Reflection on the Gospel for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A (Mt.25:14-30)

We are given by the Lord, different talents. Some of us are good in singing, dancing, in the arts and others and sometimes our talents are very unique from others. All of us have a talent, we cannot say "I don't have a talent....I don't know how to sing....I don't know to dance" and many more.

In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God is like a man travelling to a far away land and called his servants to take care of some of his possessions. The master gave five talents to the first servant, two to the other one and one to the last servant. The first two servants immediately made their talents work and doubled the number of talents the master gave them but the servant who received only one talent buried it because of the fear that he may lose it. When the master came back without the servants knowing it, the first two servants who made their talents worked reported what they did with the money and the master was very happy with them and he gave what the two servants earned to them. But when the last servant told the master that he was afraid to lose the money and buried it, the master became angry and he gave the one talent to the servant who earned ten talents.

This Sunday, let us also reflect on the readings preceding the Gospel. The First Reading is taken from the Book of Proverbs, it tells the attitude of an ideal wife. The wife should be zealous, respectful and hard working. The Psalm is also about being zealous and the Second Reading is about the warning of St. Paul to the Thessalonians in his first letter to them. He told the Thessalonians that the day of judgment will come like a thief in the night, we do not know the hour or the day of arrival. In the parable, Jesus wants us to be ready, to use our time wisely and to be zealous. God gave us talents based on our capabilities. He will not give it to us if we could not do it. If God gave you the talent to sing, show it and be proud of it. I always tell my choir to give the best they can because they are singing to God who called them to serve Him as choir members, meaning, God brought you to that choir to use it and develop it like the first two servants. Developing your talent would eventually become a great help for others, you can share that blessing to others and be a blessing to them. Let us use our talents for God's Glory and for His people.

While reading the Gospel, for me I reflected the talents as our lives, the most valuable gift of God to us. God gave us our life so we may use it for His Greater Glory, to share what we have to others. God brought us to this world with a purpose, with a specific mission. We must take risks to fulfill that mission. We may suffer a lot fulfilling that mission but in the end we may realize that the mission we fulfilled that caused us a lot of suffering has been a benefit for others and especially for us. It is our way to Salvation. Let us imitate the two servants who used their time wisely and has doubled their talents and don't be afraid for the Lord is with us and will guide us (Isaiah 43:1). Let's take risk for our salvation, take risk in fulfilling God's plan for us. Yes, fear is natural because we are human, but we can overcome that fear because God is with us. As St. Paul said to his letter to the Philippians: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12)

God Bless

REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL FOR THE 31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (MT. 23:1-12)

"Practice what you preach", these are the words from St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Many had said those same words in the past yet we cannot see it in them, they do not practice what they preach. This is the reason why Jesus condemned the acts of the scribes and pharisees during His time. The scribes and pharisees are the interpreters of the Law of Moses, they give directions on what the Jewish people should do, but some of them deceives the brethren by uttering the wrong interpretation of the Law so that they could corrupt the peoples' mind.

In our Gospel for the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jesus wants us to be truthful and humble. In the Gospel, Jesus tells how the scribes and pharisees act during His time. Some of them wants to be called Teacher, Master or Father, they want to be exalted by everyone. I had to admit, I was like that, I want myself to be raised or exalted over my brethren. But the Lord, through His Holy Spirit inspired me not to act like that or exalt myself. Jesus was not like that, Jesus humbled Himself for us, He stripped off His nature as God so that he could live with us and become a servant for us (Phil. 2:6-7). Let's us ourselves, am I ready to be a servant for my brethren? Am I ready to humble myself for the sake of my brothers and sisters? Jesus did, He bore our sufferings, He offered His life for us to be saved from death and sin, the very reason why He became human, He did it for us. He taught us to carry our own crosses, but as we all know he carried His cross first, He endured mockery, humiliation and exhaustion. He humbled Himself until His death on the cross. He is a Teacher who practices what He taught, He is a Master who commands us to do something but we first saw Him perform that command. What a marvelous God we have!

Lastly, let's not exalt ourselves by showing off what we have (i.e. luxury, social status, etc.). Let us remain humble because the Lord Jesus who is in the very peak of a status in the Universe has humbled and has remained humble for us. God will exalt us, exalt us that exceeds our expectations, exalt us in the line of the Saints who is now with Him. May God Bless us all.

A DAY WITH THE FRANCISCANS AND THE DOMINICANS

Last October 4, 2011, The Holy Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of Our Holy Father St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order and Patron of Ecology. It was highlighted by different celebrations from Parishes, Franciscan Communities, etc.

As for me, I joined the Dominicans headed by Rev. Fr. Nilo A. Lardizabal, OP to a Eucharistic Celebration at the St. Maximillian Major Seminary in Multinational Village, Parañaque City. The Seminary is the formation house for Franciscan Conventual Juniors. Joining with is are two Dominican Junior friars, two Dominican priests and my friend Ian Catadman. I went to Sto. Domingo Church around 3:00 in the afternoon to pray to Our Lady of La Naval de Manila, who is about to celebrate her feast day this coming October 9, 2011. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to attend the Novena Masses in her honor because of the far location of the Church from my office. So I went there last Tuesday to pray the rosary and ask Our Lady to pray for me especially in my current job, which I find it difficult because it is about sales and marketing and I really don't have an idea about this field. By 4:30 in the afternoon, we left Sto. Domingo Church, I was with the two brothers. We arrived in the Maximillian Seminary and the place was filled with devotees of Our Holy Father. We settled down and waited for the start of the Mass. Here I can say that the religious life is very beautiful even though some may come across difficult situations but you can see the communion with each other, a connection, an ambiance telling you that even though we do not know each other yet we are one in the service of God. 

In his homily, Fr. Nilo highlighted the relationship of St. Dominic and St. Francis. He also highlighted St. Francis' love for the Lord, enduring pain and other humiliations, yet he never complains. Those words struck me like a book slamming in my face. Why do I complain a lot? Complaining about my situations in life especially my current job, complaining how difficult it is because I don't have any idea of how I can manage this kind of job, and even complaining my service to God in our Parish. Who am I to complain? It really struck me, so I asked St. Francis to help me, guide me in my work, work efficiently and progress in it without complaining, swallow my pride and accept and consequences that would come that I know would be very inevitable.

After the Holy Mass, we had dinner with different religious communities in Multinational and also had a chance to bond with each other. I also met my new "brothers" in the Conventual Postulancy and I told them that I would return this coming long weekend before All Saints' Day. I enjoyed their company and they helped me inflame the desire to become a religious especially as a friar.

After the celebration, we went home and as for me I still think of that thought that St. Francis never complained even though he encountered countless difficulties and burdens in life. I pray that I may be like him I may accept all the difficulties in my life, pursue the job I am in and also pursue also my vocation to become a religious of the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals.

Our Holy Fathers Dominic and Francis helping each other

Our Holy Father St. Francis, Pray for us.

INA NI KRISTO, INA NG BUHAY

This is the theme of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval de Manila for this year. The Feast day was highlighted by many activities like praying the Rosary daily during the days of the Novena, a Marian exhibit featuring different images of our Lady and the history of the Holy Rosary. All of this activities jived in the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary La Naval de Manila (Sto. Domingo Church) in Quezon City. The highlight of this memorable feast is the grand procession of Our Lady who has been escorted by the Dominican Saints of the Holy Rosary.

"Giyera nga napigilan, ulan pa kaya" These are the words Kuya Jeff Reyes (San Carlos Seminarian) used to describe the miracle that happened on the Feast day of Our Lady (last October 9, 2011). It was raining so hard when we arrived in Sto. Domingo Church, I didn't bring an umbrella and I only had my bag and gala with me, the gala was my protection from the rain because it has a hood. I toured Ate Azon, the Cifra Sisters (Aloy and Princess) inside the church and introduced them to the Dominican Saints. By around 1:30PM I met Fray Oswald, OSA and Fray Cyril, OSA inside the corridors of the convent where the carrozas are staying. I also toured them, unfortunately they weren't allowed to attend the procession because of their kitchen duties in their seminary. I joined the friars in the line in front of Our Lady as per of Rev. Fr. Nilo Lardizabal, OP a very good friend of mine. I would say this is the most memorable La Naval for me because I had the opportunity to touch the mantle of Our Lady and kiss it. I feel very blessed by her, I felt like I was in ecstacy when I touched her, I was paralyzed as I gaze in her beauty and the beauty of the child she's carrying. I was deeply moved, very much moved.

                                            Before the start of the Procession

                      During the Procession: Fr. Guiseppe "Jepoy" Arsciwals, OP (Center)
                                             Rector and Prior of Sto. Domingo Church

                                                     VIVA LA VIRGEN!!!!!!!

              Our Lady of La Naval de Manila as she is removed from her carroza

                                         Our Lady as she ascends her throne

Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III leads the devotees in the solemn consecration to the Lady of the Rosary, I really loved that prayer because of its significant words, words of love for a Mother ready to embrace her children and answer their prayers. Senator Sotto was chosen to lead the consecration because he is known for being an Anti-RH Bill Legislature because we all know that the RH Bill will cause immorality and to top it all, abortion. This is the reason why the title of this blog is the theme for this year's feast, because of the threat to life once the RH Bill has been made to a law.

After the procession, we proceeded to the Church's Convent and had dinner there along with the other religious and guest. The Religious communities who joined the procession are the brothers from the following Orders: Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), Order of Friars Minor Conventuals (Franciscan Conventuals), Order of St. Augustine (Augustinians of the Vicariate of the Orient), the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Congregation of the Most Holy Sacrament (SSS Brothers), Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines), Diocesan Seminarians from San Carlos Seminary and UST Central Seminary. We had fellowship with them by conversing with each other. The whole Dominican community was also present from the Pre-Novices, Novices and the Student Brothers. It's so nice to see the brothers from different congregations conversing, laughing, and sharing thoughts with each other. It is really indeed nice to see brothers come together for Christ. I was really inspired by them, they boosted my desire to become a religious.

                          Picture taking in Bahay Dominiko after the Celebration.


Photos courtesy of Rev. Fr. Nilo A. Lardizabal, OP

WHY DO WE PRAY TO SAINTS?

This is the most frequent question asked by our Protestant brethren. Yes, true we must pray directly to God because He alone can grant us our heart's desires. Catholics should also ask the brethren. "Will you pray for me if I ask you?" or "Will you help me pray for my personal intention?", if the brethren answers "Yes" then we can say to them "that's the function of the Saints, they pray for us, they help us in our prayers. They intercede for us, molding our prayers before offering it to God."


My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there are a lot of texts in the Bible that affirms this doctrine of the Holy Catholic Church, for example in the book of Revelations: "angel offers prayers of the holy ones to God" (Rev. 5:8). Here, St. John the Evangelist perceived the destiny of man at the end of times and he saw that all of the angels pray for God's holy people, they intercede for us. The Saints are those who lived a holy life while they were alive here on Earth, they have been exalted by God at the hour of their death and rewarding them with life everlasting. They are now in the hand of God (Wisdom 3:1-6), the Saints are alive in the Kingdom of God in heaven along with the angels, they intercede for us like angels as stated in Revelation. The Saints does not grant us the prayer that we ask for, as I've said a while ago, only God can grant us our prayer, because God knows our necessities and He will give it to us as long as it is for our own good. The Saint on the other hand helps us pray, we ask for their INTERCESSION, interceding for us to God.


The Saints also act as our models of holiness here on earth because they too are sinners like us but they lived a holy life, following God's will, dodged their sinful life and lived according to God's will. A good example of a sinful man but turned into a great Saint is our Holy Father St. Augustine, he lived a very sinful life but found God and converted by the help of the prayer of her mother, St. Monica. When we are alive we are intercessors as well, but we continue to intercede even after death because we are alive, born again to Eternal Life in the presence of God as the book of Wisdom had said. 


My dear brothers and sisters, this is our call to be intercessors of our brethren to God, intercessors during life and after death. We are called to pray for one another, praying for others is a great expression of love. As the Lord Jesus said: "Love one another as you love yourself' (Mt. 22:39). Like the Saints, may we also be a blessing to others by our constant prayers. God Bless.


"May God our Father give you grace and peace. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you bear toward all the saints." (Col.. 1:4)

                                    All you Holy men and women. Pray for us.

AGUSTINO KANG TOTOO

Last October 15, 2011, Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, OCD, the province of Bulacan witnessed the Thanksgiving Mass of the newly ordained Augustinian Priest, Rev. Fr. John Paul Sevilla-Mabanta, OSA. He was ordained last September 10, 2011 at the Basilica de Sto. Niño de Cebu in Cebu City along with other four friars of the Order.

The Thanksgiving Mass was preceded by a series of activities, first a procession from the Mabanta residence in Barangay San Jose, Bulacan, Bulacan. Neighbors, seminarians and friends joined the procession to the church. The image of the miraculous image of the Sto. Cristo was drawn on an andas and the image of the Lady of the Rosary also joined the procession. The neighbors of the Mabantas danced in the tune of different caracol musics like Sta. Clara pinung-pino.

                                    Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA with his family during the procession

                                             Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA posing before the Mass

                                                        Fr. JP during the processional
During the Mass, the church was filled with guest and others who wants to witness this spectacular event in the life of Fr. JP. At the homily, his former Master of Postulant gave the sermon where he stated the vocation journey of Fr. JP, the ups and downs of his search for his vocation. Finally, he is now a priest, an Augustinian priest.

                                                     SACS Choir singing during the Mass

                                            Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA with his batchmates


After the Mass, we enjoyed dinner with the other guests especially the friars, sharing one another's thoughts and telling stories. The food was delicious and it is perfect for a moment of bonding with friends and other new found friends. The event is very memorable especially to Fr. JP, a journey to find God's will has ended but it has commenced another chapter in his life, to minister to the people of God. I pray that the number of vocations in our nation and also around the world would flourish so they may aid the Church's ministry.

Congratulations Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA. God Bless

                                          Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, Bulacan


Photos courtesy of San Agustin Center of Studies