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 Nobyembre 27, 2022 – Linggo

Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento

Ebanghelyo: Mateo 24: 37- 44

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad. “Katulad ng nangyari sa panahon ni Noe. Gayon din sa pagdating ng anak ng tao. Nong mga raw na yon, bago dumating ang baha. Kumakain at umiinom ang mga tao at nag aasawa, hanggang sa araw nang pumasok si Noe sa daong. Ngunit wala silang alam hanggang dumating ang baha. At tinangay silang lahat. Ganun din sa pag dating ng anak ng tao. Sa dalawang lalaking nasa Bukid, kukunin ang isa at iiwan ang isa. Sa dalawang babaing gumigiling ng Trigo, kukunin ang isa at iiiwan ang isa. Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi n’yo alam ang araw ng pagdating ng inyong Panginoon. Isipin n’yo ito: Kung alam ng may-ari ng bahay kung anong oras ng gabi darating ang magnanakaw, magbabantay s’ya at hindi pababayaang pasukin ang bahay. Kaya maging handa kayo sapagkat sa oras na hindi n’yo inaasahan darating ang Anak ng Tao.

Pagninilay:

Ngayon ay bagong taon sa liturgical calendar ng ating simbahan, Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento. Pag sinasabi nating adbiyento, ito ay nangangahulugan ng pagdating o coming sa Ingles. May importanteng taong darating sa atin. Sa ating mga Pilipino sanay at parte na ng buhay natin ang maghinihintay dahil sa isang pamilyang Pilipino may isang OFW. Inaabangan natin ang kanilang pagbabalik bayan, kaya pinaghahandaan natin ito. Naglilinis tayo ng bahay, ini-organisa ang mga outing at reunion. Lahat ay masaya. Tulad ng paghahanda na ito, ang kahulugan ng adbiyento, ay linisin natin ang ating mga puso at diwa sa mga bagay na hindi nakakapagpabanal. Tulad ng galit at inggit. Upang ang pagdating ni Kristo ay handa ito na siya ay manahan tulad ng isang sabsaban, payak at simbolo ng pagpapakumbaba. Upang ang saya at galak ng isang reunion at selebrasyon ay mamuhay sa ating mga puso dahil handa ito araw-araw sa pagdating ni Kristo.

Ang ating buhay ngayon ay araw ng adbiyento, ang pagiging handa sa pagdating ni Kristo ang ating pinaghahandaan. Hindi lang ito sa paskong darating ngunit higit sa kanyang pagbabalik dito sa mundo. May isang paring nagbahagi nito sa akin na, excited tayong lahat sa Pasko ng Pagsilang ni Hesus na darating dahil ito ay may happy and joyful spirit na selebrasyon. Ngunit, hindi na tayo kumportable pag pinag--uusapan ang second coming, dahil nga sa imahe na binabanggit sa Mabuting Balita. Wala tayong dapat ikatakot kung araw-araw ihinihahanda natin ang ating puso na maging payak at Mabuti. Always ready na tanggapin si Hesus na darating.

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

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 Nobyembre 26, 2022 – Sabado

Ika – 35 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Lucas 21:34-36

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Mag-ingat kayo’t baka bumigat ang inyong mga isip sa mga bisyo, paglalasing at mga intindihin sa buhay. At baka bigla kayong datnan ng araw na iyon. Babagsak itong parang bitag sa lahat ng nasa lupa. Kaya’t lagi kayong magbantay at manalangin para maging marapat na makatakas sa lahat ng mangyayaring ito at makaharap sa Anak ng Tao.”

Pagninilay:

“Stop, look, and listen.” Ito ang kadalasang nakikita at nakapaskil sa mga riles ng tren o sa mga kalye. Ang karatulang ito ay paalala sa mga tao, upang maging alisto at makaiwas sa kapahamakan. Ang mensahe ng ebanghelyo ay tulad nito. Maging handa at mapagmatyag. Ang sabi nga ng iba, “abala tayong maghanap buhay, ngunit kadalasa’y nakakalimutan natin kung paano ang mabuhay. Abala tayo sa makamundong mga bagay, at nakakalimutan natin ang tunay na kahulugan ng buhay”. Sa kakaisip ng problema, nakakalimutan natin ang ating sarili. At upang takasan ito, nandyan ang bisyo, luho at panandaliang kasiyahan lamang. Ngunit, paano kung bigla tayong magkasakit, mamatay o bawian ng mga yaman? Handa na ba tayo? Tunay ngang kailangan natin ang “stop, look, and listen” sa buhay. Ano nga ba ang tunay na kahulugan ng buhay? Ano ang gustong ipagawa sa atin ng Diyos? Ano ang gusto nating gawin? “Stop, look and listen” at masusing kilatisin ang layunin natin. Maging abala tayo sa mga importanteng bagay, dahil maiksi lamang ang buhay. Kailangan nating maging handa at listo kung ano ang ating misyon sa buhay. Ngayon po ay kapistahan rin ni Beato Giacomo Alberione o Blessed James Alberione, ang nagtatag ng mga kongregasyon at institusyong paolino. Ang kanyang prinsipyo ay ang pagkakaroon ng sinaunang diwa sa makabagong anyo – “ancient spirit, new forms.” Ang maging handa at mapagmatyag sa mga tanda ng panahon – “signs of the times.” Kung paano tayo naaapektuhan sa makabagong kapanahunan ngayon. Paano nagbabago ang relasyon natin sa Diyos? Mabago man ang panahon at mabago man tayo, ang Diyos ay hinding-hindi magbabago. Ang mga palatandaang ito ay mahalaga. Ang mga karatulang “stop, look and listen” ay mahalaga. Sa mga oras na naguguluhan tayo, ito’y nagsisilbing gabay. Gayun din sa buhay, sa mga pagkakataong hindi natin alam ang gagawin, may mga ipapadalang senyales ang Diyos. Humiling tayo sa Diyos ng karunungan ng puso at isip, upang masumpungan ang tunay nating naisin sa buhay, ayon sa kanyang kalooban. - John Ervin S. Valerio

ST. JOHN BERCHMANS l PATRON SAINT OF ALTAR BOYS

Feast Day: NOVEMBER 26

Our young saint for today was described as early as seven years old to be pre gentle, affectionate, endowed with keen intellect and retentive memory. His exemplary virtues are piety, kindness, gentleness, patience and generosity. His parish priest who knew him well remarked with great enthusiasm that someday God would work wonders in the soul of this child. He is the famous St. John Berchmans, of the Society of Jesus, patron saint of altar boys. John Berchmans was born in Deist, Belgium, eldest of five  children, to a modest family on March 13, 1599. He was brought up in a Catholic atmosphere and at seven years old loved to get up early and serve as altar boy in three or four Masses. He listened attentively to the sermons of the priests like an adult and attended with fervor the Catechism classes given in the parish.

John Berchmans was truly reputed as a good boy. At nine years old, when his mother was ill, he was most of the time beside her, consoling her and attending to her needs. He never complained and was always serviceable. When he lived with other altar servers in the parish convent, he was most faithful in doing his duties and would assume the hardest domestic work with joy. He tried to influence his companions to goodness, gave them corrections with kindness and showed his concern for each of them. He was noted for his piety. He recited the Rosary every day, would visit Marian shrines by foot. On Fridays he would make the Stations of the Cross barefoot. All these were rewarded by a vocation to religious life.

St. John's family was opposed to his vocation, but the will of God prevailed. He entered the Jesuit Novitiate on September 24, 1616. As a novice, he was very observant of the rules. He was admired for his poverty, obedience and chastity. He desired so much to become a saint and would often say: "If I do not become a saint while I am young, I shall never become a saint." He even dreamed of becoming an army chaplain and die as a martyr in the battlefield. Yet, being young, he found common life difficult and he used to say: "My penance is to live common life.” After two years in the novitiate, he made the simple vows and was sent to study philosophy.

Still a young religious, he was attacked by a Roman fever, a disease which caused his Lungs to be inflamed. Then shortly afterwards, he was seized by dysentery and died on August 12, 1671 at the age of 22.  When many people came to view his remains and to ask for his intercession. Miracles followed after his death. St. John Berchmans was beatified on May 28, 1865 and was canonized on January 15, 1888. He was designated patron of altar boys. His feast day is November 26.

"St. John Berchmans, you are the patron of altar boys, please pray that those who serve at the holy Sacrifice of the Mass may have the vocation to the priesthood and the religious life.”

How diligent am I in fulfilling my little duties as a member of a family, of society and of the Church?

Three Voices to Guide us through the Season of Advent | Word and Songs

with Sr. Lines Salazar, fsp

During the four weeks of Advent, we prepare for the celebration of Christs’ birth through prayer and reflection. We contemplate the First coming of Jesus as Savior and anticipate his promised Second Coming. And amid the flurry of Christmas preparations, we look for practical ways to observe the holiness of the season in our lives.

To help us achieve holiness of life and that interior preparation and vigilance for the Lord’s coming, let’s listen to three voices of Advent characters, which will guide us through the Season of Advent.   They are the voices of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist, and the prophet Isaiah.

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 Nobyembre 25, 2022 – Biyernes

Ika – 34 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Lucas 21:29-33

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang isang talinhaga: “Tingnan ninyo ang punong-igos at ang ibang mga puno. Pagkakita ninyong nagdadahon na ang mga ito, alam ninyong malapit na ang tag-init. Gayundin naman, pag napansin ninyo ang mga ito, alamin ninyong malapit na ang paghahari ng Diyos. Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na hindi lilipas ang salinlahing ito at mangyayari ang lahat ng ito. Lilipas ang langit at lupa ngunit hindi lilipas ang aking salita.”

Pagninilay:

Ang puno ng igos ang pinakahuling umuusbong sa panahon ng tagsibol. Kaya kapag nagsisimula nang lumitaw ang murang dahon ng igos, nalalapit na raw ang tag-araw. Ayon sa mga magsasaka sa Europa at sa Mediteraneo, mas gusto ng punong igos ang warm at arid conditions. Sa mainit at tigang na lupa, doon siya umuusbong. Sulyapan natin ang ating buhay-ispiritwal. Sa oras na inaamin natin na nauuhaw tayo na parang tigang na lupa, doon natin nararamdaman ang biyaya ng pagsibol ng Panginoon. Ibinubuhos niya sa atin ang biyaya ng buhay. Ngayong November 25, vigil naming Pauline Family sa celebration ng pagyaon sa eternal life ng aming Founder. Siya si Blessed James Alberione. Sa compilation ng writings niya na Practices of Piety and Interior Life, naroon ang lessons tungkol sa “mortification”. Sa Latin, mortificationem o putting to death. Ito ang paglupig hanggang sa matigang, hanggang mamatay. Ayon kay Blessed James, ito ang kailangan ng ating kaluluwa. May may spiritual liveliness tayong matatanggap kapag napapagtagumpayan natin ang masamang hilig at di kaaya-ayang ugali. Tatlong uri ng morification ang binanggit niya. Una, mortification of the palate. Ang kamatayan sa pagbibigay-luho sa panlasa. Ito ang pagpipigil kumain ng sobra o pag-iipon ng pagkain na hindi naman kayang ubusin. Ikalawa, mortification of body’s laziness. Ito ang kamatayan sa pagbibigay-lugod sa luho ng kawalang-ginagawa. Ito ang kawalan ng effort na magpakabuti. Tahasang hindi na kinukumusta ang kunsensya sa tuwing nagkakasala. Ikatlo, mortification of sensuality. Ang kamatayan sa pagbibigay-lugod sa luho ng kahalayan. Ito ang hindi na nag-iisip nang mabuti. Kung ano na lang ang ibig gawin sa katawan o ng katawan, mag-gigive-in na. Kapanalig, ang lahat nang ito, kailangan nating paglabanan para umusbong ang buhay na hindi lumilipas. Let us put to death whatever keeps us away from Christ. Si Blessed James din ang nagtanim sa isip ng bawat kasapi sa pamilyang Paolino na mula sa kataga ni San Pablo. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” Mga kapanalig, gawin natin ito na habitual sa tulong ng panalangin ni Blessed James. Makaugalian nawa natin itong gawin hanggang sa hindi na tayo ang nabubuhay sa sarili natin, kundi si Jesus na.

- Sr. Gemmaria Dela Cruz, fsp | Daughters of St. Paul

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA  l  PATRONESS OF UNMARRIED WOMEN, APOLOGISTS AND STUDENTS

Feast Day: NOVEMBER 25

Our saint for today lived during the period when Alexandria, Egypt was one of the finest cities of the world, a center of faith, learning and culture, and a bustling part of the Roman Empire. She was declared patroness of unmarried women, apologists and students. St. Catherine of Alexandria was born a princess in the year 287. Her father was Costis, half-brother of Constantine and her mother was Queen Sabinella of Egypt. At age 14, she became a Christian, was educated and reputed as an avid scholar of philosophy. When Emperor Maximian of the Roman Empire, A Christian persecutor died, he was succeeded by his son, Maxentius, who also hated the Christians. Catherine, being a part of the nobility, had the courage to rebuke the Emperor of his cruelty. Enraged, Maxentius gathered 50 of his best pagan scholars to debate with Catherine. Catherine won the debate and many of the spectators, including the wife of Maxentius, became Christians, but they were at once put to death.

To avenge himself of the defeat of his men, Maxentius had Catherine put to jail and scourged. While in jail, she was not given food, but a dove came to her daily to feed her, and an angel tended her wounds. Jesus Himself appeared to console her in her great sufferings. Unable to persuade Catherine to deny her faith through torture and imprisonment, Maxentius tried to flatter her saying that she could become a beautiful empress for him. But Catherine answered him outright that her only Spouse was Jesus.At this, the Emperor became so angry that he ordered Catherine to be killed on a spiked wheel, wherein the limbs of the victim were inserted into the spikes and when the wheel rolled, the victim's bones break into pieces. When the wheel was brought to Catherine, she touched it and it shattered into pieces, and an angel caused it to burst into flame. With great ferocity, Maxentius ordered that Catherine be decapitated and she died by having her head chopped off.

The historicity of Catherine was often questioned by a few scholars, who believed that she was a legend. But more than a thousand years after her martyrdom, St. Joan of Arc identified her as among the saints who counselled her to become a soldier and fight for France. The development of her cult was spurred by the discovery of her body and relics at the foot of Mt. Sinai, some 491 kilometers away, about the year 800 A.D. Traditions say, and it is approved by the Church, that her body was brought to Mt. Sinai by angels. Emperor Justinian, a Christian, established in the 6th century the St. Catherine's Monastery in Egypt, a convent for monks of the Orthodox Church. St. Catherine died at age 18 in the year 305. Her feast day is November 25.

St. Catherine, glorious Virgin and Martyr, resplendent in the luster of wisdom and purity; thy wisdom refuted the adversaries of Divine truth and covered them with confusion; thy immaculate purity made thee a spouse of Christ. Help me to make progress in the love of God and in the practice of holy purity that I may be victorious in fighting evil and at my death be conducted by the angels into the eternal beatitude of Heaven. Amen."

Can I have the courage to refute the many falsehood, myths, misinformation, misconceptions and fallacy regarding morality and sexual relationships in our present society?

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”.