GOSPEL POWER | JULY 14, 2021 | WEDNESDAY | Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin, Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest 15th Week in Ordinary Time 

Gospel: Mt 11: 25 - 27

At 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; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All 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.”

Reflection

The disposition of the heart can be made a conscious  choice, as Jesus demonstrates in today’s Gospel. We saw  in yesterday’s episode how Jesus, pained by the hardnessof-heart of the inhabitants of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum,  pronounced woes over these centers of his ministry. But today’s  Gospel shows an amazing shift in Jesus’ disposition — no trace of  disappointment or sadness. In prayer, Jesus discovers the meaning  of his failure and its place in the heavenly Father’s overall plan. The  outcome of his mission should not be his concern, because ultimately,  it is the Father who chooses those who will receive his message. Jesus  rejoices at seeing that his Father’s choice of recipients agrees with his  own choice of the childlike and the simple-hearted. Like Jesus, we  can seek the God-intended meaning of our painful experiences and  choose to be joyful and at peace even in those situations.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to deal with our negative experiences by seeking their  meaning in God’s greater scheme of things. Amen

ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA  |  PATRON OF THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY, PEOPLE IN EXILE AND OF INDIGENOUS AMERICANS

Feast Day: JULY 14

Have you heard of the by name "Lily of the Mohawks?" It refers to the first native American to be ever recognized as saint by the Catholic Church. Her real name is St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Kateri is equivalent to Catherine, as the name was derived from St. Catherine of Siena. St. Kateri was born of a Christian mother belonging to the Algonquin tribe in the northern part of America. His father belonged to the Mohawk, another northern tribe, which was a rival and enemy of the Algonquin. The story goes that her mother was captured by the Mohawks and was given to the chief in marriage. When Kateri was four years old, there was an outbreak of small pox in their place. The entire family contracted the disease and only Kateri survived. She was taken by her uncle, who became the next Mohawk chief. Kateri had pockmarks and scars which humiliated her, so she used to cover her face and body with a blanket.

At 11 years old Jesuit missionaries, whom people called Blackrobes, came to her place. She was impressed by their teachings and way of life. She began to attend Catechism classes and at age 19, she was baptized. She took the vow of chastity and when her adopted family presented a suitor for her, she refused the offer and told them her Spouse is Jesus Christ. Kateri followed the principles of Christianity faithfully. She would not work on Sundays and as punishment, she was not given food. She practiced many mortifications and penances, and prayed for the conversion of the Mohawks. In order to be able to pray, she found a place in the woods to be alone, but the people accused her of meeting a man there. Because of this and her frequent fastings, the people suspected her to be a witch. She was hated, harassed and threatened.

At the suggestion of a Jesuit missionary, she escaped and went to a Christian village, the Christian Indian mission of St. Francis Xavier near Montreal. There she was free to practice her newfound faith. She became more virtuous and grew in holiness. Five years after her conversion, she got sick and died. The people around who came to view her remains attested that her face changed color and resembled that of a child, and the scars and pockmarks disappeared from her body. The people, in fact, regarded her as a holy person. The process for her beatification started in 1932. She was beatified in 1980. The miracle that led to her canonization was the cure of a young boy infected by a flesh-eating bacteria, who claimed that she prayed to her for his cure. On October 21, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI canonized her. She was declared patroness of the environment and ecology, of people in exile and of indigenous Americans.

"St. Kateri, thank you for your exemplary life even in the midst of many sufferings and contradictions. Pray, that we may face with faith, hope and courage the tremendous sufferings the world is experiencing today."

What is my attitude when I am contradicted? Am I willing to forgive those who have done me wrong or do I nourish a painful revenge?

ST. CAMILLUS DE LELLIS | PATRON OF HOSPITALS, NURSES, PHYSICIANS AND GAMBLERS.

Feast Day: July 14

“To serve the sick, even with danger to our own life.” This is the fourth vow professed by the Camillians, priests, brothers and nuns whose work is to take care of the sick. Our saint for today is St. Camillus de Lellis, Founder of the Camillians. St. Camillus was born on May 25, 1550 in Abruzzo, Naples. His father was an army officer and his mother died while he was still young, so he grew up a neglected child. He was addicted to gambling. He joined his father when he was 16 and they fought against the Turks, where he received a wound in the leg which would not heal. When his unit was disbanded, being of an aggressive nature, he gambled all his possessions and lost everything.

Knowing nowhere to go, he presented himself at a Franciscan friary to work as a houseboy. The guardian of the friary tried to help him live a virtuous life and in 1575 he had a conversion and asked to become a novice of the Franciscans. But due to his incurable wound he was not accepted. He went to Rome and became a caregiver in a hospital for incurable diseases. He was promoted to a higher position and he began to live a strict ascetic life: praying, fasting, making other penances. He even wore a hairshirt. Fortunately, he met Philip Neri, another future saint, who became his spiritual director. Camillus wanted to improve the care for the sick, not only physically, but spiritually, so he planned to establish his own hospital. But to be able to do this, he needed to become a priest first. Philip Neri helped him find a benefactor who paid for all his expenses in his seminary studies.

In 1584, he was ordained priest by a British Bishop. Then he began his foundation. He gathered followers and founded the Order of Cleric Regulars Ministers of the Infirm (M. I.), now known as Camillians. The Order had a Red Cross as symbol which is still used today. In 1601, while they were tending to the sick in the Battle of Canizza, their tent and all equipment got burned and only the Red Cross on a cassock, remained untouched. It was a sign for them that God is pleased with that symbol.  The Institute was approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1566. It was raised to the rank of an Order by Pope Gregory XV. IN 1591, they added a fourth vow “To serve the sick even with danger to one’s own life.”

Meanwhile Fr. Camillus, who was general superior of the Order, continued to suffer due to his incurable wound and other ailments he got by serving the sick. In 1607, he resigned as superior general and a new one was elected. While accompanying this new superior on his visits, he got sick, was brought to Rome and died in 1614. He was buried in the church of St. Mary Magdalene in Rome. He was beatified in 1742 and canonized in 1746. He had the gift of healing and prophecy. From his spirituality were later born The Servants of the Sick of St. Camillus, the Daughters of St. Camillus, Institute of the Missionaries of the Sick Christ, Camillian Sisters and Lay Camillian Family.St. Camillus is patron of hospitals, nurses, physicians and gamblers.

Prayer: “O St. Camillus, who helped the sick in their temporal and spiritual needs, please pray that they may be patient and sanctify themselves through their suffering and obtain healing from God. Amen”

Do I visit the sick, give them some material help, and pray for their spiritual and physical healing?

MABUTING BALITA | HULYO 14, 2021

Miyerkules sa Ika -15 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

EBANGHELYO: MATEO 11:25-27

Nagsalita si Jesus 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:

Noong Pastoral Exposure ko po sa Samar, inassign po ako doon sa isa mga pinakamalayong baryo ng Catarman. Naaalala ko po pagkatapos ng hapunan, ang hapunan po namin doon ay bandang ala-singko y media ng hapon, pumupunta po ako doon sa kapit-bahay ng tinutuluyan ko para manood ng TV kasama ang buong pamilya. At kahit na ang lahat ay nakatutok doon sa TV, pagpatak ng ala-sais nang gabi, tatayo ang isa sa mga bata at papatayin ang TV. Kasama ang apat pa niyang mga kapatid, luluhod sila doon sa harap ng kanilang maliit na altar ang magdarasal ng Angelus. At tatapusin nila ang kanilang maikling dasal ng pasasalamat sa Diyos.

Alam niyo po, pagkatapos ng dalawang buwan ko pong exposure doon, napagtanto ko na imbes na ako ang magturo sa kanila ang katesismo, sila pa mismo, lalong-lalo na ang mga bata, ang nagturo sa akin tungkol sa buhay at tungkol sa Diyos.

Sa ating ebanghelyo ngayon sinabi ni Jesus, “Pinasasalamatan kita, Ama, Panginoon ng langit at lupa, sapagkat inilihim mo ang mga bagay na ito sa marurunong at matatalino, at inihayag mo naman sa mga may kaloobang tulad ng sa bata.”

Kahit na sa kanilang murang edad, para bagang naunawaan na ng mga batang iyon kung ano ang tunay na layunin na buhay: na papurihan, pagpitagan, at paglingkuran ang Diyos.

Minsan sinasabi po natin, “With age comes wisdom.” Pero parang hindi naman talaga totoo yan, dahil merong ibang tao na “tumatanda nang paurong.”

Kaya hilingin sa Diyos na habang tayo’y tumatanda sana tayo din ay may pinagkatandaan: lumalalim ang ating pananampalataya, tumitindi ang ating pagmamahal, at mas nagiging mapagpasalamat tayo katulad ng mga bata. Amen.

- Fr. Anthony Capirayan, SSP | Society of St. Paul

ST. DYMPHNA | PATRON OF THE EMOTIONALLY AND MENTALLY ILL.

Feast day: MAY 15

In this new series about holy people, we are bringing you teenager saints, young people who despite their age were models of virtue and love of God. Please welcome St. Dymphna, a lovely girl born in Ireland about 620 A.D. Damon, Dymphna's father, was a petty king and her mother was a devout Christian. Dymphna was brought up as a good believer and at an early age consecrated herself to Jesus. When she was 14, her mother died and her father started to be mentally deranged. His counsellors suggested that he find consolation in a second marriage.

Damon agreed on the condition that the woman should be as beautiful as his departed wife. Messengers were sent to many places but in vain. So, they gave an evil counsel to Damon to marry her own daughter, who very much resembled her mother. Damon, who was not in his right mind, followed the evil advice. He came to his daughter and with flattering promises tried to persuade her to marry him. When Dymphna heard the evil intention of his father, she immediately planned to run away. She took the court jester and his wife, and helped by the priest who baptized her, they travelled until they reached Gheel, Belgium. Once the king knew that her daughter left, he became so furious that he at once, with some counsellors, set out to look for her. Finding the place where she was hiding, Damon tried to persuade her to return, but she strongly refused. Dymphna's Confessor rebuked Damon for his wicked desire, but Damon ordered his soldier to kill him and was at once beheaded. Then, turning to his daughter, Damon drew his dagger and struck her head. Her body fell at the feet of her father, who immediately turned away and left. She was 14 years old.

Traditions say that due to the many miracles attributed to St. Dymphna, lots of people came to Europe to seek healing for the mentally ill.

St. Dymphna is called “The Lily of Eire." She is the patroness of the emotionally and mentally ill, those suffering from neurological disturbance, dependent runaways, survivors of incest and sexual assault and also of psychologists, psychiatrists and neurologists. Today, in her honor, there is a National Shrine of St. Dymphna at St. Mary Catholic Church in Massillon, Ohio, and a St. Dymphna Special School in Ballina, Mayo County, Ireland. She is also honored in many places.

St. Dymphna, we recommend to your prayers, people who have disordered orientation about sexuality. Please pray for girls who are in danger of losing their virginity.

Do I speak, act and dress modesty as required by good moral conduct?

ST. DOMINIC SAVIO | PATRON OF THE SMALL BOYS, THE FALSELY ACCUSED AND THE JUVENILE  DELINQUENTS.

Feast Day: May 6

To give us inspiration today is a young saint who was a model of piety, purity and care He is no other than the famous St. Dominic Savio. Remember the saint closely related him? His mentor and biographer? Yes, St. John Bosco, or Don Bosco, Founder of the Salesian Order. Now, St. Dominic was born in San Giovanni, Piedmont, Italy on April 2, 1842 to a poor but devout Christian family. There were nine children in the brood, but the parents taught them how to love God. Even as a young boy, Dominic was well-behaved and loved to pray.

At the age of seven, Dominic asked to receive his First Holy Communion. The age for children to receive First Communion at that time was 12 years old. But the parish priest who had observed how good the boy was, made an exception and allowed him. On the day of his First Holy Communion, Dominic made the following resolutions: to have as friends Jesus and Mary and to die rather than commit sin. When Don Bosco visited the parish of Dominic, the parish priest introduced the boy to the holy Founder. They conversed and Don Bosco immediately agreed to take Dominic with him to the Oratory for boys.

At the oratory, the great preoccupation of Dominic was to become a saint. He would make big penances. When Don Bosco noticed it, he told him that as a child he must spend more time to his studies. Once, he was falsely accused, but he did not justify himself. Don Bosco was greatly edified when the true culprit was discovered. After some time, Dominic's health started to deteriorate. The doctor suggested that he go home to recover, but Dominic refused to leave. Don Bosco insisted that it was good to be home so as to recover at once. Dominic, on his part, had the feeling that he was going to die soon. Before leaving, he prayed the Prayer for a Happy Death.

Four days later, his health worsened. He asked to have Confession and after confessing, he fell asleep, only to wake up a few hours later to say goodbye to his parents. Then he exclaimed "Oh, what wonderful things I see." Then he closed his eyes again and slept the sleep of death. It was March 9, 1857. He was 14 years old. Dominic was beatified in Rome on March 5, 1950, by Pope Pius XII and was canonized on June 12, 1954, by the same Pontiff. He is the patron of small boys, the falsely accused and the juvenile delinquents.

“St. Dominic, what prayerful child you have been. We pray to you to help today’s children to imitate your piety and holy life and have Jesus as a friend.”

Am I afraid to commit sin and avoid occasion of sin, or I don’t care at all?

ST. BENEDICT OF NORCIA | PATRON OF EUROPE AND FATHER OF WESTERN MONASTICISM

Feast Day: JULY 11

Do you know about the Saint Benedict Medal? Well, it is a sacramental used to drive away Satan and other evil spirits. We shall deal about it in the life story of St. Benedict of Norcia, Founder of the Benedictine Order. St. Benedict was born in Norcia, Umbria Italy to a noble and patrician family. At the age of seventeen, he was sent to Rome to study, together with a nurse, but he was shocked with the vices and licentious life in Rome, so he went away and went to a hill to live a solitary and prayerful life. Later, he went to a cave near Subiaco, and lived like a true hermit for three years. Romanus, a monk in one of the nearby monasteries, whom he met and befriended him, gave him his supply of food and other needs.Some time later, Benedict was persuaded to join one of the monasteries in the area. He was so zealous for a holier life so he tried to introduce some reforms, but they opposed his ideas and to avoid him, they tried to poison him. God, however, protected him. When the cup with poison was presented to him, he prayed over it and the cup shattered to pieces. In another occasion, he was offered a bread with poison. While praying over the bread, a raven suddenly swept in and took the bread. Someone tried to tempt him by bringing a prostitute in his cave, but Benedict drove her away. Disappointed, Benedict returned to his cave and since people became aware of his holiness, many young followers joined him. Even noble families from Rome sent their sons to him. He founded twelve small monasteries, with twelve members each. Then he left the area and went to Monte Casino while the newly founded monasteries continued.Some young men followed him to Monte Casino where he established a monastery which would become the monastic center of the Latin Church. He also established convents for women. His sister Scholastica was superior of one of these groups of women. It is in Monte Casino where he wrote his Holy Rule. Early in 543, Benedict announced the day of his death – March 21. Two of his monks who were in two different places saw the same vision of a path with brilliant lamps leading to Heaven and an angel saying: This is the path by which the Beloved of the Lord, Benedict, ascended into Heaven.” He was canonized in 1220 and was later proclaimed Patron of Europe and Father of Western Monasticism. His feastday is July 11.And now the Saint Benedict Medal. The Saint Benedict Medal is a Christian sacramental medal containing symbols and text related to the life of Saint Benedict of Norcia, used by Roman Catholics, as well as Anglicans, Lutherans, and the Western Orthodox, in the Benedictine Christian tradition. It is also a Christian symbol of opening doors and opening difficult paths. Tradition holds that it protects from curses, evil and envy; drives away bad energies; attracts good energies; protects against diseases and protects good health. The reverse side of the medal carries the words Vade retro satana (“Begone, Satan!) It must be blessed before being used or worn. Sometimes it is carried as part of a rosary.

ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA | PATRON OF ALL CHRISTIAN YOUTH

Feast Day: JUNE 21

Our saint for today, is an amazing young man from Italy. He was the eldest of seven children born in a family castle in Castiglione, northeastern Italy on March 9, 1568. He is popularly known as Aloysius, a name of Germanic origin, equivalent to the Italian Luigi, and Louis in English. His father was a marquis of Castiglione and his mother was the daughter of a baron, who later became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Isabel, the wife of King Philip II of Spain. This made him a person belonging to the aristocracy. As first born, Aloysius was destined to inherit his father's status and title, but God's design for him was far from such worldly aspirations.

As a norm for sons with such status, Aloysius' father wanted him to be a soldier. As early as four years old, he was given miniature guns to play with. At five, he was made to march at the head of a platoon of soldiers, while his father was beaming with pride and joy. But his mother was not pleased, particularly with the words he learned from the barracks. When he was eight, he and a brother were sent to the court of the Grand Duke of Medici, where he got sick on the kidney, an ailment that lasted his entire life. In 1581, the family was called to Spain to assist the Roman empress and her family.

In the midst of all these, Aloysius was not affected by the vain things this world could offer. Instead, he advanced in virtues and in his love for God and nurtured the desire to become a Jesuit missionary. At nine, he made a private vow of chastity and at 17 years old, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Rome and was immediately conferred the minor orders for priests. As a novice, he was admired for his piety, obedience and chastity.

Sometime in 1590, he confided to his confessor what the Archangel Gabriel told him. He would die within a year. Early in 1591, a plague broke out in Rome. The Jesuits built a hospital for the sick and Aloysius volunteered to give his service. Although his upbringing was repulsive to the nauseating smell and the sights of the sick, he continued to serve them and prepared the very sick ones to receive the last sacraments. He would also go out on the streets to beg alms for the poor victims of the plague. His exposure to the malady and his weak bodily constitution caused him to be easily contaminated. When he got bedridden, he revealed to his confessor, the future St. Robert Bellarmine that he would die on the Octave of the feast of Corpus Christi. True enough, he died on the midnight of June 21, 1591.

His notable virtue was purity. He was also humble, friendly, simple, innocent, chaste in his words and angelic in his behavior. St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi saw him in a vision resplendent in heavenly glory.

“O Saint Aloysius, adorned with angelical manners, although I am thy unworthy servant, I recommend to thee in a especial manner the chastity of my soul and body; I entreat thee, by thy angelical purity, to commend me to Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb, and to His most holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins. Pray for me and for the youth of our society."

Do I avoid pornographic materials such as magazines, movies, TV shows, songs, etc. or do I use them as my favorite pastime? Am I interested more of the things of this world than for the things of God?

GOSPEL POWER | JULY 13, 2021 | TUESDAY | St. Henry, King | 15th Week in Ordinary Time 

Gospel: Mt 11: 20 - 24

Jesus began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. “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. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And 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. But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Reflection

Jesus’ primary strategy in proclaiming the Kingdom of God  is to call people to metanoia — a change of mindset that  will also bring about behavioral change. For the Kingdom,  whose domain is the human heart, is like new wine that requires  new wineskins. So, whenever people are blocked from engaging in  the interior work of metanoia due to their exterior circumstances,  like sickness and demonic bondage, Jesus frees them by performing  mighty deeds. Miracles, therefore, are at the service of metanoia.  However, the inhabitants of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum  — the towns that benefited most from Jesus’ miracles — missed  the point. They focused only on the miraculous experience but  remained bound to their habitual ways of thinking and acting — the  old wineskins that could not contain the new wine of the Kingdom.  “Woe” is an expression of the deep sadness Jesus felt at the people’s  failure to repent

Prayer

Lord Jesus, let not our experience of divine favors leave us unchanged  and stubbornly attached to our selfish ways. Amen

MABUTING BALITA | HULYO 13, 2021

Martes sa Ika -15 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

EBANGHELYO: MATEO 11:20–24

Sinimulang tuligsain ni Jesus 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:

Narinig natin sa Mabuting Balita ngayon, ang babala ni Hesus sa mga Bayan na ayaw mag-sisi, mga bayan ng Chorazin, Betsaida at Capernaum. May dalang takot at pangamba, di po ba? Sa ating pinagdadaanang COVID-19 pandemic crisis, kaguluhan sa Israel, Myanmar at iba pang kaganapan, hindi kaya ito rin ang mensahe at babala sa ating lahat bilang bayan? Ang simbahan ay nananawagan ng pagdarasal at pagsisisi sa kasalanan at paghingi ng awa sa Diyos na mawakasan na ang mga ito lalo na ang pandemya. Mga kapanalig, ang pagbabago at pagsisisi ay hindi mag uumpisa sa labas kundi sa bawat puso natin. Panalangin na hindi lamang pagbigkas ng salita, dapat kasama ang pagbabago ng ating puso at pananaw. Ang ating Panginoong Hesus ay nangaral sa mga lugar na pinuntahan niya, para magsisi at maniwala sa Diyos. Ang salita ng Diyos ay dapat nagbibigay sa atin ng pag asa, kaliwanagan at magliligtas sa atin sa kapahamakan. As we celebrate our 500 years of Christianity, are we living our faith well? Ang tunay na pananampalataya ay nagpapabago sa ating buhay bilang tao at bansa. Ang mga pagpapala ng Diyos ay dapat magbigay daan sa akin at sa iyo na magsisi sa kasalanan, sundin ang kalooban ng Diyos at pagsumikapan na mamuhay sa kabanalan. Pinaaalahanan tayo ni Hesus na may kaakibat na kaparusahan sa mga ayaw magsisi. Ganun pa man ang ating Panginoon ay walang sawang ibinigay ang kanyang mabathalang awa sa mga taos pusong nagsisisi at nagbabalik loob sa kanya.  Kapanalig, ano ang tugon mo sa panawagan ni Hesus?

- Siony Japzon Ramos | Institute of the Holy Family

Manalangin tayo:

Diyos Ama sa langit, buksan mo ang aming mga puso at isipan nang makita namin kung ano ang mga kasalanang nakatago sa aming mga puso, na naghihiwalay sa amin sa iyong pag-ibig. Turuan mo po kami maisabuhay ang aming pananampalataya ayon sa iyong kalooban sa pamamagitan ni HesuKristo at ng Espiritu Santo, magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.