Gospel for September 9, 2015 (Wednesday) Feast of St. Peter Claver

Lk 6:20-26

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.  But 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 Word in other words

In the seminary we have an interesting prayer which we usually pray on a first Friday juxtaposing today's Gospel on the Beatitudes with the "worldly beatitudes."

The world says:  Blest are the rich; power and money rule the world.  But you say:  Blest are the poor in spirit; the reign of God is theirs.  The world says:  Blest are the pleasure-seekers; they are happy ones.  But you say:  Blest are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.

The world says: Blest are those greedy for power and fame.  They shall rule mankind.  But you say: Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill.  The world says:  Blest are the cold-hearted proud; they will dominate their fellowmen.  But you say: Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.  

The world says: Blest are those who crush all opposition with force.  But you say: Blest are the peacemakers; they shall be called the children of God.  The world says: Blest are those who know how to swindle and get ahead by lies and cheating.  But you say: Blest are the single-hearted, for they shall see God.

The world says: Blest are you when men flatter and applaud you; for they will esteem you highly.  But you say: Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you, and utter every kind of slander against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

Worldly, earthly, secular, mundane, temporal, base, unspiritual- these adjectives describe the "blessedness"of today's world.  However, these worldly blessings of power, money, fame, and self-indulgence are deceiving.  They effectively bewitch us with their intoxicating effects and, as a result, exploitation, manipulation, and discord wreak havoc on everyone and on every relationship.

The true blessedness proposed by Jesus is being poor in spirit, meek, merciful, righteous, single-hearted and persevering in persecution and difficulties.  For there is one encompassing motive in living out Jesus' beatitudes- the Reign of God.  However, this reign of God is not relegated to the end time.  In fact, living out the Christian beatitudes in our day to day life will bring down power and pride, make money an instrument to rebuild the lives of the poor and marginalized, and make fame irrelevant.  If this begins to happen, then the reign of God is truly at hand.

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

Gospel for September 8, 2015 (Tuesday) Feast of the Nativity of Mary

Mt 1:1-16.18-23

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brother. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar.  Perez became the father of Hezron the father of Ram.  Ram the father of Amminadab.  Amminadab became the father of Nahshon.  Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.  Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.  Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.  David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph.  Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzia.  Uziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz.  Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.  Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah.  Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the same time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.  Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok.  Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.  Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Now 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 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."

The Word in other words

At the age of 94, my mother is relatively healthy, not only physically but, thankfully, also mentally.  I would always tell people, when they ask me how she is that I seem to be more "ulianin" (absent-minded) than she.  And when they ask about her physical activities, I usually retort, "Taekwondo every day."  Of course, all that is uttered in jest, but in a way I also want to emphasize that, at her age, my mother is still strong.  Actually, her favorite past time is playing scrabble... alone!

Once, she was hospitalized due to some infection, and some friends of mine came to visit her.  I was observing her, and it amazed me that she could still remember their names and even had memories of their initial meeting. Someone she remembered  as having given her a box of tea that was, according to her, able to heal her of bum stomach she was suffering from at that time.  And as more of my friends came, I was treated to a litany of goodness she was supposed to have received from these people,  Later, whenever I would visit her at home, she would usually ask how my friends were, mentioning them by their names.  Finally, when I became a priest, although we were only two children in the family, I felt blessed with so many brothers and sisters ho also called my mother, "Mama."

In a similar way, why do we love Mary so much?  We are even proud to call her Mama Mary!  And we celebrate her birthday today! Why?  Because she gave birth to someone who adopted us as his brothers and sisters, and that is no other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God our Father.  The importance of Mama Mary in our faith is always seen in connection with her Son.  Her birth surely brought the fulfillment of the promise of salvation nearer to us than ever before.  It was a sign that the promise of a Messiah was about to happen.

Indeed, Mama Mary is unique in God's plan of salvation.  Her birth was a part of the divine plan.  She was destined from the beginning to become the mother of the Lord.  And what quality should the mother of God's Son possess?  She should be no less than the best.  She should be the holiest and the purest.  She should be without sin, in fact born without original sin.  She should be IMMACULATE!  That's why even before she was born, she had already been saved.  Our Lord deserved only the best human vessel.  Mary is the vessel, the tabernacle of our salvation!

Mama Mary loved her Son.  She showed this by living up to her role as his mother up to the end.  If mama, my own mother, considers all my friends as her children because they are my friends, how much more does Mama Mary, the immaculate one, consider us as her children because her Son regards us as his brothers and sisters?

Thank you, Mama... Happy Birthday!

- Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD (DWC, Calapan City)

Gospel for September 7, 2015 (Monday)

Lk 6:6-11

On another sabbath he went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.  The scribes and Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.  But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up and stand before us."  And he rose and stood there.  Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?"

Looking around at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your hand."  He did so and his hand was restored.  But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

The Word in other words

The Scribes and Pharisees are a most pitiable lot.  In the Gospel, they were closely waiting and watching Jesus if He would cure on the Sabbath so they could lay a charge against Him.  It is quite incredible that they never said a good thing about Jesus.  Never. Wala. Zero.  Since they were blinded by pride and envy, they were always on the lookout for a flaw, a fault, a failure, an imperfection, a weakness.  In the end, they plotted and succeeded to kill Him.  Tragic figures.

Finding and picking faults in others is a subtle, destructive business.  It distorts one's view of things, destroys relationships, degrades the other person, and debases one's soul.

It is amazing how people can be so stingy with appreciation and praise.  The fact is, praising people is the most effortless thing to do.  It doesn't cost one penny to express one's admiration and appreciation.  It doesn't harm one to say a good word or two about one's officemate or colleague.  It doesn't make one less admirable or commendable if one acknowledges the greatness in others.  Not does it inconvenience one to applaud the other person's successes and accomplishments.

Any yet, at the great cost of energy, worry, and time, people always look for a ripple of weakness in the serene ocean of goodness.

It is said that praise is never entirely undeserved.  So don't hesitate to utter it.  All you need is sincerity- that's all.  Don't be sparing or grudging with your approving words.  Go ahead. Say it. Blurt it out.

You will never fail to discover something good in others to speak about. Be generous with your positive comments and kind remarks.  Tell all and sundry about the good things and virtues you hear and see in others.

The world is like an arid land in dire need of benevolence and magnanimity.  Let's sprinkle it with cool water of praise and approbation.  Let's shower it with refreshing drops of sincerity and kindness.  Let the rain of appreciation fall on everyone we meet, and let a thousand flowers of goodwill sprout and bloom.

                -  Fr. Raymun F. Festia, SVD (CKMS, QC)

Readings and Gospel for September 6, 2015 (Sunday)

First Reading
Is 35:4-7

Say to the fearful of heart:
Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
He comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall see,
and the ears of the deaf be opened;
Then the lame shall leap like a stag,
and the mute tongue sing for joy.
For the waters will burst forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the Arabah.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals crouch
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.

Second Reading
Jas 2:1-5

My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.  For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?  Listen, my beloved brothers.  Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

Gospel Reading
Mk 7:31-37

Again he 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 Word in other words

One Saturday morning I was presiding over a Mass in a convent quite popular among pilgrims.  I was all alone, without ministers, and the church was full.  Immediately I thought that I would have a problem at the distribution of communion.  Fortunately there were some sisters in the church.  So when communion came, I announced ," May I request two young sisters to help in the distribution of communion."

The first sister who came forward was probably the oldest in the community.  I was amused, thinking that the Lord was humoring me because I personally knew the old sister; she was also hard of hearing.  Anyway, I handed her the ciborium and proceeded to give communion together with another younger sister.  In the middle of the communion rite, I accidentally spilled three consecrated hosts to the ground.  At that time my eyes were opened.  I realized how much I had underestimated the old deaf sister, for it was I who acted blindly and carelessly. I whispered a short prayer to the Lord whom I was holding in my hands. "Sorry, Lord," I said, "But thanks for opening my eyes and ears."

The Gospel today speaks to us: "Ephphata!"  Let us be opened to our weaknesses and "blindness," so that we could welcome God's mercy and light in our lives.

- Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)

Gospel for September 4, 2015 (Friday)

Lk 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink."  Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guess fast while the bridegroom is with them?  But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."  And he also told them a parable.  "No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.  Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak,  Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.  Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.  Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.  (And) no  one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, "The old is good."

The Word in other words

Mismatch and incompatible are the words by which we usually describe couples who don't share the same color, height, intellectual level and economic status.  However, we can't deny that we have seen couples whose differences, incompatible gestures and mismatched faces have been dramatically transformed and eventually look similar as they live together for a longer period of time.  Incompatibility is gradually transformed into similarity and they become truly one and the same.

Incompatibility and transformation are the first two words that come to my mind as I read the readings of today.  In the first reading, Paul's letter to the Colossians show the image Christ as the image of the invisible God.  Paul wants to emphasize this reality to those who deny and consider Christ as the incompatible image of God.  But Christ, who co-exist with the Father, insists that "I and my Father are one."  "Whoever sees me sees my Father."

In the Gospel, we discover the incompatible outlooks of Jesus and the Pharisees.  The Pharisees are quick to notice the faults of Jesus' disciples.  For his part, Jesus is quick to defend what his disciples have done saying, "No one tears a piece from a new cloak and patch an old one" and "No one pours new wine into old wineskin."  Christ's message, as the new wine, is incompatible with and cannot be put into the old worldview of the Pharisees who consider sinners as outcasts.  But Jesus sees sinners as potentials for transformation.  That's why Jesus deals with sinners with compassion.  What Christ does reminds us of the basic Christian tenet: hate the sin but love the sinner.

A Costa Rican bishop once said :"La espiritualidad no se ensena sino se contagia."  Roughly translated, spirituality ought not to teach but to infect.  Christ deals with sinners so that people will slowly get infected with his conviction and spirituality.  May Christ's contagious spirituality continue to infect those who are considered by many as spiritually incompatible so that sinners and righteous alike will someday share in the same banquet prepared by Christ.


            - Fr. Semei Rebayla, SVD (Veruela, Agusan del Sur)

Gospel for September 3, 2015 (Thursday) Feast of St. Gregory the Great

Lk 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, Jesus 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 they 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.

The Word in other words

There are good days, and there are bad days.  For Simon, it was one of those bad days for fishing.  We probably have days like that when we can also say, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing."  Things are not going the way we want them to.  We are let down by discouraging results.  People, circumstances, and even nature seem to be conspiring to bring us down.  We can call it quits.  But then, for Simon, an amazing thing was about to happen that would change his life more than he planned or imagined.  The miracle in his life happened because he met and welcomed Jesus; and then he said "Yes" to Him, not once, but twice.

More often than not, God uses our lowest moment to lift us up.  St. Ignatius of Loyola had the call of conversion that provided the see for his founding of the Jesuit order while nursing a wound from battle, probably feeling useless and desperate at that time.  St. Arnold Janssen founded the SVD during the Kultur Kampf in Germany when the suppression of the church made it impossible to do anything for the church, much less to start a missionary congregation.  So, before you despair and give up, first, wait on the Lord and see how He will show you great opportunities disguised as impossible situations.

Secondly, Peter humbly obeyed Jesus with a "yes".  "At your command, I will lower the nets."  Why would a fisherman listen to a carpenter about catching fish in the middle of the day?  When we heed God's commandment and follow His will, He will honor our obedience with opportunities and blessing.

Thirdly, Peter also responded "yes" to the call to follow Jesus and became fisher of men.  Life changes for us when the awareness of our sins leads us to surrender everything to Jesus and follow Him in a new path of life.

               -  Fr. Emil Lim, SVD (Hongkong)

Gospel for September 2, 2015 (Tuesday)

Lk 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogues, he entered the house of Simon, Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.  He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.  She got up immediately and waited on them.  At sunset, all people who had been sick with various diseases were brought to him.  He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.  And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God."  But he rebuked and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.  The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them.  But he said to them, "To the other towns I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent."  And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

The Word in other words

An eminent baby specialist (pediatrician) had a standard treatment for frail newborn babies who failed to gain weight.  When he came to see the baby during his rounds in the hospital, he would invariably scrawl on the baby's chart and give the nurse the following prescription: "This baby should be loved (fondled, hugged, massaged) every three hours.

Francis McNutt, in  New York University study of nurses, found out how effective are those nurses who lay their hands lovingly on patients with the intention of healing them.  These patients are found to recover more rapidly.  McNutt surmises that loving, caring people communicate life-giving power to sick bodies through the healing touch of their hands.

            - Fr. Fred Mislang, SVD (Villa Cristo Rey, CKMS, QC)