August 29, 2021 *Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time*Gawa na bunga ng Pananampalataya

Jon Dave A. Angeles, Kalipunan ng Kristianong Kabataan sa Pilipinas (3KP)

 

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/313633561519815905/

Awit Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

Deut 4:1-2, 6-8 

Santiago  1:17-18, 21b-22, 27     

Marcos 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23          

Ang Pilipinas ay kilala bilang the only Christian Nation in South East Asia. Ayon sa datos, may 92.5% sa kabuuang populasyon sa Pilipinas ay mga Kristiyano,  pang apat sa buong Asia na Kristiyanismo ang mayorya ng relihiyon. Sa kabila nito, ang Pilipinas ay patuloy na lugmok sa kahirapan, kawalan ng trabaho, mataas na kriminalidad, kulang sa pagtugon sa mga batayang serbisyong panlipunan at lalo itong tumingkad sa panahon ng  pandemya, madami pa rin ang biktima ng patayan at kawalang hustisya.

Ang mga Hudyo sa panahon ng Panginoong Hesu Kristo ay maalam sa pagsunod sa kautusan. Sa katunayan, ang mga Pariseo at Eskriba ay mariing nagmamatyag sa bawat kilos ni Hesus habang siya ay nagmiministeryo dito sa lupa. Faithful sila sa bawat tradisyon ng kanilang pananampalatayang Hudaismo ngunit malayo nilang naisasagawa ang kahulugan ng lahat ng ito.

Sa aklat ni Santiago, ipinangangaral nya na isabuhay ang mga aral na natanggap sa Panginoon. Walang kabuluhan ang pananampalatayang walang gawa, Sabi sa Santiago 1:27, “Ang pagka relihiyosong itinuturing na dalisay at walang kapintasan ng Dios Ama ay ito: Ang pagtulong sa mga ulila at mga biyuda sa kahirapan nila, at ang pagtalikod sa lahat ng kasamaan sa mundong ito.” Ang katunayan ng ating pananampalataya  ay hindi nasusukat sa dami ng ating pagdala sa mga gawaing simbahan o di kaya’y sa pagbigkas ng mga bersikulo sa bibliya. Ito ay nakikita sa ating mga gawa, buhay na mananampalatayang nakikitaan ng mga turo ni Hesus.Pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan, pag aalay ng panalangin sa mga may sakit; pagpapahayag ng katotohanang nagaganap sa ating lipunan at pakikisangkot sa makatwirang gawain para sa kabutihan ng ating pamayanan.

. Sa ating buhay mananampalataya at mga taga sunod ni Kristo, dapat ding makita sa ating mga gawa ang katibayan ng ating pananampalataya.

Mabuti ang Diyos na ating sinasampalatayan, nawa ay makita rin sa atin ang kabutihang ito na naipadarama sa ating kapwa.

Panalangin:

Sa aming Diyos na nagkaloob ng buhay at kalakasan sa bawat isa sa amin, marapatin  po ninyo na maging salalayan kami ng iyong pagpapala, maiibahagi  namin sa aming kapwa  ang pagmamahal na  aming nasumpungan, maitaas ka nawa namin sa pamamagitan ng aming mga paglilingkod, hindi lamang sa aming mga simbahan, kundi sa bawat kapwa na aming nakakasalamuha. Mangibabaw ang Pag-ibig higit sa anumang ritwal o tradisyon at masumpungan mo kaming tapat na naglilingkod sa iyo. Purihin ka aming Diyos. Amen

Ika -22 ng Agosto,2021*Ika- 21 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon*. Kanino pa kami susulong, kung hindi sa Iyo, kanino?

Sr. Gemma Dinglasan, RGS

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/278097345727424882/

Awit 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21
Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Efeso 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32
Juan 6:60-69

Panginoon, kanino ako susulong?
Salita Mo’y buhay sa pusoý bumabalong
Di ko hahayaang Ikaw ay mawalay
Pagkat sa piling mo ang buhay ko’y buhay!

Mahirap unawain ang iyong salita
Kailangan ko pang diligin ang diwa
Hanapin wangis mo sa aking kapwa
At doo’y sasalamin ganda ng ‘Yong mukha.

Katapatan Mo’y panghabang-panahon
Di katulad kong kulang sa hinahon
Pasasaan baga’t matutuhan din
Magmahal ng tapat na parang Ikaw rin.

Kanino ako susulong, kanino ako sasandig
Kung hindi sa Iyo di ko kayang tumindig
Ikaw ang aking lakas, ang aking daigdig
Kahapon, ngayon, bukas, Ika’y tanging ibig!

Ang mga pagbasa ngayon ay nagsasalarawan ng malalim na ugnayan ng Diyos sa tao. Naala-ala ko noong nag ninilay ako kung itutuloy ko ba ang pagmamadre o itutuloy ko ang pagtupad sa aking mga pangarap. At ito mismong linya na ito ng Mabuting Balita ang aking nabasa… “Panginoon, kanino ako pupunta, kanino ako susulong, Ikaw lamang ang may buhay na walang hanggan…” At noong ika-25 ng Abirl, ako ay nagdiwang ng aking ika-25 anibersaryo sa pagkamadre. May forever pala kay God!

Ang pagninilay sa kanyang mga salita ay nagdadala sa akin sa maraming antas ng relasyon. Naiuugnay ko ang aking sarili sa bawat taong aking nakakasama, gayun din sa kapaligirang aking ginagalawan. Kaya’t naaapektuhan ako sa tuwing nakikita ko ang kawalang hustisya, ang pagdami ng karahasan na tila baga walang katapusan. Sa tuwing may mga bata at kababaihang dinadala sa aming kumbento upang bigyang lunas ang kanilang mga suliranin at pasanin sa buhay, parang dinudurog din ang aking puso… paano nangyari ang ganitong pagyurak sa kanilang dangal? Sila’y mga kawangis ng Diyos! Sa kanila nanahan ang Maykapal. Sa ikalawang pagbasa, sinasabi na ang pagmamahalan ng mag-asawa ay kahalintulad ng pagmamahal ng Diyos sa tao (Simbahan), nag-aalagan, nagsusunuran, may pagmamalasakit sa isa’t- isa… Sana mangyari ito, sana… At sana ngayon na.

Panginoon kanino kami susulong? Binabalot ng takot ang buong daigdig. Walang gamot, walang trabaho, walang puwang sa hospital, kulang pagkain… parang palaging naka-abang ang kamatayan. Walang kasiguruhan ang bukas. May gobyerno ka nga, pero parang wala din. May simbahan naman pero mukhang takot din. Kanino pa kami susulong, kung hindi sa Iyo, kanino?

15 August 2021* Blessed Mary and Elizabeth!

Dss. Norma P. Dollaga, KASIMBAYAN

https://www.pulpitfiction.com/notes/advent4c

Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16

1 Cor 15:20-27

Lk 1:39-56

The meeting of Elizabeth and Mary was a special reunion.

It started with a peasant woman named Mary. She was betrothed to Joseph, a step nearest to marriage. Their relationship was a binding agreement between their families. It has become a public knowledge. The problem was that Mary became pregnant before her marriage to Joseph and the father of the child was someone else. No one could have imagined that this story would eventually be the story of Christmas!

Knowing that she could be punished for committing adultery, Mary was in agony. She’s gone over the situation over and over in her head. The betrothal could only be broken through a divorce or if one of the partners died. She was in a very extreme predicament because the sexual scandal might explode anytime, anywhere. Was she prepared for this?

O dear Mary

You must be blushing again

When we talk about your virginity

When juicy “gossip” spread out

About the birth of the Messiah

Words were spread, reaching the office of Herod

Thus the fascist-fool was threatened

So afraid that he ordered the killings of hundreds of boys

Making the women and men travail and refuse to be comforted

Perhaps you are still

Blushing in wonder

Asking us “What’s the fuss about my pregnancy?”

Blushing in laughter

Intriguing us about the Magnificat, a poor woman’s poem, song, and vision

Worth shaking the powers-that-be

Blushing in anger

Perhaps demanding for health services

O blessed indeed, thou blessed  Mary

I love you for just being a woman of power

While patriarchy tries to reduce your image into a timid, helpless woman

We know and you know very well,

it takes courage and love to be where you had been.

Mary goes to see her cousin Elizabeth.

According to science, a mother would start to feel her baby’s movement on the 18th week of pregnancy, depending on the development and the baby’s stage of growth. The child begins to respond to stimuli. The child and a mother now have a mutual sharing of knowing and feeling each other. The baby can feel their mother’s emotions, moods, and feelings. The child’s movement inside the womb is felt when a mother pays attention. She would only feel the leaping if she is attentive, otherwise, she would not be able to become aware of it.

Mary came to Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. The latter was filled with joy and spirit that she could feel the baby inside Mary:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? “

The fruit of Mary’s womb was conceived under the state of tension and pressure. Mary was not in the most comfortable situation, and her pregnancy was beyond the understanding of the people surrounding her. Elizabeth was one of the few who must have understood her. Elizabeth already endured being barren for the longest time. And at that time, being barren did not fit the standard of womanhood. Culturally, having children was considered to be a manifestation of God’s favor ( Ex. 23:26).

Elizabeth, saw the blessed Mary and the child inside her. She gave Mary a positive outlook, and defied the cultural standards of what was normative and acceptable. Truth be told, it was not Mary’s fault that she was pregnant. Elizabeth believed the child to be blessed. In the midst of Mary’s worries and feeling anxiety, Elizabeth would stand with her with affirmation and assurance that she has the support.

Elizabeth’s sense of sister-support was remarkable for she received Mary with warm welcome devoid of any self-righteous intimidation.   Elizabeth knew that the child whom Mary was bearing was entitled to be protected from harm and threats. Likewise, Mary deserved to be taken care of.

The song of Mary, known as Magnificat is a radical vision coming from a peasant woman whose credibility was under question. Yet, in her deepest tension, she remained strong and articulated a prophetic vision, which the powers-that-be would find uncomfortable :

My soul magnifies the Lord

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;

Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;

Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is His name;

And His mercy is from generation to generation

on those who fear Him.

He has shown might with His arm,

He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

and has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich He has sent away empty.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy

Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.(Luke 1: 46-55)

In the whole life story of Jesus, he was indeed a blessed one. He identified himself with poor and the downtrodden because the Kingdom of God belonged to them. He was one among the blessed because he envisioned a society that was the opposite of the ruling class whose power was founded in injustice and violence.

Mary was blessed, not only did because she gave birth to the Messiah Jesus but she herself was a prophet who declared in the Magnificat how a society, founded on justice and peace must look like.

8 August 2021*NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME*Bread Table Fellowship – A Community of Love (In Fulfillment of Jesus’ Prophetic Mission)

Ms. Weena Salvador Meily  , Association of Women in Theology (AWIT)

the Bread of Life Art Print,  by Hermel Alejandre

First Kings 19: 4-8      

Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (9a)      

Ephesians 4: 30 – 5: 2

John 6: 41-51

The whole of the Gospel of John is a wonderful tapestry of discourses that looks as if Jesus himself talks to us personally. I love that.  It steeps of intimacy.  I’d imagine him sitting on my reading couch, in a soft low-toned voice, echoing through the tiny spaces of this hermitage, and tunneling through the walkway of these apartment units carried by a soft breeze blowing from the Southwest. Then I’d imagine me sitting on my tiny round rattan footstool, beside this great Storyteller, hearing the Word in awe and wonder.

And because I am always in awe and wonder of the Good News…

Here is a reflection that is a celebration of hope in the midst of sorrow, of faith in the face of doubt and of love in the circle of hate and rage. Today’s readings all point to Jesus as the Nourisher, the Provider, the Source. 

Here is a prayer that welcomes us at a time when we come under the shadows of uncertainty.  We find ourselves tethered at the edge of a chaotic world. What has happened O God, to your beautiful creation?  What has become of life perceived as love incarnate?  Why are there so many hungry?  So many robbed of their right to housing?  So many in need of the basic necessities of safe food, safe water, education and health services? What has become of leaders, so corrupt and overcome with greed?  And so we pray…

1. To the Offering Table – We Come

Coming to the table wounded, scarred and broken, WE OFFER O God our helplessness.

You are Bread from Heaven.  You are food that nourishes us.  But how can we enjoy your food when we have been hungered by the greed and lust for power of leaders of our country?

Coming to the table indignant, incensed and wearied,  WE OFFER O God our powerlessness.

       You are Bread of Life. You feed us, body and spirit.  But how can we savor your bread when our

       bodies are broken into pieces and our spirits crushed to the core?

      Coming to the table repressed, our mouths muzzled, WE OFFER O God our voices silenced.   

      You are Leaven.  You rise in the face of suffering.  Your rising keeps us hopeful.  But how can we hope

      when our songs are caged and our dance beaten and battered?

1. At The Table – We Lament

     At the table we cry out to Jesus, Provider Of The Hungry.  We have been deprived of the food we                

     need; food that is safe and nourishing.  Our lands have been converted to commercial purposes.    

    Where can we plant and ensure the safety of food production? 

     O Jesus, provider of the hungry, HEAR OUR CRY!

          At the table we cry out to Jesus, Protector Of The Weak.  We have been threatened, intimidated,

         and harassed. Our lives inflicted with fear, we have nowhere to go.  Where can we flee as we are

         cruelly attacked by powerful threats?

        O Jesus, protector of the weak, HEAR OUR CRY!

        At the table, we cry out to Jesus, Birthplace Of Justice.  Our women and children have been abused,    

        raped, and trafficked; our laborers unjustly treated; our mountains and forests depleted; our farmers

       and fisherfolk stripped of a decent life.   Where is your justice in the midst of all these?

        O Jesus, Birthplace of Justice, HEAR OUR CRY!

1.  From The Table – We Go Forth To Fulfill Jesus’ Mission

From the table, Jesus, Who-Becomes-Our-Bread, calls us to find the oppressed, bind their wounds and proclaim healing. We bring the hope of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as we serve God’s People.

       O, Jesus, accompany us in this mission of finding and proclaiming, for you are Hope and Fulfillment     

       of God’s Promise!

      From the table, Jesus, Who-Becomes-Our-Wine, calls us to find the homeless, the prisoners, the sick,

      and the dying, those who hunger and thirst, the naked, the least, the last and the lost.  We bring the   

      hope of new wine for a renewed life. 

O, Jesus, accompany us in this mission of finding and proclaiming, for you are our New Wine poured out to renew the face of the Earth!

From the table, Jesus, Who-Becomes-Our-Sustenance, calls us to bring the Good News of justice and liberation for God’s People bound in chains by a leadership that terribly fears the power in people’s unity and bonds of peace.

O Jesus, accompany us in this mission of finding and proclaiming,create in us, a spirit of courage so that we may face our oppressors with stability of heart, clarity of mind and a steadfast soul!

As we go forth to become the true Body of Christ, we fulfill our Christian calling as prophets to raise our voices as one in telling the world, that our leaders have failed, never disclosing the real state of this dire nation.  That man in the palace, “never mentioned the human rights abuses committed by state forces, the destruction of Nature perpetrated by large-scale mining operations, the agony of families, victims of extra judicial killings in the name of this non-sensical war on drugs, the failure of managing health and economic needs during the pandemic ,the suffering of farmers and workers and other poor sectors of Philippine society.” (Bp. Agpaoa, UCCP)  That is the true state of this nation.

And we shall continue as One Faith, One Nation, One Voice to struggle to serve your People, O God until we become a Community of Love in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophetic mission.

AMEN.