Second Sunday of Lent (B)

February 25, 2018

Readings:

First Reading – Genesis 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Psalm 116

Second Reading – Romans 8: 31b-34

Gospel reading according to Mark (9: 2-10)

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Homily: 

Jesus usually goes to silence alone in the mountains, hills, knolls, forest, desert, etc. to pray to God his Father when he is facing difficulties in life and in making big decisions.  He does not bring with him a companion or disciple when he prays in the hidden places in the middle of the night.  But, in this time of greatest moment in his life, Jesus has brought with him three chosen and trusted disciples who can keep his secret. He brought with him three of the first disciples/apostles to accompany him in praying and in encountering God on the top of the mountain called Mount Tabor, as the tradition says.  There was something in Jesus that he cannot tell immediately to his companions.  There was a moment of surprise coming from Jesus who is installed and fitted to these three disciples. “Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves” (Mark 9: 2).  The names of the companions of Jesus who were with him on the top of the mountain were Peter, James and his brother John.  These are the first disciples whom Jesus called to follow him and to become fishers of men and women.  These three disciples were unique and have their own distinct characteristics, like for example Peter.  He was aggressive yet kind and loving.  He was “padalus-dalos” or quick in making decision without thinking many times.  John was a little bit quiet but sure in his decision and in making any actions, while James was serious and good leader as well. He consulted his actions to the community.  These and many reasons why Jesus has chosen these three men to accompany him in the mountain.  “And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9: 2-3).  Jesus showed and revealed to his chosen disciples his transfiguration.  Who really Jesus was?  The disciples became his witnesses who he was, is and will become.  He changed his appearance in front of these three disciples.  A shining and dazzling white light came from within Jesus.  As in the resurrection, Jesus passed through the cloths that wrapped him, the same with the dazzling light that came out from within.

“Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus” (Mark 9: 4).  Not only Jesus was present there in the mountain.  Elijah and Moses were there.  Elijah, representing all the prophets; Prophets are persons who speak for God or a god, or are persons who tell what will happen in the future.  The Old Testament, the two greatest prophets who were the voices of the Lord God to the people Israelites, who foretold the coming of the Messiah (Kristus) met the New Testament Messiah, the Son of God and the fulfillment of their prophecy - Jesus Christ our Savior.  In the Book of Malachi prophesies Elijah's return “before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord,” making him a forerunner of the Messiah and of the eschaton in various faiths that revere the Hebrew Bible (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah). Meanwhile, Moses the Lawgiver, according to the Hebrew Bible, he was adopted by an Egyptian princess, and later in life became the leader of the Israelites and lawgiver, to whom the authorship of the Torah, or acquisition of the Torah from Heaven is traditionally attributed. He is the most important prophet in Judaism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses#cite_note-5).  “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1: 17).  The two prophets were discussing with Jesus his forthcoming passion, death and resurrection in Jerusalem.  Peter interrupted the conversation of Jesus, Moses and Elijah for he was surprised to see the transfiguration of Jesus and the simultaneous appearances of the two great men of old.  “Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, ‘Rabbi, it is good that we are here!  Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’  He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified” (Mark 9: 5-6).  Peter was struck awe, that’s why he was not able to speak for a few moments, much less with James and John.  Nevertheless, Peter experienced security and peace.  He wanted to stay on the top of the mountain, that’s why he said, “It is good to be (to live/stay) here.” “Hayahay dinhi.”  Peter and the rest of his companions experienced also heaven on earth.  No more worries, no more problems, no more sufferings but all fullness of joy, all of happiness, all of blissful life.

“Then a cloud came, casting shadow over them;” (Mark 9: 7).  Peter, who was excited with what’s going on yet still confused, was not able to finish what he was going to say to Jesus when suddenly a cloud came down and overshadowed them.  The area was totally covered with cloud, as if they were covered all around with smoke.  The more terrified Peter, James and John were; “then from cloud came a voice, ‘This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him’.” (Mark 9: 7).  The cloud represents the presence of God.  As what had happened after the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, “And coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.” (Mark 1:10-11).  God revealed who Jesus was to the disciples and commanded them “to listen to him” intently and attentively. Jesus is the beloved Son of God the Father and Jesus as obedient Son does the will of his Father, the almighty God.  Now, the disciples knew who this Jesus was after the transfiguration and revelation of God himself, and confirmed by the two greatest prophets, Elijah and Moses. 

“Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them” (Mark 9: 8).  As if they were transported into another dimension, into another world and then coming back, or as if they were awaken from a very deep sleep and wonderful dreams.  They did not see any longer Elijah and Moses even the cloud that cast its shadow over them, except Jesus, their Master and Teacher alone whom from then on they will listen to and act on whatever he will tell them to do. Jesus was telling them to come down on the mountain and face the realities of life on the ground and not as planned by Peter to build tents/houses on the top of the mountain and stayed there, far from the people’s real life situations, where true belligerent (fighting) happens.  We should not stay long on the clouds on the top of the mountain but rather we have to go down and be grounded in the true realities of life, where actions too happen.  “As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead” (Mark 9: 9).  So, they kept their mouth closed, shut and secured.  Can we keep secret of others?  They did not tell to the other apostles/disciples about their discoveries on the mountain top as what Jesus told them.  He was not wrong when he chose these three men whom he trusted very well.  “So the disciples kept the matter to themselves, [but] questioning what rising from the dead meant” (Mark 9:: 10).

First Sunday of Lent (B)

February 18, 2018

Readings:

First Reading – Genesis 9: 8-15

Psalm 25

Second Reading – 1 Peter 3: 18-22

Gospel reading according to Mark (1: 12-15)

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Homily: 

After baptizing Jesus by John in the River Jordan, the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, as a dove, and there came the voice of God from heaven saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11). There was something mysterious here, and something unique.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, known as the Holy Trinity, were present during and after the baptism of Jesus.  Jesus became the representative of the Father to all people.  The Spirit sealed the appearance of Jesus the Son of God.  And the Father guaranteed His presence through Jesus Christ. 

At the very beginning of his ministry, after baptizing and recognizing what he would become – Messiah (Christus) the anointed one, first things first, he was going to be tempted to know his readiness in his ministry.  He was led out by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil, Satan which means condemner or accuser.  “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert” (Mark 1: 12).  As if it was the Holy Spirit’s initiative that brought Jesus in the desert.  As if the Holy Spirit allowed Jesus to be tested.  Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit remained with him.  He did not leave or abandoned Jesus but he constantly accompanied him even into the desert of temptation. 

The temptation of Jesus is detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, (4: 1-11), Mark (1: 12-15 of today’s gospel), and Luke (4: 1-13).  According to these texts, after being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the Judaean Desert. “And he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan” (Mark 1: 13).  Without eating or drinking for forty days, Jesus was hungry and thirsty.  During this time, Satan appeared to Jesus and tried to tempt him.  “He was among the wild beasts . . .” (Mark 1: 13).  Not only Satan was present there in the desert, even wild beasts were there waiting for Jesus died, and his dead body they devoir.  Jesus having refused each temptation, the Devil then departed as well as the wild beasts and “. . .  and the angels ministered to him” (Mark 1:13).  Jesus won the temptations.  

What were the temptations Jesus underwent? These temptations were hedonism (hunger / satisfaction=[stones into bread]), egoism (spectacular throw / might=[pinnacle of the temple]) and materialism (kingdoms / wealth=[mountain]). John the Evangelist in his epistle calls these temptations in world as “lust of eyes” (materialism), “lust of body” (hedonism) and “pride of life” (egoism) (John 2:16). Temptations aim to mislead and pervert three main human characteristics; to think, wish and feel which are inside mind, soul and heart as Jesus alludes in Greatest Commandment.  These are related with transcendental or ultimate ideals in three areas of human interests; science (truth), arts (beauty) and religion (goodness). Christians are called to search for divine virtues; faith, hope and love that relate them directly to God who Himself is Truth, Beauty and Goodness (CCC, 41). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temptation_of_Christ).

Jesus returned to Galilee to begin his ministry.  “After John had been arrested” (Mark 1:14).  It so happened that John the Baptizer was arrested and put into prison by the autocratic, manipulative, lustful and corrupt king, Herod Antipas, because John was telling the truth, especially about the king’s relation to his sister-in-law, Herodias, wife of King Philip, King Herod’s brother.  To silence the prophet, he put him to jail.  Meanwhile, this is also an opportune time for Jesus to begin his ministry.  “Jesus came from Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment.  The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1: 14-15).  Now, Jesus has the courage to announce the good news of the Lord to all, “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”  He can now bear all the temptations of the world and win them, and his Father has confidence in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that he can carry out the mission entrusted to him, and not to be tempted to do otherwise, opposing God’s will.   As what the psalmist said: “Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant” (Ps. 25).   

Ash Wednesday

February 14, 2018

Readings:

First Reading – Joel 2: 12-18

Psalm 51

Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 5: 20 – 6: 2

Gospel reading according to Matthew (6: 1-6, 16-18)

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Homily: 

Jesus made warning to his disciples and to us with regards on public display and hypocrisy of their and our holiness and religious practices.   “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you have no recompense from your heavenly Father’.” (Mt. 6: 1).  There is nothing wrong in doing righteous deeds.  These make us closer to God especially when we can serve our least brothers and sisters.  What is not good in the eyes of the Lord God and in Jesus is that we do (righteous) deeds to show to others that we are righteous and kind, that we are blowing our own horn; boasting our own righteousness to others.  Our deeds become a show off, bragging one’s own self, to shout in the whole world that we do these and that, rather than giving back the goodness we received from God to others in simple and humble way(s).  And in return, God reward us for the deeds we have made to our brothers and sisters who were in need, otherwise, we already received the rewards from the people we served instead from God.

As we celebrate the Ash Wednesday today, as a sign of repentance, fasting and penance for our sins we have done.  Also, Ash Wednesday as it is derived its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of repentant penitents to the accompaniment of the words “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Roman Missal).  It is the beginning of Lenten season, where Jesus Christ spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting in the wilderness, where he endured temptations by Satan. Lent originated on these 40 days fasting and penance and after the passion, death on the Cross and the resurrection on Easter.  On this day also, ashes are ceremonially placed on the heads of Christians either by being sprinkled over their heads or more often by being marked on their foreheads as a visible sign of the cross. The words, based on Genesis 3:19, used traditionally to accompany this gesture are: “Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.” (“Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.”).  In the 1969 revision of the Roman Rite, an alternative formula, based on Mark 1:15, was introduced and given first place: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” and the older formula was translated as: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”  The old formula, based on the words spoken to Adam and Eve after their sin, reminds us of our sinfulness and mortality and thus, implicitly, of the need to repent in time.  The newer formula makes clear what was only implied in the old.

There are three ways in doing righteous deeds as Jesus told to his disciples and passed on to us: 1. almsgiving, 2. prayer, and 3. fasting.  These three deeds, on the one hand, make us holy and on the other hand, make us proud and blasphemous in the eyes of God if we will use them to uplift ourselves instead of God.

As what Jesus said in regards to almsgiving, “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets to win the praise of others.  Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right [hand] is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Mt. 6: 2-4).   Nowadays, if you give alms to the beggars in the street, when policeman sees you, he will scold you, fine you, and up to putting you in jail for violating the city ordinances with regards of giving money to the street beggars. “Bawal ng magbigay ng pera sa mga pulubi sa lansangan.  Huhulihin ka.”  When you give alms, keep it secret, between you and the beggar, nobody sees you so that nobody will give you a clap.  That is your only reward here on earth.  But the God who sees you, a much and better recompense you will receive from Him in heaven.

Another righteous deed is prayer.  Jesus said: “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that others may see them.  Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Mt. 6: 5-6).  There is also a community prayer where all members of the Church community pray together.  This kind of prayer is prayed in public as public worship.  What Jesus referring to was private or individual prayer.  We do not have to show to the public/madlang-tao that we are prayerful persons; that’s why this kind of people prayed in public places where many people can see them praying, and they already received their rewards from people’s appreciation and applause.  Therefore, it is not necessary to present ourselves praying individually in public places where we can pray in private places, like in our rooms, where nobody can see us so that we cannot brag ourselves that we are prayerful persons, that we are holy men and women. You should not tell anybody also that you are going to pray.  But instead, go to your room, lock its door and pray there to your Father in heaven.  And the Father who is in heaven is the one who will give you a reward.

Last but not the least righteous deed is fasting.  Jesus said to his disciples and to us: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.  They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting.  Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden.  And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you” (Mt. 6: 16-18).  Nowadays also, fasting is no longer as a sign of repentance but of maintenance of body figure, especially for women.  They fast or do not eat much food to avoid a chubby, fat and figureless body but to retain their sexy bodies.  The meaning of fasting is lost.  The religious aspects of fasting are changed by physical appearance, healthy body, and longer life instead of amending one’s life.   

In all of these, Jesus does not want us to become like those hypocrites.  No disciple of him is hypocrite, that is one who wears plastic mask (maskara) to hide and cover his/her true identity and reality, his/her true self.  A hypocrite person denies what he/she is capable of.  Outside he/she is good but deep inside he/she’s living in the dark and narrow mind and heart.  He/she lives in imagination.  Why he/she cannot accept his/her real self?  What makes him/her hinder to change his/her self for the better rather than living in fantasy and hypocrisy?  The ashes in our foreheads must look us happy but not funny must remind us rather to bring us closer to God by doing internal and secret righteous deeds of almsgiving, prayer and fasting for ourselves and for others.  

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

February 11, 2018

Readings:

First Reading – Lev. 13: 1-2, 44-46

Psalm 32

Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 10: 31-11: 1

Gospel reading according to Mark (1: 40-45)

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Homily: 

This time, the leper came to Jesus to beg and not to impose for healing, as compared to the mother-in-law of Simon Peter whom Peter and his brother Andrew were the ones who made the intercession on behalf of the sick woman with fever.  “A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him . . .” (Mark 1:40).  There were lots of people during the time of our Lord Jesus Christ and even during the time of Moses and his brother Aaron who were sick with different illnesses, diseases, possessed by demons or evil spirits, and worst them all the leprosy.  “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule [boil, abscess, pimple, etc.] or blotch [blemish, spot, imperfection, red mark] which appears to be sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his descendants.  If the man is leprous and unclean, the priest shall declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head’.” (Lev. 13: 1-2, 44).  This man with leprosy was brave enough to show himself to the rest of the people in the community and to Jesus, for having leprosy is a curse, to become an outcast of society, and even in his own family and household.  What a sad condition of those people who have leprosy.  (Kaawa-awa ang kalagayan ng may ketong, pinandidirihan sila).  They were considered sinners who were punished of leprosy and other sicknesses by God.  They were declared dead by the priests, for that they cannot participate any longer in the activities of their synagogue to worship God and in the celebration of their community, and of their families.  “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard . . .” (Lev. 13:45).  He cannot wear fine and good clothes; he cannot even shave his beard and head nor take a bath, but rather he wears a tottered and worn out clothes as a sign of repentance for his sins.  Maybe God will forgive him if he does this.  The leprous “shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean.  He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp” (Lev. 13: 45-46).  Because of his uncleanness, they have to move out of the community and stayed in the secluded places like the desert, cemetery, wilderness, mountains and hills, and other isolated places far from the society; so that nobody might be contaminated in the community and the spread of contagious leprosy might be contained. 

But again, always and everywhere, because of his loving and compassionate heart, and because he does not want to see his people suffer a lot from misfortune of life, Jesus, “moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will.  Be made clean’.” (Mark 1:41).  Again, as what he did to the mother-in-law of Peter, “he approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up” (Mark 1: 31), he did the same with this leprous man, “he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said.”  He did three actions in his ministry of the sick.  Again, he was not afraid to violate the Law in Leviticus (first reading).  What he saw was a man suffering not only from leprosy but of rejection of his society, being outcast in the community and driven away by his own family.  Jesus saw the brokenness of the leprous man.  He felt the aloneness and that no one took care of him or maybe he was already forgotten by his loved ones, but Jesus cannot forget the face of that man who begged him a healing.   The hurt of this leper in his heart and in his totality of his being and the experienced of loneliness made Jesus moved with pity to the man with leprosy, that is why Jesus was freely to stretch out his hand, to extend his hands to help the leper in his misery.   Truly the hands of the Lord God are long enough to reach us, to show how much He cares for us.  The worst thing Jesus did was he touched the man.  In the eyes of the Jews Jesus became unclean.  He made himself unclean when he touched the unclean man.  For so long a time, nobody touched this leper, only Jesus touched him for the first time in his life. As if Jesus is saying by his touch, “Do not worry, your sin is forgiven.”  Despite his crooked, deformed, tumutulong laway sa naaagnas at bukang mukha, full of pus and open wounds, and foul smell like decaying body, etc., Jesus did not hesitate to touch him, to assure him that there is God who takes care of him.  “And said to him, ‘I do will.  Be made clean.  The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean” (Mark 1:41-42).  In just mere words of Jesus, the leprosy was gone immediately.  The leper received total healing.  Jesus’ words have power and authority to bring back to the original state of life anyone who needs healing and of forgiveness of sin.

Jesus also true to his Jewish tradition in letting the leper to go and does what is prescribed by the Law in the Book of Leviticus.  “He said to him, ‘See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them” (Mark 1:44).  Jesus who is humble and simple, and lowly still respects and obeys the Law of God through Moses.  Jesus said this to the healed leper because only priests can guarantee of his healing and can declare that the leprosy is gone from him.  The priest after examining him and found out that he is cleansed already from leprosy will issue a certificate that he is now clean and can come back to his family, to his community and society, and to the synagogue where he can live a normal life. 

But the man who was healed from leprosy did not do what Jesus told him to do.  What he did, “the man went away and begun to publicize the whole matter.  He spread the report abroad. . .” (Mark 1: 45).  He rejoiced in the goodness of the Lord.  Maybe he sung the Psalm 32, “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.”  The usual result after receiving restoration of life and health is to serve God in any way possible, like what the mother-in-law of Peter did when she became well.   He cannot contain the happiness he felt and the good health he received to himself and to a priest.  His heart was full of gratitude and overflowing joy that’s why he would like to share to others the joy and happiness he experienced.  This may also happen to us, the same with us when we received gift, special gift from a very special friend, our hearts were full of joy and happiness.  We wanted to share the gift we received to others, especially the gifts of life, love, happiness and joy, etc.  Nevertheless, the end result is that Jesus became also a leper, an outcast in the society and communities which “it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.  He remained outside in deserted places” (Mark 1:45), but his leprosy is contagious, and it contaminated the people who were attracted to him so that they “kept coming to him from everywhere” (Mark 1:45).   Still he fulfills the will of his Father and our God.  “He told them, ‘Let us go on to the nearby village that I may preach there also.  For this purpose have I come’” (Mark 1: 38).  And his mission and ministry continue.