PAULINES

ST. HUBERT l PATRON SAINT OF HUNTERS, ARCHERS AND FOREST WORKERS

Feast day - November 3

Perhaps we never imagined that hunters have a special patron. Well, today’s saint was a celebrated hunter and is highly venerated by those who love this sport. But later, he was also a Bishop who converted many pagans to Christianity and destroyed several places of idolatrous worship. Friends, we now present to you the fascinating life of St. Hubert of Acquitaine, France. Hubert was born in 656, the son of the Duke of Acquitaine. Coming from the nobility, he engaged in the many frivolous practices of the youth of his time. He also learned the skills of riding on horseback and the use of bow and arrow, beneficial to him both as a hunter and a soldier. He was an athletic and handsome young man who sought the pleasures and admiration of the world. His mother prayed very much for his conversion and urged him to turn away from his worldly ambitions. When he was 26 years old, he married Floribonne, a girl who influenced him to rekindle his faith in the Almighty. But shortly after the birth of their first child, Floribonne died leaving Hubert crushed and grief-stricken.

 Hubert felt so confused and got very angry with God and planned to abandon his faith. He spent all his time in hunting, but God was preparing something special for him. One Good Friday, Hubert set out on horseback to hunt. He came upon a group of people for the Lenten celebration and the priest asked him to join them. But Hubert refused and went his way. Surprisingly, while in the woods, Hubert saw a male deer with large antlers, looking straight at him. While he readied his bow and arrow to strike the deer, he noticed that there was a crucifix radiant with light, between the deer’s antlers. Then he heard a voice telling him to turn back to God. Hubert got down from the horse and knelt on the ground promising that he would follow what the voice had told him.

Faithful to his promise, Hubert gave his birthright, as eldest son, to his younger brother and made him guardian of his own son. Soon, he met Bishop Lambert of Maaschrit, who encouraged him to become a priest. He entered a Monastery in Belgium and was ordained a priest. In 705, Hubert succeeded Bishop Lambert as Bishop of Maaschrit, Nethertlands. Bishop Hubert was a dynamic preacher. He used his skill in the use of bow and arrow to attract many people to listen to his sermons. Many changed their ways and renewed their devotion to God. The tepid became truly fervent. After the death of Bishop Lambert (who would later become a saint) Bishop Hubert erected a shrine for St. Lambert’s relics at Liege, France. Many miracles happened in that place.  Bishop Hubert lived a very devout life and God rewarded him even on this earth. One day  in the year 726, in Terveuren, near Brussels, Bishop Hubert , while in prayer, had a vision of his own death. A few days later, on May 30, while reciting the “Our Father” he died. During the Middle Ages, devotion to him was very popular. Military orders were named after him and he was made the patron saint of hunters, archers and forest workers. His feast day is November 3. This day marks the beginning of the hunting season in Europe.

· Virtue: humility, obedience, patience, perseverance, faith and bravery

· Prayer: “Dear Lord, I beg You to give me the grace to grow in holiness and embrace seriously my Christian duties.”

· Reflection: How faithful am I to my responsibilities as a baptized Christian?

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 7, 2022 – Lunes | Ika – 32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

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Ebanghelyo: Lucas 17:1-6

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Hindi maaaring walang katitisuran at magpapabagsak sa taong maghahatid nito. Mas makabubuti pa sa kanya na talian ng gilingang bato sa leeg at ihagis sa dagat kaysa tisurin at pabagsakin ang isa sa maliliit na ito. Mag-ingat kayo. Kung magkasala ang kapatid mo, pagsabihan mo s’ya at kung magsisi’y patawarin mo. At kung pitong beses s’yang magkasala sa iyo sa isang araw at pitong beses din s’yang bumalik sa ‘yo na nagsisisi, patawarin mo s’ya.” Sinabi ng mga apostol sa Panginoon, “Dagdagan mo ang aming pananampalataya.” Sumagot ang Panginoon, “Kung may pananampalataya kayong sinlaki ng buto ng mustasa, masasabi ninyo sa punong mala-igos na ‘yan, ‘Mabunot ka at sa dagat ka matanim’, at susundin kayo nito.”

Mayroon daw apat na steps sa pagpapatawad ayon kay Dr. Hallowell sa kanyang librong Dare to Forgive. Una, bago ka makapagpatawad, you need to acknowledge what really happened. Ikalawa, kailangan isipin at pagnilayan mo kung saan marapat mapunta ang dinaramdam mong ito. Tanungin ang sarili, kaya mo na ba talagang magpatawad? Ikatlo, kailangan mo nang magdesisyon—at ito ang pinakamahirap sa lahat. Magpatawad nang hindi iniisip ang marapat na ganti. Ikaapat at panghuli, ang magpatawad galing sa isang pusong bukal at may malalim na pag-ibig—higit sa lahat, pag-ibig sa sariling nais palayain sa poot at galit. Of course, lahat ng ito’y madaling sabihin, ngunit mahirap gawin. Ito ang hamon ni Hesus sa Mabuting Balita ngayong araw. Bagamat alam nating habang-buhay tayo marupok sa kasalanan at pagiging magalitin. Tularan natin si Hesus ang mukha ng awa’t pag-ibig ng Diyos. Ang Diyos na walang ibang sagot sa ating pagkakasala’t kahinaan, ano ito? Pasensya! Kung nakaranas tayo ng pasenya at pagpapatawad ng Diyos, huwag natin sana ipagkait ito sa iba. Mahirap pero posible, magpakumbaba at magpatawad! Dahil ng totoo at siguro’y nasabi ko na sa programang ito: Ang tao bago magpatawad, ipapaalala niya muna sayo kung ano ang iyong mga nagawang kasalanan. Pero ang Diyos, bago siya magpatawad ipapaalala niya kung gaano ka niya kamahal. Amen.

– Cl Vinz Aurellano, 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 6, 2022 – Linggo | Ika – 32 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

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Ebanghelyo: Lucas 20: 27-38

Lumapit ang ilang Sadduseo na mga taong tutol sa pagkabuhay. At itinanong nila kay Hesus: “Guro, isinulat ni Moises para sa amin: ‘Kung may magkakapatid na lalaki at mamatay na walang anak ang isa sa kanila, kailangang kunin ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang asawa para magpasibol ng supling sa kanyang kapatid.’ Ngayon, may pitong magkakapatid na lalaki. Nag-asawa ang panganay at namatay na walang anak. Kinuha ng pangalawa ang biyuda, at pagkatapos ay ng pangatlo naman, pero hindi nagkaanak ang pito. Namatay sila at sa bandang huli’y namatay rin ang babae. Sa pagkabuhay, kanino sa pito siya maituturing na asawa? Ang pito nga ang umangkin sa kanya.” Sinagot sila ni Hesus: “nag-aasawa ang mga taong nasa daigdig na ito, lalaki man o babae. Ngunit hindi na mag-aasawa ang mga ituturing na karapat-dapat sa kabilang buhay at sa pagkabuhay ng mga patay, lalaki man o babae. Hindi na nga sila mamamatay. Kapantay na sila ng mga anghel at mga anak sila ng Diyos matapos silang ibangon. Tiyak na may pagkabuhay ng mga patay; ipinahiwatig ito kahit na Moises sa kabanata ng palumpong nang tawagin niyang Diyos ni Abraham, Diyos ni Isaac, at Diyos ni Jacob ang Panginoon. Hindi siya Diyos ng mga patay kundi ng mga buhay, at buhay na kasama niya silang lahat.”

Pagninilay:

Isang masamang hari si Antiochus. Nabuhay siya sa panahon ng Lumang Tipan at hangad niya na talikdan ng mga Judio ang pinapahalagahan nilang pananampalataya. Pinilit niyang kumain ng baboy ang pitong magkakapatid kahit alam ng hari na labag iyon sa pananampalataya ng mga Judio. Pinagbantaan na papatayin sila, ngunit hindi tumiklop sa takot ang mga magkakapatid. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa Bibliya, maririnig natin kung paano ipapahayag ng mga magkakapatid na Judio ang matibay nilang pananampalataya sa muling pagkabuhay.

Para sa mga magkakapatid, sigurado silang hindi magpapabaya sa kanila ang Diyos at bubuhayin silang muli. Ngunit ang muling pagkabuhay na pinanghawakan nila ay limitado lamang at hindi pa naaayon sa muling pagkabuhay na kakamtin ni Jesus para sa sanlibutan. Naniwala ang mga Judio na babalik sila sa mundong ito, at magpapatuloy lamang sa dati nilang buhay.

Ngunit hindi ito ang pang-unawang ibinibigay sa atin ni Jesukristo tungkol sa ating muling pagkabuhay. Hindi ito pagbabalik sa dati nating buhay at pagpapalawig ng mga taon sa daigdig na ito. Ipinakita ni Jesus ang magaganap sa muling pagkabuhay ng mga Kristiyano. Tayo’y magiging mga bagong nilalang. Wala nang sakit, wala ng dusa. Hindi na tayo matatali sa mga dati nating kinasasangkutan sa lipunan at sa mundong ito. Hindi na rin iiral ang mga mahihigpit nating ugnayan sa pamilya o kaibigan sapagkat sa langit magiging maligaya ang lahat ng tao. Wala nang maghahanap. Wala nang magkukulang. Lahat ay magiging sapat sa harap ng kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.

- Fr. Paul Marquez, 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 5, 2022 – Sabado | Ika-31 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

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Ebanghelyo: Lucas 16:9-15

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: gamitin n’yo ang di matuwid na Perang-diyos para magkaroon ng mga kaibigan para sa pagkaubos nito’y tanggapin naman nila kayo sa walang hanggang mga tahanan. Ang mapagkakatiwalaan sa maliliit na bagay ay mapagkakatiwalaan din sa malalaki, at ang di mapagkakatiwalaan sa maliliit ay hindi rin mapagkakatiwalaan sa malalaki. Kung hindi kayo mapagkatiwalaan sa di matuwid na pera, sino ang magtitiwala sa inyo ng tunay na kayamanan? Kung hindi kayo mapagkakatiwalaan sa mga bagay na labas sa inyo, sino pa kaya ang magbibigay sa inyo ng atin na mismo? Walang katulong na makapagsisilbi sa dalawang amo; siguradong kamumuhian niya ang isa at mamahalin naman ang isa pa o magiging matapat sa isa at mapapabayaan ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo makapaglilingkod sa Diyos at sa pera.” Narinig ng mga Pariseo ang lahat ng ito. Sakim sila kaya pinagtatawanan nila siya. At sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila: “Ginagawa n’yo ang lahat para magmukhang mabuti sa paningin ng mga tao pero alam ng Diyos ang inyong mga puso. At kasuklam-suklam sa paningin ng Diyos ang mataas sa mga tao.”

“Ano ang kayang bilhin ng bente pesos mo?” Isang linya po yan galing sa commercial ng isang ice cream. Sa halagang ito, makakabili ka na ng candy na makakapagpangiti sa batang paslit, o di kaya’y tinapay sa kumakalam nilang sikmura. “Nabibili ba ang kayamanan o nabibili ba ang kasiyahan?” Marahil ang sasabihin ng iba ay oo, dahil kaya mo ritong mamuhay ng marangya. Ang tao po ang nagdadagdag o nagdudulot ng kasamaan sa salapi, sapagkat nakasalalay sa tao kung paano niya pamamahalaan ang mga ito. Itinuturo sa atin ni Hesus sa ebanghelyo na pangalagaan ang tunay na kayamanan upang makamtam ang tunay na kasiyahan. Ngunit ano at saan natin ito matatagpuan? Sabi nga ng isang pari, lagi nating alalahanin ang nasusulat: “Mag-impok kayo ng kayamanan sa langit. Sapagkat kung saan naroroon ang iyong kayamanan, naroroon din ang iyong puso.” – Mt 6:20-21. Gamitin natin ang yaman ng mundong ito upang makatulong tayo sa iba. Sa ganitong paraan, tayo ay makakaimpok ng tunay na kayamanan sa langit. Tularan natin ang pagiging tuso ng katiwala. Maging tuso, ngunit panatilihin natin ang kabutihan ng ating mga puso. Isipin natin ang pangmatagalan at ang hindi ang pangsamantala lamang. Hanapin natin ang tunay na kasiyahan sa Diyos, sapagkat doon naghihintay ang tunay na kayamanan sa langit.  - John Ervin S. Valerio

PA/HINGA | Word and Songs with Sr. Amelyne Paglinawan, fsp

Scriptwriter: Cl. Vinz Aurellano, SSP | Society of St. Paul

In this episode, we will reflect upon the importance of rest. In our busy and fast-paced life, the time to be at rest is the best and opportune time not only to do nothing but also to connect to our inner self and to be with God.

Our God himself left us an example to follow when he himself rested on the 7th Day after he created everything. On the other hand, we cannot expect to reap the fruits of our labor if we do not toil—physically or spiritually.

Jesus, who is the perfect image of the Father, also experienced the need for him to rest. He found a home at the house of Mary, Lazarus, and Martha in Bethany. He dined with friends and sinners whom he drew into conversion. After his tiring ministry, he withdraws himself from time to time, to pray and be with the Father…

Jesus tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." In our reflection, let us use the word “Pahinga.” When we syllabicate the word pahinga we’ll get two words—Pa means Father and Hinga which means breathe. Pa—Father. Do you know who your God is? Do you know him whose yoke is easy and burden, light? Who is my God? Is he a give-and-take God? I will do good, and he’ll reward me graces I want? Or A God-genie—I am entitled with my wishes to him? Or an indifferent God? He just created us and then he left us. Who is God for you? Jesus is the perfect image of the Father—of our God. He is the compassionate, healing, peaceful, and loving God who dwelt among us. Jesus who teaches us…if you are burdened and weary because of life’s anxieties and a load of works—come to him, be at peace and at rest with him… for his yoke is easy and his burden is light…

A yoke is a carved wooden beam fit on the shoulder of a farm animal, like a cow, ox, or donkey to let them pull heavy equipment, or a plow to lighten up the work. Plowing in a field and pulling a load is seriously hard work! Jesus does not promise to give us a soft ground to till nor level paths to bear the load. Jesus wants us to enter an intimate relationship with him. To take the yoke with him. The demands of life are great and burdensome at the same time, but the relationship with Jesus makes these burden light. Because to be yoked on means to be related and connected to Jesus. To be yoked on is submitting ourselves to this great mentor and teacher who alone can give us comfort and rest after an exasperating plowing.

There are three things to consider why we need to rest…to breathe…First, we need to consider that we are not superman or superhumans. Our capacities and talents must not exhaust our bodily energy. Exhausting our energies would mean wasted efforts. Humility is the key for us to accept this. When we feel we are helpless it could either be, (1) we failed to ask for help or (2) we do not accept any help at hand. Always remember we you are not a superhuman. Second, we need rest because we are in the state of being unmotivated or uninspired. When these happen, always remember that small wins are to be celebrated, and losses can be charged into the experience. If things are out of control, the grace of acceptance is needed. Bearing in mind that things do happen for a reason—but God’s grace and mercy are still at work.

Third, we need to choose our battles. In life, there are people who will intentionally drain you. They will exhaust you—and for many times with useless reasons! Gossiping, creating issues, divisions, etc. The need to choose our battles is the key to overcoming this. Ask also the grace of temperance for you to gauge things that are really worth fighting for. So, breathe…

ST. CHARLES BORROMEO l PATRON OF BISHOPS, SEMINARIANS, SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS AND CATECHISTS

Feast Day: NOVEMBER 4

Today, we will hear about St. Charles Borromeo, patron of bishops, seminarians, spiritual directors and catechists. Charles was born in the castle Of Arona, Duchy of Milan on October 2, 1538. His mother descended from the noble and pious Medici family of Lombardy. He grew up to be a model of virtue to the rich and aristocracy. He studied at the University of Pavia, but had little speech impediment so he was quite slow. But he was intelligent, virtuous and prayerful.  At 21, he earned a doctorate in canon and civil law. When his uncle Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici was elected as Pope Pius IV on December 25, 1559, he was called to Rome and became Protonotary Apostolic and was given great responsibilities in the papal and ecclesiastical territory.

A year later, although not ordained, he was made administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan. In 1562, Charles' brother died and his family urged him to marry and have children so that the name of the family will continue to live. But he refused, instead he asked to be ordained as priest. On December 7, 1563, he was consecrated bishop and was formally appointed Archbishop of Milan. Charles lived during the period of the Protestant Reformation (1517-1648). He was responsible for the many reforms in Rome and in the Church. He tried to implement the Decrees of the Council of Trent. This Council framed the Catholic Church's reply to the doctrinal changes of the Protestants. It defined the Catholic doctrine and created decrees for self-reformation to revitalize the Roman Catholic Church.

Among the other important actions of Charles was to establish seminaries, colleges and schools for the education of future priests. He initiated the work of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. He also gave pastoral help to Catholics who escaped the persecution under the British Queen. The reforms met great oppositions and Charles had to suffer much, but he was determined to bring the Church to its true dignity.

During a retreat, Charles fell ill. After receiving the last sacraments, he died on November 4, 1584 at the age of 46. In 1602, he was beatified and canonized in 1610. What an amazing and fruitful life he had! Thank you, dear Lord, for the gift of St. Charles Borromeo to the Church. May we help to sustain the dignity of the Church by our faithful witness to its doctrine."

Am I convinced that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Jesus Christ?

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”.