Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

 November 22, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15-17

Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28

Gospel reading according to Matthew 25: 31-46

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Homily:

Jesus, who is the Son of Man and at the same time Son of God, is the King coming and will be sitting in his throne to give his last judgment to all the living and the dead, in the last age and/or end time.  Jesus is the King of the Universe who will give his last judgment when the time comes.  Christ Jesus is to come into the world to judge and to redeem.  No one can escape in his judgment for everyone will be called by name and each one will be weighing up, and reckoning.  “Jesus said to his disciples, When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him” (Matthew 25: 31-32). Surely, the time will come that all of us (all the nations) will come in his presence (in his throne of judgment and with his angels), without distinctions, either brown or yellow, black or white, red or of different colors of skin; of different languages, races, cultures, beliefs, rich or poor, etc., and to give each one of us a report or answer how our relationship to one another manifested in our lives, and how do we deal with our neighbors, especially the least ones, the poor.

As King, he knows his subjects (sakop), his followers, and his own.  He knows each one of us and what one of us is doing, either good or not good, and whether it is in conformity with his will and command.  “And he will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goat on his left” (Matthew 25: 32-33).  He does not go wrong, he can easily spot, as a good Leader and Shepherd, the good from the evil, the sheep from the goats.  He will separate them.  All the good ones (signifying the sheep) will go to his right side, and the evil ones (representing the goats) will go to his left side.

To make clear to those in his right side the purpose of their separation (as of all nations) in the end time, he is saying that at the beginning of time they (and we as well) are already chosen and blessed by God the Father, “Then the king will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25: 34-36).  Jesus explicitly explained to those righteous ones who were on his right that the measure of his judgments were based on the actions they (we) have done on behalf of their (our) neighbors, the least ones – i.e., the food and drink we shared, the warm welcome to the strangers we imparted, the clothes we gave to the naked, the care we have shown to the ill and the visit we provided to those in prison.  These were the works of love, of charity, or mercy and compassion stored in our hearts by the One (God the Father) who has chosen us since the primordial time.  Do we do these to our brothers and sisters in need? Or we disregard them and do not see and feel their needs?  Are we insensitive to their call for help?

On the one hand, the children of light (the righteous ones, the sheep) were not aware that the simple actions they did mean a lot. They did them out of the generosity of their hearts and hands.  Are we generous enough to help and support our brothers and sisters in need, especially during the times of calamities, like for example, the typhoons Rolly and Uysses and the covid-19 pandemic victims?  “Then the righteous will answer him and say, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?” (Matthew 25: 37-39).  They asked the King without malice or pretension, an honest to goodness question.  For them, these simple gestures of minding their neighbors’ were their expression and extension of themselves, and the love they received from God (sinusuklian lang nila ang pagmamahal na natanggap nila sa Panginoong Diyos.).

The righteous ones did not realize that what they did to their neighbors in need, they did it to Jesus, the Christ and King. “And the king will say to them in reply, Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25: 40), for, as he revealed to them, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers [and sisters] of mine, you did for me,” any good things we have done to our neighbors, especial the least ones, however big or small they are, were directly did them to Jesus.  We gave food and drink to Jesus on behalf of the least ones; we welcomed Jesus in our home when the needy stranger came and asked something from us; we clothed Jesus by clothing the naked ones, we gave medicine to Jesus when someone was sick; and when we visited the prisoner it was Jesus we visited.  Though we do not see Jesus in actual appearance to these lesser brothers and sisters of ours, our eyes and hearts and hands of faith show to us the image and likeness of Jesus to those who suffered and neglected and abandoned.  Jesus is one with them ⁄ with us in our suffering, maltreatment, neglect, and abandonment.  We serve God the King when we serve the poor.

On the other hand, the evil ones, those who have no care for their needy brothers and sisters, the least ones, who were pretending they did not know what were the needs of their poor neighbors, but rather they were busy minding their own businesses. “Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care me” (Matthew 25: 41-43).  These evil and bad ones (the goats) were also in the plan of God the Father for they were already destined to eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels since the beginning of time.  Their hearts, minds and hands were evil, their thoughts were against God’s will, and they disobeyed God’s commands.  They knew what they were doing, the bad actions and neglecting doing good, right and holy actions (charity) to their poor and least brothers and sisters.

They asked question, with malice and in a pretentious answer, to Jesus’ words. “Then they will answer and say, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or stranger, or naked, or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?” (Matthew 25: 44).  One by one, they memorized and gave a summary of what Jesus said, as if they were uttering a litany, they mentioned what Jesus told them what they did not do.

The King will reply to them.  “He will answer them, Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.  And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25: 45-46).  The small and simple things they (goats) did not do on behalf of our least brothers and sisters, they (wicked and lazy servants) did not do them too to Jesus and because of these they (evil ones) made themselves detached from God and from their neighbors.  They became indifferent in their relationships with others. And because of these, they became alone and lonely, an individual being in isolation, without God and neighbors.  Then they will experience eternal punishment.  While those (sheep) who did what were required by God the Father and Jesus the King of the Universe will experience eternal life. As what St. Basil said, "When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator."— St. Basil the Great.  Truly Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe.  Mabuhay ang Kristong Hari ng Sanlibutan! Long live Christ Jesus, the King of the Universe!

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

November 15, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Proverb 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31

Psalm 128 “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6

Gospel reading according to Matthew 25: 14-30

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Homily:

God the Father gives each one of us talents or gifts we can use in living in this world.  He gives his talents or gifts, like for example, intelligence, capacity to enter into transactions wisely, trust in small and great things, stewardship, confidence to do and to act according to the will of God, and many other talents or gifts God has entrusted to us.  But how do we use these talents or gifts God has given or shared to us? Do we use them wisely, diligently and with confidence or are we afraid to commit mistakes so we do not use it but instead bury it to the ground or keep them in our tampipi, (a luggage made of bamboo)?

Jesus used another parable to teach his disciples about the goodness and trust and confidence of God the Father to them and to us. This time, it is about a man going on a journey who entrusted his property to his servants; like our good God who entrusted to us his created world to be his stewards.  But the question is: Are we trustworthy stewards of God′s created world?  “Jesus told his disciples this parable:  A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.  To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one – to each according to his ability.  Then he went away.” (Matthew 25: 14-15).  This man knows the capacity of his servants, but still he entrusted to his servants parts of his property; so the most trusted servant he gave big amount (of five talents), let us say, five million pesos; another trusted servant got two talents, let us say, two million pesos; while the least trusted servant was given only one talent, let us say, one million pesos.  No one of the servants complained nor compared to what they received.  And the man (the master of the house) left, most probably he was going to visit his other businesses, or his field to collect the fruit of his vineyard from his tenants, or to meet his business partners, etc., or any other reasons for his journey.

The most trusted and capable servant who received five talents or five million pesos invested the whole amount to a trade.  The same with the second trusted and capable servant who received two talents or two million pesos.  Both servants gained equal amounts of five million and two million pesos.  “Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five.  Likewise, the one who received two made another two.  But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money” (Matthew 25: 16-18).  Nevertheless, the third servant who was less trusted and not capable to do business did not invest the one talent or one million pesos to a trade but instead he hid it by burying it on the ground until such time his master returned.

So the master came back after a long absence.  Maybe he brought pasalubong (bring home) to his servants.   “After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them” (Matthew 25: 19).  Before he gave his pasalubong, each servant was called and asked to give a report about the talents or money he entrusted to them.  Maybe he was excited to hear from his servants how they invested or traded his money, what happened to his money, did it gain income or gain losses?

So, one by one, the servants gave their reports.  “The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five.  He said, Master, you gave me five talents.  See, I have made five more.  His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.  Come, share your master’s joy. . . .”  (Matthew 25: 20-21). The first servant, the most and capable, who received five talents or five million pesos reported that he gained the equivalent amount of five million pesos.  He handed over to his master ten talents or ten million pesos.  The master was very happy and well-pleased for the small matter done by his first faithful servant, so he invited this servant to join in his joy with his pasalubong.  So also with the second faithful servant who gained the additional two talents or two million pesos, after reporting he handed over to his master four talents or four million pesos.  Because of this success of his servant, he also invited this second faithful servant to join in the joy of his master with his pasalubong.

The third servant, who was less trusted and unable to enter in doing business, came to his master and reported what he had done to his money.  He returned the one talent or one million pesos to his master.  “Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.  Here it is back.   His master said to him in reply, You wicked, lazy servant!  So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could got it back with interest on my return?” (Matthew 25: 24-27).  As if he was blaming and pointing fingers to his master, his strictness, very demanding, as if supposing stealing the harvest and gathering yield which was not his and which caused him fear and numb of his body and mind.  He cannot think and move what to do with the talent because of the fear with his master’s attitude and personality.  So instead of putting into investment or in the bank to earn an interest he buried it to the ground.  The master knew him, his inability, his weakness and lack of creativity, but in spite of these he entrusted him with part of his property.  But because of what he said to and accused his master; his master became uncompromising to the attitude of this wicked and lazy servant, as the master called him name names.  Even his master gave him an example he should have done like depositing his money in the bank and sooner or later collecting interest.  Do we have fear of our Lord and God so that we cannot move in faith, act in charity, and do good to our neighbors?  Do we accuse God for our wickedness and laziness? of our inability to perform what is expected from us?

Here is the lesson Jesus gave to his disciples and even to us his followers.  “‵Now then!  Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.  For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth′” (Matthew 25: 28-30).  Whatever gifts or talents entrusted to us, there are corresponding responsibilities expected from us.  Either small or great the gift or talent is given to us, we must act and move faithfully and diligently.  The more we have received, the greater responsibilities we will be delivering by us, for He knew our capability to do the tasks commended to us.  Nevertheless, if we do not do what is expected from us because of fear, wickedness, laziness, not creative to find ways and means however it is easy or hard to do it, then it is expected that whatever talent entrusted to us, even what we call ours, will be taken away from us.  Nothing is left from us.  Besides, a heavy punishment is stored to us because of lack of confidence and faith in God, literally speaking . . . “and throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”  So use our talents wisely and prudently, then God would say, “Come, share your master’s joy.”

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

November 8, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Wisdom 6: 12-16

Psalm 63 “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18, (or 4: 13-1)

Gospel reading according to Matthew 25: 1-13

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Homily:

God has given us intelligence, knowledge, understanding and wisdom to be used wisely and with farsightedness and prudence.  But the question is, how do we use these God-given gifts for the sake of Reign-Kingdom of heaven?  Just like the ten virgins in the parable Jesus told to his disciples, some are wise and prudent virgins and others are unwise and foolish virgins.  Which of these two groups of virgins do we belong to? “Jesus told his disciples this parable: ‵The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise′.” (Matthew 25: 1-2).  Jesus gave another parable of the Wedding Feast as comparing it to the Reign-Kingdom of heaven to “ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”  The bridegroom here is Jesus, the Son of the Living God, who is coming to take her bride, the Church, to the Kingdom of heaven.

The ten bridesmaids were composed of five wise and another five foolish virgins.  ”‵The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamp′.” (Matthew 25: 3-4). The lamp in the parable is the symbol of faith that brightens the life of each one of us,  The five foolish (thoughtless, irrational) virgins, on the one hand, who brought lamps were not prepared well for the up-coming event they did not expect yet they knew that any hour of the day or night the bridegroom will come unexpectedly.  They did not reserve extra oil to light the path of the bridegroom and his entourage. The oil is the symbol of charity that gives strength to our faith by doing good works to others.   On the other hand, the five wise (astute, sensible) virgins prepared very well fo the event (the coming of the bridegroom) whom they expected to come any hour of the day or night or in the middle of the night.  They brought with them extra oil in case the coming of the bridegroom is delayed.  Sometimes or most of the time we do not prepare ourselves for any important event or moment that may come into our lives.  We just let it go and think it will pass away unnoticed.  But we become fools for disregarding these important events or moments in our lives.  To be prepared is better than doing nothing or not using the gifts given to us from above.  What a waste! (Kakarag, sayang naman!).

The expected time of the coming of the bridegroom did not realize. “‵Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep′.” (Matthew 25: 5).  The ten virgins waited for the coming of the bridegroom.  But instead his coming was delayed unexpectedly.  They never knew the exact time of his coming, so they were tired waiting and they all fell asleep, a very deep sleep, without thinking that they were running out of oil from the lamps.  Is our lamp running out of oil to light the path of Jesus? of our own lives? 

And the time came, the moment of long waiting has arrived.  The bridegroom has come. “‵At midnight, there was a cry, ‵Behold, the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!′  Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps′.” (Matthew 25: 6-7). At the middle of the night, the bridegroom and his entourage came without warning, only a cry from the company of the bridegroom was heard coming.  And because of this cry or shouting, the ten virgins woke up and prepared their lamps to meet the bridegroom.  The five wise virgins added oil in their lamps, and were ready to meet the bridegroom.  While the other five foolish virgins were running out of oil and so they came to the five wise virgins and asked for some oil.

The five foolish virgins asked the other five wise virgins of their extra oil.  But instead of giving or sharing their extra oil, they told them to buy it at the nearest store because if they give or share their extra oil, both of them were run out of oil to welcome and to light the path of the bridegroom and his entourage.  “‵The foolish ones said to the wise, ‵Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.′   But the wise ones replied, ‵No, for there may not enough for us and you.  Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.′  While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him′.” (Matthew 25: 8-10).  They are wise and prudent in dealing with the unwise.  If they share their extra oil and suddenly run out of light, they cannot follow the entourage where they are going, and learn the place or the house of the bridegroom, and they are unable to participate in the Wedding Feast.

To show also that the wedding feast is only for those who joined in entourage and to those who welcome him, the door of the house or gate is closed and or lock.  “‵Then the door was locked′.” (Matthew 25: 10).  No one can enter or go out in that closed door, even those invited guests who came late were not able to enter and join in the celebratio

So also those five unwise or foolish and unprepared virgins who bought oil in the store.  When they arrived at the place of the celebration of the wedding and knocked on the door, they were not allowed to enter even though they shouted loud and clear to the gatekeeper.   “Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‵Lord, Lord, open the door for us!′  But he said in reply, ‵Amen, I say to you, I do not know you′.” (Matthew 25: 11-12).  Because of their foolishness, unpreparedness, they were not allowed to enter and join in the happiness and joy of the wedding feast, because they did not use the gifts given to them by God, they were expelled from the banquet of the Lord, the fullness of life in his Reign-Kingdom of heaven.

Be prepared and be ready always for we do not know the time, the hour or the day of the coming of the bridegroom, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  “‵Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know nether the day nor the hour′.” (Matthew 25: 13).  It is necessary to always be awake, prepared with farsightedness, wisdom and sagacity for we do not know when our Lord Jesus Christ will come, but surely and expectedly that he will come in our lives.

God shared to us his intelligence, understanding, knowledge and wisdom to be used for the sake of his Reign-Kingdom of heaven by helping our brothers and sisters in need of our support and charity, love, and to become wise and prudent.  Our lamp (as a sign and symbol of our faith) teaches us to love our brothers and sisters by feeding those who are hungry, giving water to those who are thirsty, sheltering the homeless, clothing those who are naked – meaning giving flesh to our faith through the oil (sign or symbol of charity) of gladness, hope and joy that we ay enter in the Lord, Jesus Christ, the bridegroom, in his Wedding Feast that is to come.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 Solemnity of All Saints (ABC)

November 1, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Revelation 7: 2-4, 9-14

Psalm 24 “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.”

Second Reading: 1 John 3: 1-3

Gospel reading according to Matthew 5: 1-12a

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Homily:

Jesus, as a true Shepherd of his flock, saw the conditions of his sheep. In his fold, there were poor, some were mourning, others were meek, and many were hungry and thirsty, but some were merciful, others were clean of hearts, and others were peacemakers. The scene was like a collage or collection of different faces and circumstances and disorder of different walks of life.  They followed Jesus for in him they found their hope, their liberation from poverty and grip of the Roman Empire.  Jesus saw them clearly after he went up on the mountain (or a knoll) as sheep without shepherds (for their shepherds were living a luxurious and wealthy lifestyle under the protection of their cohorts, the Romans).  “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them, saying: (Matthew 5: 1-2).  Afterward, he sat down and his disciples came to him and he began to teach them.  The disciples were expecting something from Jesus.  They would like to hear from him what was his plan, what he wanted to do with the present conditions of his people and his country.  But he said another thing. 

He said, ‵Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.′ (Matthew 5: 3).  He said the poor are blessed not because they were poor and better to remain poor, but because the Kingdom of heaven is theirs.  He saw in the poverty of the people the dependence and trust and confidence, of those who have nothing but only the Lord God.  They have nowhere to turn to except in the loving and merciful God.  They easily followed God for they have less to travel.

He said, ‵Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.′ (Matthew 5: 4).  Those who are mourning, maybe because they lost their loved ones or someone in their family whom they depended upon, either one or more members of their families and their relatives were murdered by the soldiers, they had lost their properties, etc. and many other reasons for their mourning.  They are blessed not because they were mourning but because they will be comforted beyond their losses.  Even God lost a Son when he sent him here on earth to fulfill what he promised long, long time ago, (but without mourning), to show his love to his creatures, to us.

He said, ‵Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.′ (Matthew 5: 5).  Those who do not provoke any fight, or quarrel, who do not fight back, those who are humble, timid, submissive, gentle, docile, modest, compliant, and mild to their neighbors and to God.  They are blessed not because they are meek and humble and timid, etc., but because they will inherit the land.  The land given to them but denied to them.  But because of their patience endurance they will receive what they were longing for.

He said, ‵Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.′ (Matthew 5: 6).  Many who followed Jesus were hungry and thirsty in different persuasion, either hunger for physical or material food and thirsty of water, or justice and peace, of integrity of creation, hunger for love, understanding and forgiveness, or pardon, hunger and thirst for something relevant to them like money, recognition, power and authority but they were denied to them, even hunger for righteousness sake and more. They are blessed not because they are hungry and thirst for righteousness, but they are blessed because they will satisfy their hunger and thirst. While they were suffering from hunger and thirst for virtues, justice, decency, uprightness, rectitude sake, in due time they will experience satisfaction.  

He said, ‵Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.′ (Matthew 5: 7).  There are those who are merciful to their neighbors, even to their enemies and friends, to those who need mercy.  Despite their conditions in life, those who aggravated, provoked and heightened the situation, for example letting them to commit sins, gossip, give wrong accusation, etc., they are ready to give pardon and forgiveness and mercy and compassion.  Therefore, those merciful, they are blessed not because they are merciful, but because they will be shown mercy of the most merciful and loving and compassionate God

He said, ‵Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.′ (Matthew 5: 8).  Some of those present in the crowds were clean of heart.  They have had a clean intention in following Jesus Christ.  They really wanted to hear or listen to the “voice” of God present in the words and teachings of Jesus the Christ.  They were also blessed not because their hearts are clean but because they shall see God face to face.  

He said, ‵Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.′ (Matthew 5: 9).  Also many in the crowds are peacemakers.  What they wanted was peace of heart, mind, body and soul, of their community and in society that was why they were following Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.  Also they are blessed not because they were peacemakers, but because they will be called children of God.  The children of God are those who love peace, justice and integrity of creation.

He said, ‵Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.′ (Matthew 5: 10).  Those who do right, living virtues lives, even moral living, just, decent and uprightness, honest and blameless lives, and do not judge others whose lives are full of filth, immorality, sinning in the eyes of their neighbors and God.  While others saw these upright people as hypocrites, showy, “pakitang-tao” or plastic, wearing masks to deceive others and many false accusations and so they were persecuted.  Nevertheless, in spite of many wrong accusations and up to receiving persecutions, they remained upright and righteous.  Therefore, they are blessed not because they were persecuted for the sake of righteousness, but because theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

He said, ‵Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.′ (Matthew 5: 11-12).  Those who believed in Jesus Christ and followed his commands and teachings despite them were lampoon, laughed at, and even insulted and persecuted and uttered every kind of evil but remained steadfast and firm in their resolve to obey Jesus.  Still many people do not believe in Jesus Christ or do not know him because of their ignorance and stubbornness of hearts or because they belonged to other religions who do not have ecumenical or inter-religious dialogue programs in their houses of worship.  So they became mad when they heard the Christians talking about Jesus′s life and ministry, his passion, death and resurrection; so they hated and have grudges against those who believe in Jesus but still they continued believing, loving and worshipping Jesus, and because of these they are blessed not because they were insulted and persecuted and uttered every kind of evil against us falsely because of Jesus but because our reward in heaven is great.

These beatitudes are our guides or sign posts that will lead us to have a perfect life in Jesus Christ.  They are tools we can use to have harmonious relationships with our neighbors and to God.  They are also our tools on how to live happy and blessed life in spite of poverty, mourning, meekness, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful and clean of hearts, peacemakers, and being persecuted for the sake of righteousness and even insulted and persecuted because of Jesus Christ, our model in perfection of life, so that we may become heirs of the Kingdom of heaven, will be comforted, will inherit the land, will be satisfied, will be shown mercy, will see God, will be called children of God, and our reward will be great in heaven.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 

October 25, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Exodus 22: 20-26

Psalm 18 “I love you, Lord, my strength.”

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1: 5c-10

Gospel reading according to Matthew 22: 34-40

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Homily:

Another influential group was silenced by Jesus, this time it was the Sadducees. “The Sadducees, according to Josephus, tell us, had the confidence of the wealthy, but no followers among the people.  The Sadducean party was composed of the high priests, the nobles, the most eminent citizens and the leading men.  Under the Roman rule, the Sanhedrin got a degree of political independence and authority that Herod had denied them.  Rome was also in a position to deprive land-owners of their property.  Therefore, it was in the interest of the Sadducees and the wealthy to cooperate with Rome.  One example is when the chief priests helped to quell Judas’ revolt against the taxes in 6 A.D.  So the local collaborators with Roman rule were the Sadducees, the wealthy, the land owners and tax collectors.  Between them, they controlled the government, agriculture, employment, and business” (FABC Office of Human Development, Jesus for our Times: Towards A Spirituality of Social Action, Rev. Vinay Kumar Samuel, “The Church in the World, Manila, Philippines, 1986, p. 77). 

With regards to religious practices and beliefs, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were in contradiction in many ways of their interpretation of their beliefs. One of these was the resurrection of the dead.  While the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, the Sadducees did not believe in it.  They have many religious beliefs they have disagreed with.  But, this time, they joined together, for they have found a common enemy, in the person of Jesus Christ.  “When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them a scholar of the law tested him by asking, ‵Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?′” (Matthew 22: 34-36).  The Sadducees this time were silenced by Jesus Christ.  And the Pharisees heard about it, so together, they joined in on how to capture and silence Jesus Christ.  Nonetheless, because of Jesus the Pharisees and the Sadducees became friends, and one, and joined in together on how to trap their common enemy. 

Another group, the elite, educated and learned of the leading enemy of Jesus was the scholars of the Law and the Prophets, known as scribes.  They also joined in the groups of Pharisees and Sadducees on how to trap Jesus in his word.

The scholar of the Law asked Jesus to test him on his knowledge of the Book of Law (Torah) and the Prophets. He asked, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  Jesus, as true teacher and with full knowledge of the Book of Moses, the TaNaK, (Torah, the Prophets and History), gave the wonderful and time tested expression of one′s faith in God and to his neighbors (to our brothers and sisters – fraternity and social friendship (Fratelli Tutti)). “He said to him, ‵You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and the first commandment.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments′.” (Matthew 22: 37-40).  There is no other greatest law or commandment than to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.  This is the greatest and the first commandment.  The second is like it: We shall love our neighbors as ourselves, for they are our brothers and sisters in one God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  With this answer, the scholar of the Law and the Prophets was silenced by Jesus, and no one dared to ask him a question.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 

October 18, 2020

 Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6

Psalm 96 “Give the Lord glory and honor.”

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonica 1: 1-5b

Gospel reading according to Matthew 22: 15-21

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Homily:

The Pharisees, the separated ones, who distance themselves to the rest of the people of Israel so that they may always maintain purity in mind and body; but when it comes to Jesus their true color appeared.  They were jealous of the popularity of Jesus in his wisdom, truthfulness, without any malice, and goodness; while the Pharisees were showy, hypocrites and untrue to what they were saying and doing.  So Jesus silenced the Pharisees and they left.  “The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech” (Matthew 22: 15). But the Pharisees, after leaving the place gathered together and made some plan on how to capture Jesus in his own words and speeches.  (Hindi sila mapakali hangga′t hindi sila nakakaganti.)  They will not stop until they get even.  The same with us, too, we do not stop thinking, planning, plotting ways and means on how we get even to the person who hurt us.  Only when we get even we can relax our mind and heart for we satisfied our anger and hatred.

The Pharisees cannot face Jesus, they have no courage to confront and question him, and so their recourse was to send their disciples (students) to trap Jesus in his speech (word).  “They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, ‵Teacher, we know that you are truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  And you are not concerned with any one′s opinion, for you do not regard a person′s status.  Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not′?” (Matthew 22: 16-17).  Like their masters, the disciples of the Pharisees were also flowery in their speech but empty words.  They described first Jesus′ manner of living, teaching, open-minded with any one′s opinion and disregarded a person′s status.  As if they were saying to Jesus that he is free, independent and without fear. After this manner of introduction they revealed their intention, they began asking Jesus about taxation.

The question posted by the disciples of the Pharisees with the Herodians (soldiers of King Herod) was about taxation, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”  They would like to hear from the mouth of Jesus his opinion on this query and if he misses the point, there are the Herodians to capture and arrest him and bring him to prison. 

In Jerusalem and even the whole Palestine, there are different kinds of taxes collected from the people.  One of these taxes is the Temple tax collected by the priests for the maintenance and needs of the temple and of the priests themselves.  All Jews are required to pay the levy.  The other tax is the Roman census tax collected by the procurator and sent it to Rome.  This paying of tax only showed the power and subjugation of the conquered nation under the Roman Empire.  The taxes collected are used for protection money and services of the Roman soldiers in Palestine and in Jerusalem in particular.

“Taxation was as much a part of the world of the New Testament as it is in our world today. Various kinds of taxes were imposed, by differing authorities, and for an array of purposes. Religious taxes supported the temple and the central Jewish institutions.  Imperial taxes went to support the Roman government, and local taxes were levied by Jewish rulers and paid for the infrastructure of Judean commerce.  The total tax burden was perhaps as high as 60 percent of all production, but this burden was not primarily imposed by the Romans.  As in any age, the combination of these many taxes resulted in popular dissatisfaction” (https://byustudies.byu.edu/charts/2-6-taxes-judea).

Today, our government imposed new TRAIN 1&2 as another extra taxes to many other taxes, for example, sin tax, property tax, etc., are added and collected from the poor, unemployed, under-employed, marginalized and deprived (Filipino) citizens.  It is alright to collect taxes by the government from its citizens and even Jesus did not deny this responsibility of the citizens of its obligation to one′s country, but the government must use them wisely, total services rendered and or for the social welfare and benefits of its citizenry.  Nevertheless, if the government officials are corrupt and the funds are used for their own selves and interest; it is not right and just to the many hungry, unemployed and poor (Filipino) people this corrupt system of government. They (the corrupt government officials) deserve harsh punishment.

Jesus knew the bad intention of those sent by the Pharisees.  They wanted to test him and capture him according to his word, speech and/or opinion.  “Knowing their malice, Jesus said, ‵Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?  Show me the coins that pays census tax.′ Then they handed him the Roman coin” (Matthew 22: 18-19).  He asked them honestly the purpose of their coming to him.  But they did not give their response.  So, Jesus asked them the coins that pay census tax, and they handed him the Roman coin.

“One of its simplest expressions was in the form of the very coinage that Jesus uses to flip this story on his questioners. The minting of coins was an archaic period Greek invention that gradually spread throughout the ancient world. Like so many Greek inventions, the Romans employed it to their own ends and expanded it significantly. Roman mines, carefully controlled by the state, produced a vast quantity of raw metal that was then minted into coinage. The minting of coins was one of the fundamental acts of the government and of specific rulers -- it was a way to express power, ideology, and propaganda. Minted coins circulated widely throughout the empire and were used to pay the military and facilitated a broad array of economic transactions” In addition, “While Rome occasionally accepted taxes in kind, and even required them from Egypt, Africa, and Sicily in the form of corn, coins were typically demanded for the payment of taxes. This required people of simpler means to convert portions of their wealth into coins, sometimes at a steep cost. This use of coins made the collection of vast wealth into central locations much easier. In addition to their functional uses, coins also had a strong ideological use. A single coinage system across the whole Empire was a fundamental statement of unity, and in the case of conquered regions, a statement of subjugation” (https://www.elca.org/JLE/Articles/605).

In return, he returned the question to and interrogated the disciples of the Pharisees.  “He said to them, ‵Whose image is this and whose inscription?′  They replied, ‵Caesar′s.′  At that he said to them, ‵Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God′.” (Matthew 22: 20-21).  Jesus did not allow to commit mistakes and misled his listeners even his own disciples who were present during the interrogation of the students of Pharisees; and in the end, he even brought also enlightenment to the disciples of the Pharisees about their obligations to the Roman Empire (government) and to God.  As the psalmist said: “Give the Lord glory and honor.” (Psalm 96).

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

October 11, 2020

 

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 25: 6-10a

Psalm 23 “I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

Second Reading: Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20

Gospel reading according to Matthew 22: 1-14

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Homily:

“Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parable, saying, ‵The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come′.” (Matthew 22: 1-3).

“A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‵Tell those invited: Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready, come to the feast′.  Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.  The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them′.” (Matthew 22: 4-6).

“The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city” (Matthew 22: 7).

“Then he said to his servants, ‵The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.  Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.′  The servants went out into the streets and gathered all the found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests” (Matthew 22: 8-10).

“But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.  He said to him, ‵My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?′ But he was reduced to silence.  Then the king said to his attendants, ‵Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Many are invited, but few are chosen′.” (Matthew 22: 11-14).