The Power of Prayer

HOMILY
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C

Readings: Gen 18:20-32; Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8; Col 2:12-24; Lk 11:1-13


The words of Jesus in our Gospel passage this Sunday are prompted by a disciple asking: “Lord teach us how to pray.”

During Jesus’ time, it was the custom for a Jewish rabbi or teacher to teach his followers a simple prayer they could regularly use, and which has the additional benefit of defining the group’s identity. The disciples now make a request along this line. What Jesus taught them was more than just a prayer they could call their own, but a whole new way of looking at prayer and life. Here is what He taught them – and us.

Requiescat in Pace, Joey Velasco (+)

One with the Filipino nation in grieving and praying at the passing away of JOEY VELASCO who inspired the world with his paintings of Christ truly Incarnate in the lives of ordinary people.

May he now receive the beatific vision in all its clarity, which he has seen here on earth only through a glass darkly.

The One Thing Necessary

HOMILY
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C

Readings: Gn 18:1-10a; Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5; Col 1:24-28; Lk 10:38-42


1. Are you anxious about many things?

This, I propose, is the main question for reflection this Sunday. It comes from Jesus’ reply to Martha in the Gospel story: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." (Lk 10,41-42)

One common interpretation of this story is to turn it into an allegory, with Mary representing the contemplative life and Martha, the active life. The two lifestyles are acknowledged as two ways by which we can reach Christian perfection. The common conclusion is that the contemplative is seen as the better way.

Many people throughout history could relate to the allegory, but it is not the main message. The main message is introduced by the question: "Are you anxious about many things?"

Who is My Neighbor?

HOMILY
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C – 11 July 2010

Readings: Dt 30:10-14; Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37; 1:15-20; Lk 10:25-37


The Gospel passage this Sunday is an extended discussion on the greatest commandment: to love God with our whole being, and our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus tells the scholar of the law who is conversing with him: “do this and you will live”. Because the lawyer "wishes to justify himself", he decides to probe Jesus further: “and who is my neighbor?”.

What follows next is one of the most familiar and well-loved stories in the Bible: the parable of the good Samaritan. I would like to share my reflection on Jesus’ answer in four ways.

Glee promotes Catholic values?

The following is Ian Brennan’s acceptance speech at the 17th Annual Catholics in Media Awards at which the Fox Television show Glee was honored. Brennan is co-creator of Glee.

My take at the bottom...

How to Evangelize Today

HOMILY
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C – 4 July 2010

Readings: Is 66:10-14; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; Gal 6:14-18; Lk10:1-12, 17-20


The Gospel this Sunday tells the story of Jesus sending out 72 of His disciples to every town and village he intended to visit. He sends them out in pairs as “lambs among wolves”. They are instructed to greet no one along the way; to carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; to accept hospitality and bring peace to every home and place which welcomes them.

There are reasons to these very specific albeit exaggerated instructions.

Requiescat in pace, Bishop Francisco Claver (+)

Bishop Francisco Claver, SJ, DD (1929-2010) passed away today, 1 July 2010, at 2:41 am, at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Metro Manila. The immediate cause of death is pulmonary embolism.

***
Former Provincial of the Philippine Jesuit Province Fr. Danny Huang, SJ's Facebook status message says:

Sound Bites + Promises = Inaugural Speech

The inaugural speech of Pres. Noynoy Aquino was plain and straightforward enough, and delivered to an expectant nation what they wish to hear. The sound bites and promises thus produced the desired result: give the people a reason to dream again, and the new administration a good enough working space of trust and confidence.

Many will take the challenge of cooperation and doing our part for the country, including this blogger. But we will not be fans, we will be critical collaborators. We will work. We will speak our minds. We will remember.