Category: Weekday Homilies

October 14, 2019 – Monday 28^th Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (11:29-32)

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Homily

Are you looking for a sign from God?

We usually ask God to give us signs when we are making decisions. We also ask signs from God especially when we become doubtful of His presence in times problems and trials in life. We believe that if God would give us a sign, then, that will make us confident in God.

However, it has been our experience too, that when we do not receive any sign from God, we begin to doubt more or become angry with God for not listening to us. We may think that life is so unfair because even a single sign of assurance is not given to us.

Yet, we are reminded today of our tendency to expect spectacular signs that will be unfolded before us. This is actually the problem that we have heard in the Gospel today.

The people asked Jesus for a sign so that they will believe in him. The people expected Jesus to do a big and great sign before their eyes before they will recognize God. This was the mistake of the people at that time because they asked sign from Jesus, when, in fact, Jesus was actually the greatest sign and miracle that ever happened.

That is why, Jesus, as if scolding them of their ignorance and indifference, reminded them on how the Ninevites believed in Jonah’s sign and on how the Queen of Sheba believed also in the signs present with King Solomon. However, these people though Jesus was greater than Jonah and Solomon, did not recognize God in the person of Jesus.

This happens also to us when we tend to be indifferent to what is ordinary. The Jews at that time were not able to recognize God’s tremendous presence in the ordinary life of Jesus. Because Jesus was too ordinary for them, and a mere son of a carpenter from a far barrio of Nazareth, the people refused to believe in Jesus and thus, refused to recognize God in Jesus.

The Lord reveals himself to us in ordinary ways. This is what Jesus tells us today. We are reminded to be more discerning and to listen better on how Jesus reveals himself in the most ordinary way.

Let us be discerning and be sensitive to God’s many revelations even in the most ordinary ways because God reveals himself and his love to us every day and every moment of our life. Hinaut pa.

Jom Baring, CSsR

October 12, 2019 – Saturday 27^th Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (11:27-28)

While Jesus was speaking,
a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
“Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed.”
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Homily

The woman in the gospel praised Mary, the mother of Jesus for having a great son like him. However, Jesus even praised Mary not just on this basis but rather for being able to listen to the Word of God, pondering upon it and observing it.

St. Anselm even affirmed that because of the great devotion of Mary to the Word of God in listening and pondering everything in her heart, the Word was made flesh within her. This means that Mary’s devotion towards the Word of God did not only stop in mere hearing but the word spoken by God transformed Mary herself. Consequently, Mary has become our best example of a person who took the risk of listening, accepting and embracing God’s word. It was in that way that Mary found her joy, her peace and her freedom as a person, as woman, a wife and a mother.

Each of us today also is being invited that our devotion to the Word of God will not just remain a mere obligation to God and not just part of our speech but also of our actions.

Thus, Jesus invites us that as we listen to him, who is speaking to us now, we too will be able to accept and embrace His words. His words may become difficult and challenging, risky and time-consuming but also comforting and inspiring, life-changing and liberating. We will surely then find that as we listen and ponder the Word of God in our heart, our actions, thoughts and speech and our person will also be transformed into what God desires us to be.

Today, let us be conscious about it, the Word of God revealed in this Eucharist and in the Holy Scriptures so that its inspiration, its warmth and power will give light and life in our relationships with our families and friends, and in the many efforts that we make in our studies and in our work. Hinaut pa.

Jom Baring, CSsR

October 11, 2019 – Friday 27^th Week in Ordinary Time

OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF ST. JOHN XXIII, pope

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (11:15-26)

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:
“By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone,
it roams through arid regions searching for rest
but, finding none, it says,
‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’
But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits
more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there,
and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

Homily

What is the difference between those who said that Jesus drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul and those who were possessed by the evil spirits?

Those who said that Jesus worked with Beelzebul were the ones who did not recognize God in the person of Jesus. Their arrogance blinded them from acknowledging that God liberates those who were distressed and suffering. The arrogance in them came from the

“self that was filled of themselves.” 

This means that these Pharisees and teachers of the law had no room for God. They seemed to believe in God because of their elaborate prayers and meticulous observance of the law, but then what mattered most was for the people to recognize them and praise them of their self-righteousness. Hence, they also looked at those who were suffering and possessed by evil spirits as completely hopeless. 

Consequently, Jesus cannot work in them. No matter how Jesus would desire conversion from them but their denial of God’s presence and power prevented them. Thus, arrogance truly blinds and also paralyzes ones awareness of God’s presence. 

However, those who were suffering and in pain were restored by Jesus, and in this particular Gospel story, those who were possessed were liberated and healed. These kind of people recognized their need of healing, of freedom, thus, of their need of God. Through their suffering, they humbled themselves which also helped them to recognize God in the person of Jesus. Jesus, therefore, was allowed to work in them, to heal them and to free them from whatever burden and suffering they were in. 

This tells us that Jesus is indeed more powerful than any evil spirit, yet, he can only work also if we would allow Jesus to heal us. Our arrogance and denial of our issues and problems would do us no good.

The Gospel reminds us too that we do not need to seek “signs from heaven” or any extra-ordinary events to happen, before we believe. Jesus works in us and brings healing in us even through ordinary means.

So, be mindful too of the goodness and kindness of the people around you, or the ordinary expressions of love and affection from your loved ones and friends, and of the power of silent prayers of those who support you because Jesus is truly present in those. Never miss, then, the encouraging and healing presence of the Lord in those familiar and ordinary expressions from our relationships. Hinaut pa.

Jom Baring, CSsR

October 10, 2019 – Thursday 27th Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (11:5-13)

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose one of you has a friend
to whom he goes at midnight and says,
‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey
and I have nothing to offer him,’
and he says in reply from within,
‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked
and my children and I are already in bed.
I cannot get up to give you anything.’
I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves
because of their friendship,
he will get up to give him whatever he needs
because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father  among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?”

Homily

I have heard from many parents how they expressed the attitudes of their young children. Children seemed to get easily what they want compared to children 20 or more years ago. Parents are somehow forced to give what their children are demanding because of their insistence. When a child would not be granted what he/she wants, the child throws a tantrum in front of many people that most of the times, would prompt a parent to give in.

This is a common sight in malls, in our churches, restaurants and other public places. Children would easily get what they want because of their persistence. However, such attitude is not completely to be praised as giving in easily to children may give a false reality about life. Nevertheless, the persistence of a child reminds us of the Gospel reading we have heard today.

Jesus tells a parable to his disciples that basically highlights the attitude of persistence in prayer.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened.”

Jesus tells us of the generosity of the Father and of His availability for us. It signifies that God wants to give what is best for us and what is wonderful for us. Yet, what Jesus tells us should not be misunderstood also. We might think that we can just ask anything we want according to our selfish desires.

Thus, ask the Lord but we can only ask the Lord once we know what we desire. Hence, name what you desire. Name your problems to be solved. Acknowledge your concerns and recognize your issues. Only then, that we will be able to allow God to work in us.

True prayer keeps us away from our selfishness but brings us closer into God. This means that this relationship found in our prayer is a process of letting go of ourselves and letting God to work in us. This can be possible when we also learn to ask, to seek and to knock. This is an invitation for us to grow in confidence with God despite the many uncertainties that we may face in life, whether in our relationships, in our personal struggles, in our work and in any endeavor we are in at the moment.

Moreover, Jesus would like to remind us that in these many areas of our life they also require more than asking. We too are in need to seek. This means that prayer is also a form of searching what is hidden or what remains undiscovered in us. To pray is not about searching God but to seek ourselves and to let God find us. Thus, seek for a deeper insight, seek for understanding and wisdom because God answers us not outside of us but within our own context, experiences and relationships.

After such understanding and unfolding of mysteries in our life, we also want to move on, to go forward to where God is leading us. This requires now the attitude of knocking, which means seeking entrance, to enter into it. We might have realized that we have been so hurt by a loved one or a friend who betrayed us. And the pain that we have experienced made us inaccessible, scared and resistant to forgiveness. Now, Jesus tells us to knock, to look for an opportunity to take the risk of entering. Indeed, knocking a door is a risk because knocking here does not only mean one knock but a persistent knock repeated many times until the door opens for reconciliation and peace.

The Lord in his mercy wants us to exercise our freedom, that we can make a choice for ourselves. To knock God’s door will lead us to many opportunities for growth, for peace and freedom. Jesus assures us that as we come before God to boldly and persistently knock, it shall be opened to us. God would willingly and lovingly open his door of forgiveness and affection to embrace us and to welcome us. 

In this way, we become children who are transformed into the likeness of Jesus, who will not throw tantrums when we do not get what we want just for our selfish reasons, but children who are fully aware that God’s desire for us is far better than our own. Hinaut pa.

Jom Baring, CSsR

October 9, 2019 – Wednesday 27th Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the Book of Prophet Jonah (4:1-11)

Jonah was greatly displeased
and became angry that God did not carry out the evil
he threatened against Nineveh.
He prayed, “I beseech you, LORD,
is not this what I said while I was still in my own country?
This is why I fled at first to Tarshish.
I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God,
slow to anger, rich in clemency, loath to punish.
And now, LORD, please take my life from me;
for it is better for me to die than to live.”
But the LORD asked, “Have you reason to be angry?”

Jonah then left the city for a place to the east of it,
where he built himself a hut and waited under it in the shade,
to see what would happen to the city.
And when the LORD God provided a gourd plant
that grew up over Jonah’s head,
giving shade that relieved him of any discomfort,
Jonah was very happy over the plant.
But the next morning at dawn
God sent a worm that attacked the plant,
so that it withered.
And when the sun arose, God sent a burning east wind;
and the sun beat upon Jonah’s head till he became faint.
Then Jonah asked for death, saying,
“I would be better off dead than alive.”

But God said to Jonah,
“Have you reason to be angry over the plant?”
“I have reason to be angry,” Jonah answered, “angry enough to die.”
Then the LORD said,
“You are concerned over the plant which cost you no labor
and which you did not raise;
it came up in one night and in one night it perished.
And should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city,
in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons
who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left,
not to mention the many cattle?”

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (11:1-4)

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished,
one of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test.”

Homily

Prophet Jonah is considered as an important figure in the Old Testament. His role as a prophet is greatly revered, thus, he gained the fame as one of the great prophets during the time of King Jeroboam II of Israel. However, despite his greatness as a prophet he too struggled with his selfishness and desire to manipulate God according to his own interest.

The first reading tells us how Jonah showed his anger towards God. God showed compassion to the people of Nineveh, the people that Jonah hated so much. God withdrew his intentions to destroy the whole city and its people because of the repentance showed by them. Because of this, Jonah despised God for being good and merciful to the people whom Jonah considered as his enemies.

Jonah could not accept this. God’s action towards the people was undesirable for him. Jonah had been hoping that Nineveh will be punished, that the people will be condemned to death. He had seen no hope in them, thus, he wished that they will completely suffer and die. That was what Jonah wanted.

Even though Jonah was fully aware that God is compassionate, slow to anger and merciful, he did not want God to show mercy to these people. Jonah just wanted to preserve God’s goodness for himself and for the people whom he cared, not to the people whom he despised. This was the reason why Jonah became angry with God because he found God unfair. Well, that’s according to Jonah’s perspective.

In the heart of Jonah, he actually wanted God to follow his desire to condemn the people. Jonah had no plans to follow God’s desire to show mercy. His anger was his expression to change the heart of God according to his interest.

Now, we see how could a man wants to manipulate God by becoming angry at God. This kind of attitude of Jonah might not be far also from our own experiences today. Unconsciously, we might be acting like Jonah too. Indeed, we believe that God is good, generous and kind, loving and merciful. Nevertheless, we might tend to believe that God should not be loving and merciful to those people whom we hate, whom we abhor, to people who have hurt us, to people whom we consider as useless and hopeless. We want a monopoly of God’s mercy and love limited to our friends, to our loved ones and to us, ourselves alone.

This kind of attitude gives color in the way we pray. We tend to believe that our prayer is a way of changing the heart of God according to our own likes and desires. And so when what I prayed did not happen then I feel bad and become angry at God for not granting what I desired. We begin to distance ourselves from God. We stop going to Church because God seemed not to hear our prayers. We become bitter when we also see others whom we think are not deserving, are enjoying blessings.

However, our Gospel today has something important to teach us. The request of the disciples was one of the most selfless and gracious request they made. One of them asked, “Lord, teach us to pray…” They wanted to pray like Jesus, to pray in His name and that is according to the mind, heart and will of Jesus.

To pray like Jesus is to change our hearts and minds according to the will of God and not changing God’s heart according to our own desires. To pray like Jesus is being able to trust in God and to give our hearts to God that even though our desires are in conflict with God, then, we remain faithful and trustful in Him.

And our best example of praying like Jesus aside from the disciples is our Mother Mary. It means that it is also possible for us to pray like Jesus and not like Jonah. May our Mother of Perpetual Help inspire, then, us to pray more like Jesus. Hinaut pa.

Jom Baring, CSsR