesus] told you” (v. 6). Let us not forget his words and his works, otherwise we will lose hope. Let us instead remember the Lord, his goodness and his life-giving words which have touched us. Let us remember them and make them ours, to be sentinels of the morning who know how to help others see the signs of the Risen Lord.

Dear brothers and sisters, Christ is risen! Let us open our hearts to hope and go forth. May the memory of his works and his words be the bright star which directs our steps in the ways of faith towards the Easter that will have no end.

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-easter-vigil-urges-us-to-let-risen-christ