Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Weekday Homilies

  • What gives you hope?

    What gives you hope?

    November 24, 2022 – Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112422.cfm)

    It’s gloomy and depressing, filled with death and destruction. Chaos is overwhelming and seems to be there is nowhere to go but a horrifying end. These are the images that we could imagine as the Book of Revelations and the Gospel of Luke describe today the end of time, the time of punishment and wrathful judgment, a time of horror and deadly calamities.

    John, in his visions, foretold the end of a great ancient nations of Babylon, who indeed, was once the superpower of the world. Babylon conquered many nations and peoples, plundered and exhausted their wealth. However, Babylon will end. It will be destroyed. Luke spoke as well of the end and destruction of Jerusalem, a great city, whose temple was adorned with gold and precious stones. The city will also be destroyed and its people will be scattered. Indeed, these happened and what history tells us. Babylon is nowhere to be found again. Jerusalem and its temple was destroyed. And those Christians during the time of Luke, witnessed this. With these images of death and punishments, horror and chaos, where shall we draw courage to hold on to faith? What shall give us hope, then?

    Though John and Luke began with those terrifying events and scenarios yet, both also gave a glimpse of hope and salvation. John, in his vision again said, “Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” This is the prayer that the priest pronounces as we are about the receive the Body of Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The Lord destroys evil and all those that corrupts life, yet, God through Christ, welcomes us into his presence. This is salvation!

    Luke, further, reminds us in the Gospel, “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Again, the Lord shall judge and bring to an end what is evil and all those who rejected God and claimed to be god. The Lord shall come to rescue His people and bring them to safety and peace. This is hope!

    Indeed, as the readings today seemed to be dark and terrifying, yet, the Lord gives us hope that the end is something not to be afraid of. The Lord in his faithfulness remains for us and with us.

    This is the spirit that St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions showed us, whose memorial we also celebrate today. This Vietnamese priest and all those who together with him never gave up that hope to be taken away from them. Even in the midst of evil, persecution and death, they remained steadfast in their faith because they truly believed in God’s faithfulness.

    Let this give us courage. Let this inspire in us, hope. Even when we are facing so much difficulties in our life, in our relationships and in reaching out our dreams in life, may we find comfort in the presence of God who abides in us. When we are persecuted, hated and misunderstood, may we find courage and hope in the Lord who promised not leave us alone. Kabay pa.

  • A Contradiction

    A Contradiction

    November 23, 2022 – Red Wednesday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112322.cfm)

    A friend who believes in integrity and honesty in his work, who is filled with passion to be at the service of others found himself in an environment of conflicts and contradictions. In his desire to be fair and be always honest, the more he got into trouble in his company. This started when he found anomalies and dishonest transactions within their department. And so he called the attention of the person and warned the workmate of such anomaly. Yet, he was brushed off. He reported it to their superiors, presented the evidence and his workmate was terminated. However, after that, his other workmates in that company turned sour to him. He was even blamed for being harsh and cruel because his workmate lost a job whose family will struggle. And so, this friend got confused and felt guilty for being honest and upholding integrity in his work. What a contradiction!

    Indeed, the values he upholds and his commitment to be honest are signs of contradictions to a group, organization, a society or a nation that does not believe in such values and commitment but condones and tolerates dishonesty, corruption and abuse of power. And those who would stand up against such culture, are being persecuted, unwanted and reviled for being a contradiction.

    This is what happened as well to the many martyrs in our Church and of those brothers and sisters all around the world who became a contradiction because of their way of life as Christians. This is what we remember today on this Red Wednesday. And so, for a little bit, allow me now to break the Word of God with you so that we may be able to see and discover God’s invitation for us on this Red Wednesday.

    Our Gospel from Luke, certainly, sounds a bit disturbing and discouraging for us especially when we only tend to seek and aspire for comfort and security in life. In many ways, we usually choose the easiest, the fastest and relaxing ways. Our parents would hope and do their best to provide the best security and comfort for their children. I would also rather take what is easy for me rather than choosing a difficult one, in taking the less challenging and less self-sacrificing. However, Jesus tells us differently.

    Jesus tells us, “if you decide to come and follow me, then, you will experience difficulties, conflicts, contradictions and even persecutions from those who deny me and do not believe in me. Friends and family members will not understand you and even insult you for choosing me. You will be hated by all because of my name.”

    Is it not, that what Jesus is saying to us and inviting us to do is foolish? Why would we take the risk of being hated and abhorred by friends and family members and by those who have power? Why should we take that risk of believing in him, only to suffer and be hated?

    Indeed, to believe in Jesus is a risk. This was the experience of the first disciples who endured persecutions not just from the Roman soldiers or fellow Jews but even from their own families and close friends. The Apostle John, who wrote the Book of Revelations, suffered oppression. He was exiled and imprisoned in a Greek island called Patmos because of the anti-Christian persecutions under the Roman emperor, Domitian.

    Moreover, this reminds too us of the many Christians who suffered from persecutions. Obviously, many of them had become confused and afraid because of the difficulties of being a Christian, of being a believer of Christ.

    Remember, to believe in Jesus is a contradiction; to believe in Him was against the prevailing belief and culture of the people. Because we are supposed to take revenge and hate our enemies but Jesus tells us to love and forgive our enemies. Because we are supposed to aspire wealth and power, to be famous and successful but Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor, the sorrowful and the persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus also promised us that “by our perseverance, we will secure our lives.”

    This reminds us of what we commemorate today, the Red Wednesday as our way of remembering and recognizing the martyrdom of many Christians until today. Truly, Christians are being discriminated, violated, oppressed, tortured and murdered in many countries of which we are not aware and even here in our own country.

    Thus, as we remember all those persecuted because of the Christian faith, this calls us too to become true Christians, no matter what. And let us remember, a real Christian is always a contradiction to what the world wants us to be. Therefore, we might be hated and become unwanted in the midst of culture that condones and tolerates violence, dishonesty, corruption and cheating. Yet, the Lord calls us to persevere in being true and honest Christians even in our daily and common affairs. That is – to be honest in our relationships with others, to be just to the people we work with, to have the integrity in serving others even in the midst of corrupt practices in our institution or community, to be dedicated and self-sacrificing, to be generous and life-giving. Kabay pa.

  • Who do we follow?

    Who do we follow?

    November 22, 2022 – Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112222.cfm)

    Who do we follow? What do we follow? What matters to us most? These are three questions that brings us into the message of the readings today. These will allow us also to see what is in our heart as we are about to close the Liturgical Calendar of the Church and begin a new one.

    Thus, on today, John in his Book of the Revelations tells us of the end of time. It will be a time of gathering and harvesting what God has planted. Yet, it will also be a time of throwing away what were not of God’s harvest. Moreover, the Gospel of Luke today speaks as well of the end of time. However, Jesus warns us to beware with whom we listen and follow. Though the Gospel speaks of destructions and other horrifying events, yet, as Jesus assures us, this is not the end.

    This is why, Jesus comforts us, “Do not be terrified! Do not be afraid!” The end of time and God’s time will be a moment of truth, a moment of joy, a moment of everlasting peace to all who listened and followed Jesus. This is a moment of contentment and fulfillment of what we desire most and long for because the presence of God will rest upon us.

    As we await Jesus’ second coming, we are invited to evaluate our life and change our way of life according to the way of life of Jesus when we called. Hence, we ask ourselves, who do we follow? Is it the Spirit of God or the Evil spirit? What do we follow? Is it our personal desires, whims and wants? Or God’s plan and desire for us? What matters to us most? Is it success and wealth? Comfort and self alone? Our contentment and happiness? Our relationships and faith?

    May these questions brings us closer in the mind and heart of God who longs for us and desires that we will be in communion with the divine. Kabay pa.

  • Sweet and Sour

    Sweet and Sour

    November 18, 2022 – Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111822.cfm)

    One of the popular Filipino dishes is “Sweet and Sour” which could be of fish, pork or chicken mostly. Even in any celebration, one could have this dish. Its sweetness and the sourness and the balance of the two would usually what gives us satisfaction in our appetite. However, there is another “Sweet and Sour” that is neither of fish, pork or chicken, but the Word of God. This is the sweet and sour that John in his Book of Revelation talked about.

    John had this visions where he took and swallowed the small scroll which contains the Word of God. Its taste was sweet as honey on the mount but sour on the stomach. This tells us about God’s word and God’s desire for us as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

    God’s word may sound nice and wonderful to our hearing yet when we are called to absorb and practice it into our life and daily affairs, God’s word many become sour or even bitter. Why? Because God’s word would challenge us, disturb us and reprove us of our wrongdoings, of our wrong beliefs, of our selfish tendencies or our evil intentions.

    This was what John was told to do – to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings. The call to prophesy is not to tolerate any evil deeds or pamper powerful people with flattery words but to disturb them, their indifferent hearts and from their comforts.

    This is what we witnessed in today’s Gospel. Jesus entered the temple area and saw the disgrace and desecration done to the holy temple. Jesus could not tolerate it anymore or turn a blind eye once more to the corruption and abuse going on perpetrated by the merchants and temple authorities.

    The temple became “a den of thieves” where merchants imposed high prices of temple commodities such as the animal-sacrifices. Because of their monopoly and connivance with the temple authorities they had the control of the supply and demand and thus can easily manipulate the prices and exchange rates of foreign coins to temple coins.

    This was corruption and abuse against the ordinary people whose main intention was to pray to God. Thus, these money-motivated merchants and temple authorities desecrated the holy temple through their corrupt and unjust practices. Jesus stood up against this and drove them out of the temple area. Because of this also,  the chief priests, scribes and leaders of the people became more hostile against Jesus. They wanted to kill him because he was bad for their business.

    Today, the Lord calls us now – to take the Word of God be integrated into our life. This tells us that our Christian faith is not just a segment or a mere part of our life. Rather, our faith in the Lord encompasses our whole life and whole person.

    Thus, we are called to integrate it into our daily life, thoughts, actions, dreams and hopes. With this, we too are called to let the Word of God challenge us and to disturb us when we have become cold, indifferent and unjust. We too are called to uphold honesty, justice, fairness and compassion in our work, business, studies and relationships that we may become true Christians today. Kabay pa.

  • When God Visits Us 

    When God Visits Us 

    November 17, 2022 – Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111722.cfm)

    How conscious am I of God’s many visits? Certainly, the Lord visits us because God desires that we shall be blessed by His divine presence. Yet, we could be more preoccupied with many things in life that we would take for granted God’s visits or not fully aware of His presence in us. The demands in our work, responsibilities at home or our studies or some other issues and concerns could sometimes be overwhelming that we lose the time to be more sensitive of God’s presence and even of the presence of people around us. The Lord, surely, comes to us and appears in ways that can be so ordinary and in ways we do not expect.

    This is what we have received in today’s Gospel. Luke described to us how Jesus wept over Jerusalem because its people did not recognize that the Lord has already come and visited them. Jesus was constantly rejected because his appearance was not the way they expected it to be. The Messiah was believed to come majestically, with countless armies who shall defeat all enemies of Israel.

    Let us remember, that this Gospel of Luke was also already written after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Jews were shocked and in turmoil because of such abomination. Luke reminds us that our rejection of God leads us to misery and separation from the grace of God.

    Hence, the Lord wept because he felt sad on how the people responded with cruelty and rejection against him. God only desires our freedom and salvation through our friendship with Him. However, we could be more focused on many things other than what God is offering us. Yet, the Lord is never tired of visiting us and letting us know that he has come to visit us, to offer his friendship with us and bring us into freedom, into peace and fullness of life.

    This is where we also find God’s invitation for us today. The Lord continues to reach out to us, to visit us and to let us know that he is with us. God’s presence in our life will surely enrich our Christian faith as well as our relationships and daily affairs. It is our hope that as we carry things, we too shall grow in our awareness of God’s presence and let that divine presence give a significant impact into our daily life. There are at least three simple things I would like you to remember to grow in our awareness of God’s visits.

    First, begin your day in prayer. There is no need for a long and wordy prayer but at least spend a moment of silence to recognize the Lord and his invitations for us day by day.

    Second, bring the Lord with you. Whether you are going for work, for school or staying at home be aware that the Lord is with you. The Lord is not just in our moments of prayers or on Sundays in the Church. Allow the presence of the Lord to be there intertwined in your work, studies and house chores.

    Third, recognize the Lord with people around you. This might be quite challenging especially when we encounter an annoying workmate, a bully at school, a problematic family member or an unjust person during the day. However, in any and in every situation, the Lord calls us to recognize him and respond to his invitations. In such a way, such awareness of God’s presence will help us to respond in compassion, in love, in showing concern or perhaps standing up for what is right and just, in defending the weak and in denouncing what is evil and unjust present in our community. Kabay pa.