Sixth Sunday of Easter (C)

May 26, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29

Psalm: 67 “O God, let all the nations praise you.”

Second Reading: Revelation 21: 10-14, 22-23

Gospel reading according to John 14: 23-29

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Homily

A true disciple/follower of Jesus listens to his word, keeps it in his/her heart, and does it.  “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and makes our dwelling with him’.” (John 14: 23).  Every word that comes from the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ must be kept in our hearts and minds like precious jewel/pearl or expensive treasure.  When we keep his word and translate it into action, we show to him how much we love him.  In keeping and preserving his word in our memory, and in our heart, we love Jesus.  While Jesus promised us also that God the Almighty will also show his love to us as a Father and Provider, and God is always with us. The God, our loving Father and at the same time Jesus himself will come and dwell in our hearts and minds, in our hands and feet, in every part of our body, in our whole being.

While those disciples who do not keep his word, although they are disciples/followers of him but in name only and not in truth do not love him.  “’Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me’.” (John 14: 24). They listen to the word of Jesus in one ear but pass it out on the other ear. It does not remain in their hearts and mind, and they do not do it.  They do not even put it in practice nor share it with others.  They just throw it away and trample under foot. They do not mind it, as if it is just an ordinary thing, without value.  This means they do not love him for they do not keep his word in their hearts and in their mind, Nevertheless, all the words that comes from the mouth of Jesus is originated and emanated from God the Father who sent him to us to teach us.  Jesus told us everything that came from God the Father for our good and salvation.  We do not love Jesus and God the merciful Father if we do not keep in our hearts and minds what Jesus said and/or told us regarding the goodness and love of the Father towards us, which we called the good news (or gospel)..

Jesus is saying this word while he is still in their company, with his disciples so that they may remember or be reminded that he said/told this so.  “’I have told you this while I am with you’.” (John 14: 25).  While Jesus is with them, he told them all this important saying/word so that they can handle all trials, struggles, tribulations, and “mga pagsubok sa buhay at pananampalataya,” when he left them.  Jesus does not want to leave his disciples full of sorrows and wants, and of lots of questions about the life, word, works and action, and even death of him.  He does not want to abandon his disciples empty handed.  At least he leaves them with something that makes their faith strong and complete.

Before he left, he told his disciples about the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit coming to them.  “’The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name, he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you’.” (John 14: 26).  In his name, God the Father will send the Holy Spirit to remind them about the word (and actions) of Jesus, the Christ.  This Holy Spirit will teach them everything, seen and unseen, material and immaterial, visible and invisible, especially the good news.  The Holy Spirit will help them remember all the things that Jesus said and done and to be their guide in their new way of life to face.  The Holy Spirit will become their strength and courage in proclaiming the good news Jesus told them to the places they will go and visit and preach.   

He told them also how to greet others, with peace, and sharing the love they received from him.  “’Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid’.” (John 14: 27). Before he left, he bequeathed them peace.  He gave them peace which the world cannot totally give in its full meaning.  Only in Jesus we can find true and lasting peace – tranquility.  The peace of this world is with no absence of war.  This peace we received from Jesus makes us calm and quiet, serene and still interiorly and exteriorly.  Our hearts are in peace, untroubled and unafraid even in the midst of danger and turmoil, but full of trust and confidence, for this peace comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace.

Again, he returned to what he told him to the Jews, that he is about to go and leave them.  “’You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’  If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I’.” (John 14: 28).  He told them that they heard him said that he is going away from them, nevertheless he guaranteed them also that he will come back, in his glory and majesty.  The more we have to rejoice when he leaves us and goes back to his Father to give glory to his Father and the Father will give also glory to his Son, Jesus Christ.  And the Father who gives glory will also glorify us through his Son, Jesus the Christ.

In advance, Jesus told his disciples what will happen to them when he leaves them and comes back to his Father.  “’And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe’.” (John 14: 29).  He did not keep any secret to them but rather revealed to them and to us the splendor of his leaving through – his passion, death and resurrection, and ascension to heaven to where His Father was, is, and will be forever and ever so that our belief in him makes deeper; “we will come to him (disciple/to us) and makes our dwelling with him” (cf. John 14: 23).  Also, upon his leaving and coming back, “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in his name, he will teach us everything and remind us of all that he told us” (cf. John 14: 26), until the end of time.     

Fifth Sunday of Easter (C)

May 19, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 14: 21-27

Psalm: 145 “I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.”

Second Reading: Revelation 21: 1-5a

Gospel reading according to John 13: 31-33a, 34-35

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Homily

Judas Iscariot, one of the apostles of Jesus, who held the treasury bag of the group in which he steal from time to time, and who betrayed Jesus for only thirty pieces of silver coins in exchange for the life of his Master and Teacher, Jesus the Christ.   After (the last) supper and when Jesus allowed him (Judas) to go and do what he and his contacts planned together with the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees, he left the table and went to the temple to meet his cohorts.  “When Judas had left them, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him’.” (John 13: 31). Because of what Judas has done, Jesus is to be glorified when he is crucified, for the fulfillment of the promise of God the Father to save all humankind.  When he is already hanging on the Cross, he gives glory to the God, and God will glorify him. 

And the God of glory will glorify immediately his obedient Son while still on the Cross.  “’If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once’.” (John 13: 32).  The crucifixion of Jesus is to give glory to God the Father, and the God of justice and mercy will glorify his beloved and obedient Son, and those who obey His will.  God gives glory at once; He never delays his reward to those who fulfill his wish and desire – the good of many.

Now, he addresses to his remaining disciples these words, “’My children, I will be with you only a little while longer’.” (John 13: 33).  He is bidding them goodbye, for his time is running out.  Time is short, and any time on that night, in that moment, he will be arrested, interrogated, “pagpapasa-pasahan” from the Sanhedrin to Pontius Pilate, to king Herod and back to Pontius Pilate, for Jesus was accused of acclaiming king, a rebellion against Caesar and the Empire of Rome, and not of religious rebellion against the elders and leaders of the Temple.  He will be taken out from his group (his disciples) and turn over to his enemies.

But before he leaves, he wants to give them an identity, an identifying mark, as followers and disciples of him. “’I give you a new commandment: love one another.  As I have loved you, so you also should love one another’.” (John 13: 34). He gives them a new commandment, for the old commandments were passé, out-of-date, faded already, and a new one is fresh, refreshing, and giving new hope, new life, new beginning.  It will become our indelible mark forever – love one another, as he has loved us.  It cannot be taken away, it summarizes the old testaments/covenants/commandments into one commandment, it cannot grow old, tear apart, or worn-out.  “’This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’.” (John 13: 35).  Many people outside the fold (the Catholic Church) will know that we are disciples and followers of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and the Son of the living God, if we show our love to one another, the same love that Jesus our Lord and Master and Teacher showed to us.

Fourth Sunday of Easter (C)

Good Shepherd Sunday

May 12, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 13: 14, 43-52

Psalm: 100 “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.”

Second Reading: Revelation 7: 9, 14b-17

Gospel reading according to John 10: 27-30

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Homily

Jesus said to Simon Peter, on the last week’s gospel (cf. John 21: 1-19, Third Sunday of Easter (C)), to feed his lambs, tend his sheep, and feed his sheep.  By doing these, he (Simon Peter) shows his love to him (Jesus Christ), the Good Shepherd.  “Jesus said: ‘My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me’.” (John 10: 27). As a Good Shepherd he loves his sheep.  He knows them while his sheep listen to his voice and follow him wherever he leads them, especially in a green pasture, where there is plenty of grass (food).  The sheep only listen to the voice of their shepherd for they are familiar with his voice.  Jesus, as Good Shepherd “he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart"  (Easter Antiphon 2, Week III, Thursday, Morning Prayer).  They follow only their shepherd for they know they are safe with him for they are protected by him.   These lambs, these sheep are now turning over to Simon Peter as their new shepherd.  So also with Simon Peter, they as well as we must listen also to Simon Peter, as theirs and our leader, like our Lord Jess Christ the Good Shepherd.  As his sheep, his disciples, we hear his voice and we obey him by following him, his will and command.

Jesus, as a Good Shepherd, he is ready to protect his sheep from wild wolves that devour his sheep mercilessly. He is ready to give his life for his sheep and lambs, so that his sheep and lambs might increase in numbers and grow healthy, fit and strong.  As his sheep and lambs, we also are loved and protected of our Good Shepherd, of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He wants us to have an eternal life, a life to the fullest.  “’I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish’.” (John 10: 28).  He gives us good quality life, happy life, prosperous life, saintly life and he never allows us to perish, to have a hard life, distressful life, miserable life, to be snatch and taken away from him.  What he thinks and feels is only our goodness, free from harm, free from desertion and rejection (and abandonment).   As his followers, we receive from him eternal life and with him we will not go astray.

He never allows us to be taken away from Him or snatch away from him.  He does not want us to go astray either.  What he wants is that we are always in his loving and merciful arms and in his blessed hands.  “’No one can take them out of my hand’.” (John 10: 28).  All He wants is that we are closer to him, safe and sound.  No one can take us in his hands.  He calls us and gathers us in his one, holy, apostolic, catholic (or universal) community, as to his sheep and lambs call and gather into one flock, into one sheepfold.  

The same with God the Father, He does not allow us to be taken away and lost in his hand, for He loves us, the same love the Son has for us his sheep.  “’My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand’.” (John 10: 29).  His Father and our Father takes good care of us.  God the Fathers handles us and entrusted us to his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to watch out of us in all dangers and harms, which God trusted and believed in him, as what the Father said about him, “This is my beloved Son whom I trust, listen to him,” that he can defend us.  No one can take us away from the love of God and from the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God the Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in the Father.  We cannot separate the Father from the Son, and the Son from the Father, for they are one.  “’The Father and I are one’.” (John 10: 30). Jesus and God the Father are one, in mind, in heart, in their whole being.  Both of them think about us; they feed and tend us for they care for us and love us.  As the Father loves the Son, and the Son loves us, so the Father also loves us.

Third Sunday of Easter (C)

May 5, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32, 40b-41

Psalm: 30 “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”

Second Reading: Revelation 5: 11-14

Gospel reading according to John 21: 1-19

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Homily

At that moment in time, Jesus made appearances to his disciples to give them strength and courage, hope and perseverance in the service of their fellow disciples and followers of him.  “Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.  He revealed himself in this way” (Jn.  21: 1).  He appeared here and there, everywhere where there were his disciples to gather them in their diaspora, like a shepherd to his sheep, or fisherman to his net.

By this time, the apostles have gained their courage to go out in their hiding place where the doors were closed and locked.  Simon Peter and the other disciples were now in the Sea of Tiberias ready to go back to their former ways of life, works and living, especially of fishing. “Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples” (Jn.  21: 2).  Since Simon Peter was their chosen leader, the other disciples, like for example, Thomas, Nathanael, Zebedee’s two sons James and John, and two other unnamed disciples,  they came together to follow where Peter was.

Wherever Peter went they followed suite.  A former way of life came to the mind of Peter.  He decided to catch fish.  Maybe he missed this work of catching fish for a long time since he joined the company of Jesus. “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’  They said to him, ‘We also will come with you.’  So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing” (Jn.  21: 3).  So also the other apostles, who were formerly fishermen, they longed also to catch fish but they were not confident if Peter will allow them.  But when Peter said he was going fishing, the rest of the apostles were excited to join him.  Despite that they were experts of the sea, that they knew the depth of the sea and the quantity or the amount of fish there, they were not able to catch even a single fish. They stayed there the whole night until the breaking of the day.  They caught nothing.  So they decided to go back home.  

It was already dawn.  When people were still sleeping, Jesus was already at the seashore waiting for his disciples to meet them.  “When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus” (Jn.  21: 4).  Jesus was standing on the seashore after preparing a morning meal.  He cooked fish in charcoal and brought some loaves of bread for their breakfast.  When Peter and the rest arrived, and since Jesus knew them, he recognized them and called them. “Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you caught anything to eat?’  They answered him, ‘No’.” (Jn.  21: 5).  He asked them if they caught anything, fish and other “lamang dagat,” to eat.  They responded not a thing, not even a single fish.

From the shore, Jesus saw movement in the water which indicated a school of fish.  “So he said to them, ‘Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.’  So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish” (Jn.  21: 6).  He instructed them to where they can throw their nets (duc in altum) to catch fish and they obeyed.  When they pulled the net, they used one net symbolizing one Church; they were not able to haul in because of the large amount of fish they caught.  They were astonished and could not believe what they have seen.  

One of the disciples, John, whom Jesus loved, recognized Jesus from a distance.  “So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.”  When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garments, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea” (Jn.  21: 7).  He was sure that it was Jesus so he called the attention of Peter by saying, “It is the Lord.”  And Peter, the aggressive one (padalus-dalos) easy to act and react, wore his clothes for he was no shirt on and jumped into the water to go, see, and meet Jesus; while the other disciples remained in the boat and paddled (sagwan) to the shore.  “The other disciples came in the boat for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish” (Jn.  21: 8). They rowed the boat while dragging the net with fish to the shore.

When they came out of the boat and waded in the water, they saw the fish baked/steamed in the charcoal fire and bread; they were hungry and thirsty, for the night staying in the sea (laot) whom Jesus prepared for them.  When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread” (Jn.  21: 9).  These symbolize the Eucharistic Mass, where bread (and fish) is shared as a ceremonial meal.

The baked fish is not enough for them all, so Jesus asked to bring some more fish they caught to be cooked/steam and eat. “Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you just caught.’  So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred and fifty-three large fish.  Even though there were so many, the net was not torn” (Jn.  21: 10-11).  As usual, Peter’s aggressive attitude worked fast (gumana), he moved fast, dragged the net with fish to the shore and gave some to Jesus.  Inspite of the amount of fish (153) caught; the net was not torn apart.  According to some exegetes this number designates the number of countries in the whole world, the number of countries they will visit, preach, teach and bring the good news of Jesus Christ.  

A true leader sees the conditions of his members, he knows what they need.  Jesus saw that his disciples were hungry and thirsty.  So he invited them to eat breakfast. “Jesus said to them, ‘Come, have breakfast.’  And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord” (Jn.  21: 12). While the disciples saw clearly the person face to face who told them to cast their net over the right side of the boat and you will find something, who asked them to bring some of the fish they caught, and who invited them to eat.  Nobody asked the man “who are you?” for they know now who is in front and midst of them – it is Jesus.  

Since they were found struck and did not move right away, it was Jesus who served them.   “Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish” (Jn.  21: 13). As usual, his initial gesture and mark so vivid in their memories during the Last Supper and of many other meals they shared especially in the miracles of the multiplication of the bread and fish, the more they recognized and believed to the resurrected Christ by the breaking of the bread and fish.  “This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead” (Jn.  21: 14). 

After eating their breakfast, Jesus called the attention of Peter.  Jesus wanted to know if he is still loved by him and willing to sacrifice his self for the sake of all people to be entrusted in him. “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?  He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’  He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’.” (Jn.  21: 15).  Maybe Jesus was pointing to the fish they caught when he asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?”  It has some responsibility associated to this love that is by feeding his lambs – of teaching and guiding his peoples, within and without his fold (the young Church).  Peter answered Jesus affirmatively for it is easy to do like catching fish.

Then, at the second time, Jesus asked the same question.  “He then said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’  He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, you now that I love you.’  He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep’.” (Jn.  21: 16).  Maybe Jesus was pointing to the other disciples present when he asked Peter, “Do you love me?  It was easy for Peter to say yes for truly he loved Jesus as his Lord and God and Master.  He asked Peter to take care his chosen ones, his disciples and followers, the clergy, religious and laity (sheep).

For the third time, Jesus asked the same question to Peter.  This manner of asking question for three times may have some relation to the three times he denied his beloved Teacher and Master.  “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’  Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything, you now that I love you.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’.” (Jn.  21: 17).  Peter felt the guilt and loneliness and sorrow of his heart for what he has done to his Lord and God.  He felt distressed for three times he was asked by Jesus regarding “love,” fidelity and faithfulness and loyalty.  When Peter recovered, he stood erect and said with confidence, “Lord, you know everything, you now that I love you.”  And Jesus commanded him to feed his people (sheep) with a Eucharistic meal.

Jesus revealed to Peter what will happen to him while he is feeding the lamb (the young Church) and tending and feeding the sheep (the disciples and followers/we). “’Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow older, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress and lead you where you do not want to go.’  He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.  And when said this, he said to him, ‘Follow me’.” (Jn.  21: 18-19). Peter was still in his prime age, he can do what he wanted to do, go where he wanted to go – in his belligerent (padalus-dalos) manner.  But it will come a time when he is grown old someone will undress and dress him, and bring him in different places he was not familiar to preach (feeding and tending) the good news of his beloved Teacher and Master – Jesus Christ.  In the end, he will be crucified like his beloved Lord and Master but upside down, in giving glory to God, the almighty Father.  In the end of their discourse, Jesus invited Peter to follow him wherever he goes, imitate him like a good shepherd, and do like what Jesus did.