GOSPEL POWER l august 9, 2022 -  Tuesday of  19th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross  (Edith Stein), virgin and martyr

Gospel: Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the  greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he  put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and  become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the  kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name  welcomes me. . . . 10“Take care that you do not despise one of these  little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the  face of my Father in heaven.  . . . 12What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and  one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the  mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he  finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of your Father in  heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.”

To be helpless and dependent on others can be a very  humbling experience for an adult but a natural and  spontaneous one for a child. Although psychologically, self-sufficiency and independence are appreciated as marks of maturity,  in matters of faith, it is the disposition of a child that reflects our true  state before God. For what do we have that we did not receive from  God? And what good can we do without God’s grace empowering  us? Jesus, by taking a child as a visual aid, implies that to be great in  the Kingdom of heaven is to humbly recognize and accept the truth  of our absolute dependence on the gracious Father who provides  everything that we need. Entering the “kingdom of heaven” means  turning over our lives completely to God and allowing God’s will to  be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Lord Jesus, help us to relearn the trustful abandon of a child, to which  this biblical passage invites us: “Cast all your cares upon him because he  cares for you” (1 Pt 5:7). Amen.

MABUTING BALITA l AGOSTO 9, 2022 – Martes sa Ika – 19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Santa Teresa Benedicta de la Cruz, dalaga at martir 

Ebanghelyo: Mt 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14

Lumapit kay Hesus ang mga alagad at tinanong nila s’ya: “Sino ang mas una sa Kaharian ng Langit?” Tinawag ni Hesus ang isang maliit na bata at ipinagitna sa kanila, at sinabi: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo na hanggang hindi kayo nagbabago at nagiging katulad ng maliliit na bata hindi kayo makapapasok sa Kaharian ng Langit. At nagpapakababa gaya ng maliit na batang ito, siya ang pinakamalaki sa Kaharian ng Langit. At tinatanggap naman ako ng sinumang tatanggap sa batang ito nang dahil sa aking pangalan. Huwag sana ninyong hamakin ang isa sa maliliit na ito; talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na laging nasa harap ng aking Ama sa Langit ang kanilang mga anghel sa Langit.” “Ano sa palagay ninyo? Kung may sandaang tupa ang isang tao at naligaw ang isa sa mga ito, hindi ba niya iiwan sa kaburulan ang siyamnapu’t siyam para hanapin ang naliligaw? At sinasabi ko sa inyo: Kapag nakita niya ito, mas matutuwa pa siya rito kaysa siyamnapu’t siyam na hindi naligaw. Gayundin naman, ayaw ng inyong Amang nasa Langit ang mawala ang isa man sa maliliit na ito.”

Pagninilay:

Kung tatanungin bakit kaya isang tulad ng bata ang dakila sa kaharian ng langit? Ang isang bata ay namumuhay sa ngayon. Hindi sila nag-aalala sa kinabukasan. Walang bigat sa puso dahilan sa mga pagkukulang sa nakaraan. Batid nila ang kahalagahan ng bawat oras, bagamat wala silang suot na relos. Lagi silang nagtitiwala sa kabutihan ng bawat tao. Simple lang ang kanilang kasiyahan, simple lang ang pamumuhay. At marahil mas marami pang kadahilanan na hindi na natin maisama dito. Mga kapanalig, ako, ikaw naging bata din. Dumaan din tayo sa yugto ng buhay kung saan simple lang ang pamumuhay, walang bigat sa puso, alam natin ang halaga ng oras, tiwala sa kabutihan ng bawat isa, at masiyahin. Kaya nga ang lgging paalala sa atin ng santo papa — “do not forget your young love.” Sa kaharian ng Diyos ang hihiranging dakila ay hindi yaong nagkamit ng pinakamaraming medalya, parangal, at pagkilala buhat sa mundo. Sa kaharian ng langit ang mga dakila ay yaong sa buong buhay nila dito sa mundo—hindi nila nakalimutan maging simple tulad ng bata. Magkaiba naman po ang childlike at childish. Tinatawagan tayo na maging childlike hindi childish. Kaya naman, sana po magsikap tayong tularan ang kasimplehan ng bawat bata, upang sa ating pag-iral dito sa mundo bagamat kung minsan ay pumapalya—patuloy tayong magsikap tumulad sa isang batang dakila sa panginin ng Diyos. CL. Vinz Aurellano, SSP

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 8, 2022 - Monday of  9th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Dominic, priest

Gospel: Mt 17:22-27 

22As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of  Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, 23and they will kill  him, and on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly  distressed. 24When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the  temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the  temple tax?” 25He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home,  Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From  whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children  or from others?” 26When Peter said, “From others,” Jesus said to him,  “Then the children are free. 27However, so that we do not give offence  to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes  up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and  give it to them for you and me.”

Jesus, as a boy of twelve in Luke’s infancy stories, called  the temple “my Father’s house.” At his baptism and  transfiguration, his identity was affirmed by the heavenly  voice – “you are my beloved Son.” These episodes support his claim of  exemption from the temple tax. But there is an even weightier reason  connected with his announcement of the death and resurrection that  await him in Jerusalem. The temple tax serves the purpose of paying  for the sacrifices offered in atonement for sins. Jesus, being sinless, is  supposed to be exempt from paying for such sacrifices. But to fulfill  his Father’s will, his very life will be the price for the ultimate sacrifice  of atonement that will deal, once and for all, with humanity’s sin. His  body, which he refers to as “the temple that will be destroyed and rebuilt  in three days” (cf. Jn 2:19), will then replace the temple as the sacred  space where God can be worshiped in spirit and truth. 

Lord Jesus, with St. Paul, we revere the mystery wherein You, who never  knew sin, was made the sin-offering for our sake (2 Cor 5:21). Amen.

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 7, 2022 - SUNDAY

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lk 12:32-48 

Jesus said to his disciples, 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is  your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your  possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not  wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near  and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart  will be also. 35“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36be like those  who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet,  so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and  knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when  he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit  down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes during  the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are  those slaves. 39“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what  hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken  into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an  unexpected hour.” 41Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for  everyone?” 42And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and  prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves,  to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43Blessed is  that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44Truly  I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45But if  that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he  begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink  and get drunk, 46the master of that slave will come on a day when  he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and  will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47That slave  who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or  do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48But the one who  did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light  beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be  required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even  more will be demanded.

For the biblical writers, the heart designates the inmost  center of a person, where thoughts, desires, decisions,  and the impulse to act are conceived and born. Jesus says  that this inmost center, which defines a person’s character, stays  together with and attaches itself to that reality where it finds its  security, valuing that as its prized treasure. If our treasure is material  possession, we endow it, as it were, with power to determine how  we should think, act, and relate with all other realities. But the heart that gets hooked on material possession is prone to corruption. That  is why the counsel of Jesus is, “Sell your belongings and give alms.”  We can turn material riches into genuine treasures by deciding to  use them to enrich and empower others. In doing that, we do not  suffer loss, since it has pleased the Father to give us the one treasure that truly matters — the Kingdom, which is a new way of relating  with all realities, recognizing each one as belonging to God, and  seeing ourselves as stewards accountable to the Owner for the way  we handle his property. Lord Jesus, help us to become trustworthy custodians of the goods of the  earth, for they ultimately belong to God alone. Amen.

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 6, 2022 - SATURDAY

Our Lord’s Transfiguration

Gospel: Lk 9:28b-36 

28…Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on  the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of  his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly  they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared  in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about  to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were  weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they  saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they  were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be  here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and  one for Elijah” – not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying  this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified  as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that  said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36When the voice  had spoken, 

Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those  days told no one any of the things they had seen. Jesus is the beginning of the new creation that God is  bringing about. Thus, St. Paul calls him the “second  Adam” — the first pattern of the new humanity destined to  share the glory of God. As Messiah, he is the corporate personality  of all of us. From this perspective, the transfiguration is to be read as  a preview of the glorious state into which God is transforming our  lowly nature. Peter cannot capture that glorious moment because it  is a reality that lies in the future. The means to get there is to listen to  Jesus, as he announces the tragic events that await him in Jerusalem.  For glory is interwoven with suffering, and the cross represents the  labor pangs that the Messiah must go through to generate the new  humanity.

 Lord Jesus, may we share St. Paul’s faith that, “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed  to us.” Amen.

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 4, 2022 - Thursday of 18th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint John Vianney, priest

Gospel: Mt 16:13-23 

13When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his  disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they  said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others  Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you  say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the  Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you,  Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,  but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this  rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail  against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and  whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever  you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly  ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 21From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he  must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of  the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the  third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke  him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.”  23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a  stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine  things but on human things.”

This Gospel passage has always been interpreted and  preached about as the primacy of Peter, which is true;  but it has a lot more to offer for our consideration. We see  that in a single episode, Peter is both affirmed and scolded by Jesus.  For though Peter is open to God’s Spirit, at whose prompting he  confesses and brings to light the Messianic identity of Jesus, he is, at  the same time, open to the worldly spirit, which moves him to resist  the Messiah’s destiny to suffer and die. Thus, he unwittingly, plays  the role of the tempter, trying to make Jesus trip and fall. We can  resonate with Peter’s experience of ambivalence, divided loyalty, and  lack of discernment. These are the ever-present stumbling blocks in  the journey of faith, and we can only avoid them by humbly relying on  God’s grace in all matters. Lord Jesus, keep us aware that the greater the responsibility entrusted to  us, so also should be our reliance on your grace. Amen.

ST. ROSE OF LIMA l PATRONAGE OF EMBROIDERERS AND FOR THE RESOLUTION OF FAMILY QUARRELS & AGAINST VANITY

Feast Day: August 23

Are you aware that St. Rose of Lima is one of the co-patroness of the Philippines? She is popularly venerated in six towns in the country. Well, we shall see later the reason why. St. Rose was born Isabel Flores de Oliva on April 20, 1856 in Lima, Peru. Her name “Rose” comes from an incident in her infancy: a servant claimed that she saw her face transformed into a beautiful rose. Thus her family changed her name to Rosa. Rose grew up to be a very devout girl. At age five she already knew how to pray. A little later, she began to imitate St. Catherine of Siena, performing severe penances secretly, fasting three times a week, abstaining permanently from meat, and staying long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. Her father was compelled to build a little room for her with a little grotto in the garden where she could pray when she was not in the church. Rose wanted to become a nun in the Dominican Order but her father strongly forbade her. Instead she became a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, performing many charitable works and spending much time in prayer even without leaving her home. Rose was a beautiful girl. When young men started to admire her for her beauty, she cut her hair short and rubbed pepper on her face. Her parents wanted her to marry, but she rejected all her suitors and told them she had already chosen Jesus as her Spouse. In order to help her family financially, she made lace, embroidered handkerchiefs and clothes with fine needlework which she sold to her friends and neighbors. She also cultivated a flower garden and reserved the flowers for sale. Despite the fact that the family is not well off, Rose helped the sick, the poor and the needy. In order to have more time for prayer, Rose allowed herself just two hours of sleep at night. To satisfy the whim of her mother, she wore a crown of roses but underneath was silver with small spikes. It was her way to imitate Jesus’ Crown of Thorns. The daily life of St. Rose consisted in prayer, sacrifices, helping the poor and the sick with intervals of ecstasy. Meanwhile, little miracles happened in the family: when there was no flour for baking bread, she found fresh bread in the oven; when they could not buy honey for their meals, she found honey inside the cupboard. At the age of 31, on August , 1617, she died a peaceful death. It is said that she prophesied the date of her death. Her funeral was held in the cathedral of Lima and all people of the place came to honor her. Some claimed that the whole place smelled roses; there were stories that roses fell from the sky, and a leper was cured during her funeral. Rose was beatified by Pope Clement IX on May 10, 1667, and was canonized on April 12, 1671 by Pope Clement X.  Her shrine alongside those of St. Martin de Porres and St. John Macias are venerated inside the convent of St. Dominic in Lima. Our principal patron in the Philippines is the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of the Rosary. History states that the Philippines was once considered a part of the Americas, so that on August 11, 1670, when Pope Clement X issued a bull making Rose of Lima patroness of Peru and South America, he included the Philippines. She is co-patroness together with St. Potenciana.  “St. Rose of Lima, please help our youth to despise the vanities of this world and learn to love what will endure for eternity.” What are the vain things, plans and deeds that I must give up for the love of Jesus?

MABUTING BALITA l AGOSTO 8, 2022 – Lunes sa Ika – 19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

San Domingo, pari

Ebanghelyo: Mt 17: 22-27

Minsan ng maglakbay si Hesus sa Galilea kasama ang Labindalawa, sinabi niya sa kanila: “Ibibigay ang Anak ng Tao sa kamay ng mga tao. Papatayin nila siya ngunit babangon s’ya sa ikatlong araw. Kaya lubha silang nalungkot. Nang makapasok na sila sa Capernaum, lumapit kay Pedro ang mga taga kolekta ng Templo at tinanong nila s’ya: “Nagbabayad ba ng buwis ang Guro ninyo?” “S’yempre.” At pumasok si Pedro sa bahay ngunit agad s’yang tinanong ni Hesus: “Ano sa palagay mo, Simon? Sino ang nagbabayad ng buwis o parangal sa mga hari ng mundo? Ang mga anak ba o ang iba?” “Ang iba.” “Kung gayon, di saklaw ang mga anak. Ngunit hindi rin natin dapat saktan ang mga taong ito kaya pumunta ka sa dagat, maghagis ng bingwit at buksan ang bibig ng unang isdang iyong mahuhuli. May pera kang matatagpuan doon. Kunin mo ‘yon at magbayad ka para sa ‘yo at sa akin.

Pagninilay:

May silver coin sa bibig ng isda. Bakit sa bibig ng isda ito matatagpuan? Mga kapanalig, kamakailan lang, nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataon na lumanghap ng sariwang hangin sa dagat. Doon kami nag-overnight. Kinaumagahan, nakakatuwang tingnan ang mga mangingisda na hinihila ang lambat para makuha nila ang kanilang mga huli. Habang minamasdan ko ang isang mangingisda, si Pedro ang nakita ko sa kanyang mukha. Ordinaryo na sa kanya ang makahuli at mahawakan ang isda. Sa Mabuting Balita na handog sa atin ngayon, pinaging-extraordinary ni Jesus’ kay Pedro ang dati niyang ordinary ritual. Pinapunta siya ni Jesus sa pangkarinawang dagat, pinapalaot at pinamingwit siya ng isda. Ordinaryo kay Pedro? Yes. Pero, ito ang kakaiba. May silver coin sa bibig ng isda. Equivalent ito ng dobleng halaga para makabayad sa temple tax. Na-discover ito ni Pedro nang tumalima siya sa sinabi ni Jesus. Alam niyang imposible na may silver coin sa isda, pero umasa siya. Nagtiwala siya na mayroon dahil sinabi ni Jesus. Nagtiwala siya dahil naramdaman niya ang banal na kababaang-loob ni Jesus. Buong pagpapakumbaba na sumailalim si Jesus sa batas. Nagbayad si Jesus ng buwis sa templo. Si Pedro ang naging saksi kung saan galing ang ipinambayad. Ganito ang iniaalay ni Jesus na ugnayan Niya sa atin. Na kapag tumalima tayo sa Kanyang salita dadalhin ang ating karanasan sa mas malalim na kahulugan. Pinapanibago Niya ang pananaw natin sa mas malawak na perspektibo. Ganyan si Jesus bilang matalik na kaibigan. Pilak ng pag-asa kapag hirap na tayong bumangon. Ngayong araw, sa biyaya at pagmamahal ni Jesus, umasa tayo. May bagong pilak tayong matatagpuan sa ating pangkaraniwang kinatatayuan… sa ating ordinaryong kalagayankaibigan. Naghahandog Siya ng pilak mula sa simpleng bibig ng isda. Ito ang pilak na nagsisilbing lakas kapag nanghihina na tayo. Pilak na nagsisilbing paglaya sa oras na kagipitan. Pilak ng pag-asa kapag hirap na tayong bumangon. Ngayong araw, sa biyaya at pagmamahal ni Jesus, umasa tayo. May bagong pilak tayong matatagpuan sa ating pangkaraniwang kinatatayuan… sa ating ordinaryong kalagayan

Sr. Gemmaria, FSP

MABUTING BALITA l AGOSTO 7, 2022 – LINGGO

Ika – 19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Lk 12: 35-40

Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Maghintay kayong bihis at handang maglingkod na may nakasinding mga lampara. Maging tulad kayo ng mga taong naghihintay sa kanilang Panginoon. Pauwi siya mula sa kasalan at agad nilang mabubuksan ang pinto pagdating niya’t pag katok. Mapalad ang mga lingkod na iyon na matatagpuang naghihintay sa Panginoon pagdating niya. Maniwala kayo sa akin, isusuot niya ang damit pantrabaho at pauupuin sila sa hapag at isa-isa silang pag sisilbihan. Dumating man siya sa hatinggabi o sa madaling araw at matagpuan niya silang ganito, mapalad ang mga iyon “Isipin n’yo ito: kung nalaman lamang ng may-ari ng bahay kung anong oras ng gabi ang dating ng magnanakaw, hindi sana n’ya pababayaang looban ang kanyang bahay. Kaya maging handa kayo dahil dumarating ang Anak ng Tao sa oras na hindi ninyo inaakala.”

Pagninilay:

Minsan kapag ako ay nagbabasbas ng patay ay talagang agaw-pansin ang mga ipinapatong sa itaas ng kabaong. Siguro ang mga ilan sa inyo ay nag-iisip, “Siguro napansin ni Father na may naglalagay ng pagkain o kaya sisiw sa itaas ng ataol. Aaminin ko na ilang beses na akong nakakita ng mga iyan. Pagkain, na minsan ay inaabot nang isang linggo na nakalagay, kaya ayun… BOOM PANIS! Pinuputakti pa ng langgam at ipis… Yuck!!! O kaya sisiw, isang kaugalian na kung saan ang namatay ay biktima nang karahasan. At sa bawat pagtuka daw ng sisiw ay pag-uusig ng budhi sa taong nakagawa ng karahasan. Pero alam ninyo, meron pang mas kakaiba akong nakita. Ito ay ang paglalagay ng baraha, sigarilyo at alak. Tinanong ko ang pamilya kung bakit naglalagay sila nito. Ang sagot ay “Kasi po ito ang mga gusto at alaala nang yumao.” Baraha? Mahilig magsugal; sigarilyo? Mahilig manigarilyo; at alak mahilig tomoma. Alaala? Ohhh… Napaisip tuloy ako, kung ako kaya ang yayao, ano kaya ang ilalagay ng mga tao sa itaas ng aking kabaong, “Lechon!!!” Ewww… wala namang bastusan. Sa ating Ebanghelyo, tayo ay muiling hinihikayat na ang iiwang alaala ay ang maging tapat at mapagmahal na alagad ni Jesus. Alagad na laging handa sa paghihintay sa kanyang pagdating. Ito ay mangyayari kung may alab ang pananampalataya. Isabuhay ang pag-ibig, pagpapatawad, pagtulong sa mahihirap. Ito sana ang mga ala-alang tatatak sa kapwa at sa aklat ng buhay. Hindi sana ang patulog-tulog, tatamad-tamad, walang pakialam at nag-aagrabyado. Gawing buhay ang pananampalataya. Pag-alabin ang turo at pag-ibig ni Kristo. Amen. Fr. Ramil Tapang, SSP

REFLECTION ON THE FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION: Finding Peace and Joy in God’s Abiding Presence