Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Ordinary Time

  • SELFLESS

    SELFLESS

    September 7, 2025 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090725.cfm)

    A recent Facebook post catches my attention. It is about a young man named Seth Adam Smith who realized, after being married for a year and a half, and said that: “Marriage is not for me”…. Why? Because after all these months of marriage with his teenage sweetheart, he comes to understand now what his father’s advice to him before his wedding day, is becoming true and right before his very eyes.

    His dad once said to him then: “Seth, remember marriage is not for you. You don’t marry to make yourself happy. You marry to make someone else happy. More than that, marriage is not for yourself. You are marrying FOR a family and for your future children. Marriage is not for you. It is not about you. Marriage is about the persons & people you marry to.”

    Surely married couples here could relate to this realization or advice. For marriage is indeed not really for the sake of oneself but for the sake of your lifetime partner and family.

    And so eventually married couples have to learn along the way that marriage is not all about me or about I but about US. And surely such realization is a hard-lesson to learn where learning happens only through trial and error experience. To be SELFLESS, i.e. to be not selfish and self-centered then is the very challenge of committed love we called marriage.

    For love is more than just a feeling or emotion but a commitment and decision to go beyond and give up oneself for the sake of the other. In other words, in marriage – in committed love, couples are to love their own spouse as much as, and as more than they love themselves and they love one another.

    This is the very kind of love Jesus asked of us in His commandment of love when he said: “Love one another as I have loved you”. A love much and more than our kind of love, but a selfless love for the sake of the other, and a love that leads us to a life and a world that is not the same as it is, but for the better of us. A married life committed in love not for your own but for the sake of your loved ones and of loving them, and above all for our Lord Jesus Christ.

    It is indeed easy nowadays for people to say: “Not for me”. Priesthood? Not for me. Religious life? Not for me. Marriage? Not for me. And even perhaps, Christianity? Not for me. But come to think of it, priesthood, religious life, marriage – following Jesus is indeed not for Me nor for You, but for Him; not about Me or You, but about Him whom we love & follow in life as Christian. And Christians who opted for Christ is saying that their discipleship is SELFLESS – not for them but for Him whom they choose to follow in life.

    For what it is to be a Christian? What does it cost to be a disciple of Christ? To be a Christian, as Jesus taught us today is like marriage, more than just a preference but a commitment.

    To follow Christ is not just we prefer Christ in our dealings with life – that we want and like Christ to be part of our lives, but it is to commit ourselves to the Christian way of life. To commit to Christ then is to be selfless, i.e. letting go of ourselves and letting God be God in our lives.

    On one hand, selflessness involves letting go, i.e. as Jesus said: to renounce – to give up everything. And this us not easy, because usually we prefer to have, possess, acquire, and own everything.

    But Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of God is more than what we prefer and desire (want and like) in life, but it is what God’s wants and wills what is best for our life. Like Seth who realized that “Christian Marriage is not for me…not for my sake but for the best and sake of my partner, and my own family”.

    Being His disciples then is not about being self-oriented, self-centered & inward-looking, but rather being other-oriented, other-centered & outward-looking. And the Kingdom of God is then not about You and I, not even about yours & mine. But God’s kingdom is all about We and Ours, and above all about HIM, as our Lord and we, as His disciples.

    On the other hand, selflessness requires to letting God be God, that is to submit to God’s will. Human as we are we like to be in control, to lead and to be the master. In a way we prefer to take the driver’s seat and take the steering wheels, and go where we want to go.

    But following Christ means to commit and submit to God’s will for us, and let God control, lead, guide, and form the direction of our lives. This means that we become passengers, and let Jesus takes the wheels and brings us to place and time in our life beyond our imaginings.

    Again, be reminded what Jesus is saying to us in our gospel today: to BE HIS disciple is to hate our life, carry our crosses & follow Him, and renounce all our possessions… all for the sake of and because of HIM.

    Jesus himself, by his words and examples, has shown us how to be selfless by letting go and letting God be God. In the same way, for us to fully fulfill God’s kingdom in our lives, as Christians, pray we must that we selflessly commit our lives to Christ (as Christian husband, wife, mother, father, priest, religious nuns or brothers, sons and daughters, family) by letting go and letting God be God with total commitment for Him (and, not for the sake of me, you, & ours alone) in faith & life. AMEN.

  • Will you give a space for God?

    Will you give a space for God?

    September 3, 2025 – Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the reading (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090325.cfm)

    Entering and investing in a relationship whether in friendship or a romantic relationship requires us to a mutual self-giving. This giving of the self is manifested in our capacity to make a space for a person or people to occupy in our life. Allowing a person to occupy a space in our life, also means that we make ourselves open to the person. The person may know our deepest secrets, as well as our deepest pains in life.

    We shall find, then, our relationships fulfilling and essential in our personal development. In hope, we assume that the person or those people whom we have given the space in our life have the good intention in giving care and expressing love to us.

    Yet, we also realize that if the person whom we have given a space in our heart and in our life, betrays us, gives us more pain and stress, then, our relationship becomes hurtful. This could even develop into a toxic relationship, sucking the life out of us. This kind of relationship does not help us and would only bring us into pain and bitterness.

    However, what if it would be God, this time, who asks for a space in our life and in our heart? Will you allow God to occupy a space? Are you willing to give up something for God to be in your life?

    God, certainly, shall not bring us to harm and evil. God desires goodness and happiness for us, but, giving a space for God also requires something from us. We cannot accommodate the Lord when the heart is full. We cannot give a space for God when our life is occupied with many things. What God needs is a small space to bring healing and transformation in us.

    We have heard this in the Letter of Paul to the Colossians. Paul affirmed the Colossians because of the capacity to welcome and receive the Gospel in their hearts. Faith grew, love deepened and hope strengthened because they allowed God to have a space in their hearts. Having a space for God transformed them as a Christian Community.

    Moreover, the Gospel also tells us how Jesus brought healing and transformation into the house of Simon. As it was in any typical Jewish house at that time, the house of Simon, must had been full of people too. His house was not just occupied by his wife and children but also his in-laws, nephews and nieces. And perhaps, cousins and other relatives who sought refuge in the house of Simon.

    However, despite this situation, Simon offered Jesus a space in his house. When Jesus was given a space, Jesus was able to heal his mother-in-law who was afflicted with a severe fever. The miracle of healing happened here. She was healed. Strength was renewed for her.

    The more interesting transformation was the effect of the healing. Her actions were transformed. When she was healed, she got up and waited on them. This means that when she experienced the healing, she served the Lord in her own capacity. This is faith in action and gratitude being transformed into generosity and kindness.

    The Lord also invites us today. We may have experienced hurts and pains in our human relationships. Those whom we welcomed in our life may have caused us troubles and traumas.  Yet, we are assured that God only brings healing and transformation in us. God desires that we will be healed in whatever illness and pain we are experiencing today.

    Thus, give a space for God by also getting rid of those that are not actually helpful and not necessary. This applies in our personal life. Alos in our relationships, in our homes and communities particularly. Allow the Lord today to occupy that space and allow him too to heal and transform in us.

    As we experience the gift of healing, this may it move us to put in action our faith and to make concrete our gratitude to God. This shown by becoming generous and kind towards others. Hinaut pa.

  • TO SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY

    TO SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY

    September 2, 2025 – Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090225.cfm)

    How is your language? How do you speak to others? I do not mean of a particular “language of a group of people” like English, German, Italian or Filipino. What I mean rather is the quality of our conversation with others. Does our language then, speak of gentleness and compassion? Or does our language use hate speech, express anger and malice? Do you converse to gossip, create confusion and lies?

    Indeed, there is power in language not just as a medium of communication, but also, as a medium of healing and bringing freedom. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, spoke with authority and his language brought healing and freedom to the person.

    The people in Capernaum were amazed at Jesus when he spoke and taught them. They were not amazed at his eloquence and fluency in the language but more astonished at his words that were spoken with authority.

    Jesus spoke and taught them not like the Scribes and Pharisees. They spoke to brag about how good and righteous they were, yet, demanding to be praised and recognized at public places. Those very people burdened the ordinary folk with many laws to observe and punishments in not following the law. Jesus also spoke not like the Roman authorities and soldiers who would demand that people should pay their taxes and be subjected to their authority.

    The words that Jesus spoke to them made them alive and free and not fearful and resentful. It means that the words of Jesus generates life, freedom, peace and reconciliation.

    This was clearly manifested when Jesus encountered an evil spirit. The evil spirit that burdened the man, made him suffer. The evil spirit subjected the man to bitterness and hatred. Yet, it was powerless before Jesus. The words and the presence of Jesus brought light into the life of that man. Jesus healed the man and broke the oppressive influence of the evil spirit through his life-giving words, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

    These powerful words of Jesus came from his very person. Because Jesus’ intention was honest, his words were of kindness, and his actions generous. As a result, that encounter became life-giving and freeing for the man possessed and oppressed by the evil spirit.

    The Lord Jesus also calls us today that we too may find life and freedom in his words and presence. The holy scriptures and this Eucharist are concrete ways of the Lord to speak to us. In hope, may we also learn to speak with authority like Jesus so that we become life-giving and instruments of freedom in our community.

    Let us examine our words and our encounters with people today. Are my words and presence life-giving or condemning? Am I giving freedom or condemnations? Are my words and speech filled with hatred and anger or peace and kindness? Do I speak to only bring gossip and lies or speak the truth and goodness of others?

    If we find that our words and presence express more of condemnation, judgments, hate and bitterness, gossips and lies – allow Jesus to transform us. Allow Jesus to cast the evil spirit in us so that we too will be healed and become free. Hinaut pa.

  • Better Christian

    Better Christian

    August 31, 2025 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083125.cfm)

    We may argue that having religion does not always make us good person. Because as experienced, we hear & know of people having no religion leading very good moral lives, as well as of people having religion leading questionable & not exemplary lives.

    However, just because having religion does not always make us good person, it does not mean that we don’t need religion. Religion make us connected with God. Even though we can be good or bad person in this life regardless of religion, religion – having relationship with God makes us not only better than just good persons in this life, but makes our life meaningful & worthwhile in this life now & beyond.

    Yes, we can be good or bad atheist, and we can be good or bad faithful in this life, but having religion & faith in this life makes us strive to be better and to rise above the occasion in this life & to the life to come before God. For we know that people of faith are more resilient, hopeful, directed, forward-looking, persevering & joyful amid daily challenges & adversities of life, and people of no faith are prone to vanity & despair in life.

    Regardless of religion & morals, what Jesus particularly requires of us Christian, His followers & believer is to have our righteousness (our right relation with God) exceed from that of others. He said “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes & Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.”

    Meaning as believers of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is not enough to do good & have religion in life, (like the scribes, Pharisees & ethical well-behaved people) but we should rise above the occasion & live a better version of our Christian faith & life before God and all. It is not enough then just to do good & right, we must also be witnesses of Christ to others in loving one another as God commanded of us to be in life.

    And here particularly in our gospel, Jesus reminds us that having religion is more that just about social norms & public etiquette. Having faith & religion is all about our loving concern & humble service with others. It all about  celebrating God’s banquet of life for all with everyone… regardless of having status, position, titles & prestige in the church faith & life. 

    And as we do our part in the celebration, Jesus even advises us here not to exalt, but rather humble ourselves & be more concerned of the last, the least & the lost amongst us “for you will repaid at the resurrection of the righteous”. Yes, HAVING religion does not assure & make us good persons, but DOING religion & practicing our faith then could make us Better Christians in life.

    Siya Nawa. Hinaut pa unta. So May It Be. Amen.

  • Not out of Fear but from Gratitude & Generosity

    Not out of Fear but from Gratitude & Generosity

    August 30, 2025 – Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083025.cfm)

    People who struggle with low self-esteem may find it so difficult to share their talents and express themselves. The fear of being judged and being rejected by others could hamper a person to share and express himself or herself. Many times, one could not avoid such fear because people tend to easily notice the negatives, failures and the ugly.

    More so, we may also tend to compare ourselves with others. To realize how others enjoy many things than us or how others possess more than us, could make our heart envious. Among siblings and friends, it can be painful when others stress who is better, brighter, and more talented among us. This can make the “lesser self” become bitter towards others and towards himself or herself.

    Such outlook in life would hold us back from developing healthy and life-giving relationships because of our poor self-image and low self-esteem. We too may tend to hide in fear and bury our potentials. Thus, we endanger ourselves to become stagnant and unproductive.

    The parable in today’s Gospel reminds us of this through the third servant. Yet, it also challenges us to see beyond our limitations and embrace our potentials. This becomes more possible in us as we grow in gratitude and generosity and not out of fear.

    Indeed, the servants were given “talents” (a particular amount of material wealth) by their master. Each was given different amount of talents, “each according to his ability.” The master realized the ability of each of his servant and so they were entrusted as the master saw it fitting for them.

    When we are the ones in this situation and having a low self-esteem, we too might compare ourselves especially when we have received less. We could become bitter and reactive towards the master who entrusted little in our care. We could feel envious of others who received more.

    The third servant represented this kind of heart. He was rather filled with fear and bitterness towards the master, towards others and himself. And so, he decided to bury his talents. That made him unproductive and having a bitter perspective of the generosity of the master. He might have despised the master and his companions too. Yet, he too could have pitied himself for having less.

    However, the two other servants no matter how much they have received understood what the master wanted them to do. With the talents given to them, they began to take risks and invested what they have possessed.

    The two servants have given us the model of becoming grateful and generous. This made them productive and even discovered the wonders behind their abilities and potentials. This was manifested at how the master entrusted them with more.

    This is how we are invited today. There is no reason for constantly comparing ourselves with others. When this becomes an unhealthy behavior in us, it will remove us from being free, grateful and generous. We will be prevented to become more productive in our own way.

    We are challenged, then, to confront and outgrow our fears, our low self-esteem, and begin to affirm ourselves and the gifts we have no matter how small or limited we may think of them.

    Like the two other servants, the Lord wants us to take risks, to be creative, to be productive in our own ways. The Lord gives the grace in each of us, each according to our ability. This is not because God discriminates us but in God’s wisdom, God sees our capabilities.

    And so we pray, “Lord, make my heart more grateful and generous. Teach me to affirm the gifts I have and my very self. Challenge me when I begin to doubt your wisdom and generosity in me. May my heart be more courageous in sharing myself and find joy in it.” Hinaut pa.