PAULINES

ST. LUCY  |  PATRON SAINT OF THE BLIND AND THOSE WITH EYE DISEASES

Feast Day: DECEMBER 13

Our saint for today was a great lover of God and of virginity. She was detached from earthly goods and distributed her wealth to the poor. She is St. Lucy, a young saint from a wealthy family in Italy. She was born in the year 283 in Syracuse, Italy of Christian parents and learned to love God at an early age. It is customary among the rich at that time to arrange the future marriage of their children. So, when her father died when she was five, she had already been destined to marry the son of a wealthy family. While growing up, her mother often reminded her of her betrothed, yet Lucy paid no attention to her, saying that she had already vowed to serve God in virginity and promised to give her inheritance to the poor. When her mother got sick of a mysterious disease, and no doctor could cure her, Lucy encouraged her to pray at the tomb of St. Agatha. After this pilgrimage, her mother was miraculously healed and Lucy was able to persuade her to give her share of the family wealth.

When Lucy’s betrothed heard of her almsgiving, he reprimanded her but Lucy won’t listen to him. Enraged, he accused Lucy to the governor and Lucy was arrested. She was ordered to offer sacrifices to the idols, which she refused. Then she was dragged to the house of the prostitutes to be defiled by men, but her body was immovable and no amount of force could drag her. Then the governor ordered her eyes to be gauged, and set fire around her. Her eyes were taken out from their sockets but the wood would not burn. Finally, a soldier struck her throat with a sword and she died. She was 21 years old.

Tradition says that while they were preparing her for the burial, her eyes were miraculously restored. Many pilgrims came to pray to her and asked for some relics. St. Lucy today is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye diseases. In arts, she is depicted carrying a platter with two eyes on it.

“St. Lucy, thank you for your example of a deep love of God and of purity and your detachment from the vain things of this earth. Inspire young men and women to imitate you.”

Do I aspire for riches, comfort, honor, esteem and power in this world? Am I convinced that they cannot bring me to Heaven?

Mabuting Balita l Disyembre 13, 2022 – Martes

Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento

Ebanghelyo: Mateo 21:28-32

Nagpatuloy si Hesus: “Ano sa palagay n’yo? May dalawang anak ang isang tao. Lumapit siya sa isa at sinabi: ‘Anak, pumunta ka ngayon at magtrabaho sa aking ubasan.’ Sumagot ang anak: ‘Ayoko.’ Ngunit pagkatapos ay nagbagong-isip siya at pumunta. Pinuntahan din ng ama ang pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot naman ang anak: ‘Opo.’ Pero hindi siya pumunta. At tinanong sila ni Hesus: “Sino sa dalawang anak ang tumupad sa gusto ng ama?” “Ang una.” “Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas nauuna sa inyo patungo sa Kaharian ng Langit ang mga publikano at mga babaeng bayaran. Dumating nga si Juan para ipakita sa inyo ang daan ng kabutihan subalit hindi kayo naniwala sa kanya, samantalang naniwala naman ang mga publikano at mga babaeng bayaran. Nakita n’yo ito at hindi kayo nagsisi o naniwala sa kanya.”

Pagninilay:

Ang pagsunod sa utos at kalooban ng Diyos ay naaayon sa ating pananampalataya. Ang kaharian ng Diyos ay hindi nakikita ng ating mga mata kung hindi ito ay nadarama ng ating tinatawag na puso. Mga kapanalig, sa ating pagbasa ay sinabi na ang mga maniningil ng buwis at mga “prostitutes” ay makararating sa kaharian Diyos, mauuna pa sa akin, mauuna pa sa iyo. Bakit ganon? Hindi ba’t ang mga maniningil ng buwis at mga prostitutes ay makasalanan? Bakit sila pa ang mauuna sa kaharian ng Diyos? Sa kadahilanang maaring may mga hadlang sa ating maayos na pagtalima sa utos ng Diyos. Halimbawa, pagiging mapagmataas. Hindi ko naman po nilalahat pero napapansin ko na sa mga organisasyon sa Simbahan ay umiiral ang padrino system. Nagiging prebiliheyo kung ano ang katungkulan mo at posisyon sa organisayon na minsan ay nagiging dahilan ng kawalan ng kababaan ng loob at maayos na pakikipagkapwa. Noong panahon ni Hesus, ang mga marurunong sa batas, mga pari at mga nakatatanda hindi matanggap ang bagong turo na may pagbibinyag sa labas ng templo. Ang mga “prostitutes”at taga singil ng buwis sa kabilang dako ay malugod na tinanggap ang bagong kautusan. Si Hesus ay kanilang kinilala at naging sandigan.

- Sr. Edith Ledda, fsp | Daughters of St. Paul

Panalangin:

Panginoon turuan mo po akong sumunod sa Iyong banal na kalooban. Maisabuhay ko nawang tapat ang pananampalatayang ipinagkaloob mo sa aking puso. Tulungan mo po akong ipakilala ang Iyong Anak na si Hesus. Amen.

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

Mabuting Balita l Disyembre 12, 2022 – Lunes

Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento

Ebanghelyo: Mateo 21: 23-27

Pagpasok ni Hesus sa Templo, lumapit sa kanya ang mga punong-pari, mga guro ng batas at mga matatanda ng mga Judio, at nagtanong: “Ano ang karapatan mong gawin ang mga ito? Sino ang nagtalaga sa iyo?” Sinagot sila ni Hesus: “Tatanungin ko rin kayo ng isang tanong. At kung may sagot kayo, sasagutin ko kayo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin para sa mga ito. Saan galing ang pagbibinyag ni Juan, sa Diyos ba o sa tao?” At nag-isip-isip sila: “Kung isasagot nating galing sa Diyos, sasabihin niya: ‘Bakit di kayo naniwala ka kanya?’ At kung sasabihin naman nating galing lamang sa tao ang pagbibinyag ni Juan, dapat tayong matakot sa bayan sapagkat akala nila’y tunay na propeta si Juan.” Kaya sinabi nila kay Hesus: “Hindi namin alam.” At sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus: “Hindi ko rin sasabihin sa inyo kung sino ang nagtalaga sa akin na gumawa ng mga ito.”

Pagninilay:

Gusto natin ang mga experts. May tiwala tayo sa kanila. Bilib tayo na tiyak ang kanilang sinasabi. Pero, ang TOTOO ay TOTOO, kahit ito ay magmumula sa isang eksperto o sa isang amatuer o baguhan lamang. Alam nating may mga taong very particular sa kanilang field of expertise. Hindi sila masaya kung mayroong nagbibigay ng statement na maaring sala ito sa kanilang alam. Ituturing ito na isang panghihimasok at sisirain nila ang credibilidad ng isang hindi expert na ito at ipapalabas na hindi sumasang-ayon ang argumento nito. Sinasabing, ang tunay na experto ay patuloy na nagsasaliksik. Sa pagsasagawa niya nito, lalo niyang mauunawaan na meron pang mga bagay na hindi pa niya alam. Na minsan ang nakakaligtaang pansinin ay mga simpleng bagay, mga obvios o halata naman at may malalim nakahulugan. Isipin mo na lang, sa kabila ng marami nating “experts” na nag reregulate o umaayos sa ating ekonomiya, sa ating mga gawaing pampamahalaan, sa ating mga sambayanan na magiging maayos ang pagpapatakbo nito. Pero, patuloy pa rin ang kahirapan, tila naragdagan pa ang mga problema. Samantalang ipinagsisigawan pa ng mga experts sa isa’t-isa ang kanilang brilliance, ang problema naman lalong lumalala. Sa halip na hanapin ang tunay na solusyon, nagiging segunda lamang ito, Imbes na patahimikin ang ego, pagpapanatili ng katayuan nitong mga experts ang mas binibigyang pansin.  Ano nga ba ang napapailalim sa mga agenda ng sana’y mga experts na ito? Pagtataguyod ba ito ng katotohanan? Nakakatulong kaya ito sa kapwa? O nais lamang protektahan ang kanilang posisyon sa lipunan? Ang mga punong saserdote ay hindi naman interesado sa katotohanang hatid at winika ni Jesus. Hindi nila Siya kinilala na tagapaghatid ng katotohanan kundi bilang isang threat o banta. Samantalang ang salita at gawa ni Jesus ang magbubunyag ng Katotohanan ng Makapangyarihang Diyos. Ang nag-aakusang katanungan ng mga punong saserdote ay nagpapahayag ng kanilang kayabangan, mga selos, galit at kanilang kahamakan. Sa gitna ng maraming kahirapan at walang katiyakan sa buhay, nawa’y ipagkaloob ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng mga panalangin ng ating Mahal na Birheng Maria ng Guadalupe na maging buo ang ating loob sa mga winika niyang, “ hindi ba’t ako’y naririto, ako na iyong ina?”

- Sr. Amelyne Paglinawan, FSP | Daughters of St. Paul

Mabuting Balita l Disyembre 11, 2022 – Linggo

Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento

Ebanghelyo: Mateo 11:2-11

Nang nasa kulungan si Juan Bautista, nabalitaan niya ang mga ginagawa ni Kristo. Kaya pinapunta niya ang kanyang mga alagad para tanungin siya: “Ikaw ba ang darating o dapat bang mag-antay pa kami ng iba?” Sumagot si Hesus sa kanila, “Bumalik kayo at ibalita kay Juan ang inyong narinig at nakita” ‘Nakakakita ang mga bulag, nakalalakad ang mga pilay, lumilinis ang may mga Ketong, nakaririnig ang mga bingi, nagigising ang mga patay at may mabubuting balitang ipinahahayag sa mga dukha at mapalad ang hindi natitisod dahil sa akin.’” Pagkaalis ng mga sugo ni Juan nagsimulang magsalita si Hesus sa mga tao tungkol kay Juan: “Ano ang pinuntahan ninyo sa disyerto para makita, isang kawayang hinahampas hampas ng hangin? Ano ang pinuntahan ninny, isang lalaking magara ang bihis? Sa mga palasyo nga nakatira ang mga taong magagara ang bihis. Ano ba ang pinuntahan ninyo? Isang propeta? Totoo, At sinasabi ko na higit pa siya sa isang propeta. Siya ang binanggit sa kasulatan, pinauna ko sayo ang aking mensahero upang ihanda ang daan sa harap mo. Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo, walang sinuman sa mga kilalang tao ngayon ang mas dakila pa kay Juan na taga pagbinyag. Pero mas dakila sa kanya ang pinakamaliit sa kaharian ng langit.’”

Pagninilay:

Ngayon ay Linggo ng Gaudete o Gaudete Sunday. Ang liturhiya ng simbahan ay nag- aanyaya sa lahat ng Kristiyano na magsaya, magalak, at magdiwang. Sa Mabuting Balita ayon kay San Mateo ating matutunghayan kung papaanong si San Juan ay nagpadala ng kanyang mga alagad sa ating Panginoon upang ipatanong: “Kayo na po ba ang aming hinintay o maghihintay pa kami ng iba?” Ang sagot ng ating Panginoon” “Nakikita Ninyo ang mga bulag ay nakakakita, nakaririnig ang mga bingi, nakapagsasalita ang mga pipi. Ang mga maysakit na ketongin ay muling nalilinis, ang patay muling nabubuhay at ang mabuting balita na ipapahayag sa mga mahihirap.”

Anuman ang pinagdaraanan ng bawat tao, ng bawat Kristiyano, laging may dahilan para magsaya, para magdiwang. Sa mga araw na ito ng paghahanda sa pagdating ng tagapagligtas, sikapin sana natin na umuwi sa yakap at pagmamahal ng ating Panginoon. Lumapit tayo sa Sakramento ng Kumpisal, sapagkat ito ang ating hayagang paglapit sa kanya at paghahanda sa kanya ng sabsaban sa ating kalooban upang ang bawat isa makaranas ng tunay na kasiyahan, ng tunay na kaligayahan. Ngayong Gaudete Sunday, ang paanyaya sa atin ay magsaya, magalak, at magdiwang.

- Fr. Eugene Dominic Hechanova | Archdiocese of Lipa

Feast Day: December 14

Our Saint for today is St John of the cross, a mystic. He is called the “Mystical doctor of the Church.” A mystic is a person, who, through contemplation and surrender to God’s holy will seek to obtain union with the Almighty. St john is the patron saint of the mystics and contemplatives. He was born on 1542 at Fontiberos, old Castle, Spain. He was name Juan de Yepes y Alvarez, and was the descendant of Jews converted to Catholicism. His Father came from a wealthy family, but when He married a woman of a lower class, his family disowned him, so he humbly worked with her as a weaver, John’s Father died when he was three and his mother took him and his brother to another place to find a better work.

John became an altar boy, then worked at the hospital and studied philosophy and theology at a Jesuit School. In 1563, he became a Carmelite monk and took a name John St Matthias. He was ordained priest in 1967. His plan to Join the Carthusians did not materialize when He met Teresa of Avila, who at that time was trying to reform the women Carmelites. Teresa asked him to assist her restoring the Carmelites to its original observances and austere life. The new rule of the reformed order was more strict and stern. It required long prayer, fasting, abstinence and silence during the day, and a new rule to avoid covered shoes. These observances distinguished them as the “Discalced Carmelites” or barefoot. John followed the new rule and opened a new monastery for Carmelite’s friars in 1568, and another in 1570. He changed his name to John of the Cross after seeing the vision of Jesus Crucified. When Teresa became the prioress of another foundation, John Became it’s spiritual director. The reform caused great tension among the friars. John was accused of disobedience and was imprisoned, was flogged once a week before the community. He had no clothes to change with, was given meager food and his room had no light at night. On August 15, 1578, he manage to escape but because of his weak body landed in the hospital where he stayed for six months. Due to the opposition. They requested the Pope to separate from the rest of the order. In the reformed order, John help high offices and founded seven new monasteries. He became councilor to the vicar general, but disagreeing about discipline, he was removed from his post. He was placed in an isolated monastery where he fell ill and died on December 14, 1591. Since he had many admirers, his remains was divided into several parts: a leg here, an arm there, the head, the torso, etc.

St John is considered as one of the finest Spanish poets. His Masterpieces are: SPIRITUAL CANTICLE – the bride (soul), searching for the bridegroom (Christ), whom she lost, and the joy of their reunion; the second is DARK NIGHT IN THE SOUL- the difficulties and sufferings of the soul in detaching from its bodily form to union with God. His other poems are “Living flame of Love and “Ascent to Mt Carmel.”

St John, Humble and faithful lover of God, guide us in conquering our self-love and help us to seek union with God with great patience and fortitude. Teach us how to forgive those who hate and despise us.

Reflection: Am I seeking God or my self- gratification in my prayers and practices of piety? Can I willingly forgive those who have done me wrong and made me suffer?

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

Pondering on What Gives you True Joy | Word and Songs

Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, or rejoice Sunday may be symbolized using rose-colored vestments at Mass, and by the pink candle in our Advent wreath, which is the candle of joy. Joy is not the same as happy. Joy is an internal quality of the heart that is dependent on a right relationship with God. True joy and happiness are to be found only in God. Thus, regardless of the outer circumstances we find ourselves in we are called to be joyful at the approach of our Savior.

Sunday is a marker on the Advent path that calls us to really acknowledge joy. In our contemporary world, especially after two years of strict lockdowns and health protocols due to the pandemic, many of us are excited to gather once again/\ for the celebration of actual Simbang Gabi/ Misa de Gallo, Christmas parties, family reunions, and other Christmas merriments.  Many are busy shopping and preparing gifts, decorating houses and offices, which were halted for two years.  But do we really find joy in these external observances? Let us examine our hearts in these aspects. The resounding call of Advent is to prepare for the birth of Christ by focusing on the silent, patient, hopeful waiting of this season. It calls us to interior reflection. To ponder what the coming of Christ truly means in our life. If we discover that He comes to liberate us from the darkness of sin and death, there’s a reason to rejoice because the Lord has removed judgement upon us. Thus, while we busy ourselves with external preparations and are so excited to gather once again for Christmas activities and festivities, let us not forget to spend quiet time to really ponder what His coming truly means in our life.

This third Sunday of Advent, the Prophet Isaiah invites us: “Say to those fearful of heart: Be strong, Fear not! Behold, your God... will come to save you.” When Isaiah wrote this, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had fallen under the Assyrian rule while the Southern Kingdom of Judah was facing the threat of destruction by the Babylonians. Their situation was hardly a joyful one. They were in a situation of devastation, fear, and despair. But in the midst of this, the prophet sees beyond the situation. Thus, his explicit invitation to joy abounds when he says: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” Friends, this call becomes more urgent as Christmas approaches. The one awaited by the people will certainly come and his salvation will be for all. On the Holy night, we will again recall the birth of our Lord Jesus in Bethlehem; we will relive the feelings of the shepherds, their joy and wonder. With Mary and Joseph, we will contemplate the Word made flesh for our redemption. We will pray that all men may accept the new life that the Son of Man brought into the world by assuming our human nature.

Joyful expectation for the coming of the Messiah during this season of Advent, help us to understand the fullness of the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. Christmas is not just about commemorating the historical event which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, we must understand that our whole life should be a continuous “advent,” always in vigilant expectation for Christ’s final coming. To prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord, we must learn to recognize His presence in the events of daily life. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us to the One who has already come, who will come and who will continuously come. Do we recognize Christ’s constant comings in our day-to-day life?

Mabuting Balita l Disyembre 10, 2022 – Sabado

Ikalawang Linggo ng Adbiyento

Ebanghelyo: Mateo 17: (9a), 10-13

Tinanong si Hesus ng mga alagad: “Bakit sinasabi ng mga guro ng Batas na dapat munang pumarito si Elias.” At sumagot si Hesus: “Dapat nga munang dumating si Elias para ayusin ang lahat ng bagay. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo na dumating na si Elias pero hindi nila s’ya nakilala at pinakitunguhan nila s’ya ayon sa kanilang kagustuhan. At gayon ding paraan magdurusa ang Anak ng Tao sa kamay nila.” At naunawaan ng mga alagad na si Juan Bautista ang tinutukoy ni Hesus.

Pagninilay:

Ang adbiyento ay paghihintay. Kung muling magbabalik si Hesus ngayon at susuriin tayo at ang mukha ng mundo, ano kaya ang kanyang makikita? Ang kasalanan ba natin? Ang mga pang-aabuso natin sa kalayaan at buhay na ibinigay sa atin?

Handa na ba ang ating puso at buong pagkatao? Si Hesus magbabalik hindi para tingnan ang ating mga kamalian. Magbabalik siya dahil sa pagmamahal at kabutihan. Nakikita ni Hesus ang ating taglay na kabutihan. Ang kanyang lingwahe ay pagmamahal. Sabi nga ni Pope Francis: “Awa ang lingwahe ng Diyos.”

Kapanalig, pagsumikapan sana natin na maging kasangkapan ng pagmamahal at kabutihan ng Diyos sa ating kapwa. Ngayong panahon ng adbiyento, paghandaan sana natin lagi ang magiging encounter natin kay Lord. Paglaanan ng panahon ang pagtanggap ng Sakramento ng kumpisal. Sikaping makipagkasundo sa mga nakaaway at pagsisihan ang mga nagawang kasalanan. Yumabong nawa tayo sa pagmamal at pagpapakabanal bilang mabubuting Kristiyano at alagad ni Kristo.

- Fr. Samy John Torrefranca, SSP | Society of St. Paul