Growing in Faith

HOMILY

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C – 8 August 2010

Readings: Wis 18:6-9; Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22; Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Lk 12:32-48

"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen". (Heb 11,1)

We call faith a theological virtue because it is a grace from God. No one can rightly say he has acquired faith out of his own doing. It is something that God puts in our hearts. It is also both a gift and a task. We need to deepen it, teach it discernment, partner it with reason, and make it grow as we go through the stages of life. But even its growth is still a grace from God.

Let us reflect on several levels of growing in faith. I don't propose though that this listing is definitive or exhaustive.

The move to legalize abortion is on

 
















Now they're getting bold and brazen about it. Even attempting an emotional blackmail on the rest of us.

Let me just re-phrase what I have just read from this Inquirer article.
1. These pro-choice groups are proposing that abortion be legalized.
2. They are arguing that abortion is a human right.
3. They are blaming the government for the death of women who are "forced" to undergo illegal abortions.

On Failing to be a Good Preacher

Once in a while amidst the crowded traffic of the web, we get to meet a few posts we can instantly connect with, those that speak to us and about us. This is one of them. This one I got from the Faith and Theology blog. I may not agree with everything it says (just the part about preaching without notes), nevertheless it remains for me the most honest and realistic testimony I have ever encountered about the craft of preaching.

Besides, Ben Myers has Karl Barth on his side. Even for a Catholic priest, it is hard not to be won over by Karl Barth. 

“As ministers, we ought to speak of God. We are human, however, so we cannot speak of God. We ought therefore to recognise both our obligation and our inability, and by that very recognition give God the glory.”

...

The Worldly Christian

HOMILY
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C – 1 August 2010

Readings: Ecc 1:2, 2:21-23; Ps 90:3-4,5-6,12-13,14,17; Col 3:1-5.9-11; Lk 12:13-21


The readings this Sunday talk about the ephemeral nature of things. Ephemeral is what comes to mind when the psalmist uses the image of the changing grass “which at dawn springs up anew, but by evening wilts and fades” (Ps 90,6, Responsorial Psalm). Thus, it is foolish to trust in worldly goods and not in the Lord.

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.

Memorial to those who perished here

Supertyphoon Reming. 30 November 2006.

If you come here looking for answers
to the whys and wherefores of the weather,
the workings of nature, its beauty and madness,
chances are you won’t find any.

This is a memorial to those who perished here:
pray therefore for their eternal repose,
for consolation to those they left behind,
and for yourself as well,
especially if you come here
caught in your own storms.

And if some deep parts of your being
resonate with a people’s instinct
for humor in dark places, their resilience,
and faith, then leaving here may mean
getting the answer you need after all.

The Way of the Disciple

HOMILY
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C – 27 June 2010

Readings: 1 Kngs 19:16b, 19-21; Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Gal 5:1, 13-18; Lk 9:51-62


Let us begin with Gal 5,1 (from the Second Reading): “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”

Christ has set us free. Among other things this means we are able to make moral choices. Which one would you choose: the spirit or the flesh, freedom to the full or a return to the slavery of sin, follow Christ or follow the Tempter? The question may seem rhetorical, and the right answer obvious, if not for the tone of the Gospel message this Sunday.

Today we hear no convincing words as to how discipleship would make us happy or fulfilled. Instead we hear Jesus saying follow me and sure as night follows day you will experience difficulties and sufferings, you will have to leave your loved ones and risk everything. Not a very good way to pitch discipleship.