Gospel for October 2, 2015 (Friday) Feast of the Guardian Angels

Lk 10:13-16

Jesus said, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackloth and ashes.  But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.  And as for you, Capernaum, 'Will you be exalted to heaven?  You will go down to the netherworld.'  Whoever listens to you listens to me.  Whoever rejects you rejects me.  And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

The Word in other words

Woe to you, Chorazin!  Woe to you Bethsaida!

In this Scripture text, St. Luke presents the troublesome event of Jesus rebuking the people for not recognizing him, not accepting him and not listening to his message.  He makes it quite clear to them that by no means, can they be exalted in heaven if they do not repent and turn back to God.

This must have been a very frightening and discouraging experience for Jesus' missionaries, his disciples, as they were preparing for their first mission journey.  What they witnessed there was the people's radical and willful rejection of Jesus and his authority.  The disciples knew their Master's own teaching?  Jesus had earlier demanded of him to forgive seventy times seven times.  Was this new experience of an enraged Jesus not contrary to the Master's own teaching?  But just like the disciples who needed to discern in order to understand the words and actions of the Lord, we also need a discerning heart to repent for our sins, accept our ever-new personal invitation and call, and turn back to God, who unconditionally loves and keeps on communing with us in many different ways.

"Whoever listens to you, listens to me, and whoever rejects you, rejects me, and whoever rejects me, rejects the one who sent me."

While reflecting on the Gospel, I realized that at times we might not be better than those of Chorazin and Bethsaida.  Do we not also sometimes stubbornly close our hearts and minds and seal ourselves off from experiencing the Lord's pardon and forgiveness, risking to be cursed by Jesus also?  Do we need to be punished first in order to learn wisdom?  God does not reject a humble, repentant sinner.  Nor does he find pleasure in condemning the work of his hands.  Each of us known to God and important to him.  Our names are written on the palm of his hand.  In the silence of our hearts may we be able to hear the gentle voice of God's presence within us.

How wonderful it is to realize and know that our names are witness in heaven and that someday we are expected to be there.  May we ask the Spirit's grace to be open to what God is asking of us here and now.  Lord Jesus, Son of God, mercy on us sinners.

- Sr. Marty Meyer, SSpS (Convent of the Holy Spirit, QC)

Gospel for October 1, 2015 (Thursday) Feast of St. Therese of Child Jesus

Lk 10:1-12

Jesus 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 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 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 for that town."

The Word in other words

People today don't carry a lot cash anymore.  They bring only credit cards or traveler's cheques.  They travel light.  They stay in hotels in order not to disturb others.  They eat in restaurants so as not to worry about cooking.

In spreading the Gospel of the kingdom Jesus suggested that the messenger carry no money or clothing.  He assured that the messenger will be taken cared of.  He assured that the messenger will be offered bed and breakfast wherever he goes.  He needs only to bring peace, healing and the assurance of the presence of God's kingdom among people.  He also suggested that the messenger should not be picky about food.  For me, as a messenger of the Gospel, I need to be a man of peace.  I need to believe in the power that is given to me by virtue of my priestly ordination.  I need to be familiar with the Kingdom of God.  I also need to have simple needs, or else I won't be able to travel light and I won't be able to sleep given the simple accommodation; I won't be able to eat what is served on the table.

On the other hand, as a receiver of God's messengers, I need to be open to embrace the peace brought into my household or I will lose the blessings of peace, healing, and redemption.

Both parties ought to have authenticity.  I ought to be a sincere and true messenger of the Gospel.  I must be a lamb, not a wolf.  As a receiver, I ought to be sincere in my acceptance of the messenger and the message he/she brings into my household.

- Fr. Patricio R. delos Reyes, Jr., SVD (LVD Tacloban)