Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Weekday Homilies

  • Leaving Everything Behind

    Leaving Everything Behind

    March 8, 2025 – Saturday after Ash Wednesday

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030825.cfm)

    Every sinner felt unloved, unwanted and condemned. This was the prevailing culture at that time. Pharisees, Scribes, and those who considered themselves righteous demanded that public sinners be separated from the community. Yet, this is not the case with Jesus. Jesus turned the condemning culture upside down. Jesus opposed the rigid, judgmental, and unforgiving righteous people. He rather surprised them with forgiveness, mercy, and love.

    This is what we have received in today’s Gospel. Jesus called Levi, also known as Matthew, to follow him. Levi was a tax collector. Levi, since he worked for the Roman rulers and collected tax among his fellow Jews, was considered a public sinner. His fellow Jews despised and prohibited him to enter the synagogue and the temple and even to mingle with his fellow Jews. Matthew was condemned and excommunicated by the society.

    For any righteous person, no one shall talk to him or touch him. Yet, Jesus did all these things. Jesus talked to Levi, touched him and even dined with him, made him a friend and called Matthew to be one of the disciples. This tells us how Jesus calls and brings many wonders in the life of a person who responds to his call.

    Jesus proclaimed his message to everyone as he said, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” This tells us that God is a God of forgiveness, of many chances, of healing and freedom. Jesus understands the struggle of a sinner though he was not a sinner himself.

    As Levi, the sinner was given the grace of forgiveness and acceptance, and so we are. The presence of God is the grace that liberates us from whatever burden, shame and guilt that we are suffering from.

    As a response, Levi left everything behind and followed Jesus. The grace Levi received, though unworthy, changed him very much. It transformed his heart to be free, thus, leaving everything that prevented him to follow the Lord.

    This is also the message we have heard in the first reading from the Book of Prophet Isaiah. “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday…”

    We are called to let go and leave everything that prevents us from being close to Jesus and with the rest of our community. We are called to humble ourselves by acknowledging our sinfulness. This moves us to recognize our need for God, need for forgiveness and healing.

    Be careful then, when we feel the temptation to appear righteous and superior over others. In fact, when we feel too righteous, we become arrogant. Arrogance keeps us away from God and would make us deny God’s mercy. Something we also need to leave behind.

    As we recognize God in our life, then, we also allow God to transform us, to change our lives, to call us and to touch us. May our heart be renewed in this Season of Lent. Hinaut pa.

  • Choose Life

    Choose Life

    March 6, 2025 – Thursday after Ash Wednesday

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030625.cfm)

    We make choices in life. We choose what clothes to wear. We choose what food to eat and those that would satisfy our cravings. We choose the people whom we want to be with and those that can give us comfort. We choose what would entertain us and bring us surge of happiness. And we choose important matters in life and make decisions to which direction we should be taking.

    The choices that we make would somehow shape the way we live our life. The choices we have made would also tell us how we relate with people and take care of our relationships. Spiritually, the choices we make mold our relationship with God. They shape the way we express our faith in concrete ways.

    As we have just began our 40-day Lenten Journey, the Book of Deuteronomy reminds us to always “choose life.” Moses reminded the people of God to choose the Lord. This is to be expressed in three ways – in loving the Lord, in walking in God’s ways, and in keeping God’s commandments. By choosing the Lord, we choose blessing and choose life.

    This is the promise of the fullness of life. Yet, we will not attain this when we are apart from the Lord. We cannot achieve it when we are away from God’s grace.

    This is the invitation of Jesus for his disciples, that is, to choose him who is life himself. Yet, making such decision does not mean all success and triumph, comfort and power. In choosing the Lord and in following him, self-denial and giving of oneself become our way of life.

    This is no joke because we become a contradiction to what the world wants us to be. What others want for us is self-promotion and self-preservation yet, the Lord wants us to carry our cross daily and follow him.

    But Jesus has promised us, in giving ourselves for his sake and of the Gospel, then we gain the fullness of life. No matter how difficult and challenging this may be, we ask for the grace of perseverance and joy in the midst of trials and tribulations, so that we will always choose life and choose the Lord.

    May this Season of Lent strengthen our faith and transform our heart in the likeness of Christ. Hinaut pa.

  • GIVE WITH A CHEERFUL FACE

    GIVE WITH A CHEERFUL FACE

    March 4, 2025 – Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030425.cfm)

    Peter, after realizing the many sacrifices and risks entailed in following Jesus, said, “We have left everything and followed you.” When I too will face such concern, I would also ask, “What will there be for me?” and “Where will I be then?”

    The disciples of Jesus, as they were called to follow the Lord, left the comfort of their homes, families and livelihood. Like Jesus, they became itinerant, traveling from one place to another. They were dependent on God’s providence manifested in the generosity of people whom they encounter.

    With this concern, Jesus assured his disciples of the wonder of giving up oneself for the sake of Gospel and of Jesus himself. The reward is in gaining more friends, families and communities along the way in their ministry. The relationships and friendships being developed will truly ease and comfort a troubled heart.

    This is how we also find that when we are able to generously give ourselves or our talents and resources for the sake of others and for the sake of the Church that we are being enriched all the more. Although, the material reward may not be that great, but the spiritual graces abound all the more.

    To generously give something from us is not just a simple invitation for us. In fact, this is also a moral responsibility for us especially when we know that there is someone more in need.

    The Book of Sirach reminds us of this. Our expression of charity is also an expression of worship and praise to the Lord. By giving in order to respond what others need the most is an act of doing justice.

    Sirach says, “To refrain from evil pleases the LORD, and to avoid injustice is an atonement.” This means that it is also not enough to not just do evil against others. We might think that as long as I won’t do anything bad to others, that’s enough. However, not doing anything for the sake for others even though we have the capacity to help, can also be a form of doing injustice.

    Thus, “appear not before the Lord empty-handed.” Realize then, what we can offer and give to the Lord and for the sake of others. It does not matter if that something is small or insignificant in the eyes of others, because as Sirach says, “for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.”

    What is more important then, is to give with a cheerful face and not with a grumbling heart. “With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,  and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.”

    Giving with a cheerful face and in a spirit of joy makes us truly joyful and generous givers.  In this way, God finds more delight in our heart. In God’s wisdom and providence, the Lord shall bless with wonders and fill us with surprises. Hinaut pa.

  • LET THE CHILDREN COME

    LET THE CHILDREN COME

    March 1, 2025 – Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030125.cfm)

    In our liturgical celebrations, we find the children most noisy. Some would be running around making their parents or guardians running around as well. There would be some of who feel annoyed at this, some are more tolerant. Yet, despite the children’s seemingly annoying behavior to us adults, it is our call as a church that our children find a welcoming and embracing church for them.

    Children are very special to Jesus because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Although at that time, people believed that children had no social status. Children did not have anything to play in the Jewish society. This was the reason why the disciples tried to stop those who brought the children near Jesus. The disciples believed that there was no reason for Jesus to waste his time with these insignificant children.

    Yet, what we have heard from the Gospel was the other way around. Jesus became “indignant” at the treatment his disciples showed to the children. Jesus despised that kind of treatment towards children because in his heart, the children takes a very special place.

     Thus, Jesus made that event to teach something very important to the people at large. The Lord said, “Let the children come to me, do not prevent them!” This expressed the affection of Jesus towards the children. It also showed His affection towards all those who had been despised and mistreated by others. Jesus knew that the very innocence of the children desires nearness with God. Children who are most dependent to adults also manifest our dependence to God.

    This is how Jesus teaches that children are more open and trusting, hence, “the Kingdom of God belongs to them.” Children are open to the surprises of God. Their humility, simplicity and innocence make them sensitive to God’s presence.

    This is the invitation and call for us today, as Jesus reminds us, “whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

    Let us make our hearts be free from hatred and indifference. Let us remove discontentment and condemning attitude towards others. Let us also allow ourselves be surprised by God because we become open and welcoming of God’s presence. Our sensitivity to God’s presence shall move us too to become welcoming and aware of the needs of others. These childlike attitudes make us self-giving and life-giving to others where the Kingdom of God grows in us.  Hinaut pa.

  • Finding a Faithful Friend is Finding a Treasure

    Finding a Faithful Friend is Finding a Treasure

    February 28, 2025 – Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022825.cfm)

    Do you have friends? Do you have a true friend? We have many friends. Yet, among them, there would only be a few we find most comfortable with. These friends sometimes know our deepest secrets. They understand our hurts and pains. These friends also know our true dreams and aspirations in life.

    The very presence of our friends, especially those who are closest to us make so much difference in life. In times of our joys and success in life, we have our friends celebrating with us. It warms our hearts knowing that there are people who are also happy of our own happiness. In times of pain, loneliness, sickness and failures, we find friends who are faithful and supportive to us. It gives us comfort and assurance that we are not alone.

    The Book of Sirach today speaks so well of beauty. It captures the warmth of having true and faithful friends.

    Sirach says, “A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy…”

    Friendship is a gift. Having a true and faithful friend even when we only have one, is a treasure. This calls us to cherish and nurture that friendship. Remember, we need to invest in our friendships with our presence. Emotional investment is also crucial to develop healthy relationships with our friends.

    Emotional investment is fundamental to relationships and to friendship. Being open and honest with the people around us allows us to build TRUST, CONFIDENCE, AND LOVE. Without emotional investment in our relationship, we focus only on how the person is useful for us. This benefits only our ego. Yet, such relationship brings out toxicity, an unhealthy relationship with others.

    This is what the Book of Sirach warns us about. We should be on guard against those who pretend to be friends. These individuals are not with us in times of distress. Beware of those who tell others about us only to bring shame on us. Be cautious of those who abandon us during sorrowful times. They approach us solely when they stand to gain something.

    This toxicity in friendship can also be found in marriage life. Because of the selfishness in one or both spouses, marriage will fail. When one is being used only for personal gain and gratification, then, the relationship is corrupted. The question of divorce became an opportunity for Jesus to confront the hardness of the hearts of men. The discontentment and abuses in a relationship were the reasons of breaking up marriage. Yet, at the very beginning God joined the wife and husband to be together for better or for worse. They were to be together for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. They were to be together in joy or in sorrow. God intended them to live a life committed in love and faithfulness.

    And so, as we are reminded today of the treasure of friendship, there are two invitations for us.

    First, be a true friend. We recognize and thank our true friends. Let us, in turn, be true friends. Remember, friendship involves give-and-take. Sometimes, we are the one giving support, and other times we are on the receiving end. Being a true friend is to let our friends know that we care about them and appreciate them. This can help strengthen our bond and develop a healthy and life-giving friendship.

    Second, have the courage to confront. Another way to develop a healthy friendship is to confront a friend when needed. It is important to challenge them constructively. We do this constructively. This is a sign of maturity in our friendship.

    And so, we pray that the God of Friendship bless our friends and our friendship with one another. Hinaut pa.