Gospel for September 12, 2015 (Saturday)

Lk 6:43-49

Jesus said to his disciples, "A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.  A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do what I command?  I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listen to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against the house but could not shake it because it had been well built.  But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house without a foundation.  When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.

The Word in other words

Inside the Divine Word Retreat House in Sunnyside, Baguio City there is a grapefruit tree that bears robust fruits yearly.  The puzzling thing is that these well-ripen fruits are bitter and sour.  Even the ripe grapefruits fallen from the other side of the fence taste the same in spite of their "Davao pomelo-like" appearance.  My wonderment came to a halt when one of the lay ministers at the Pink Sisters' Convent old me that bitter and sour grapefruits were common in the area because there was something wrong with the soil there.

The Lord in today's Gospel speaks of two similes, namely, that a good tree bearing good fruits is like a good person bearing good deeds and a person who listens to the Word is like a person who builds his house on a strong foundation.  I therefore view the bitter grapefruits at the retreat house as due to untilled and untreated soil.  Converting the soil to something productive would be like laying a foundation on a solid rock.

Today, the Lord is speaking of solid foundations in our lives.  He is inviting each one of us to place our faith-foundation in him, the "Rock of all Ages."  Faithful discipleship would then be the fruit we will bring about,

- Fr. Emil Pati, SVD(San Fernando, La Union)

Gospel for September 11, 2015 (Firday)

Lk 6:39-42

And he told them a parable, " Can a blind person guide a blind person?  Will not both fall into a pit?  No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.  Why do you notice the splinter in your brothers' eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?  How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your eye?  You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."

The Word in other words

Jesus loves to teach with parables.  This is his human way of explaining the kingdom to his listeners- rich and poor, hypocrites and gentiles alike.  Today's gospel formulates the question in another way:  Can a person effectively teach if he himself does not practice it in his life?  One time during my high school days, I came late for morning class and received a demerit for it.  I felt the hypocrisy of my teacher who I saw coming late to our class a couple of times before.  During our vacant time, I confronted him for what he did but sad to say he acted even more like a hypocrite by telling me- "Follow what I say; do not follow what I do."

The message of Jesus is very clear. He is stating a heavenly principle about how we should treat others.  The Lord knows our faults.  He sees all, even the imperfections and sins of our heart which we ourselves fail to recognize.  Like a gentle father and a skillful doctor, the Lord patiently draws us to his seat of mercy and removes the cancer of hypocrisy which inhabits our hearts.  Jesus asks us to cultivate a creative attitude which will enable us to encounter others without judging them, without preconceptions and rationalizations, by accepting them as our neighbors.  This total openness towards others will arise in us only when we are capable of relating with God in total trust and with each other as children of his kingdom.

- Fr. Jun Pateno, SVD (New Jersey, USA

Gospel for September 10, 2015 (Thursday)

Lk 6:27-38

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

"Stop judging and you will not be judged.  Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven..."

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)