Gospel Reading for December 15, 2015 (Tuesday)

Mt 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, "What is your opinion?  A man had two sons.  He went and said to the first, 'My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.'  He answered, 'I will not go,' but afterwards thought better of it and went.  The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, 'Certainly, sir,' but did not go.  Which of the two sons did the father's will?"  "The first," they said.  Jesus said to them,  "I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.  For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him.  And yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did.  Even after seeing that, you refused to thing better of it and believe in him."

The Word in other words

Many parents, teachers and other guides of the young probably will smile of nod in recognition as they listen to this parable.  How often does a son/daugther or a pupil say "yes" to a request, and then go away and forget all about it!  Or, having initially said "no", then have a change of heart and finally obey.  This can be exasperating at times but it can also be amusing as Jesus turns it into a parable.  It seems he understands our frustrations as parents.

Jesus is a mater storyteller who uses colorful language to capture the hearer's attention.  However, I'm sure he does not wish merely to entertain us.  There is a deep lesson and challenge for us here.  If the man in the story is the heavenly Father, then all of us are his children.  If the scribes and Pharisees thought of themselves as being the obedient ones, then we- the churchgoers, members of parish organizations and prayer groups- may consider ourselves to be in that category now.  Yes, even those of us who are priests and religious could be caught in the same trap.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with being virtuous.  The problem is that it so often leads us to making harsh judgments against so-called "unvirtuous" or "disobedient".  Rather than rejoice at their conversion we can at times discover resentment within us that they are being so easily and joyfully accepted by the loving Father.  Or, without in any way justifying the wretched way of life of many of the "disobedient", we can find ourselves very distant from them and lacking in compassion as they cry to God in their desperation.  This is, in fact, our disobedience: to be satisfied with our own virtue and not do what God really wants of us.

The truth is that both sons in the parable are far from doing the father's will.  We all need to be lowly and humble in order to enter the Kingdom of God.  "Create for us a clean heart, Lord, that at your Son's coming this Christmas we may be found among the humble and lowly people who are worthy to become his sisters and brothers. (Columba Breen, OSB)

- Fr. John O'Mahony, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)

Gospel for December 14, 2015 (Monday) Feast day of St. John of the Cross

Mk 21:23-27

When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things?  And who gave you this authority?"  Jesus said to them in reply, " I shal ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.  Where was John's baptism from?  Was it heavenly or human origin?"  They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say, 'Of heavenly origin' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.  " So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do no know." He himself said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

In other Words

We cannot please everybody.  Indeed, no matter how much we do our best and no matter how good our intentions are, we still find people who cannot even express a simple appreciation for what we are doing.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus encountered another challenge to his authority from his  "favorite" dialogue partners - the Jewish leaders.  We have to understand that during the time of Jesus the culture of honor and shame was very strong.  Honor was a highly sought-after good.  This was one reason why the Jewish leaders didn't enjoy Jesus being around.  As Jesus gained reputation, they themselves were losing it. As a line of defense to uphold their own reputation, they had to question Jesus' identity and challenge his authority in public.

Jesus was very much aware of this.  In fact, he used the same weapon against his adversaries.  Knowing the intention of the Jewish leaders, he posed a challenging question that put them into a dilemma.  He turned the table on the Jewish leaders.  The burden of securing honor was now on their shoulder.  Since they could not afford to be humiliated in front of the crowd, they had to choose whether to be truthful or to take the safer course and lie; they chose the latter.  Their ego led them to compromise what was true on this pretext, "We do not know."

Often in our lives we are faced with a similar dilemma, and then we compromise the truth.  In our desire to always look good, envious of what others have done, greedy for power, wanting to get praise and honor, we end up guarding ourselves at the expense of others.  Worse, we compromise what is true and settle with the safer course of self-preference.

Jesus, in this season of Advent, is challenging us, first, to stay grounded and humble, and recognize the goodness of each other.  Goodness is not to be monopolized; rather, it is to be acknowledged and shared.  Then, as Christians, we are to stay truthful no matter what.  Truth is not to b compromised but to be lived and proclaimed in daily life.

- Fr. Mark Angelo M. Ramos, SVD (DWS-Tagaytay)

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)

Gospel for September 25, 2015 (Friday)

Lk 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them,  "Who do the crowds say that I am?"  They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"  Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God."  He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."

The Word in other words

We all love a messiah, specially a glorious one.  Our favorite stories and movies are about persons with extraordinary powers fighting and defeating the evil elements that oppress people or threaten our world.  We then feel good in the end.

We all love the messiah of Peter and the apostles, the very same messiah of the Jews and Pharisees, a powerful and conquering messiah who will liberate his people from the nations that oppress them.  Even our prayers often betray our understanding of messiah.  We often pray for a messiah who would come and destroy all our enemies and solve all our problems.

Yet for Jesus, he is Son of Man, the Ebed Yahweh.  Yes he will save his people not by the power and might but by offering his life for them.  He will overcome the powers of this world through his mercy and love.

Jesus is the Messiah  who showcased us the true face of God.  A God who loves us to the end, to God's end.

-Fr. Herman Suico, SVD (Zamboanga City, Sibugay)

September 24, 2015 (Thursday)

 Lk 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,"John has been raised from the dead": others were saying, Elijah has appeared": still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen."  But Herod said, "John I beheaded.  Who then is this about whom I hear such things?"  And he kept trying to see him.

The Word in other words

When I opted to be a volunteer missionary in Liberia, West Africa, I needed to undergo a lot of preparation besides the mandatory vaccination against yellow fever.  First is emotional preparation because I would be working for the refugees and internally displaced people; second, physical preparation because I would be helping rebuild a community and that would require travelling even into the heart of the jungle; and third, spiritual preparation because I would be dealing with wounded people and victims of war.

Reaching my designated area of arrival, I was surprised to see the ravages brought about by the war.  There was no electricity, there was scarcity of food in the market, no drinking water was available, no infrastructure was standing and, on a positive note, the presence of different non-governmental organizations doing their respective social services was visible.  As a JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) volunteer, I brought with me the vision-mission of the group.

In the first reading, the Lord reminded his people through he prophet Haggai about their responsibility.  The forgot the graces they received from the Lord.  They became complacent about their relationship with God because they had whatever they needed.  Despite all the abundance that life could offer, they were not contented at all.  There was still a vacuum: though they had their fill, they were not satisfied; though they worked hard, nothing was enough for them because they took the essentials for granted.

The people of Voinjama, Liberia may have been victims of war and conflict, but they have shown their inner strength to face the challenges ahead of them as they started to rebuild their own lives and the community that was once full of life.  Yes, they have little to go by materially but they have what they needed in order to survive, and that is their strong faith in a loving and merciful God.

- Fr. Jun Perez, SVD (Ansan, South Korea)

Gospel for September 21, 2015 (Monday) Feast of St. Matthew

Mt 9:9-13

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.  He said to him, "Follow me."  And he got up and followed him.  While he was at the table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.  The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.  Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'  I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

The Word in other words

A few years ago there was a strong movement in Europe and North America where Christians, young and old from all denominations, could live together. Rules to live by were reduced to the minimum.  The number in each group was somehow limited but workable.  In one group of 10 was a girl Linda who was working as secretary in an office.  After being a regular member for a year, she simply disappeared and no one knew where she went; everyone was a bit disturbed.  One evening the group huddled together to share about the problem.  No one really knew why she left.  After agreeing that they found Linda to be a good member of the community, they decided to do two things: 1)that they would all pray for her; and 2) if ever she would come back, no one should inquire about her disappearance.  Instead they would greet her and tell her that they missed her.  After two weeks Linda came back to the community ready to meet inquiring eyes and words of reprimand, but nothing of the sort happened.  So, taken by surprise and stuck by kindness of the community.  In the meeting she broke down, told everything.  When she came back, she said she was surprised that no one was angry at her.  She was doubting if they were concerned about her disappearance and why no one asked questions when she came back.  She felt their kindness and concern for her.  The feeling of being welcomed back revealed how good it was to be in a community like hers.

In the gospel today. we heard the Pharisees complaining about Jesus who was eating and drinking with tax collectors.  The newly converted Matthew must have felt uneasy with the remark which was actually an insult to his chief guest, Jesus.  When Jesus answered the accusation saying, "I want mercy, not sacrifice," Matthew must have been relieved.  It is always the case that when we hear the words of Jesus, we feel delivered from evil.  Like St. Matthew, let us follow where Jesus leads us and find our home in him.

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