Cycle A - Year 1:

8 October 2017: Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7

Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9

Gospel:Please Read Matthew 21:33-43

We must bear fruits!

Is there such a thing as "sound of silence"? Is it now a contradiction in terms?

In the popular song of "Sound of Silence" there is wisdom in part of its lyrics that says: People talking without speaking. People hearing without listening.

In our society today everyone wants to talk and speak out their minds. But how many are listening, or want to listen?

So, in such a noisy environment, can we still hear the voice of God? Do we have time to listen to Him? Is God's word relevant at all?

The truth is that God never stops to talk to us in many ways in every generation. Often we cannot hear Him, or perhaps we do not want to hear what He says, especially if they are not to our liking.

Even during the time of our Lord Jesus, people turned a deaf ear to His preaching because it challenged them to change their ways away from the comfort zones. So Jesus used parables that depict every day life situations to catch their attention and impart the truths of God's kingdom.

We hear another such parable in today's Gospel. Although it was specifically intended for the Chief Priests and elders of the Jews it also contains a stern warning for Christians in every generation.

The gist of the parable story: A landowner entrusts his vineyard to his laborers or tenants as he went on a journey. But the laborers become greedy and violent. At harvest time, they kill the "servants" sent to collect the landowner's share of the harvest. Finally, the landowner decided to send his "son" to collect his share of the harvest. But the tenants killed even the son, so they could take possession of the vineyard all for themselves.

What is the message of this parable of the vineyard?

The parable richly conveys some important truths about God. For example, it tells of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well-equipped with everything the laborers need to produce good and bountiful harvest. The owner went away and left the vineyards in the hands of the laborers and tenants. Likewise, God trusts us enough to give us freedom to run our life as we choose. He has endowed us with natural life in birth, bestowed on us spiritual life as well through our Lord Jesus Christ, and made available to us all the means necessary to maintain and nurture both the natural and spiritual lives. But the Lord expects from us fruits in the form of good and meaningful lives.

But we cannot assume that just because we are the new Chosen People by grace, that we have a stranglehold on salvation. Because it is not enough to claim Christ in faith; our lives must reflect interior conversion and produce the fruits of God's kingdom by our good works, good examples, and obedience to God's law of love.

There is also the danger that we can mislead ourselves to think that as long as we avoid sin, we will be saved. The parable makes it clear that it is not enough to merely avoid sinful acts. Th landowner (God) expects us to produce the fruits. Because producing the fruits does not come about by merely avoiding sin. Rather, we must grow in virtue that produces the fruits of God's vineyard.

In sum, today's Gospel is really a call for accountability on all of us chosen People of God as stewards of His creation. Let us pray that we may be worthy of the good things that the Lord has done for us by becoming productive and faithful laborers or tenants, fully aware that the vineyard is on loan to us so long as we render the expected harvest. We are not the owner of the vineyard --only tenants of the most merciful and just Landowner, God Almighty. Amen.

Today is also Indigenous Peoples" Sunday and Extreme Poverty Day. Let us also pray for grace, to listen to the plight of our needy brothers and sisters, have the courage to lessen their burdens and fight for their rights and dignity.

A blessed Sunday to us all. and thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle A - Year 1:

1 October 2017: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28

Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

Gospel:Please Read Matthew 21:28-32

Obedience to God's will, in words and in deeds!

Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to communicate to a child. Because a child easily relates to life situations, and learns valuable lessons from them. In fact, we don't outgrow our storytelling days; they are simply known differently in later life as life experiences.

Our Lord Jesus was an amazing teacher and a fantastic storyteller. We will hear in today's Gospel another example of His ability to craft a story using common life experiences and simple images in order to teach the profound truth of our Christian faith.

The story in the Gospel goes this way: A father who owns a vineyard has two sons. He asks them both to go and help out in the vineyard. One son says "yes" but then never goes there. The other says "no" at first but changes his mind and goes to help in the vineyard. Now Jesus asks: which son did the father's will?

Well, the answer seems straightforward on first glance. The first son ultimately did the father's will. But then on second glance, both sons really brought dishonor to their father, the first by his words (saying "no" to the father), the second by his deeds (by not doing what he was told). So neither son was right.

Jesus makes His point clear in this parable of the two sons. Good intentions are not enough. And promises are nothing unless they are met.

The lesson in the parable is that God wants to change our hearts so that we must show both by our words and by our actions that we respect and follow His will and do it without reservations and conditions. And when we are faithful to His will, God offers each one of us the greatest treasure reserved for us, which is unending peace, joy, happiness, and eternal life with Him in the kingdom. Yet we can lose that treasure if we refuse the grace God is offering us to follow in His way of truth and righteousness.

Jesus, therefore, encourages us to think about the consequences of our choices in life, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for here and now but for eternity as well. Because the choices we make now will affect and shape our future both on earth as well as our final destiny in life after.

In sum, the ideal son is the one who says "yes" right away and also does what he is told. To live a life of hearing and doing the will of God is to respect and adhere to our Lord Jesus' authority as Teacher and Lord. For it is the person who says "yes" immediately and goes to work in the vineyard who pleases the Lord and will receive His reward in the end.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle A - Year 1:  

1 October 2017:  Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Ezekiel 18:25-28

Second Reading:   Philippians 2:1-11

Gospel:Please Read  Matthew 21:28-32

Obedience to God's will, in words and in deeds!

 Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to communicate to a child. Because a child easily relates to life situations, and learns valuable lessons from them. In fact, we don't outgrow our storytelling days; they are simply known differently in later life as life experiences.

Our Lord Jesus was an amazing teacher and a fantastic storyteller. We will hear in today's Gospel another example of His ability to craft a story using common life experiences and simple images in order to teach the profound truth of our Christian faith.

The story in the Gospel goes this way: A father who owns a vineyard has two sons. He asks them both to go and help out in the vineyard. One son says "yes" but then never goes there. The other says "no" at first but changes his mind and goes to help in the vineyard. Now Jesus asks: which son did the father's will?

Well, the answer seems straightforward on first glance. The first son ultimately did the father's will. But then on second glance, both sons really brought dishonor to their father, the first by his words (saying "no" to the father), the second by his deeds (by not doing what he was told). So neither son was right.

Jesus makes His point clear in this parable of the two sons. Good intentions are not enough. And promises are nothing unless they are met.

The lesson in the parable is that God wants to change our hearts so that we must show both by our words and by our actions that we respect and follow His will and do it without reservations and conditions. And when we are faithful to His will, God offers each one of us the greatest treasure reserved for us, which is unending peace, joy, happiness, and eternal life with Him in the kingdom. Yet we can lose that treasure if we refuse the grace God is offering us to follow in His way of truth and righteousness.

Jesus, therefore, encourages us to think about the consequences of our choices in life, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for here and now but for eternity as well. Because the choices we make now will affect and shape our future both on earth as well as our final destiny in life after.

In sum, the ideal son is the one who says "yes" right away and also does what he is told. To live a life of hearing and doing the will of God is to respect and adhere to our Lord Jesus' authority as Teacher and Lord. For it is the person who says "yes" immediately and goes to work in the vineyard who pleases the Lord and will receive His reward in the end.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

 Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle A - Year 1:

24 September 2017: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9

Second Reading: Philippians 1:20-24, 27

Gospel:Please Read Matthew 20:1-16a

God is generous!

Is there a measure to God's generosity? It's an interesting question.

Let us see if we can find an answer by examining human understanding of what is just and equitable.

We live in a society where everything seems to be defined by what is legal and what is just. In the work place, for example, there are laws concerning wages and compensation, the core principle of which is that "no work no pay", "more work more pay", or "less work less pay". The bottom line is to be fair and equitable according to human standards. In such strict legalistic environment, is there room for generosity?

Today's Gospel tells of a parable that may have relevance to the work place. The parable of the workers in the vineyard has often puzzled many of us. Perhaps, it is because what the landowner (or employer) did in this parable goes against what most of us would have done under similar circumstances in our present time.

A brief situational background: In Jesus' time laborers had to wait each day in the marketplace until someone hired them for a day's job. No work that day usually meant no food on the family table.

Now, the gist of the parable is that the workers who worked all day received the same payment or wages as those who worked for less than a full day. So the former complained to the landowner about the apparent "injustice" or "unjust" wages.

Yet, our Lord Jesus is teaching us something about God, and it isn't about fair and just business practices. Rather, Jesus uses this parable to help us better understand that God's generous love and justice are far, far different from our human standards. It is so different indeed that we are baffled by it, because we have difficulty understanding God's infinite love and generosity. On the other hand, our inability to understand the full depth and breath of God's love is also an opportunity for FAITH, that is to say, our faith grows deeper and stronger because we cannot ever fully understand God.

Even during Jesus' time the people were shocked to hear of radical ideas in our Lord's teachings. Many had trouble accepting and comprehending this parable of Jesus concerning the kingdom of God. Perhaps, Jesus really intended to shock His listeners so they think much deeper. What Jesus may be proposing to His listeners, then and now, is that God's love and generosity is the very foundation of the kingdom of God.

In other words, God is generous in opening the door to His kingdom to all who will enter, both those who have labored a lifetime for Him and those who come at the last hour. While the reward may be the same, the motive for one's labor can make all the difference. Some work only for rewards. They will only put as much effort as they expect they will get back in return. Others work out of love and joy for the opportunity to work and to serve others. What is our motive for working in the Lord's vineyard?

In sum, our Lord Jesus Christ calls His disciples to serve God and neighbors, both in His heavenly kingdom and our earthly environment, with generosity and joy. Do we perform our work and responsibilities with a cheerful heart and diligence for the Lord's sake? And are we also generous to others, especially to those in most need of our care and support?

We are the late comers in the Lord's vineyard. We are those who were asked to work at the end of the day. We, therefore, must be overwhelmingly grateful of God's generosity and share the same generous love with others.

And so, to answer our opening question..... Is there a measure to God's generosity? Yes, there is... and that is God's love. And God's love is unconditional and unlimited.

Today the Church also celebrates the 22nd National Seafarers' Day. Let us pray for our Filipino seafarers who brave the high seas for their generous love of their families.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle A - Year 1:  

17 September 2017:  Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Sirach 27:30--28:7

Second Reading:   Romans 14:7-9

Gospel:Please Read  Matthew 18:21-35

The challenge to forgive!

In the olden days, we hear the dictum: "To err is human, to forgive is divine."

It means that it is human nature to make mistakes. Or it is natural for people to make mistakes. But while anyone can make mistake, we should aspire to do as God does, that is, show mercy and forgiveness to sinners.

But then from our human experience it is not easy to forgive, because certain grief and pain does not easily heal and continues to burn the heart.

That is why, sometimes we hear people say, "I forgive you, but I do not forget!" Rancor, tensions, diverse opinions, insults, offenses, provocations, all these render pardon and reconciliation difficult.

This Sunday's Gospel challenges us to forgive. And so our Lord Jesus Christ speaks to us about the need for pardon.

Peter asked Jesus, "...how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?"

Now, in the Bible, number 7 indicates perfection. So in this case, it is synonymous of "always".

Jesus' response goes beyond the proposal of Peter. Our Lord clearly eliminates any limitation to forgiving: "Not seven, I tell you, but seventy seven times!", He said to Peter.

Because to Jesus, forgiveness is not to be quantified. Rather, it is a quality, a way of being, a way of living, a way of loving, a way of relationship, a way of thinking and seeing. In other words, forgiveness is nothing less than the way of Christ Himself, as He forgave the sinner while hanging on the cross. And if we are to follow our Lord Jesus, then forgiveness must become our way as well, definitely.

Now, it does not mean we forget, condone, or approve of whatever wrong was done. It does not mean we ignore or excuse cruelty or injustice. But forgiving in our heart is the only way forward. It means we are released from anger and the desire for revenge. Because we look to the future rather than the past. We try to see and love as God sees and loves. Thus, forgiveness is a way in which we align our life with God's life.

In the Gospel, Jesus declares that as God has forgiven our debts, we are expected to be as generous to others in forgiving their debts as well.

Let us try to meditate on the words of Jesus which speaks about reconciliation, and which speaks to us about the parable of pardon without limits.

Because there is no proportion between the pardon which we receive from God and the pardon which we should offer to our brothers, as the parable of pardon without limits teaches us today.

In sum, we must forgive others as God Himself has forgiven us. The only limit to the gratuity of God is our own incapacity to forgive our erring brothers.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

.Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle A - Year 1:  

10 September 2017:  Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Ezekiel 33:7-9

Second Reading:   Romans 13:8-10

Gospel:Please Read  Matthew 18:15-20

We are our brother's keeper!

When someone refuses to be accountable for somebody else' wrongdoing, we normally hear the lame excuse "Am I my brother's keeper?"  

Do you know that the above expression is actually biblical, and found in the very first book of the Bible, in Genesis?

Recall that Cain and Abel were the first descendants of Adam and Eve. The story goes that out of envy Cain killed his brother Abel. Later when the Lord asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?", Cain answered, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gn 4:9)

In this Sunday's Gospel, our Lord Jesus shocks us with a new teaching, that we must care and help our erring brothers and sisters, that we must be our brother's keeper!

But in our day to day situations, our society, including those who call themselves

Christians, try to avoid confrontation or contradiction for fear of offending another person, or of being accused as "judgmental". So then, we prefer to just keep silent even when evil things or wrongdoings happen in our presence. Thus, we sometimes forget that all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing at all. And the worst thing is when people lose their sense of sin that they are unable to recognize evil. In other instances, our society is simply indifferent to sin itself.

But today our Lord reminds us that one of the most important  disciplines that Catholics, and all Christians for that matter, should really take to heart is fraternal correction. In our generation where people lack courage to speak out against wrongdoings, the authentic practice of fraternal correction is more urgent than ever.

Our Lord teaches that we owe each other, as a matter of justice, the charity of correcting each other out of love for God and the salvation of the soul of the person who has committed a wrongdoing, or exhibited a lack of good judgment.

Because salvation has a social dimension. We cannot be saved by just praying to God yet keeping our doors closed to the need of others. Rather, we will be saved in communion with others, as a People of God.

Let us listen to the parting words of our Lord Jesus Christ in this Sunday's Gospel: "Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mt 18:19-20)

So then in the Holy Eucharist at Mass, let us pray that the Lord fill our hearts with patience and love for our erring brothers and sisters. May the Lord grant us the moral courage to be involved, to act together as a community, to lead others to conversion and become truly a People of God in journey to the Father's house. So forgive us, Father, as we try to also forgive each other. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!