April 6, 2008
3rd Sunday of Easter
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 2:14-22-32 / Psalm 16
Second Reading: 1 Pt 1:17-22
Gospel: Lk 24:13-35 In the breaking of bread
Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?
Two unnamed disciples leave Jerusalem for Emmaus. On the way, they meet a stranger who interpreted for them all that referred to Jesus in the scriptures. Only when the man took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it away did they recognize that they had been walking with the Risen Savior all along. They then returned to Jerusalem and recounted to others how they recognized him in the breaking of the bread.
Sensitivity to the stirrings of the Spirit -- in particular, to the burning in my heart waiting to be acknowledged -- this should be my prayer in the journeys of my life. The Risen Lord is always with me. I may fail to recognize him from time to time, yet, in the end, he will make himself known to me.
April 13, 2008
4th Snday of Easter
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 2;14a,36-41 / Psalm 23
Second Reading: 1 Pt 2:20b-25
Gospel: Jn 10:1-10 Gate for the sheep
I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.
The message is clear: Jesus is the one and only gate. Only through him will one be saved.
Other "gates" may promise a life of fulfillment: riches, honor and power. Yet, only through Jesus can one "have life and have it more abundantly." The world offers only fleeting pleasures and lal of them are enslaving. Jesus, on the other hand, offers a life of great possibilities and all of them are liberating.
I shall get to know Jesus better in the scriptures so that I may see him more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more closely.
April 20, 2008
5th Sunday of Easter
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 6:1-7 / Psalm 33
Second Reading: 1 Pt 2:4-9
Gospel: Jn 14:1-12 Way, Truth and Life
I am the way and the truth and the life . . . if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus further reveals himself, this time as the Way, the Truth and the Life.
There is no need, then, to venture into other paths: only through Jesus can one get to dwell in the many dwelling places the Father has prepared. There is no need, then, to depend on horoscopes, rely on crystals and believe in feng shui. Jesus himself assures that "if you ask anything in my name, I will do it."
Hence, I will not let my heart be troubled. I shall have faith in the Lord Jesus.
April 27, 2008
6th Sunday of Easter
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 8:5-8,14-17 / Psalm 66
Second Reading: 1 Pt 3:15-18
Gospel: Jn 14:15-21 Another Advocate
I will not leave you orphans.
Jesus consoles his apostles as his end nears. He tells them that while he may no longer be physically present with them in a little while, he shall not leave them orphaned. He, then, assures them that he shall send an Advocate, "the Spirit of Truth which the world cannot accept," to be with them always.
Even with his impending violent death, Jesus continues to think about the good of his friends he will leave behind in a manner that is comforting and gentle. There is no hint even of condemnation for his tormentors -- only words of pure love for those he will leave behind.
I, therefore, resolve to love him more deeply. He not only died for me, he also sent the Holy Spirit for me so that I will not be left orphaned.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Palawan Reflections: 2008 Sunday Gospels -- March
March 2, 2008
4th Sunday in Lent
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 1 Sm 16:1b,6-7,10-13a / Psalm 23
Second Reading: Eph 5:8-14
Gospel: Jn 9:1-41 Jesus heals a blind man
Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
Jesus said, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." And so he makes a man born blind see.
Blindness -- or any other kind of handicap or sickness -- cuts a person off from fully participating in the life of his community. By healing the man of his blindness, Jesus, as it were, makes him an active member of his community.
I need to turn to Jesus, then, I need to call on his name so that even if all sorts of infirmity "dismember" me from society, through his help, I will, once again, become a dynamic member of this society.
March 9, 2008
5th Sunday in Lent
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Ez 37:12-14 / Psalm 130
Second Reading: Rom 8:8-11
Gospel: Jn 11:1-45 The raising of Lazarus
I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, wil live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Lazarus has died while Jesus, a close friend, was away and has already been entombed in a cave. In the end, however, Jesus raises Lazarus back to life.
There is no escape from death. Nor from sickness. Nor from age-ing, with our teeth falling off and our hair turning gray. This is the direction of the world.
Yet, this direction may be stalled should I beliueve in the Lord Jesus. I am matter and, hence, subject to the world's physical and natural laws. Yet, I am also spirit. I, therefore, place all my trust in Jesus who makes all things possible. He is the Resurrection and the Life.
March 16
Passion (Palm) Sunday
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 50:4-7 / Psalm 22
Second Reading: Phil 2:6-11
Gospel: Mt 26:14-27,66 Jesus' passion and death
Behold the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Love of God is the Grief of God.
Jesus gets betrayed by Judas, one of his closest friends. Then he is handed over to Caiphas and the entire Sanhedrin, to Pilate, and eventually to the soldiers who strip him, nail him on the cross, and pierced him with a lance.
This is God's love for me. The All Powerful Son of God bowed down by the weight of his cross on the way to Calvary. The Great Healer of all kinds of sickness helpless and in agony on the cross. The Author of Life breathing his last on the cross in the middle of two thieves.
How can I not love him?
March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts: 10:34a,37-43 / Psalm 118
Second Reading: Col 3;1-4
Gospel: Jn 20,1-9 He saw and believed
He saw and believed.
The tomb is empty and Jesus is gone. John, the beloved disciple, saw the linen cloth and believed. Believed in what? Believed that the Lord Jesus has risen from the world of the dead, as Jesus has always declared while he was with them.
This capacity to see beyond what the eyes -- or the senses -- can grasp must be the reason why John was Jesus' beloved disciple.
Whoever has seen love? None. What I see is a mother spoon-feeding her sick daughter. Whoever has seen courage? None. What I see are soldiers placing themselves in harm's way to rescue women and children trapped in flood waters.
At Mass, while I see only the host and the chalice, I know and believe that I see the body of Christ.
March 30, 2008
2nd Sunday of Easter
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47 / Psalm 118
Second Reading: 1 Pt 1:3-9
Gospel: Jn 20:19-31 Peace be with you
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieveing, but believe."
Jesus, once again, appears before his disciples who stay behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. He greets them with a very reassuring, "Peace be with you!" Then, he tells Thomas to "put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving but believe."
Here is the Most Powerful Son of God identifying himself with his wounds. He has no harsh words for his disciples who abandoned him nor unkind remarks to Thomas who, until then, refuses to believe that he has risen.
What Jesus brings is "Peace!" as well as the invitation to see his wounds and to believe that he has, indeed, risen.
4th Sunday in Lent
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 1 Sm 16:1b,6-7,10-13a / Psalm 23
Second Reading: Eph 5:8-14
Gospel: Jn 9:1-41 Jesus heals a blind man
Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
Jesus said, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." And so he makes a man born blind see.
Blindness -- or any other kind of handicap or sickness -- cuts a person off from fully participating in the life of his community. By healing the man of his blindness, Jesus, as it were, makes him an active member of his community.
I need to turn to Jesus, then, I need to call on his name so that even if all sorts of infirmity "dismember" me from society, through his help, I will, once again, become a dynamic member of this society.
March 9, 2008
5th Sunday in Lent
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Ez 37:12-14 / Psalm 130
Second Reading: Rom 8:8-11
Gospel: Jn 11:1-45 The raising of Lazarus
I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, wil live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Lazarus has died while Jesus, a close friend, was away and has already been entombed in a cave. In the end, however, Jesus raises Lazarus back to life.
There is no escape from death. Nor from sickness. Nor from age-ing, with our teeth falling off and our hair turning gray. This is the direction of the world.
Yet, this direction may be stalled should I beliueve in the Lord Jesus. I am matter and, hence, subject to the world's physical and natural laws. Yet, I am also spirit. I, therefore, place all my trust in Jesus who makes all things possible. He is the Resurrection and the Life.
March 16
Passion (Palm) Sunday
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 50:4-7 / Psalm 22
Second Reading: Phil 2:6-11
Gospel: Mt 26:14-27,66 Jesus' passion and death
Behold the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Love of God is the Grief of God.
Jesus gets betrayed by Judas, one of his closest friends. Then he is handed over to Caiphas and the entire Sanhedrin, to Pilate, and eventually to the soldiers who strip him, nail him on the cross, and pierced him with a lance.
This is God's love for me. The All Powerful Son of God bowed down by the weight of his cross on the way to Calvary. The Great Healer of all kinds of sickness helpless and in agony on the cross. The Author of Life breathing his last on the cross in the middle of two thieves.
How can I not love him?
March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts: 10:34a,37-43 / Psalm 118
Second Reading: Col 3;1-4
Gospel: Jn 20,1-9 He saw and believed
He saw and believed.
The tomb is empty and Jesus is gone. John, the beloved disciple, saw the linen cloth and believed. Believed in what? Believed that the Lord Jesus has risen from the world of the dead, as Jesus has always declared while he was with them.
This capacity to see beyond what the eyes -- or the senses -- can grasp must be the reason why John was Jesus' beloved disciple.
Whoever has seen love? None. What I see is a mother spoon-feeding her sick daughter. Whoever has seen courage? None. What I see are soldiers placing themselves in harm's way to rescue women and children trapped in flood waters.
At Mass, while I see only the host and the chalice, I know and believe that I see the body of Christ.
March 30, 2008
2nd Sunday of Easter
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47 / Psalm 118
Second Reading: 1 Pt 1:3-9
Gospel: Jn 20:19-31 Peace be with you
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieveing, but believe."
Jesus, once again, appears before his disciples who stay behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. He greets them with a very reassuring, "Peace be with you!" Then, he tells Thomas to "put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving but believe."
Here is the Most Powerful Son of God identifying himself with his wounds. He has no harsh words for his disciples who abandoned him nor unkind remarks to Thomas who, until then, refuses to believe that he has risen.
What Jesus brings is "Peace!" as well as the invitation to see his wounds and to believe that he has, indeed, risen.
Palawan Reflections: 2008 Sunday Gospels -- February
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.
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.
Palawan Reflections: 2008 Sunday Gospels -- January
January 6, 2008
The Lord's Epiphany
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 60:1-6 / Psalm 72
Second Reading: Eph 3:2-3a,5-6
Gospel: Mt 2:2-12 We saw his star
Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
Magi from the east search for the "newborn king of the Jews" aided by a star. As they journeyed on, the star preceded them, "until it came and stopped where the child was."
My journey to find the Lord demands that I not lose sight of the star. Moreover, that I move on during nights and even during dark moments of my life. Darkness should not be a reason why I should stop or discontinue my journey.
Then, once I find the Lord, I need to open my treasures and offer them to Him. In the past, they were gold, frankincense and myrrh; now, I should offer him something I hold dear. Meeting the Lord, I am sure, will change my life, the way it changed the direction of the magi's trip back to their country.
January 13, 2008
The Lord's Baptism
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 42:1-4,6-7 / Psalm 29
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Gospel: Mt 3:13-17 Jesus was baptized
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Jesus has himself baptized by John at the Jordan. When he comes up from the water, the heavens open and, like a dove, the Spirit of God descends and comes upon him. A voice is then heard, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Jesus, the Sinless Lamb of God, falls in line, together with other sinners, for John's baptism of repentance. He is a God, then, who not only empties himself of his divinity, but even one who identifies himself with the sinfulness of humanity.
Yet, what does Jesus have to repent? He repents for man's sins. He repents for me. How can I not love the Lord Jesus.
January 20, 2008
Feast of the Santo Niño
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 9:1-6 / Psalm 98
Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6,15-18
Gospel: Mt 18:1-5,10 Become like little children
Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus teaches his disciples that "unless you turn and become like children, you wil not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Entering the kingdom of heaven, then, involves two moments: the moment of turning and the moment of becoming like children. Turning from what? Turning from "adulthood" and seeming independence from the Lord to becoming like "children" and being totally dependent on the Lord.
Greatness in the kingdom of heaven, moreover, is developing one's capacity for smallness because Jesus says, "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
January 27, 2008
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 8:23-9:3 / Psalm 27
Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:10-13-17
Gospel: Mt 4:12-23 Prophecy of Isaiah Fulfilled
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Jesus lives in Capernaum as Isaiah has foretold, starts to preach about the kingdom of heaven and calls his first disciples, among them, Simon, Andrew, James and John.
His message is old -- like that of John the Baptist who has recently been arrested. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Yet, even with such old message, he gets the attention and attraction of fishermen by the Sea of Galilee.
To enter the kingdom of heaven, then, one has to repent. And to follow Jesus, like his first disciples, one has to leave one's boat and one's father. In both cases, there is a surrender: a surrender of one's sinfulness to the Lord and a surrender of one's security to be with the Lord.
The Lord's Epiphany
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 60:1-6 / Psalm 72
Second Reading: Eph 3:2-3a,5-6
Gospel: Mt 2:2-12 We saw his star
Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
Magi from the east search for the "newborn king of the Jews" aided by a star. As they journeyed on, the star preceded them, "until it came and stopped where the child was."
My journey to find the Lord demands that I not lose sight of the star. Moreover, that I move on during nights and even during dark moments of my life. Darkness should not be a reason why I should stop or discontinue my journey.
Then, once I find the Lord, I need to open my treasures and offer them to Him. In the past, they were gold, frankincense and myrrh; now, I should offer him something I hold dear. Meeting the Lord, I am sure, will change my life, the way it changed the direction of the magi's trip back to their country.
January 13, 2008
The Lord's Baptism
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 42:1-4,6-7 / Psalm 29
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Gospel: Mt 3:13-17 Jesus was baptized
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Jesus has himself baptized by John at the Jordan. When he comes up from the water, the heavens open and, like a dove, the Spirit of God descends and comes upon him. A voice is then heard, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Jesus, the Sinless Lamb of God, falls in line, together with other sinners, for John's baptism of repentance. He is a God, then, who not only empties himself of his divinity, but even one who identifies himself with the sinfulness of humanity.
Yet, what does Jesus have to repent? He repents for man's sins. He repents for me. How can I not love the Lord Jesus.
January 20, 2008
Feast of the Santo Niño
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 9:1-6 / Psalm 98
Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6,15-18
Gospel: Mt 18:1-5,10 Become like little children
Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus teaches his disciples that "unless you turn and become like children, you wil not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Entering the kingdom of heaven, then, involves two moments: the moment of turning and the moment of becoming like children. Turning from what? Turning from "adulthood" and seeming independence from the Lord to becoming like "children" and being totally dependent on the Lord.
Greatness in the kingdom of heaven, moreover, is developing one's capacity for smallness because Jesus says, "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
January 27, 2008
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Is 8:23-9:3 / Psalm 27
Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:10-13-17
Gospel: Mt 4:12-23 Prophecy of Isaiah Fulfilled
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Jesus lives in Capernaum as Isaiah has foretold, starts to preach about the kingdom of heaven and calls his first disciples, among them, Simon, Andrew, James and John.
His message is old -- like that of John the Baptist who has recently been arrested. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Yet, even with such old message, he gets the attention and attraction of fishermen by the Sea of Galilee.
To enter the kingdom of heaven, then, one has to repent. And to follow Jesus, like his first disciples, one has to leave one's boat and one's father. In both cases, there is a surrender: a surrender of one's sinfulness to the Lord and a surrender of one's security to be with the Lord.
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