30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

October 27, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Sirach 35: 12-14, 16-18

Psalm 24 “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18

Gospel reading according to Luke 18: 9-14

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Homily:  

Anywhere, anytime, and to anybody Jesus has parable to give.  When he thinks a certain group of people that needs to hear his parable, he gives them without doubt, without second thought, and without fear.  He is free to tell them his parable, his story.  This time, Jesus talked and/or confronted those people who believed themselves that they were righteous, God-fearing, doers of the laws but despised their neighbors, did not mingle with them, avoided them, even cursed them.  They were the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes or scholars of the Law, if the priests of the Temple were present, they were included and even the whole Sanhedrin, the elite in the community, as opposed to the ordinary people, simple, ignorant, uneducated, poor Jewish people, of whom those who thought they were righteous were sinners and condemned.  “Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else” (Luke 18: 9).  Jesus gave them a parable so that they may realize and could see what kind of righteousness they have.

In the parable, Jesus gave two characters, the first one was the Pharisee and the other one was a tax collector.  “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector” (Luke 18: 10).  On the one hand, the Pharisee(s), represent those people who think they are righteous (banal), are the separated ones, they separated themselves from the ordinary and simple Jewish people who do not know the Laws (Torah) and the Prophets; while they (the Pharisees) read and studied them but without putting into action what they read and studied..  Because of their knowledge with the Books of Moses and the Prophets they are dismayed, downcast, and looked down the ordinary people (minamata at minamaliit), they thought themselves as holy, obedient, righteous people of God.  The Pharisee was aware of what he was thinking and saying for he was very convinced of himself of his righteousness in front of God.  On the other hand, the tax collector(s), represent the sinful or sinners, are Jews who are chosen by the Romans to collect taxes from the (Jewish and foreigners who do business in Israel) peoples.  In spite they received regular salary from the Romans still they added higher taxes collected from the people for their personal gains which the Romans allowed that is why they were the hated people in Israel.  They are the second sinners in Jewish society, the first were the prostitutes. 

Jesus described the two characters according to similarities and contrast. 

The Pharisee and the tax collector went up to the Temple to pray on that day.  Both of them found their places to meet God.  The Pharisee found a place where he can be seen by many, he positioned himself near the Holy of Holiest. “The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income’.” (Luke 18: 11-12). The Pharisee, on the frst hand, raised his head as if making himself proud and boasting (nagmamalaki at nagmamayabang).  The Pharisee boasting himself, started praying to God, though he recognized God but he delivered his achievements, what he has done, and compared himself to others that he was not bad but good Pharisee – he is not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous.  He pointed one after another his accomplishments - he fasted twice a week, and paid tithes on his whole income, he differed himself from the rest of the Jews, as if he was telling God he was righteous, holy and a saint.  But always and everywhere he used “I” and he never used “us, or we, or you.”  As if he did not need God any longer for he was already perfect.        

The tax collector, on the second hand, found also his place.  He positioned himself at the end part of the Temple, at the back of the Temple near the door’s threshold.  “But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner’.” (Luke 18: 13).  The tax collector bowed down his face on the floor, humbling and begging.  He was amenable to all sins, what he did to his countrymen, cheating, stealing money of the poor and rich as well by adding higher tax rates, for what he did not do or accomplished to do; he was very sorry for the sins he had committed.  He had no face to present to God that’s is why he bowed down low, at a distance and would not even raised his eyes to heaven, and his face was on the ground, maybe he fell on his knees and begged God’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness for all the sins he had done and ready to amend his life.

Jesus concluded, “’I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbled himself will be exalted’.” (Luke 18: 14). The tax collector will go home bless and receive forgiveness, but the Pharisee he will go home the same, nothing changes, no metanoia, for he boasted himself and uplifted himself up, without any blessing from the Lord God nor received forgiveness for he thought he was the righteous man of all.

All of us are sinners, we committed many mistakes, errors, and faults every day of our lives, we have to admit and accept them and bring them to God with humble hearts and minds, even to confess them to the priest for absolution, and to amend our attitudes, our ways of living, our relating to one another, and be resolved that we will not do again the same sins, mistakes, errors and faults.  Only in humility and not in boasting, we can find and receive forgiveness, mercy and compassion from our loving God, the Father of all who does not count our sins but waiting for our return and of need of Him. 

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

October 20, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Exodus 17: 8-13

Psalm 121 “Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3: 14 – 4: 2

Gospel reading according to Luke 18: 1-8

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Homily:  

Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray without weary and fervently, without ceasing.  Prayer is the only means of communicating God in thanking him for all the blessings (good and not so good) we received and in asking our daily needs.  Prayer for us followers of Jesus Christ means a lot.  From the rising of the sun to its setting, we pray, in the morning and in the evening, we communicate, converse and connect to God.  “Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary” (Luke 18: 1).  In praying there is nothing to worry about.  Our prayers are answered by God who knows what is better if not best for us.  But still, it depends to God how and in what manner He will answer our prayers.  Jesus told his disciples the importance of prayer to God.  Prayer leads us to understand the will of God, what God wants us to do and to be.  This means to lead us conducting and showing the ways of God and walking in the truth of God.  Prayer disposes us to love Him with our whole heart, and with our whole soul, and with our whole mind, our whole being.  Do not be ashamed to ask God, for this is what He wants us to do, to ask (and it shall be given unto you), to seek (and you shall find), and to knock (and it shall open up to you).

In his parable, Jesus described two different characters, the first was a certain judge or lawyer called Dayyaneh Gezeloth which means robber judges, who did not fear God who is Judge of all and without respect to common tao in giving decision or verdict to the cases he handled. William Barclay describes this kind of judge “as one of the paid magistrates appointed either by Herod or by the Romans.  Such judges were notorious.”  “He said, ‘There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being’.” (Luke 18: 2).  Barclay continued, “Unless the plaintiff had influence and money to bribe his way to a verdict he had no hope of ever getting his case settled” (The Daily Study Bible, “The Gospel of Luke,” 1985, pp. 221-222).  He was a dishonorable and disreputable judge.

The other kind of judges is the Dayyaneh Gezeroth who gives judgment according to the evidences presented and not from hearsay, or money or influence or without any basis.  As long as he was in the jurisdiction of the law, he believed, he was protected by the law.

The other character present in the parable of Jesus was a widow who had a complaint against her opponent to the judge.  “’And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary’.” (Luke 18: 3).  As a plaintiff, she needed a just decision on her part against her antagonist.  We do not know her complain to the judge, for it was not indicated or mentioned what was her complaint or accusation.  We can speculate only.   Maybe she has a grievance against her neighbor, naisahan, naloko, or because she was a widow and poor she was exploited, manipulated or abused, whatever little thing she has maybe was taken away from her, she was maltreated, assaulted and attacked, and many other possibilities a poor and at the same time widow can experienced. 

The judge who knew that the widow had a reason to win her case (may laban), but with unknown motive, as what Jesus said of him as “dishonest judge,” maybe he was waiting for bribe, or gift from the widow,  he made it slow and created lots of postponements.  But the widow was very persistent and patient (makulit), and will not give in to the caprice of that terrible judge.  She was determined that she will receive justice to her case.   “’For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me’.” (Luke 18: 4-5). Every day, morning until night the widow came to that judge’s house to bring her complaint to his attention.  It took months and almost a year now but nothing happened to her case.  It was very slow and lots of postponement in hearing her case.  But because of the persistence and determination of that poor widow, though unwilling to help and prolonged the agony of that widow, although in his mind and imagination he knew what the widow can possibly do to him, and he was pestering by the said widow, he decided at last to give her what she want – justice, what is due to her.   

Jesus told this parable to his disciples to listen to what this dishonest judge said to himself, “. . . because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her, . . .” he gave in to the widow’s plea.  “The Lord said, ‘Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.  Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?  Will he be slow to answer them’?” (Luke 18: 6-7). The same with our God and Judge of all yet merciful Father, He listens to our pleas, to our prayers, and our needs.  What kind of God is He if He cannot give to His children/creatures what they are asking for? How God is without power to give what is the best to his children/creatures?  Why He became our God and Father if He cannot give what is good to us, His children?  Here, we can quote what St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans said, “You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.  For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God??  Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2: 1-4).  St. Paul also encourages us not to judge others because we too do the same mistakes, the same sins others do and we need also to pray for the forgiveness of our sins and mistakes.  Jesus told his disciples and us that God listens to all of us sinners and saints, and He never passes judgments immediately.

In prayers, we will be answered and rewarded immediately, without delay, what we need only is patience endurance and constantly waiting.  It will come sooner or later, as a song goes to say “basta’t maghintay ka lamang.”  “’I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.  But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth’?” (Luke 18: 8).  St. Paul continued, “. . . for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to his works, eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. . . .. There is no partiality with God” (Romans 2: 5-8). The problem with us is we easily forget especially when we already received what we asked for, like the ten (10) lepers who were cure from their diseases yet only one (1) returned and gave thanks.  Jesus is worrying about the conditions of his disciples when he is already gone.  Can they/we wait for his second coming patiently?  Can we continue praying and believing that everything is possible with Jesus Christ inspite of his absence but his Spirit is present and always with us?  Do we not stop praying despite many problems, struggles, and challenges coming on our way?  Can he (Jesus Christ) find us watching and waiting, and praying for his return and still finds faithful disciples/we when he returns in his second coming? 

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

October 13, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: 2Kings 5: 14-17

Psalm 98 “The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.”

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2: 8-13

Gospel reading according to Luke 17: 11-19

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Homily:  

Jesus is already decided to go to Jerusalem to meet his passion, persecution, crucifixion and death, and on the third day, his resurrection.  “As Jesus continued his journey to Jeusalem, he travelled through Samaria and Galilee” (Luke 17: 11).  He is not afraid to face his opponents, his enemies but rather he is ready to face them, even his greatest enemy, death.  Jesus is ready to fulfill what God the Father had commanded to him and to do His will.  He traveled from Galilee where he was staying and passing through Samaria before he reached Jerusalem.

As he was arriving in one of the villages in between Galilee and Samaria, he encountered ten (10) lepers.  “As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him” (Luke 17: 12).  In those days, the lepers are those sick people with Hansen Disease that eats the flesh, a contagious disease; and the one who has it is considered dead, for physically they cannot feel anything either cold or hot, with lots of puss and their bodies are covered with sores and wounds.  The regulations concerning leprosy are in chapter 13 and 14 of Leviticus.  What is very painful to the one who has it is not their physical sickness but rather emotional, psychological and spiritual for they are rejected by their society, community and even their own families.  In the eyes of the priests and Levites they are dirty and sinful and punished by God for the sins they committed.  He has to live alone.  They cannot live within the community and cannot join in any religious activities.  They must stay away from the people, so they have to stay outside the cities, outside the community, outside society and outside their family and the Temple.  “They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, ‘Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!’” (Luke 17: 13).  That is why, when Jesus found them they stood at a distance, more or less fifty yards away.  They shouted loud so that Jesus might catch their attention. They took this chance to be heard so that they may receive healing from Jesus.  They knew Jesus was, they called him Master, a merciful and compassionate teacher and prophet.

We can ask ourselves.  Who are the lepers of today? Who are those people whom when we see we are rejecting them, avoiding them? pinandidirihan natin at ayaw nating makita o makatabi? Who are cast out in our family and of society? Who are wounded and cursed due to our indifference and lukewarm attitude and could not accept them?  There are many lepers in our society that kept silent and made themselves far away from us.  Even in our family there is or are lepers who are crying silently because of our indifference and avoidance, not talking to them too, or as if they do not exist, “wala tayong pakialam sa kanila,” because they are already old and useless, “at pabigat.”  How many parents are crying because they are already old, sick and weak, useless, pabigat after raising up, giving education and all to their children who are now big and strong, professionals and earn a living.  How many poor beggars in the street that do not receive government support and services from the taxes of the people, as they are abandoned by the government but use the money in their trips abroad and buying luxurious and expensive planes while many people are satisfied with worn out MRT and LRT.  How many young people were killed in the “Tokhang” (katok ug hangyo, a Visayan words which mean knock and ask) and the “EJK” (Extra-Judicial Killings) due to drugs, and they were called “salot ng aking bansa.”  How many squatters are considered “eye sores” to the rich (but corrupt) politicians that needed to cover and made their façade nice with beautiful spots of the country to satisfy the eyes of foreigners, and many other lepers.  How ungrateful they are to the people whom they promised to serve.  

Jesus saw and encountered them with loving eyes, with understanding eyes, with merciful and kind eyes.  He cannot disregard and avoid these poor lepers. What came in his heart and mind was to cure them, to bring back their lives to normal with their families, in their communities and society, to untie them in their loneliness and misery.  He pitied them.   “And when he saw them, he said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priest.’  As they were going they were cleansed” (Luke 17: 14).  After curing them without their knowledge that they were already healed, Jesus said to them to see the priest (as a doctor) who will declare and certify that they are already cured and healed in their leprosy.  As they proceeded to the priest as required by Leviticus 14, they were totally cleansed.  If we can apply the first reading to describe of healing of Naaman at the word of Elisha (2 Kgs. 5: 14) to the gospel, “Their flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,” (kutis sanggol), the skin of the ten lepers is like the skin of an infant.   

A heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving for the graces received can easily recognize the healing he expected in mind, body and heart. “And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.  He was a Samaritan” (Luke 17: 15-16).  One of the ten lepers recognized that he was healed as he expected to receive from Jesus.  Full of happiness and joy, gratitude and thankfulness, not so faraway glorifying God, he returned to Jesus and fell on his knees at the feet of Jesus he never stopped kissing them and thanking him.  He was a Samaritan and the other nine were Jews.

Jesus recognized him as a Samaritan inter-mingling with the Jews.  We know that the Jews do not mix with Samaritan, yet in their group there was one Samaritan with them.  Very often, when misfortune fell, like in the case of leprosy, the racial and national barriers are broken down.  In the common tragedy they had forgotten they were Jews and Samaritan and remembered only they were men in need of God.  “Jesus said in reply, ‘Ten were cleansed, were they not?  Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner retuned to give thanks to God?’  Then he said to him, ‘Stand up and go, your faith has saved you’.” (Luke 17: 17-19).  Only this Samaritan, an impure man who worshipped many gods and goddesses, foreigner to the true religion, was the only one who returned and gave thanks to Jesus.  The nine Jews maybe went home straight for the excitement they felt and the healing they expected to happen to them through Jesus Christ.  But sometimes, if not most of the times, like the nine lepers we do not show our gratitude after receiving what we were asking for before.  The ten lepers called out for help to Jesus, he cured them, but only one came back to thank him, the nine never came back to express their gratitude to Jesus.  Once we have got what we wanted and prayed, we never come back to Him who granted our prayers and thank Him.  How ingratitude we are.   So, for the many blessings He has given to us, there is only one thing we can do no more no less, is to give thanks to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  So be generous in thanking Him. As what Jesus said to the one who came back to give thanks, “Stand up and go, your faith has saved you.”

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

October 6, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4

Psalm 95 “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 6—8, 13-14

Gospel reading according to Luke 17: 5-10

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Homily:  

Many of the disciples of Jesus became doubtful of him and of his teachings.  Many among his disciples left him and no longer followed him, for they cannot accept his teachings and the manner of his life - a poor life, a servant life.  They lost their faith in Jesus because they did not.understannd him.   Is this the way he selected the best disciples among many, telling harsh words and actions difficult to swallow and comprehend?   The mystery is truly hidden to those whose faith is weak, less or none.  Yet even the best among the best, the Apostles, they still have doubts toward Jesus, like for example Thomas, he doubted his resurrection.  Good Peter was around and said, “To whom shall we go? You have eternal life,” when Jesus said, “Eat my flesh and drink my blood.” And the seventy-two disciples who went to mission and when the returned they reported what had happened to the demons and Jesus said, “I have seen the downfall of Satan like lightning from the sky”  “The Apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’.” (Luke 17: 5).  The disciples asked Jesus to intensify their faith in him for even they doubted whether he was the true Messiah sent by God the Father?  Was it true what he said (preach and teach) and done (the miracles)? Or was it the work of Satan (Beelzebub) of whom the Pharisees said, especially when he violated the Sabbath Law?   The disciples need to increase their faith in Jesus Christ to know him better and to learn from him all about heavenly things.

Jesus did not look on the sizes of our faith, whether it is big or small, high or deep, what are important to him are our belief and trust and confidence in and with him that is why he said, “The Lord replied, ‘If you have faith the size of mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you’.” (Luke 17: 6).  Even the size of mustard seed, the smallest among seeds, is our faith in him is more than enough to uproot mulberry tree and plant it in the sea.  This looks difficult to believe, uprooting a tree (mulberry), throw and plant it in a salty sea; but with the eyes of faith, belief and trust, it is possible, for nothing is impossible to those who believe.  This hard wood (people, attitudes, personality) will obey and follow our command despite we have small faith like the size of mustard seed.

Then, Jesus shifted his focus to the hardworking and industrious servant, who has faith to his master.  He does what his master tells him to do and he does it diligently.  He is truly a trustworthy servant.  Jesus wanted his disciples, we as well, to become hardworking and industrious and faithful servants of him.  Like himself a servant who obeys the will of God his Father, this servant did not endure his body pain and aches after long hours of plowing the field and/or tending the flock of sheep.  He even not rested after coming home and eaten his meal, on the one hand.  On the other hand, his master has had two options, whether he let him join and allow him to eat with him, upon his coming home.  “’Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?” (Luke 17: 7).  This master shows his appreciation to this industrious servant.  We may also ask ourselves, how do we appreciate our servant?  Is there a kind of master nowadays who allows his servant sit and join him in his meal?  How do we treat our kasambahay (household servants, domestic helpers)?  Do you allow your servant to eat together with you and your family members?  Do you consider him or her as human being and not as robot, machine or animal of burden that you can command one after another things to do?

Or are we like this same master but with indifferent attitudes towards his servant that after long hours of working, he demanded still his servant to serve him, especially his meal?  Would you not think he will not complain to cook and set the table and wait for him because he has not rested yet, that this servant did endure his body pain and aches after long hours of plowing the field and/or tending the flock of sheep, and hungry?  “’Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat.  Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.  You may eat and drink when I am finished?’  (Luke 17: 8).  Because he is the master he can demand and command his servant to serve him even he is tired, exhausted and hungry, too. 

This same master, if he is a good employer, as in the first case, he can appreciate his servant for what he is doing however big or small it is. “Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded’?”  (Luke 17: 9).  Or if he is a demanding master or employer, as in the second case, still the same, as servant he or she should do whatever his master is demanding from him or her, because he/she is a servant, nothing more and nothing less. 

It is the loyalty of the servant is required to become a truly and faithful servant.  Whichever master we have, the good or demanding master, what is important, we as servants, that are disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we do whatever he commanded to us with sincerity, truthfulness, industry inspite the size of our faith in him. “’So should it be with you.  When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do’.”  (Luke 17: 10).  Like the servant in the story of Jesus, we too must do whatever the master wants us to do for we are just servants in his Kingdom.  We can say again, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do,” in spite of our faith is like the size of a mustard seed.