PAULINES

GOSPEL POWER l JULY 13, 2022 - Wednesday of 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Henry, king

Gospel: Mt 11:25-27

 25At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

 The surprising context of this exultant prayer of praise is Jesus’ experience of failure in his ministry. It follows immediately his reproach of the unrepentant towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. In this prayer, we witness a remarkable reversal in Jesus’ disposition — from pain and disappointment to serene jubilation. As Jesus communes with his Father, all experiences, including rejection and failure, fall into their rightful places in the divine scheme. Seeing everything from the Father’s perspective brings clarity, reassurance, and renewed vigor to Jesus. He is making progress in his mission, though not according to the world’s standard of success, but according to God’s upside-down standard. It is the Father who chooses and draws to Jesus those who will respond positively to his revelation. And the Father’s choice is stamped with the divine predilection for the simple and the childlike.

 Lord Jesus, may we also draw from prayer the resilience we need in moments of failure and discouragement. Amen

HULYO 13, 2022 – MIYERKULES

Ika – 15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Mt 11:25-27

Nagsalita si Hesus sa pagkakataong iyon: “Pinupuri kita, Amang Panginoon ng Langit at lupa, sapagkat itinago mo ang mga bagay na ito sa matatalino at marurunong, at ipinamulat mo naman sa mga karaniwang tao. Oo, Ama, ito ang ikinasiya mo. Ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat. Walang nakakakilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama, at walang nakakakilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at ang sinumang gustuhing pagbunyagan ng Anak.”

Pagninilay:

Sa ebanghelyo ay ating napakinggan, na ang Diyos Ama, ang pumipili at umaakit sa sinumang tumutugon sa pagpapakilala ni Hesus, tungkol sa Kanya. Narinig din natin na sinabi ni Hesus: “Pinupuri kita Ama... sapagkat Iyong inilihim ang mga bagay na ito sa mga pantas at mga matatalino at ipinahayag mo sa maliliit.” Biro mo, di pala kailangang maging matalino at marunong ang isang tao, upang siya’y mapalapit sa Diyos. Kahit sa mga taong walang kaalaman, ay patuloy ipinapahayag ng Diyos ang Kanyang ang Kanyang sarili, ang Kanyang pagkalinga at pagmamahal. Ang Diyos mismo ang magpapahayag sa kanila ng tungkol sa katotohanan at kaalaman. Nguni’t ito ay may kondisyon. Ano nga ba ang kondisyon upang mapalapit tayo sa Diyos? Kailangan tayong maging maliit, tulad ng isang bata. Hindi ibig sabihin ay maging isip-bata, kundi may pag-uugali ng isang bata. Ang isang bata ay inosente, simple, mapagkumbaba, masunurin, may pananalig at higit sa lahat, siya ay nagtitiwala, nagmamahal at nakikilala niyang lubos ang kanyang mga magulang. Ito ang ipinakita ni Hesus sa Kanyang pakikipag-ugnay sa Ama. Kaya sinabi Niya: “Walang nakakakilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama at wala ding nakakakilala sa Ama, kundi ang Anak at ang sinumang nais ng Anak na ipakilala Siya.” Nakikilalala natin ang Ama sa pamamagitan ni Hesus, ang Diyos Anak, na nagpahayag ng pag-ibig ng Ama sapamamagitan ng Kanyang pagpapakasakit, pagkamatay at pagkabuhay na mag-uli. Bilang Anak, ipinakita ni Hesus na ang lahat nang Kanyang ginawa ay mula sa Ama at ipinamalas Niya sa atin kung sino ang Diyos Ama. Tayo rin, bilang mga anak ng Diyos, tinatanggap ba natin ang Kanyang pagmamahal at ipinamamalas ba natin ang kabutihan ng Ama?

GOSPEL POWER l JULY 12, 2022 - TUESDAY

15th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 11:20-24 

20Jesus began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”

God’s revelation in human history is progressive and attains its climax in Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son. Jesus embodies God’s new way of dealing with his creatures. This new way is what the Kingdom of God is all about. Belonging to the Kingdom calls for a new mindset, a new heart, and a new mode of being that involves renouncing sinful habits. That is why the call to metanoia is integral to the proclamation of the Kingdom. The miracles of Jesus are at the service of metanoia. They are meant to remove the obstacles that hinder people from repenting. Benefiting from Jesus’ miracles, while refusing to repent, is tantamount to refusing to belong to the Kingdom. Blessings come with responsibilities. But these blessings can turn into woes for those who refuse to be accountable, just like the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum.

 Lord Jesus, help us to be accountable and grant us the grace to accomplish the responsibility that comes with every blessing. Amen.

MABUTING BALITA l HULYO 12, 2022 – MARTES

Ika – 15 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

Ebanghelyo: Mt 11:20–24

Sinimulang tuligsain ni Hesus ang mga bayang ginawan niya ng karamihan sa kanyang mga himala, sapagkat hindi sila nagpanibagong-buhay: “Sawimpalad kayong mga bayan ng Corozain at Betsaida! Kung sa Tiro at Sidon nangyari ang mga himalang naganap sa piling ninyo, nagsisi sana silang may abo at sako. Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: Mas magiging magaan pa ang sasapitin ng Tiro at Sidon sa araw ng paghuhukom kaysa inyo. At ikaw naman, Capernaum, itataas ka ba sa langit? Hindi, itatapon ka sa kaharian ng mga patay! Sapagkat kung sa Sodom nangyari ang mga himalang naganap sa iyo, narito pa sana ngayon ang Sodom. Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: mas magiging magaan pa ang sasapitin ng lupain ng Sodom sa araw ng paghuhukom kaysa inyo.”

Pagninilay:

Siguro halos lahat sa atin, nakagamit na ng Waze. Ito ang app para sa driving direction. Itinuturo nito ang mas maayos na daan para mabilis na makarating sa destination. Real-time ang traffic data sa accidents, o congestion ng mga sasakyan. Kulay orange o pula ang daan kapag heavy traffic. Blue naman kung maluwag ang daan. At kung namali tayo ng pagsunod sa direction, may suggestion pa rin na ibang ruta para mabalik tayo sa tamang daan. Isa pa, you can choose your starting point at ikaw rin ang mamili ng iyong destination. Yan ang application na malaking tulong sa atin sa travelling natin. Cool di ba? Somehow, ganyan ang ating buhay. Isang application na tao ang gumawa pero ganyan din ang dynamics ni Lord.  Oo, tayo ay mga manlalakbay na may iisang destination. Ito ang tahanan ng ating Diyos Ama. Para makarating, binigyan Niya tayo ng spiritual Waze para matulungan tayo sa tamang direksyon. Si Jesus! Siya ang ating “Only Way”. Kailangan nating isabuhay ang kalooban Niya para makarating tayo sa ating destination. Pero, gaano tayo ka-faithful sa pagsunod sa Kanya? Pansinin natin sa Mabuting Balita, ang Corazin, Betsaida, at Capernaum, kay daming himala na ipinamalas ni Jesus sa kanila. Nagparami ng tinapay at isda para makakain ang libo-libong nagugutom. Binigyan ng paningin ang bulag. Nakakamangha ang mga himala. Pero, itinuring nilang pointless ang mga kamangha-manghang bagay ang ginawa ng Diyos sa kanila. Bumalik tayo sa Waze. May good sign na maganda ang daan at may instruction ng “straight ahead”. Pero pumihit tayo sa kanan after 100 meters. Oo, ire-reroute naman tayo ni Jesus, our spiritual waze, pero hindi naman yata tama na tayo ang laging susundin. Paano tayo makakarating ng right time sa right destination? Kailangan pa rin ng cooperation ng ating kalooban. Kaya ano’ng nangyari sa taga-Corazin, Betsaida at Capernaum? Humimpil ang kanilang buhay. Naka-stop sila dahil pinili nila ang maling direksyon, at hindi na nakarating sa kanilang destination Nagdeclare na si Jesus. Mas mabigat na parusa ang ipapataw sa kanila. Warning ito sa atin. Sana at this moment, sumusunod pa rin tayo kay Jesus, our Spiritual Waze at hindi sariling loob ang gusto nating sundin. Dahil kung tapat tayo, hindi tayo maliligaw. Hindi tayo mahihinto forever sa madilim na sitwasyon. At sa tamang panahon, kapag sa oras na babalik na tayo sa yakap ng ating Ama, sa ating Eternal Home, maririnig natin ang tinig na tumatanggap at tinatapik ka sa balikat: “You have reached your destination.”

GOSPEL POWER l JULY 11, 2022 - Monday of 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Benedict, abbot

Gospel: Mt 10:34-11:1 

‘Jesus said, 34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. 37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 40Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” 1 Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

Jesus uses the image of the sword to speak of the split in relationships that allegiance to him could bring about. Since Jesus is identified by Simeon in the Lucan Gospel as a sign of contradiction (2:34), committing one’s entire life to him could put a person at odds with others, including the closest of kin, who may not understand the radical demands of discipleship. The pain resulting from the struggle to remain steadfast in one’s commitment to Jesus amidst opposition is what may rob one of peace. But true peace is not only the absence of conflict or a cozy feeling of being harmoniously connected with others. Obedience to one’s higher calling entails transcending even family ties. This is the sword that Jesus claims to bring instead of peace.

Lord Jesus, give us always the grace to choose you as our absolute value. Amen.

GOSPEL POWER l JULY 10, 2022 - SUNDAY

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 10:25-37 

25A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” 29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

This Gospel-parable is told in the context of a hostile testing aimed at catching Jesus in error of speech. But Jesus is Wisdom incarnate, and so the episode ends up with him giving his tester a taste of the new wine of the Kingdom. This new wine is his radical teaching on loving the enemy. The unexpected twist in the parable, which upsets the lawyer’s neat categories of “protagonists” and “villains,” is the casting of the despised Samaritan enemy in the role of the compassionate passerby who, unlike the priest and the Levite, dares to break ethnic and religious boundaries to come to the aid of the half-dead victim of the robbers. Jesus turns the tables on his tester by making him admit that the one who loved the neighbor as his own self is this compassionate Samaritan enemy. Jesus’ punch line is “Go and do likewise,” which implies, “You, too, love your enemy!” Lord Jesus, let not our expectations and prejudices hold us back from acting as a neighbor to others nor from welcoming other people’s gesture of neighborliness toward us. Amen

GOSPEL POWER l JULY 9, 2022 - Saturday of 14th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and Companions, martyrs

Gospel: Mt 10:24-33 

Jesus said to the Twelve, 24“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! 26So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.” 

To be a Christian is not just about belonging to one of the major religions of the world and feeling blessed for such a grace. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that taking seriously one’s Christian identity involves risks, because commitment to him is commitment to the proclamation of the truth that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. Those who find the truth inconvenient, offensive, and threatening will do everything in their power to discredit it, silence it, and crush it, together with its announcer. But Jesus gives us the assurance that, even if suffering is unavoidable and death is a real prospect, nothing can stop the truth from being announced, and nothing can snatch the announcer from the Father’s protective hands. The truth and those committed to it will triumph in the end.

Lord Jesus, help us to live faithfully our Christian identity and never to

GOSPEL POWER l JULY 8, 2022 - FRIDAY

14th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 10:16-23 

Jesus said to the Twelve, 16“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” T he message of the heavenly Kingdom is a world-changing message. But the ones who are reaping the benefits from the present world-order will resist anything that poses a threat to the status quo. To silence the disturbing Kingdom-message, they will try to get rid of the messengers. This is the risk that Jesus openly speaks about in today’s Gospel. His destiny as a sign of contradiction (cf. Lk 2:34) will also be the destiny of the believers who bear his name and are associated with his mission. But the risk is at the same time an opportunity to experience providence and power. For the Spirit that empowers Jesus, the same Holy Spirit that conceived and brought him forth into the world, will endow his missionaries with boldness and eloquence. Belonging to Christ is risky but infinitely rewarding.

 Lord Jesus, you risked everything to be one with us. Strengthen us to face the risks of belonging to you. Amen.

GOSPEL POWER l JULY 7, 2022 - THURSDAY

14th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 10:7-15 

Jesus said to the Twelve, 7 “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” 

 he proclaimers of the heavenly Kingdom must conduct themselves in a way that their lives become the visual aid of the first beatitude — Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3). Poverty in spirit implies total dependence on the One to whom the Kingdom belongs — the gracious Father of Jesus who will see to it that the needs of the missionaries are provided for. Thus, they can travel light, in keeping with the instructions of Jesus. Since the beatitude assures them that the kingdom of heaven is theirs, their proclamation will be effective, for one can give only what is in one’s possession. Powerful yet poor, as they go about to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and drive out demons, their mission will testify to the ongoing divine reversal — God turning worldly expectations upside down — which is the authenticating sign of the presence of the heavenly Kingdom. 

Lord Jesus, keep our lifestyle coherent with the message of the Kingdom that we proclaim. Amen.

ST. DOMINIC DE GUZMAN l PATRON OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND OF THE ASTRONOMERS

FEAST DAY: AUGUST 4

I am sure you all know the founder of the Dominican Order. He was also the person to whom Our Lady taught the Rosary prayer and together with his followers, was responsible for the spread of this devotion. Friends, our saint for today is St. Dominic de Guzman. Dominic was a Spaniard, born in Caleruega, Old Castile, Spain on August 8, 1170. His parents were Felix de Guzman, a wealthy, honorable man and Juana Aca, a saintly woman, who was beatified in 1829 by Pope Leo XXII. His maternal uncle was an archbishop. At the age of fourteen. Dominic was sent to a monastery until he was transferred for further studies in Palencia. He studied various arts in six years and devoted four years to theology. He also became a canon at a certain seminary. When Spain was devastated by famine in 1191, Dominic, at the astonishment of his schoolmates, sold his clothes, furniture, precious manuscripts and even gave his money to those who were getting hungry. At the age of 24, he was ordained as a priest and joined the canonry of the Cathedral of Osma. In 1215, Dominic, with six others established themselves in a house given by a rich benefactor in Toulouse, France. He saw that there was a need to have a new organization to address the spiritual needs of the world that would combine dedication and systematic education with more flexible rules. He and his companions adopted monastic rules, prayer and made penances and the Bishop gave them the authority to preach throughout Toulouse. In that same year, when the Fourth Lateran Council was held, he and a companion went to Rome to seek approval of their newly established religious Order. They returned in January 1217 with the authority and approval from Pope Honorius III of the Ordo Praedicatorum, now known as the “Order of Preachers” or the Dominican Order.The members of the Dominican Order increased and spread out in Europe. Dominic travelled often to maintain contact with the members of the flourishing Order but he established his main headquarter in Rome and through the invitation of the Pope occupied the Basilica of Sta. Sabina.  Pope Honorius III donated his property to the Dominicans in 1220. The first Roman headquarter would later be transformed into the College of Saint Thomas in the 16thcentury, and in the 20th century into the Pontifical University of Thomas Aquinas, now known as the famous Angelicum , which teaches philosophy, theology, canon law and social sciences. Dominic preached against the Albigensian heresy which believed that matter is evil. The body is matter so it is evil.Dominic was very prayerful and austere. He was mortified and avoided anything luxurious. In fact, he slept on the floor and chose simple clothes. He often travelled barefoot and never complained of the discomforts from the heat of the sun or the water from the rain. He chose the meanest and poorest accommodation, whenever he travelled. As a person, he was described to be thin and of middle height. He had a handsome and fair face, beautiful eyes, reddish hair and beard. Exhausted with his many labors he was sick when he reached the convent of St. Nicholas at Bologna, Italy. He asked the monks to stretch out sacks for him to lay down, then he spent his remaining last minutes in exhorting those around him to be humble, charitable and poor. He died at noon time on August 6, 1221. Dominic was canonized in 1234.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to love the Rosary and pray it devoutly every day.”

Do I believe in the power of the Rosary?