Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Weekday Homilies

  • Hearts Known

    Hearts Known

    July 1, 2021 – Thursday 13th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070121.cfm)

    Jesus said in our gospel today: “Take heart, son. Your sins are forgiven.” The paralytic & his friends came for healing, but they rather received more than what they bargain for. Instead, they got encouragement & forgiveness from Jesus. Yes, their present immediate concern must be for healing from physical paralysis. But beyond the hopeless bodily outward condition of the paralytic, his friends & himself must have felt the guilt, shame & curse of the inner condition of the paralysis and sickness. Beyond & more than physical healing, deep inside, the paralytic & his friends need & are longing for mental, emotional & spiritual healing. This is what Jesus gave them – not only physical healing but moreso, encouragement & forgiveness, – not only healing of body but more so, healing & health of whole life of the cured paralytic & his friend.

    For the scribes, however, the whole miracle happened is a blasphemy. For the scribes, not only the physical healing of the paralytic but above all the forgiveness of sins are complete violation of their religious law. They saw more the violation rather than the miracle happened. Jesus admonished their actions & attitudes, & showed themselves & the crowd His authority beyond their religious laws. Healing & forgiveness are His’ because He is of God.

    And all of these happened because Jesus saw and knew their hearts. Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic & his friends. Jesus saw the evil thoughts and hearts of the scribes as well. Jesus knew their hearts. And Jesus knows the condition of our hearts as well. Our hearts are known to Him as well.

    A lot of things are happening in our lives nowadays. At the very surfaced level, lots of things going on, lots of pressures & stresses to cope with. We do have a lot on our plates – urgent pressing concerns. But what is the condition of our hearts? How are we deep inside ourselves? Like the scribes, at times, we do have our evil thought & bad hearts. Like the paralytic & his friends, many at times we do feel broken, hopeless, tired & confused with life nowadays.

    Be mindful then that the Lord knows how & where are hearts is. Our hearts are known to Him, for He sees what we deeply need at this time. Same way as he saw the faith of Abraham, He sees also our faith & our heart’s desire. He is with Us indeed, but also He is of God. He has the power & authority to respond for what we really need, – not only our urgent need but the heart’s desire of our whole person & life.

    Perhaps as we go through this day & this week, we ask & reflect on the condition of our hearts these days. What is happening in our hearts these days? We do believe our Lord wants us to be healthy & whole. What is he offering us these days? Encouragements, forgiveness, admonitions & guidance? How is he restoring us inwardly? How is he helping us to stand up tall & alive amidst life-challenges?

    Here we are now, Lord. We come to you as we are. You know our present concerns & our heart’s desire. We do believe in You & that You will what is best & better for us. Make us also see same way as You see us, so that may we be willingly participate with the miracle You are performing for us now & always. Amen.

  • OUR TOUCH IN THIS PANDEMIC

    OUR TOUCH IN THIS PANDEMIC

    June 25, 2020 – Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062521.cfm)

    How many of us who found it hard to observe the “no touching” protocol from our medical experts? It must have been very difficult at the beginning. But some might have been used by now. And because of the daily infections, we are still advised to refrain from touching people or things. Touch only when it is necessary.

    Yet, naturally, we have been so used to touch. In expressing our affection we touch. When we give comfort to a friend or a person we love, we touch. When we greet a friend or even a stranger, we also touch. In our religious practices, we also touch. When we pray and ask the intercession of the saints, we touch their sacred statues or kiss the holy images of our Lord. However, with this pandemic we are all advised to refrain.

    Today, many are still being confined at home but much better compared the early months of covid. Our movements are still limited and our desire to meet our friends and loved ones are sometimes prohibited or limited.  For more than a year, we long for a human touch and long for human encounters. Thus, we could also understand the frustration that we feel because of this significant change in our life.

    With all of these, we also realize the importance of human touch and of human encounter. There is a healing power in human touch. It can give comfort to a bruised and fearful heart. It could heal a painful part of our body. It can give confidence and assurance of support, love and trust.

    And with this pandemic, limiting and prohibiting us to touch others, it surely brought more difficulties to those who were/are infected with this terrible disease. But, more than the virus, the depression, the loneliness, the desperation and helplessness, fear and anxiety would have definitely haunted them too. I have friends who asked for prayers for their loved ones infected by the virus and friends who themselves got infected and were isolated from their loved ones. Those whom they loved, parents, siblings or children were prevented to visit them. This created so much stress and longing. Yet, they cannot help it because of the danger of infecting those whom they love.

    These frustrations and longing to be touched or to have a human encounter is innate in us. Not being able to touch and be touched by the people whom we love would give us emptiness.

    This is the story we also heard from the Gospel. A leper was discriminated and was socially isolated because of his illness. But he came to Jesus. He asked for healing. Yet, that was totally against the culture and belief at that time. The community despised lepers and they were always driven out of the city. They should and never be near with anyone.

    Yet, he must have longed for an encounter with another human being who understands and shows compassion. In his desire to be touched, through Jesus, he too was touched by God.

    Jesus knew the longing of this leper. As the leper longed for human encounter, for acceptance, he also longed to be touched, to be loved. Against the culture and belief at that time, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him.

    The touch of Jesus made this leper clean and healed. Jesus’ touch assured him that God has not left him and that God loves him. Thus, this reminds us that our touch can be a form of loving, can be an expression of healing, of freedom.

    This is the invitation today. Though physically it is difficult these days to touch others, but at least make an effort to let those who need love and understanding be touched by our presence. Though we may not be able to caress the back of a friend for comfort, let those who are grieving and depressed, those who are in pain and lost, to be touched by the assurance of our friendship. Let those who are hungry and suffering in dire poverty be touched also by our generosity. Hinaut pa.

  • THE EMPTY-PROMISES OF FALSE PROPHETS

    June 23, 2021 – Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062321.cfm)

    A stern warning from Jesus was received by the disciples. He warned them of the presence of false prophets who shall bring empty promises, easy-way-out in solving problems and towards despair. False prophets are pretentious and filled with lies and shadows. However, the false prophets can be so entertaining, fascinating, persuasive and convincing to the point that will find it hard not to believe. Moreover, the intentions of false prophets only lead to our destruction and death.

    Consequently, Jesus wanted his disciples to be more discerning as they listen to different voices around them. A disciple of Christ who is not attentive and discerning to the many inputs will be led easily to believe to fake news and false hopes.

    Today, false prophets may not just be persons appearing before us. These false prophet can also appear to us as a real or virtual who will persuade us to believe in their false hopes, false alarms and fake news especially with what is happening in our community today. The intention of persuading us to believe and adhere to their narratives will certainly contain hidden political, religious or personal agenda. Beware of these and be discerning because these will only bring us to division, to false information, to moral degradation or hatred and more biases.

    Furthermore, these false prophets can also take the form of the empty promises of our addictions. Gambling, alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, excessive Internet usage, eating and over-work may promise to fill our empty and hallow hearts that long for attention and care, recognition and acceptance, affection and love. These forms of false prophets may seduce us to believe that these addictions and unhealthy coping mechanisms may provide relief from the pain that we feel, pain of losing a loved one, of heartbreak, of rejection, or of failure and guilt.

    Jesus wants us to only listen to Him because all these various forms of false prophets will surely not bring us to life and freedom but rather to slavery and death. The Lord desires that we become free and alive. Abram, in the Book of Genesis taught us something when everything around may become confusing and even depressing. Abram put his faith in the LORD and not in anything else or to any gods. Abram knew and believed truly in the LORD who called him.

    Jesus invites us today to be discerning and practice critical-thinking, as we encounter everyday many inputs from people around us or from the internet. Carefully listen to the voice within us that will lead us closer to God.

    When also we realize that this person, media site, or attitude in us does not bring us closer to God, closer to our brothers and sisters and to ourselves but away from Him, away from ourselves and from other people, then, be careful their fruits are poisonous to our mind and spirit.

    As we make the effort to continual listen and follow the voice of Jesus, we will surely enjoy the fruits of peace and freedom within. Hinaut pa.

  • THE GOLDEN RULE

    THE GOLDEN RULE

    June 22, 2021 – Tuesday 12th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062221.cfm)

    Do you want others to be kind to you? Then, be kind to others. Do you want others to be generous to you? Then, be generous to others. Do you want others to love you? Then, be loving to people around you.

    This sounds simple, isn’t it? However, our experiences would tell us that this is not always the case.

    Think of people who remain ungrateful to you despite kindness and generosity to them. Think of your friends, collogues and neighbors who talked behind your back, though you have been nice to them but they remained vicious behind you. Think of people who want to stay at your side as long as you can provide them their wants and needs. Yet, once you fail to give what they want, then, they turn against you. Think of people who ignore you, criticize you and insult you before others.

    The Golden Rule, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you,” as the summary of the Law and Prophets of the Old Testament, sounds absurd.  But then, this really sounds ridiculous when we ourselves are not convinced of its power and its significance in our Christian life. Indeed, the Golden Rule of Jesus has its power to transform individuals and communities. The Golden Rule inspires change of attitude and of the heart not just to the one doing it but also to the person who is the recipient of the good deed.

    This is what Abram showed to Lot, proclaimed in the Book of Genesis. Abram showed kindness and more consideration to Lot so that no strife shall be created between them. In return, Abram was blessed more by the Lord. The Lord God promised him vast land and many descendants.

    That is why, Jesus also gave the Golden Rule to his disciples in a positive way, “Do to others what you want others to do you.” Jesus avoided the negative but passive approach of, “Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you.”

    This positive approach of Jesus invites us in taking a proactive stance by initiating kindness, goodness, love, forgiveness and giving respect to others even if they are not deserving.

    Consequently, this is not that simple. For this reason, Jesus calls this the “narrow gate” because only few people will take the risk of expressing kindness and giving utmost respect to undeserving people.

    Yet, once we take the risk of going into this “narrow gate,” we shall also find life and freedom. This is how we shall also “live in the presence of the Lord,” proclaimed by the Responsorial Psalm.

    This invitation is also a reminder to us now because God loves us even though we are unworthy and underserving.

    Today, we may learn to take the risk and actively do good to people around us, no matter who they are. Let others feel our presence that neither judges nor condemns, but a presence that shows kindness and respect. Hinaut pa.

  • THAT WE MAY BE A BLESSING

    THAT WE MAY BE A BLESSING

    June 21, 2020 – Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062121.cfm)

    How blessed are you today? In the midst of our own trials in life today, have we realized how blessed we are? And have we become a blessing also to others?

    The Book of Genesis, in the first reading, tells us about blessing. Abram who was called by the Lord to leave his homeland and family, was blessed by God. Abram’s faith and confidence in the Lord made him blessed and felt blessed despite the difficulty of leaving his comforts. As Abram had been blessed, through him, all the communities of the earth shall find blessing in him. Everyone, who met Abram and those whose were touched by him, were blessed.

    The Lord said to him, “I will bless you… so that you will be a blessing.” This reminds us now that each of us too is blessed by the Lord in many ways. And the blessings of God calls us now that we shall become a blessing to others, to our brothers and sisters and neighbors.

    This is God’s invitation for us today that we become a blessing to our communities and that we will not become the face of evil and curse. Jesus reminds us today also, not to judge others, not to judge the lives and situations of our brothers and sisters. Judging others and to develop and nurture prejudices in our hearts will only make us indifferent to the lives of many and indifferent to the feelings and experiences of others.

    Moreover, our judgments, prejudices and biases are signs that we may become faces of curses and evil to our community. This is not what God wants for us.

    Thus, we may learn to develop the attitude of constant discernment of the different realities in our community, of making our presence felt by those who are in difficulty, of being understanding to those who need to be understood. In such actions and attitudes, we may be able to give hope and courage to others. In this way, others shall find blessing in us as we have been blessed by God. Hinaut pa.