Gospel and Readings for July 12, 2015 (Sunday) 15th Week of Ordinary Time

First Reading
Am 7:12-15

To Amos, Amaziah said: "Off with your, seer, flee to the land of Judah and there earn your bread by prophesying! But never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."  Amos answered Amaziah, "I am not a prophet, nor do I belong to a company of prophets.  I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamores, but the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lords said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'"

Second Reading
Eph 1:3-14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.  In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he garnered us in the beloved.  Fulfillment thought Christ.

In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.  In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the misery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.  Inheritance through the Spirit.

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.  In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption of God's possession, to the praise of his glory.

Gospel Reading
Mk: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 from there.  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.  They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Word in other words

As I was preparing this reflection, I read the sharing of Fr. Sisoy Cellan in Sambuhay.  Fr Sisoy is an SVD missionary who is presently assigned in Kenya.  I would like to relate to you some of his thoughts on mission which is just about the theme of today's gospel.  By the way, Fr. Sisoy used to be my student in philosophy when I was the regent of Christ the King Mission Seminary, our college-seminary at E. Rodriguez, Q.C.

Fr. Sisoy shared a story where an old woman approached an SVD missionary stationed at a remote mission area in Kenya.  Among other things, this woman was asking for food.  Our SVD confrere handed her some unga (ground maize), and told her it was all he could give her.  Then woman thn replied: "If you missionaries cannot give us what we need, then why are you here?" For Fr. Sisoy it was a biting and even unfair remark.  However, it was worth reflecting on.  Once again the remark of the woman led him to examine his reason for doing mission in Kenya.  He thus posed the question: "If we missionaries cannot give what people ask of us, then what are we to them?"

In today's gospel, Jesus sent his apostles to minister to people and to their needs.  He also instructed them how mission must be conducted in simplicity and with single-mindedness.  In particular, he sent them in pairs.  There is wisdom in this mission strategy- to do mission as a team.  Today, in the Church, pastoral ministry has to be a team ministry if it has to be efficient.  Gone are the days of the rugged individualistic type of missionaries.  Team ministry is not just a pastoral strategy; it is also an effective aspect of witnessing.

Fr. Sisoy speaks of team ministry in doing mission on another front.  This team ministry is in the form of partnership between the Filipino missionaries sent abroad and the Philippine Church He writes:

We represent the Philippine Church in our mission here in Africa.  We carry with us our identities as Filipino Christians into the mission field.  We become the living expression of the Philippine Church's commitment to mission.  Hence, we wish to see our brothers and sisters in our motherland taking concrete stand for us missionaries, supporting and giving assistance to Filipino missionaries who are away from home.  If such concrete assistance is pursued vigorously, then the question of the old woman will have been answered already.

We thank GOd that the Philippines has become the mission-sending Church and we thank in a special way our courageous Filipino missionaries who have braved the difficult and challenging mission in all parts of the glob.  St. Joseph Freinademetz, the first SVD missionary to China, was sustained in his difficult mission among the Chinese by the conviction that, despite differences in culture, languages and ways of life, there is one language that everybody speaks and understands: it is the language of love, the language of God's love.

                 - Fr. Raul Caga, SVD (DWS, Tagaytay City)

Gospel for July 11, 2015 (Saturday) Feast of St. Benedict

Mt 10:24-33

Jesus said to his Apostles,  "No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master.  It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!

Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.  What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. "And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.  Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?  Yet no one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.  Even all the hairs of your head are counted.  So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.  But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."

The Word in other words

When we were younger, my cousins and I were fond of using the term "Don't panic" whenever we find ourselves in a panic mood like studying for the exams or doing a house chore.  I remember also teasingly saying these words whenever my father would ask me to do something.  It would make him a bit furious, and the next thing I knew is him approaching me with a belt on hand!

The very words at the beginning of this day's Gospel,  "Jesus said to his disciples" introduces His instructions to his disciples.  Today He is telling us at least three things:

1.  No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, for the slave to become like his master.  As baptized, our life stories, more so our joys and victories, should always be seen as something we have learned from the teachings and examples of Jesus.  If you feel that other people, and not you, are advancing in riches and wisdom, if you feel that you are not becoming more patient and generous and maturing in faith, don't panic! Life is a mission, mission is a lifetime.

2.  What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.  If you have truly understood what it means to faithfully do God's will, you'll agree that following Jesus is not a joy ride.  HE continues to invite you and me, "Take up your cross and follow Me."  It is in these "moments of the cross" when we encounter tribulations and darkness that He in turn faithfully whispers to us, "Don't panic."

3.  So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  When you find yourself down and hurt; when you're tempted to hate rather than to understand and forgive; when in doubt and afraid, remember, don't panic! "I have loved you with an everlasting love ad that will never change, even if you do."  Then again, "I will always be there for you, you are my precious one."

                         -  Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD (CT Manila)

Gospel for July 10, 2015 (Friday)

Mt 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles, "Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.  Beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.  When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.  You will be given at that moment what you are to say.  For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.  You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.  When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.  Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

The Word in other words

The discourse of Jesus in today's gospel is prophetic.  He tells us what the Christians in some places are experiencing: incomprehension, contradictions, and persecution.

When this happens we know that "it was in the program."  But Jesus also asks something from us: "the wisdom of simple courage which leads to fidelity up to its final consequences, and the prudence that does not look gratuitously for conflict and resolution" (Segundo Galilea)

A few years back I had the chance of joining the  "footsteps of St. Paul's pilgrimage" (Greece, Turkey, and Italy).  In that pilgrimage not only did I see the actual missionary route of St. Paul, but I was able to imagine and feel profoundly the difficulties, persecutions and sufferings he endured, as well as the loneliness, frustrations, and disappointments he overcame.  Amidst those ruined structures which were then magnificent and imposing amidst those beautiful places that we've seen, were also landmarks where St. Paul was challenged, insulted, derided, maligned and put into prison because of Christ.  We know very well from the letters of St. Paul and from Church history how the Christian communities that he had established in those regions suffered the same fate.

But what stood out from all these was the strong faith of the early Christians, their wisdom that led to fidelity till the end.  St. Paul said: "Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged.  We are left without answer, but we do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed (2 Cor 4:8-9)

In the same way, as Christians, let us be aware of the fearful scenario that awaits us as followers of Christ.  Yet. let us develop a strong faith in Jesus, so that no matter what happens we hang on to Him.  Like the woman after the super typhoon Yolanda who was seen praying inside the Palo cathedral, we can say: "My faith is stronger than Yolanda."

                  -Fr. Eliseo Yyance, SVD(DWC, San Jose, Occ. Mindoro)

Gospel for July 9, 2015 (Thursday)

Mt 10:7-15

Jesus said to his Apostles, "As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.  Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.  Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.  The laborer deserves his keep.  Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave.  As you enter a house, wish it peace.  Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words - go outside the house or town and shake the dust from your feet.  Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than that for that town."

The Word in other words

Jesus was very clear in the instructions that his followers were to follow as they went to proclaim the kingdom.  They were to have complete trust in the Lord as they shared God's healing power.  As missionaries of peace, they were to be generous having received so freely from the Lord.

Once a group of us, priests and religious sisters and brothers, were sent incognito to "smokey mountain", the garbage dump in Cebu City, to give witness to our brothers and sisters living there  We were instructed not to wear any sign that we were priests or religious; even the sisters were to go without their habit.  We were to wear T-shirts or sports shirts with rubber slippers or rubber shoes.  Much as we tried to be like the people of smokey mountain, our shirts were simply too white and clean, and even our rubber slippers too neat to fit their culture.  Still we were thrilled that we were able to present ourselves in disguise.  The sound of so many flies flying and the pungent smell of the burning waste hit us strongly, but the simplicity of the people and their warm welcome made up for our feeling of discomfort.  There were without pretense, so considerate and natural were they, apologizing for having no seats to offer to us.  Then one of them told us how happy there were that we came because early that morning a priest told them that priests, sisters, and brothers were coming to visit them.  What a bombshell! We all had a big laugh about our disguise.

We went to smokey mountain to bring Christ along, but we discovered Christ with the people.  In their simplicity we could feel the joy in the midst of poverty.  We learned from them how to trust the Lord always in whatever situation we are in life

            - Fr. Carlos Lariosa, SVD (Radio Veritas Asia, QC)

Gospel for July 8, 2015 (Wednesday)

Mt 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out to cure every disease and every illness.  The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.  Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.  Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  As you go, make this proclamation: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The Word in other words

Jesus called His twelve disciples, gave them authority over unclean spirits and all manner of diseases and commanded them to go out and proclaim the Good News: "The Kingdom of God is at hand."

During His time on earth, Jesus gradually revealed the vision and demands of the Kingdom of God.  God's Kingdom brings transformation, especially the transformation of human relationships.  It grows gradually as people learn to love, forgive, and serve one another.  With the outpouring of the Spirit at baptism, we are empowered to proclaim and witness the Good News of God's Kingdom.

Another important aspect of God's Kingdom is its universality.  It is everyone's concern- individuals, communities, parishes, families and society.  Working to establish God's Kingdom means acknowledging  and promoting God's activity in everyday life.  As we say in the Our Father, it is about forgiving one another and working for liberation from all forms of evil.

We are called through baptism to be disciples of Christ.  Being a disciple of Jesus is about the values we live by, the attitudes we have as we go about raising a family, earning a living, or being involved in church or community activities.  The transformation of society doesn't just take place in the church.  It happens also in the marketplace where people are meeting, doing business, debating, and even relaxing.  We can ask ourselves if we, as believing followers of Jesus, are putting into practice our commitment to the Gospel or if we have an impact on any sphere of life.

All of us have been given a share in the same Spirit, at baptism and confirmation, to enable us to be disciples, announcing the Good News, in our day, time, and place.  The context of each one's life is unique but it contains the opportunities for living out the faith, witnessing to the presence of Jesus in our lives an in our hearts and, as a result, influencing whatever sphere of life we are in.

                                  - Fr. Alex Muana, SVD ( South Africa)

Gospel for July 7, 2015 (Tuesday)

Mt 9:32-38

As [Jesus and his disciples] were going out, a demoniac who could not speak was brought to him, and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke.  The crowd were amazed and said, "Nothing like this has even been seen in Israel."  But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the prince of demons."

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, " The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

The Word in other words

The central message of the public ministry of Jesus Christ is the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus did it in some definitive ways.  One, by preaching with authority; second, by forgiving sins; third, by healing the sick; fourth, by raising the dead to life; and fifth, by driving out demons.  Added to these are other miracles He performed.  All of these, no doubt brought amazement to the people.  Jesus then was a raising star, the center of attraction, the apple people's eyes. However, while gaining the attention and affection of the people, Jesus also gained opposition from the Pharisees.  Jesus for them was not a blessing but a great threat, a threat to their identity, to their religious traditions, including their fame.  Here was somebody who had the guts to challenge traditions and practices.

Sometimes, we are like the Pharisees in a way.  We are not happy about the achievements of others, we speak ill things about them and instead of affirming what is good in other people, we tend to condemn them.  Such attitude destroys the grace of God working in our midst.  The challenge then of the Gospel is that, first, let us not underestimate other people; second, let us mot overestimate ourselves. If we say God is with us, then it is also possible and true that God is also with other people.  With that, we also proclaim the Kingdom of God in our own little ways! Jesus our Lord finally teaches us to be compassionate in dealing with others especially the sick and the poor.  With compassion, we can be instruments of healing, not instruments of brokenness.

Gospel for July 6, 2015 (Monday) Feast of St. Maria Goretti

Mt 9:18-26

While (Jesus was speaking to the crowd), an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, "My daughter had just died.  But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."  Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.  A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak.  She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured."  Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, "Courage, daughter!  Your faith has saved you."  And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official's house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping."  And they ridiculed him.  When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.  And news of this spread throughout all that land.

The Word in other words

Today's Gospel text has parallel accounts in Mark 5:21-43 and in Luke 8:40-56.  I take all three together in meditation as well as the reading from Genesis 28:10-22.  They serve as the guide for my path today and the whole of my life.

I note that the number 12 is mentioned or alluded to.  Twelve years is the age of the little girl who was sick and then died.  Twelve years is how long the woman who touched the cloak or the hem of the cloak of Jesus has been suffering hemorrhages.  And Jacob who is the main character in the first reading from Genesis would be famous, among other things, for having twelve sons- who would eventually become the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Twelve, Biblical scholars tell us, is considered a perfect number, symbolizing God's power and authority.  In the Gospel, Jesus, Son of God, exercise this power and authority over sickness (of the woman with hemorrhage) and death (of the daughter of the official).  The healing that comes from Jesus is in His touching (taking the hand of the dead girl) and in His being touched (by the woman in the crowd).

Today, I invite the Lord Jesus to come to me and conquer whatever sickness I may have, and whatever death I may experience.  Today, I invite Him to be and continue to be the Master of my life.  Today, I ask You, Lord, to help me realize the grounds and places where You are, just as Jacob did, to touch with love and healing whoever and whatever You send my way.  I pray that when I am touched by anything or anyone, Your grace and love in me is passed on.  Today, I ask for a similar sensitivity to persons and things around me that You exhibited when the little girl arose from her death bed.  Mark and Luke say that the very first thing You said to the parents of the girl was to give her something to eat. Ah, what sensitivity.  Ah, what grace.  Today, through me, may such grace, love, and healing take place in my part of the world.

               - Fr. Roderick C. Salazar, SVD (CKMS, QC)