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Category: Homilies

  • OUR ONLY HOPE IS JESUS

    OUR ONLY HOPE IS JESUS

    March 14, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Lent

    Fr. Manoling Thomas, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031421-YearB.cfm)

    Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus telling Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” [Jn. 13:14]. Jesus is referring to an experience of the Israelites while travelling through the desert, heading for the Promised Land. They were attacked by poisonous snakes or “fiery serpents” which killed many of them. The people asked Moses’ help, who also turned to Yahweh. Yahweh instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent, and mount it on a pole. Those bitten by the poisonous snakes were told to gaze at the bronze serpent. Those who did were healed and restored to life! [Num. 21:1-9].

    The Israelites must have brought along with them to the Promised Land that bronze serpent. Superstitions and practices of idolatry around that bronze serpent crept in, that during the reformation that King Hezekiah introduced, he broke into pieces that bronze serpent and destroyed it altogether! [2 Kgs. 18:1-5]. But why did Jesus refer to that incident and use that imagery?

    Jesus used that incident and imagery to symbolize his crucifixion and glorification [resurrection]! [Jn. 8:28]. Jesus draws a parallel between the bronze serpent incident and his own destiny. The bronze serpent was lifted up on a pole. Jesus was lifted up on the cross. To those bitten by the poisonous snakes, who looked up to the bronze serpent, their life was restored. Jesus is the source of life in this world and the eternal life after. In today’s Gospel, Jesus guaranteed with eternal life those who choose to believe in him. [Jn. 3:15].

    Like the Israelites who were victims of the fiery serpents, humankind too is a victim and is poisoned by sin: pride, greed, lust, envy, laziness, gluttony and other forms of sin! Sin is a poison within us that undermines our spiritual growth and well-being. Our only hope is Jesus, our Doctor and Healer! Jesus is the Suffering Servant of God [Is. 52:13-53:12] lifted up at his crucifixion!

    To be “lifted up” can mean physically, like with the case of the bronze serpent and with Jesus’ crucifixion. But the word has another meaning. In Latin, the word “exaltare” [to be raised up high], is reserved for a very special kind of elevation, like being elevated to a rank or dignity or to be praised highly!

    For the crucified Jesus being “elevated” above the ground was a very shameful experience not only for him, but also for his disciples and for all those who believed in him! Jesus was publicly exposed almost naked and with his wounds bleeding! While hanging on the cross, Jesus was publicly derided, and insulted by his enemies. But God used that shameful and humiliating experience of Jesus, to save us! That shameful and insulting “lifting up” of Jesus was transformed by God into Jesus’ ultimate and eternal “exaltation”, his glorious resurrection!

    What can we learn from today’s Gospel and from the history behind the bronze serpent?

    1. Believing and accepting Jesus’ offer is a free choice every person has to make. The gazing at the bronze serpent offered healing and life, but far more superior is what Jesus offers to those who freely choose to believe in him. Jesus offers eternal life!
    2. What Yahweh used as an instrument of healing, and restoration to life became a source of superstition and idolatry that King Hezekiah had to destroy it to save God’s people!

    We Catholics are often accused by non-Catholics of carving images and worshipping these, thus practicing idolatry! We Catholics do not worship these images but venerate them! There is a big difference between worshiping and venerating! If we Catholics worship these images then the accusations of idolatry, thrown at us is correct! But the truth is: we do not worship these images but venerate them! We honor and reverence these representations of God and of the saints like the way we respect the representations of people we love and hold with high regard!

    Just as God used that bronze serpent to bring about healing and restoration of life to the victims of the poisonous snakes, so too God can freely decide to use what we call “miraculous images” to bring about healing, conversion, and transformation in the lives of people. It is not the image itself that brings about these “miracles” but God and the powerful intercessions of the saints these images represent!

    We must therefore be very careful and definitely clear on how we regard the sacred images, so as not to give our non-Catholic brothers and sisters the opportunity to accuse us falsely of idolatry!

  • PRIDE & HUMILITY

    PRIDE & HUMILITY

    March 13, 2021 – Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031321.cfm)

    WHAT (than Who) is Right, Matters most.

    Certainly pride & humility does not come together. It is said that pride & humility are opposite to one another. But what is the difference between Pride & Humility?

    A wise man once said: “Pride is concerned with Who is Right. Humility is concerned with What is Right.” True indeed, Pride is all about the person being correct, great & better than others, regardless of what he thinks & have done. Humility, however, is all about the person’s right relations, attitude & influence towards others, great or small he may be. Pride is about oneself and thinking more about & of oneself. Whereas humility is not thinking less of oneself but more about thinking oneself less.

    Surely our Gospel today is all about Pride & Humility. The Pharisee is full of himself. He prides & exalts himself compared to the tax collector. He lauds himself for his greatness & merits for doing what is required. He is more concerned about himself than others & even than God. It is all about himself. Whereas the tax collector pays his humble homage due to God, despite his unworthiness & sinfulness. He is concerned about God’s mercy in his life more than his being a sinner. He prays: “Lord, Have Mercy on Me, a Sinner” while the Pharisee is not concern about thanking God “I thank you Lord” but more on “I am not like the rest of humanity.”

    And who is justified & finds favor with God? The one who humbles himself – the one who thinks oneself less, will be exalted and the one who exalts himself – the one who thinks oneself more, will be humbled.

    What God then requires of us is our Righteousness – WHAT is right before God & others, Not our Greatness – WHO is right amongst us. Humility, not Pride matters most in our faith & life, as Hosea reminds us “God desires our love & knowledge of Him, not our sacrifices & burnt offerings.” Simply put, Be HUMBLE than proud. Realize that that Life with God is all about God & not about oneself & ourselves. Consider then oneself less & do whatever is right before God & others, rather than considering oneself more & insist on who is right.

    So Help us God. So May it Be. Amen.

  • Fulfilling God’s commandments?

    Fulfilling God’s commandments?

    March 10, 2021 – Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031021.cfm)

    There was once a man who went to the priest to seek advice. He asked the priest, “Father, what else must I do to lead a holy life? Well, so far, I have not taken the Lord’s name in vain. I have not profaned the Lord’s. I have not dishonored my father or mother. I have not killed anyone. I haven’t been unfaithful to my wife. I have not stolen. I have not borne false witness against anyone. And I have not coveted my neighbor’s wife or good.”

    The priest replied, “So, in other words, you know God’s commandments & have not broken any of them.” “Yes” that’s right“, the man replied. “But have you kept or fulfilled the commandments?” priest asked. “What do you mean?” said the man. “I mean: have you honored God’s holy name? Have you kept holy the Lord’s Day? Have you loved and honored your parents? Have you sought to preserve and defend life? When was the last time you told you wife that you loved her? Have you shared your goods with the poor? Have you defended the good name of anyone? When was the last time you put yourself out to help a neighbor?” Have you loved others as you have loved God and yourself?” You may not have broken God’s commandments but have you fulfilled them?

    Surely we are familiar with God’s commandments. Moses even reminds us today in our reading that we should observe God’s decree and statutes. But what is our attitude towards God’s law and commandments? Is it enough just to observe and not break it or are we doing or fulfilling what it directs us?

    Jesus in our gospel today reiterates to us his listeners that He has not come to abolish the Law and Prophets but to fulfill it. Here, Jesus particularly denounced our minimalist attitude and tendency towards God’s commandment. For Jesus, God’s commandments are more than just human tradition and religious observances or practices. Keeping God’s commandments is not a matter of not breaking or breaking the law but more on actively living out and practicing (i.e. obeying & teaching) its true spirit in our relationship with God and others. In other words, God’s commandments are to be observed not because God says so, but it is & should be our rightful attitude and behavior with God, and through it, we might share God’s salvation and may have life to its fullness.

    Sin of omission is our sin for not doing what should be done or for failing to do what we should do. In other words, the sin of not living what we believe and of not practicing what we preach, and not fulfilling the commandments.

    During this season of Lent, we are called not only to be sorry for the sins that we have done but most important, we must ask forgiveness for the sins of failing to fulfill and do what we should do. And above all, Lent is the time to make thing right before God & others.   May the Lord then, in his love and mercy, forgive us not only for breaking his commandments but failing to fulfill it in our relationship with God and others, & so that we may have anew right relationship with Him. So Help us God, So may it be.   Amen.

  • TRUE AND AUTHENTIC IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS

    TRUE AND AUTHENTIC IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS

    March 7, 2021 – Third Sunday of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030721-YearB.cfm)

    A friend who lives in the US, fell in love with a fellow Filipino. The reason why she fell in love was because the man was so sweet to her. She felt that he showed care and concern for her. Just like any other suitor, she would always receive a message from him greeting her every morning. The constant communication provided by the social media sites opened a great opportunity for the two of them to be connected with each other and be intimate despite the distance.

    Things like these melt her heart and soon enough said her yes to him. Just after a year, she went home here in the Philippines to get marry with that man whom she thought will be her “forever.” Few months after their wedding, things became odd and strange for her. Her husband was actually secretive to her. And lo and behold, there was an occasion when she found out that her husband was in relationship with another woman. Later, she too found out that she was just used by that man to secure a green card for the United States. She too found out that her husband and his girlfriend planned it all along so that they will be able to migrate to US for a greener pasture for the two of them.

    My friend was completely devastated when she knew this. She felt violated and indeed was deceived by the person whom she loved so much. She was so angry and helpless that every time she remembers it, it gives her so much pain and disgust.

    Some of you might have also this kind of experience where you were also deceived and used by people who were significant to your life. Indeed, this causes so much pain and suffering to us when those people whom we trusted and loved, used us for their personal gain.

    A similar experience of deception and destructive attitude for personal gain has been told to us in today’s Gospel. The passage from the Gospel of John narrates to us how Jesus also felt the pain when the Temple of God was used by the merchants as a way to enrich themselves. The House of God was abused by these people for their personal gain, for their own profit at the expense of the poor and ordinary Jews.

    Thus, Jesus was so angry upon witnessing this kind of attitude from the people. Jesus could not accept that the people focused on what they can gain materially in the name of Religion and in the name of God. More so, Jesus was disgusted when those people used that opportunity to exploit the poor by having an unfair and expensive prices for animals to be offered on the altar. The merchants made sure that the animals that shall be offered to the Temple must only come from them. Because of that monopoly in the market, they made the prices of the animals twice as expensive to its original price. What they did was neither for the Temple nor for God but simply to gain more profit for themselves.

    What has been done was a violation to God’s covenant, to the relationship built on trust and love between Yahweh and His people. The Temple is a symbol of that relationship of the Hebrew people and God. The Temple was the image that God is with His people, faithful and loving. Yet, the people used this relationship also for the sake of personal gain and pleasure.

    This reveals to us now how we can be cunning and deceiving also in our own relationships. There is a tendency in us to use other people for our personal gain and pleasure. We please others for the sake of gaining favors from them. We build connections from others in order to boast ourselves and advance our personal agenda which is very common in the political arena; not just in politics but even in religious and our personal relationships.

    Consequently, we have been given with the ten commandments proclaimed in the first reading. The ten commandments which basically talked about our relationships with God and our neighbor present to us the proper and right attitude in relating to God and with one another. These commandments are not designed to limit us or to put mere restrictions in relating with another, but rather, making us freer and life giving as we build and develop relationship with God and with one another.

    Therefore, the ten commandments are given to us so that we will be able to give life and celebrate life. This is essentially what the covenant of God is all about, giving life and celebrating life. A true relationship then is not about what we can profit from others, but about growing together and finding joy with one another.

    This is the call for all of us then, on this Third Sunday of Lent – and that is to be true and authentic in our relationships with one another. The commandments provide us the way on how we can freely love God and the person next to us. And that our relationship is not about what we can gain or profit but rather what we can give and invest in our family, with your husband or wife, your children, friend, our community and God. Truly, it is in mutual giving that we also find our relationships more flourishing and fulfilling.

    Now, I want to invite each of you to do something for this coming week as we continue to observe the Season of Lent. There are two invitations that you may do for those special people who could be your partner in life, children, friend or community.

    • First, invest your time and presence. It means give enough time to be there for them, to listen to their concerns and problems. Let your presence be felt by them who have become afraid, lonely and ashamed.
    • Second, say to thank you to those people who are special to you. Express your gratitude to them and to the relationship that you have with them. It also means that you are to recognize the gifts that they have and the things that they did to you.

    Hopefully, these attitudes will make our relationships with God and with one another stronger and sincere and that we will relate not on the motivation on what we can profit and gain from others, but on how we can give life and meaning to each other. Hinaut pa.

  • General House Cleaning

    General House Cleaning

    March 7, 2021 – Third Sunday of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030721-YearB.cfm)

    When was the last time you have a general house or room cleaning? When was the last time you yourself have cleaned your own house? Or how many times have you yourself have cleaned your own room?

    Do you believe that a simple activity of cleaning your room or house yourself can be a learning and life-changing experience? Yes. Try to do a general cleaning of your house or just your room, and you get to know a lot of things about yourself as well as be in touch with your present priorities, needs, resources, response, expectations, difficulties, frustrations, adjustments, and challenges in life.

    Tedious and tiring chores it may be, if we really reflect on it, house cleaning can be a necessary exercise and opportunity to improve your life. First, by house-cleaning, you will not only get a good physical exercise, you can also have a review of your life. You see, clean and treasure again what you have at present – like, your gifts, resources, plans, resolutions, and dreams. You can be in touch again with your present state of being – your difficulties, adjustments, & struggles, and make reality check of your identity, commitments, and decisions. Second, cleaning your place could be your chance to re-arrange and re-adjust your needs, wants, priorities and expectations in a more realistic manner. Along the way, you may have collected a lot of clutters, stuffs or abobots in life that are not valuable, important, and useful anymore in your journey. House-cleaning is the time to let go and say goodbye to non-essentials and to take care of what are really essentials and truly important in life. Lastly, house-cleaning can be the chance to renew and re-commit to life you choose to live. As you clean your room, you begin take hold and control, direct and make sense of your life again, and in effect, making your life more livable, tolerable, and meaningful.

    You might wonder why we are talking about house or room-cleaning today.

    Our liturgy and its readings today are telling us a simple and profound message: We are today’s God’s home, and we do need cleaning at times.

    Beyond the story about Jesus making a scene and being angry and wild inside the temple, Jesus in our gospel today is doing and calling all people then and now for a General House Cleaning. For Jews then and us today, the temple is considered to God’s home – the sacred place where God resides, lives, and dwells. We need then to revere, consecrate, respect, and behave well and righteously in God’s temple for it is where God incarnates and reveals Himself. God’s temple then is moment in space and time where and when we meet God and be with God. And at the very core of Jesus message is that God’s presence is not anymore confine into a place but now accessible and presented to all through and in Jesus. Jesus is the New Jerusalem. Jesus is God’s new temple. And whoever believes in Him, God and Jesus will reside in him.  This means that we who believes in Christ today are now the extensions and representations of God’s temple. We are then today’s God’s sacred home where God resides, lives and dwells.  This is how fortunate, privilege and sacred we are and we should be.

    However sacred, fortunate, privilege Home to God we may be, we do need at times house or room cleaning. As today’s God’s home, we may be undeserving, unworthy, and unruly to such honor and dignity. Sometimes we may not recognize, appreciate, and commit with such dignity, and worse, may neglect and reject the privilege of being and becoming God’s home. And during these times, we need spiritual house-cleaning. We need to review our life, re-arrange and re-adjust, and recommit our life according to our identity as God’s home.

    Lent is the time for our general spiritual house or room cleaning – the time to review life, the time to re-adjust and re-arrange one’s life, time to recommit to life in order to be and become today’s God’s home anew.

    Again, when was the last time you yourself clean your own house or room? Try to do it again these days and it may improve your life for the better, as a person as well as a Christian.

    Jesus during the first Sunday of Lent challenges us “Repent & Believe the Gospel”. God in the Lord’s Transfiguration last Sunday during the second Sunday of Lent proclaims to us: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him”. Now on the third Sunday of Lent Jesus confronts us: “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace” – meaning, make God’s home Sacred, righteous & holy in us. In other words, let us do a good general spiritual house-cleaning & consecrate anew our lives to our Lord Jesus Christ.

    So Help us God & Bless Us always. So May it Be. Amen.