February 3, 2008
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Zeph 2:3,3:12-13 / Psalm 146
Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:26-31
Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a The Beatitudes
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Suffering is too small a price to pay for the love of God. For love of family, a mother bears the pain of separation from loved ones while working as a domestic helper in Hongkong.
For love of country, Jose Rizal exposed the ills of Philippine society in Noli me tangere and El Filibusterismo and, in the process, got himself exiled, imprisoned and shot to death.
For love of God -- and for the spread of the Faith -- St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod endured the terrors of torture and gave up their lives as martyrs.
What can I suffer and endure for God?
February 10, 2008
1st Sunday of Lent
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Gen 2:7-9.3:1-7 / Psalm 51
Second Reading: Rom 5:12-19
Gospel: Mt 4:1-11 Jesus fasts and is tempted
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
From one desert to another -- this was Jesus' journey on earth. Before he travelled all over Judea and Israel to preach the Good News that the Kingdom of God is at hand, the Spirit led him into the desert. And after he has cured the sick, fed the multitudes and taught with authority unlike the Scribes, he found himself crucified on the Cross on the mountain of Golgotha, deserted by friends, so that he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
In the midst of these desert experiences, Jesus never gave in to temptation. Until the end of his life, Jesus obediently carried out the will of the Father -- even if it meant death on the Cross.
Am I just as faithful to Him in my own desert experiences?
February 17, 2008
2nd Sunday of Lent
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Gen 12:1-4a / Psalm 33
Second Reading: 2 Tim 1:8b-10
Gospel: Mt 17:1-9 Jesus is transfigured
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shown like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
It was while praying on the mountain when Peter, James and John witness how Jesus's appearance changed: his face shown like the sun, and his clothes white as light.
In prayer, everyone gets transfigured. In communion with God, there are no bishops nor barbers, no presidents nor prostitutes, no sinner nor saint. All become children of the Loving Father -- each one cared for and embraced.
How is my prayer life? I need to spend more time with Jesus.
February 25, 2008
3rd Sunday of Lent
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Ex 17:3-7 / Psalm 95
Second Reading: Rom 5:1-2,5-8
Gospel: Jn 4:5-42 The Samaritan Woman
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I have done."
Jesus asks for water from the Samaritan woman -- much to the surprise of the woman since Jews and Samaritans avoid contact with one another. When Jesus reveals to her that he is the Messiah, the woman returns to her town and invites her people to "come and see a man who told me everything I have done."
In doing so, she becomes one of the first missionaries of the Incarnate Lord. Her sinfulness did not deter her from becoming an instrument of salvation for others. Through her word, her people approached Jesus and believed in him.
My sinfulness, then, is not a hindrance in meeting Jesus and, like the Samaritan woman, in becoming his instrument.
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