March 31, 2014 Monday Mass Readings and Reflection - Jesus Heals The Official's Son

“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
– John 4:48

LITTLE THINGS

        In my years of serving the Lord, I have seen miracles and great deeds happen right before my eyes. I’m amazed and in awe when I see someone get healed after a pray-over session, or a family saved from separation after a family encounter weekend. It is in these “highs” that I feel the presence of the Lord the most.

       But when I don’t see these signs and wonders, my faith begins to shake and stumble.

       Someone wise told me, “Faith happens not when the miracle is achieved, but during the process.”

       I realized that my focus had been too much on the miracle itself, not on Jesus who made it happen. In the eyes of faith, believing is seeing the presence of God everywhere. Now I begin every single day thankful for the little things, looking forward to the miracles of God packaged in simple ways. Didoy Lubaton 

1^ST READING 
 

Isaiah speaks of a time of prosperity that will follow the suffering of exile in Babylon. Hope is a tremendously powerful reality, particularly when it is hope in the promises of the Lord. We know that they will be fulfilled. We should always reflect on God’s promise of eternal life for precisely this reason. If we want to be inspired to live good and holy lives, then think about the wonders promised to us in heaven.

Isaiah 65:17-21

17 Thus says the Lord: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people. No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying; 20 no longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime; he dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed. 21 They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.

P S A L M 

Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13

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

1 [2] I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. 3 [4] O Lord, you brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. (R) 4 [5] Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 [6] For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. (R) 10 [11] “Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me; O Lord, be my helper.” 11 [12] You changed my mourning into dancing; 12 [13] O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus does not impose Himself on us. We have to choose to accept the grace of the Gospel in our lives. This grace is enormous, beyond our comprehension in fact, that it has a natural tendency to appeal to us and, thus, make us see it as good. However, we still need to accept it if it is going to have any lasting effect upon our lives. This is an inherent part of the dignity of life given to us through the gift of free will.

John 4:43-54

43 At that time Jesus left (Samaria) for Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. 45 When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. 46 Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. 48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. 51 While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. 52 He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” 53 The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. 54 Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.

REFLECTION

SMILE MORE OFTEN

        I remember one time in my early years as a priest, I had just finished saying Mass in the parish where I was the assistant. As was my practice, I stayed on after the Mass to greet the parishioners. That Sunday, I received the usual commendations for my homily but one comment has remained with me until today.

       “That was a very beautiful homily, Father, as always,” a lady commented. But even before I could say thank you, she added, “But you looked so serious. Smile more often. We like seeing that.”

       That evening, I set up a video camera in my room and recorded myself giving an imaginary homily before an imaginary audience. Indeed, I was too stingy with my smile, even when I was speaking on a happy subject. The First Reading is an invitation to joy. A new heavens and a new earth is to be created with the intervention of God. “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.”

       Joy is inviting and infectious. Joy is the primary mark of a redeemed people. In his Pentecost address of 2013, Pope Francis, in his usual out-ofthe-script practice, candidly reminded the crowd at St. Peter’s, “ Long-faced Christians cannot be evangelizers. Do you think the people would have believed the story of the Resurrection if the Apostles came out with long faces?” It cannot be more simple than that.

       Logic can convince minds, but it is the heart that moves people. Joy resides in and reaches out to the heart. Today, make an effort to smile more often. Warm up to the bored security guard who opens the door for you. Call by name the tired waiter who brings your food and see how immediately they will warm up to you.

       Today, radiate the joy that awaits the world with the coming of the Messiah! Fr. Joel Jason

 "Dear Lord, may I see You in every person I meet, in every place I go to, and in every activity I do today."

Source:  http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2014-03-31

March 30, 2014 Sunday Mass Readings and Reflection - Jesus Cures A Blind Man

It is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. – John 9:3

BLIND PURPOSE

          I wanted to be a priest. Actually, I found it cool to be called Brother Leo and to live a missionary life serving God. Then a priest friend convinced me to seek a higher vocation by joining them if I had really heard God’s call.

       So when I announced to my parents a few days after my elementary graduation that I wanted to become a priest, you could almost hear a pin drop.

       With teary eyes from a mixture of joy and sadness, my parents agreed. A few days before entering the seminary, they changed their minds. I respected their decision and closed the chapter to my priestly vocation. Years went by until I experienced a life-changing crisis that led me to the Light of Jesus Family. Miracles healed and restored me, and I eventually started to reap blessing after blessing.

       In gratitude, I volunteered in various liturgical ministries, served in cause-oriented missions and have been saying yes to God’s call. Since then, I’ve been living a missionary life serving God just the way He had wanted me to. Surprisingly, every time I serve, people call me Brother Leo. Leo Villarico 

1^ST READING

 

This time it will be God who chooses who becomes King. The people of Israel have had their opportunity and chose Saul. God chooses David. We are supposed to look at the contrasts and see what makes the difference between a not-so-good and great king. Saul looks the part from a worldly point of view but lacks the inner character to do a good job. David is exactly the opposite.

 

 

1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13

1 The Lord said to Samuel: Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” 6 As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is here before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” 10 In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any one of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” 12 Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The Lord said, “There — anoint him, for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David.

 

 

 

P S A L M

 

 

Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

 

 

 

2^nd READING

 

 

Being a child of the light means being a good example to others in faith and morality. Each one of us is called to embrace the challenge of righteous living so that those whom we meet will be inspired by our holy way of life. This is one of the most important aspects of living and proclaiming the Gospel, namely that our commitment to the truth will make available to others the same choices we have made for Jesus.

 

Ephesians 5:8-14

8 Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, 9 for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. 10 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, 12 for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

 

 

 

GOSPEL

 

 

We should not ascribe medical difficulties directly as the result of personal sin. We can certainly get sick from the choices we make, but that is not the same as saying that God punishes sinners with sickness. Some choices, such as smoking, make certain illnesses like cancer much more probable in a person’s life. God does not give cancer to the smoker — smoking does that!

 

John 9:1-41

1 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. 4 We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, 7 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. 8 His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” 10 So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” 11 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.” 12 And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” 13 They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. 15 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.” 16 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. 17 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.” 18 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. 19  They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” 20 His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 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.” 22 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. 23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.” 24 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.” 25 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.” 26 So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 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?” 28 They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” 30 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. 31  We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. 32 It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” 34 They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. 35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” 38 He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. 39 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.” 40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.”

REFLECTION

 

VENTURE INTO THE LIGHT

 

      In this Sunday’s Second Reading, St. Paul wrote that when we were in sin, we were like blind men living in the dark. But when Christ came and called us to conversion, we were able to see anew. St. Paul would continue that in Christ, “We are children of the light. There was a time when you were in darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord. Well then, live as children of light” ( Ephesians 5:8 ). Paul here is admonishing the people of Ephesus to remain in the light of Christ and not regress into the darkness of sin.

       In the Gospel, after having been given the gift of sight, the man born blind progressed in his knowledge and faith in Jesus. Ironically, the people in the temple, supposedly people who had received the light of faith, ridiculed the man and put no faith in the person of Jesus. They have regressed into the darkness of unbelief. They have sight, but could not see.

       I’m sure all of us here have had an experience of living in the darkness of sin. But we were converted to the Lord and we lived in the light. Unfortunately, we often go back into the dark, like the darkness of past hurts. I remember a woman who spoke of a hurt a loved one had inflicted on her — 20 years ago — as if it had happened only yesterday. When we refuse to forgive the hurts of the past, we will continue to live in darkness.

       We all have our favorite sins. We confess the same sins over and over again. Sometimes I would tell people in the confessional, “Do you promise that you will do your best to turn away from these sins?” They would say, “Yes, Father, but not this one or that one.” If we continue to hold on to some of our favorite sins, we will continue to live in darkness.

       Elizabeth Kubler-Ross said, “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.”

       Today, we ask the Lord to help us out of the dark because by ourselves we cannot do it. Remember what Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Let us have faith in Jesus. Fr. Joel Jason

 "Lord, we surrender ourselves to Your divine purpose. Lead us not by sight but by faith, not in our own comfortable time but in Your perfect time, and purify my intentions for Your greater glory."

Source: http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2014-03-30

March 29, 2014 Saturday Mass Readings and Reflection - Two Kinds of Prayer

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” – Luke 18:13

OWNING OUR SINFULNESS  

              During the penitential rite at Mass, I am guilty of saying in an almost mechanical way, “I confess to Almighty God… I have greatly sinned… through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.” I strike my breast at the same time, just because the revised Roman Missal says so.

       Embarrassing as it is to admit, it can be difficult to acknowledge my own sinfulness. It is easier to identify the sins of others rather than recognize my own. It is less painful to judge others’ shortcomings rather than admit that I have hurt God. I turn the condescending spotlight on others in order to keep it away from myself. I get arrogant enough to think that, for as long as I’m not as bad as “them,” then I’m good with God.

       Truth is, all of us are sinners. All of us need God’s mercy and forgiveness. He invites us to be truthful and to humble ourselves. He will give us the grace to  acknowledge our sins if we ask. Kitty D. Ferreria 

1^ST READING  

Hosea reminds us that we should strive to know the Lord. This is the right focus for our lives — the Lord Himself and knowledge of Him. If we truly know the Lord, then it is difficult to see how we can allow sin into our lives. Knowing the Lord means that we understand that He is a compassionate and loving God who is always ready to welcome us back when we repent of our sins. 

Hosea 6:1-6

1 “Come, let us return to the Lord, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. 2 He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. 3 Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” 4 What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. 5 For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; 6 for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

  

P S A L M 

Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21

R: It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.

1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4] Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 16 [18] For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17 [19] My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R) 18 [20] Be bountiful, O Lord, to Zion in your kindness by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem; 19 [21] then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and holocausts. (R)

GOSPEL

Personally achieved righteousness will not gain us access to the Kingdom of God. If we rely upon what we can do on our own strength, we will never enter the Kingdom of God. The nature of sin and the damage it causes means that we are left in the situation whereby we need a “key” to enter heaven. That key is offered to us by Jesus through faith in His death and resurrection.

Luke 18:9-14

9 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 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. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 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.’ 14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

REFLECTION

THE PRAYER GOD HEARS

          A Pharisee and a tax collector went to the temple to pray. God was pleased with the prayer of the tax collector. The prayer of the Pharisee was rejected. Although the Pharisee began with, “O God, I thank you…,” the rest of his prayer was a self-congratulatory litany of his accomplishments. The tax collector, on the other hand, could not boast of even a single virtue. He could only mutter as he beat his breast with head bowed, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And yet, the Gospel concluded by saying that he went home justified.

          We learn two lessons from this parable.

      First, we catch God’s attention when we do things with sincerity. Sincerity comes from two Latin words: sine (without) and cera (wax). Literally, sincere means without wax. In ancient times, actors who performed on big stages wore masks made of wax to project to a large audience the emotions they want to portray. To be sincere then is to be without wax, or masks.

       Secondly, we catch God’s attention when we do things in humility. Humility is neither self-deprecation nor self-hate. We are not being humble when we ignore our gifts and talents. That is false humility at best. At worst, it is wallowing in low self-esteem. There is a thin line separating pride and humility. Both begin with an acknowledgment of one’s gifts and talents. But this self-knowledge becomes pride when it is done in a spirit of isolation. Look at the Pharisee in the Gospel. He knew his gifts and virtues but he saw them in a spirit of isolation, “I thank you because I am not like the rest of humanity.” His gifts isolated him from the community. This engenders pride and arrogance. But when done in a spirit of communion, self-knowledge breeds humility and gratitude. To acknowledge one’s gifts and talents in a spirit of communion means to place one’s giftedness at the service of the common good. That way, one can never be proud because one begins to see himself as a servant. And service is kindred to humility. Fr. Joel Jason

"Lord, give me the grace to know my sins and be truly sorry for them."

Source: http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2014-03-29

March 28. 2014 Friday Mass Readings and Reflection - The Greatest Commandment

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30

SEEKING AND SEARCHING

       “How demanding!” That’s what I would say if someone would ask of me what the verse states above. But it’s another point altogether when it comes from the Lord.

       When I had my personal conversion more than 20 years ago, loving the Lord became part of the fuel in my personal relationship with Him. For a single person, which I was for a long time, that included choosing the TV shows that I watch; the books that I read—it took me a long time to win over my natural affinity to romantic novels, some of which had explicit scenes; the company that I keep (including the men that I would date);  and the emotions that I would allow to hold sway in my heart.

       But I testify that seeking to love the Lord with my all has been worth it, though I have done it imperfectly. And just when I was most at peace with my single state, the Lord allowed me to meet a good man. We’re married now, and the seeking and the searching after the Lord continues. May it always be this way whatever state of life I’m in. Joy Sosoban-Roa

1^ST READING  
 

God is a forgiving God. However, for forgiveness to have its full effect, the one who has sinned must have the humility to admit his fault and repent of his sins. Humility seems to be naturally abhorrent to the human condition. I believe that this is purely a result of sin. That is, it is in sinning that we develop a perverse sort of pride that blinds us to the nature of sin and our need for repentance.

Hosea 14:2-10

2 Thus says the Lord; Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. 3 Take with you words, and return to the Lord; Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. 4 Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; we shall say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion.” 5 I will heal their defection, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. 6 I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; he shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, 7 and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. 8 Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; they shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 9 Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. “I am like a verdant cypress tree” — Because of me you bear fruit! 10 Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them. 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17

R: I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

5 [6] An unfamiliar speech I hear: 6 [7] “I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. 7 [8] In distress you called, and I rescued you.” (R) “Unseen, I answered you in thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 8 [9] Hear, my people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, will you not hear me?” (R) 9 [10] There shall be no strange god among you nor shall you worship any alien god. 10 [11] I, the Lord, am your God who led you forth from the land of Egypt.” (R) 13 [14] “If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, 16 [17] I would feed with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.” (R)

GOSPEL

This summary of the Law in two commands — to love God and love our neighbor — demonstrates the relational character of the human person. That is, it is relationships that matter most to us. We are nothing if we stand alone outside any relationship as we would then be unable to either receive or offer love. It is love that gives meaning to our lives and so we must seek to protect our relationships and allow love to develop within us.

Mark 12:28-34

28 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29 Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

REFLECTION

LOOK WITHIN

     If you are familiar with San Carlos Seminary where I am assigned, you know how noisy it can be. It is right along EDSA, a stone’s throw away from the business center district of Makati. It is right beside Rockwell Center and, right now, new skyscrapers are being built, making construction music a regular evening lullaby. One time I booked myself for some days in a retreat house far from the maddening noise of the city.

       One night I was distracted at prayer and so I went outside the chapel and walked through the halls of the retreat house. I then chanced  upon a poster that read: “Madness, to look at the war without, when the real battle is within.” Then it hit me. I travelled far looking for silence without but I was still noisy within.

       That is true. Sometimes we think the war for silence is waged outside when the battle for real silence is actually won within.

       I have facilitated countless retreats. The number one problem that retreatants usually complain about is not the accommodation, the food or the ambiance of the retreat house. It is about their inability to be still even as they are hauled away to a secluded retreat facility.   It’s all about the heart. It’s all about whether I have opened my heart to the actions of God’s grace or my heart has hardened to the point of being impenetrable.

       In the Gospel, Jesus commends the effort of one of the scribes by declaring, “You are not far from the reign of God.” What does it mean to be near or far from the Kingdom? Jesus was not talking mathematical nearness or “farness.” Yes, retreating to a quiet, distant place is a great aid for a spiritual experience, but God’s reign is not about distance and location.

       Even on the heart of the city, God’s reign can be found. I really must not look far and without. I must first look near and within. Fr. Joel Jason

 "Still my troubled heart, Lord. Help me to silence the noise within me by focusing on You."

Source:  http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2014-03-28

March 27, 2014 Thursday Mass Readings and Reflection - Jesus and Beelzebul

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”– Luke 11:17

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

      We see a lot of divisions around us — in our family, in our church, in our country and in our world. Husbands and wives separate. The Church is divided on certain moral issues. Civil wars abound. World wars are always a threat. The division may start from petty arguments, envy or minor conflicts until it turns into full blown fights that can be verbal or physical. And this has caused us much harm, pain and even death.

       Before Jesus was arrested, He prayed for His disciples and all believers: “I pray for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you…. May they be brought to complete unity” (John 17:20, 21, 23).

       How do we restore and keep this unity that Jesus prayed for us who believe in Him? By obeying God’s commands. By being faithful to our spouses. By being loyal to our community and church. By serving and caring for one another. By being merciful and forgiving. Meann Tee

1^ST READING 

 

 

Jeremiah puts down the suffering of the people to their unwillingness to follow the Law of the Lord. The biggest issue at stake here is the lack of the people’s willingness to trust in the Word of God, of which the Law is one aspect. If we trust in the Word of God, we will embrace the Law in the right way, seeing it as a servant and guide for our actions. It is when the Law takes priority over love and compassion that the problems begin.

 

Jeremiah 7:23-28

23 Thus says the Lord: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. 24 But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me. 25 From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets. 26 Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers. 27 When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either; when you call to them, they will not answer you. 28 Say to them: This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.

 

P S A L M

 

 

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

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

1 Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him. (R) 6 Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. 7 For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. (R) Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, 9 where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works.” (R)

 

 

GOSPEL

 

 

The people, and especially the leaders, of Judaism are amazed with the power that Jesus constantly exercises and they want to know its origins. They know that what Jesus does is good but if they fully admit this, it is tantamount to saying that they have been doing a bad job leading the people, as they have not been able to do the things that Jesus does. There is a certain warped nature to this sort of thinking, but that is precisely what happens when jealousy or envy is lurking close at hand.

 

 

Luke 11:14-23

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. 15 Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

REFLECTION

 

I SEE ME

 

      When I was still in the seminary, I had a co-seminarian who was well...perfect. He was intelligent, prayerful, very athletic, sings and dances well, plays the guitar and a little bit of drums and piano, a good speaker, was very popular among the people in the apostolate, and good-looking. But for some reason, I didn’t like him. I wasn’t hostile towards him but I just didn’t feel close to him to be his friend. He left before reaching theology. But I must admit (to my shame), I secretly rejoiced when he left the seminary. This bothered me and I consulted my spiritual director. After a series of sessions, I realized that it was not him I disliked but myself, and I projected it onto him. Every good thing in him was a reminder of what I was not, and at times I found myself imputing ill motives upon every virtue of his.

       This is also what we see in today’s Gospel. Here was Jesus, true God and true man. He preached with authority, loved the sinners, raised the dead, cured the sick. What did the crowds and religious leaders say? “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” They didn’t see God-Emmanuel but the devil incarnate. I guess it was not Jesus they disliked. They hated themselves and they projected it onto Jesus. Everything good in Him was a reminder of everything evil in them.

       In many ways, we are guilty of this defense mechanism. Blessed John Paul II called people with this attitude as masters of suspicion. They are people who cannot accept their mistakes and weaknesses, and so they project these onto other people. When convicted in their limitations, either by word or the example of others, they cast malicious suspicions on others.

       Friends, there will always be people, consciously or unconsciously, who will convict us in our failings. They may be right. They may just be living reminders “of everything we failed to do.” Our dislike of them may actually be a dislike of ourselves. May we not immediately ignore or dismiss them as sanctimonious prudes. They may just be what we need for real self-knowledge and, therefore, genuine self-love. Fr. Joel Jason

 "Lord, remind me to always look within whenever I judge another person’s weakness or wrongdoing."

Source:  http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2014-03-27

March 26, 2014 - Wednesday Mass Readings and Reflections - The Law and The Commandments

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. -Matthew 5:17

BLESSINGS FOR OBEDIENCE

       My four-year-old daughter can be stubborn and disobedient at times. Consequently, what could have been accomplished in a few minutes — like finishing her food — can go beyond an hour.

       In the Bible, we know the story of the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years before they entered the Promised Land. This is what’s astonishing: it takes only two weeks to travel from Canaan to the Promised Land.

       So why did it take them 40 years? Because of their hardheadedness, God sentenced that entire generation to die before Israel could set foot in their destination.

       God allowed them to experience famine in the desert and many trials so they would learn that it wasn’t food but God’s Word that would keep them alive. Read the Bible and you’ll discover the importance that God puts in obeying Him.

       God has a beautiful and powerful promise to those who listen and obey His Word: an abundance of blessings await them!

       Are you ready to obey Him? Then get ready to be blessed! Rissa Singson-Kawpeng 

1^ST READING 

Memory is a very important faculty for human beings, both in our day-to-day lives as well as in religion. Moses reminds the people that they must remember all the mighty deeds the Lord has done for them. Why? The answer is very simple. If we remember all that God has done for us and keep it close to our consciousness, we will always be aware that our faith demands a response to the goodness of God.

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9

1 Moses spoke to the people and said: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 5 Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the Lord, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. 6 Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? 8 Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today? 9 “However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.

P S A L M 

Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20

R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

12 Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. 13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R) 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! 16 He spreads snow like wool; frost he strews like ashes. (R) 19 He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus is not an anarchist nor is He bent on destroying anything except sin. He challenges the current Jewish interpretation of the Law and provides an alternative understanding of it — one based much more on compassion and love — but He does not abolish it. Jesus wants the people to understand the priority of God’s love and mercy and do away with an understanding of the law that places it above the person. The Law is there to serve us, not rule us.

Matthew 5:17-19

17 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. 18 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. 19 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.

REFLECTION

ARE YOU A "WATCHENER"?

 

        I was on a long trip one time and I turned on the radio. I tuned in to a station where there was a live DJ talking, who at least kept me company as I was getting bored. The lady began reading out text messages sent to the station. Her words of thanks caught my attention. She said, “Thanks once again to all our ‘watcheners’ for keeping us company!”

       I don’t know if I spelled it right but that is the word I heard: watcheners. It was the first time I heard that word and then after some  thought I realized that radio programs now are no longer just auditory; they also can be viewed now through the Internet via live streaming. One does not only listen to DJs. One can also observe everything that is going on in the radio booth. Watchener. You do not only listen. You also watch. You observe. This is actually what God, through Moses, is telling the Israelites of that time. Only, Moses did not have the single vocabulary to say so. “Now Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you… Observe them carefully…”

       Notice how God paired listening and observing together. Observing in biblical language is not only watching with the eyes. Observing is actually the engagement of the whole person, i.e., acting on God’s Word: “Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes…”

       Listening and observing are inseparable in Christian spirituality. Our worship is built around these. At the beginning of the Holy Mass, we listen to God’s Word. In the homily, the presiding priest “breaks” the Word, that its wisdom may be unleashed and its power inspire us to Christian action. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we are counseled, “Do this in memory of Me.” And having been nourished by the Body of the Lord, we are sent to “Christify” the world with our Christian witness, “The Mass is ended. Go and proclaim the Good News.” Thus we become true watcheners of the Word. Fr. Joel Jason

 "Help me to listen to Your Word, Lord, and act upon Your teachings, make me an obedient child of yours."

Source:   http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2014-03-26