Cycle C - Year I:

7 July 2019: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14c

Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18

Gospel: Please Read Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Sharing in the Lord's saving work!

Do we always need a leader? Or is it possible that people maybe drawn together to action with a shared vision? Remember the People Power phenomenon; it is said that no single personality can really claim credit for that historical event. Because it was an spontaneous reaction of our people fed up with martial rule.

In the realm of religion, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has spoken of the "church, the people of God throughout the world, united in faith and love and empowered by the Spirit to bear witness to the risen Christ to the ends of the earth."

Thus, the Church teaches that we all leaders and share in the saving mission of Christ and the Church. So in other words, the task of preaching the Gospel is not confined to the twelve apostles but a mission given to all of Jesus' disciples even to our generation.

This leads us to the Gospel narrative for this Sunday. Thus far, from the day they were recruited the twelve Apostles have been following our Lord from place to place, witnessing the miracles He performed and listening and learning from His preaching. But they were just followers, and not yet missionaries themselves.

Jesus will now give them the "hands-on training to prepare them for missionary work. So Jesus tells them to go out on their own and work their own miracles in His name. And like Jesus, they are to give up their families and lead itinerant lifestyle, traveling from place to place to preach and share the Good News of the kingdom of God and work wonders in Jesus' name. The Apostles were given both the power and authority to speak and act in Jesus' name by the Lord Himself.

What is the impact of the Gospel reading for us today? The following points for personal reflection may be useful.

The mission of the twelve Apostles is carried on today by their successors: the bishops and all ordained ministers, religious men and women, and even lay people like us. Because by virtue of our baptism, we lay people also sent to bear witness to Christ in word and deed.

In doing our own missionary work as lay people, and also for ordained ministers, let us heed and reflect on the advice and instructions of our Lord Jesus Himself to the first Apostles.

First, Jesus tells the Apostles to "travel light", meaning with little or no provision at all. Because "poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with material possessions and thus makes ample room for God's provision instead. In other words, we must trust and depend on God rather than on ourselves in doing His mission.

Second, the Lord gives us the power and authority to work wonders in His name. But also He wants us to use this power and authority with love and humility, and always for the good of others. Remember always that it is the Lord we preach, and not ourselves.

And finally, although not the last, Jesus entrusts us with His gifts and talents to continue His saving work in our times. Are we ready and eager to place ourselves at God's service, to do whatever He tells us to do, to witness His truth and saving power to whomever our Lord Jesus Christ sends us?

In the Eucharist at Mass, let us pray: Lord, make me a channel of your grace and healing love that others may find life and freedom in You. Free me from all attachments that I may pursue the things of heaven without distraction. May I truly witness the joy of the Gospel, both in my word and in my deed. Amen.

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle C, Year I

24 June 2019: Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist
(Liturgical color: White) 

Luke 1:57-66, 80

John the Baptist: a man sent from God!
Filipinos are fun-loving people and so it is not unusual that we are fond of birthdays, too. Because birthday is a celebration of life itself!

Speaking of  birthdays, the Church likewise celebrates the birthdays of three biblical characters: the birth of Jesus on December 25, the birthday of the Virgin Mary on September 8, and the birth of John the Baptist on Monday, June 24.

In some places in the Philippines, the annual celebration of the birth of John the Baptist is usually done with playful dousing and sprinkling of water to anyone, symbolizing John's baptism of water in the river of Jordan.

John the Baptist is one of the most significant and well-known biblical characters. He was the son of Zechariah, a temple priest of the lineage of Abijah, while his mother Elizabeth was from the lineage of Aaron (Luke 1:5).  Elizabeth was the cousin of Virgin Mary, so that makes Jesus and John as relatives too.

John's role in the salvation history is so important that God Himself was the one who gave him the name of "John". Because God selected John to be his special ambassador to proclaim his own coming to the world.

From our catechism we learned that John is known as the precursor of Jesus Himself. That means he was the one who heralded the coming of the Messiah to the world.  He was the messenger sent by God to proclaim the Truth. John's message was simple and direct: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!" (Matthew 3:2). He gained many followers, and so confessing their sins, many people were baptized by him in the Jordan river.

What is the relevance of John the Baptist in our life today?

John the Baptist was a humble servant of the Lord. When Jesus started his public ministry, John readily gave up the spotlight to Jesus saying, "He must become greater' I must become less." (John 3:30) Thus, John's life is our role model in humility. When we share the Good News of the kingdom to others, we need to watch out that we remain focus on the message that is Christ Himself, and not unnecessarily draw attention to ourselves as messengers of the Good News, no matter how eloquent our preaching may be.

According to Church's writing, John's adult life was characterized by blind devotion and utter surrender to Jesus Christ and His kingdom. He was a "lone voice in the wilderness" (John 1:23) calling on all his listeners and followers to prepare the way for the Lord. John was a man filled with faith in Christ which he sealed with his martyrdom in the end. Thus, we can learn from John's steadfast faith in Jesus.

As Christians we all will have our faith put to the test at times, like when we are distracted by so many temptations with the promise of an easy life on earth. We will either falter in our faith or, like John the Baptist, cling to Christ and remain faithful to Him with our unconditional obedience to the teaching of the Church no matter the cost. Clearly, it is our choice to be with Christ or against Christ. There is no middle ground.

Patronal Feast:

John the Baptist is also the Patron of my hometown in Tabaco City, Albay Province, where I was born and raised until completion of my high school education.  Although I have no living relatives in the town proper (my remaining relatives are living in the nearby towns), Tabaco City is always in my heart because of memories of my childhood there.

So today is the Feast Day of Tabaco City.  Happy Fiesta!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!