... tidbit of my personal reflections on the Gospel of the day which is my way of TALKING to myself and to you, so that together we can invite JESUS to WALK with us and ACCOMPANY us unto the PATH he wants us to walk on...
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Daily Talk to Walk On: THE BLESSING OF THE OPPOSITE REACTION!
Daily Talk to Walk On: THE BLESSING OF THE OPPOSITE REACTION!: "Saturday, July 16, 2011 Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial) by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr. Matthew 12: 14 - 21 -------------------..."
THE GOOD SEED AND WEEDS IN US: PROJECT GOODNESS!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 13: 24 - 43
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24 Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.
27 And the servants of the householder came and said to him, `Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?'
28 He said to them, `An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, `Then do you want us to go and gather them?'
29 But he said, `No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
31 Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field;
32 it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
33 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
34 All this Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable.
35 This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."
37 He answered, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of man;
38 the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one,
39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels.
40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age.
41 The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers,
42 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED SUNDAY TO ALL!
The so-called “CRAB MENTALITY” that we Filipinos are very familiar with is fittingly described in this kind of outlook, “if I can’t have it, neither others will.” This kind of mentality creates the attitude of insecurity out of somebody else’s success or advancement and which will eventually lead to jealousy. There are those who would interpret the PCSO controversy that involved some of our Bishops to be a ploy of those who wanted to discredit and pull down the moral ascendancy of the Bishops who keep on challenging and opposing some plans and programs of the government. This view clearly interprets the “Pajero Bishop” controversy as a “WEED-SOWING” strategy that PULLS DOWN the authority and influence of the bishops on the people in taking a stand against some of the government’s stand or policies. And so there are those who are calling for the resignation of the chairperson of PCSO for sowing scandalous intrigue into the Church in creating the so-called “Pajero Bishops” through media blitz. Whether the call for resignation is reasonable enough, commensurate to the “pain and scandal” the controversy caused to the Church, it is not my call to make here.
The Gospel’s presentation of the parable of the Good Seeds and the Weeds provides us with a simple analogy of what happens to real life situation. One of the ways how the “crab mentality” works in pulling someone down is sowing intrigue that would create malice in someone’s good practice or good deeds. This parable only illustrates the reality that there are people who, for whatever reason or motivation, scatter a seed of harm, destruction or damage in someone’s turf. However, what is very interesting is the manner how the owner of the field protested to the suggestion of the servants of pulling out the weeds from among the growing wheat, for in doing so the wheat will also be uprooted. The owner of the field simply allows both the wheat and the weeds to grow together, for in the right time of harvest they will be separated and the weeds will be burned.
As far as farming is concerned, this parable might show the patience of a farmer longing for a rich harvest despite the presence of some weeds that would threaten the growth and quality of the wheat. This would also illustrate how God deals with those of us who become a “BAD INFLUENCE” to others by our bad examples or bad action directly done against anyone that cause them harm. The parable shows how God’s love is poured out to both the GOOD and the BAD, with the HOPE that the BAD will reform and change, while the good persevere in their goodness. The stress in the parable is not so much about the good seed being threatened by the weeds than the weeds being allowed to grow in the field. In other words, the parable invites us to see the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE God has for ALL of us SINNERS that he allows us to continue to receive the GIFT of LIFE each day despite of all our wrong doings just for us to renew and reform ourselves before the great harvest will happen.
At the personal level, we can consider ourselves as the field with both the good seeds and the weeds in us. It is therefore the challenge of the parable of the good seeds and the weeds to cultivate the seed of the “Word of God” and the “fear of the Lord” in our hearts to grow so that the weeds of “vices” and “love for the world” will not choke ourselves and not hinder us to bear manifold good fruits. To make ourselves fruitful, the parable of the MUSTARD SEED invites us to see the power of LITTLE GOOD ACTIONS done habitually will make us into a big tree that will become a source of shade for those in need of guidance, inspiration and refuge or rest. The word of God is already planted into our hearts. All we need to do is to let it grow slowly into a big tree of GOODNESS. In the same manner, the parable of the LEAVEN illustrates how the word of God planted in our hearts will be the dough that will make our habitual performance of good works grow unnoticed and will just develop into a solid character or personality of goodness and righteousness. The overall challenge then is to let the Word of God that is sown into our hearts to grow slowly, even unnoticed and at times being threatened by wrong doings and mistakes, transforming these mistakes and wrong doings into lessons to maturity in following Christ. In the context of the three parables, The Kingdom of God is no other than PROJECT GOODNESS!
For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com
For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com
Saturday, July 16, 2011
THE BLESSING OF THE OPPOSITE REACTION!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 12: 14 - 21
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14 But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him.
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all,
16 and ordered them not to make him known.
17 This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the streets;
20 he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, till he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name will the Gentiles hope."
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED SATURDAY TO ALL!
It is being said always that every action has its corresponding reaction. In physics, as in the Newton
The senate hearing on the so-called “Pajero-Bishops” has lead to many reactions from the people, as could be seen on what we can read in the newspapers. There are those who took a condemning stand against the bishops. Others have expressed some kind of appreciation and commendation of the humility the bishops have shown in accepting some “mistakes” or “lapse in judgment” in their dealing with the PSCO. The best reaction the Church hierarchy to the controversy is best expressed in the CBCP’s Pastoral Statement “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace” which says in part, “We shall examine our values in the light of our vocation to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to the long journey of personal and social transformation required of all disciples of the Lord. We plead with you to walk with us in this path of constant renewal.” Indeed, such reaction somehow reflects the One who the Bishops intend to follow—Jesus. They reacted in HUMILITY and CHARITY, rather than in VENDICTIVENESS and DEFENSE against those who drag them into the controversy that somehow clouded their moral ascendancy as leaders of the Church.
In the Gospel today we see Jesus confronting with those who accused him of many allegations of doing something against their Law and Tradition. Most of his accusers are very vindictive against him. In fact, before any proper investigation done in the most appropriate forum such as the court, the Sanhedrin, they already plotted something evil against him. They conspired to find a way how to destroy or kill him. Jesus, however, was very much aware of the evil intention they have in their hearts. But, instead of doing something against them, Jesus reacted in a very humble and charitable way. Instead of confronting them face to face, and command fire from heaven to strike and destroy all his adversaries, Jesus rather confronts those who suffer and heals them. Jesus reacted to his antagonists and foes by showing LOVE and MERCY.
Jesus REACTS to OPPOSITION with MISSION St. Peter expressed this kind of opposite reaction well when he said, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1Peter 3:9). Christians are called to sow BLESSINGS to everyone.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Daily Talk to Walk On: THE BLESSING OF THE OPPOSITE REACTION!
Daily Talk to Walk On: THE BLESSING OF THE OPPOSITE REACTION!: "Saturday, July 16, 2011 Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial) by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr. Matthew 12: 14 - 21 -------------------..."
GOOD FLAVORING FOR OUR TROUBLED WORLD!
Friday, July 15, 2011
St. Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Feast)
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 5: 13 - 19
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13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
17 "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.
18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
19 Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED FRIDAY TO ALL!
We are living in a very TROUBLED world. People are so anxious, distressed, tormented with the many difficult, complicated, harsh situations and circumstances they are in. Many live in a BITTER and miserable condition. We can just take cognizant of the many evacuation centers overly crowded with children and the elderly due to relocations brought about by landslides and flooding that have killed many of their loved ones. At the personal level, how many have been losing the appetite for life due to neglect and abandonment by those who can help them go through their ordeal and suffering, may it be due to poverty, sickness or any form of deprivation, oppression and exploitation. We can just add the different calamities that wreck havoc in different parts of our country, whether man-made or natural. The daily news on radio, television or newspapers can attest to the many troubles our world is grappling with. We need a GOOD FLAVORING in life to continue to see the splendor of living meaningfully.
In yesterday’s Gospel Jesus asked us to come to him to have our rest. Jesus assures us that he will make our burden light. He never said, however, that he will completely take away our troubles. He indeed moved around doing good things like healing the sick, but he had never taken away SICKNESS in world. He multiplied the loaves and fish to give food to the hungry crowd who came to listen to him, but he never had taken away the plight of HUNGER in the world. Jesus had shown to us what is needed to be done to EASE the TROUBLES of those who are burdened, especially the heavily laden. In fact Jesus once said or lectured his disciples, when they suggested that the perfume a woman poured on his feet be sold so the proceeds would be given to the poor, that the poor will always be with them. The point, therefore, is that the troubles of this world will always be with us. So what is our take on this fact? The Gospel today has its very clear answer.
Troubles will always be with us. For that, Jesus was unequivocal in declaring that those who follow his footsteps are meant to BE the “SALT OF THE EARTH.” This is a declaration, not a calling or invitation but a statement of fact, which makes clear WHAT the Christians MUST BE in the face of the troubles of the world. Christians must be like Jesus, inviting those who are burdened and are heavily laden to find REST in them. Christians must be like God a refuge of the troubled. The earth, our HOME and our only home, is so in need of GOOD FLAVORING from the BITTERNESS of the various troubles it is being assaulted. The message of LOVE is the flavoring that we Christians can offer to our troubled world for it is the only ANTI-DOTE that will make those who are heavily laden with the burden of the world’s troubles find rest. And at the heart of this love is the LOVE of GOD for all. We Christians are sent to proclaim and bring the love of God to everyone. Just like the salt that is used for “preservation” purposes, it is this proclamation and sharing of love that can preserve those who are deeply troubled from hopelessness and desperation by seeing the LIGHT of the BEAUTY of LIFE because of the of love of God shared unto them.
And so, by bringing and sharing the love of God to everyone, Christians will truly become the LIGHT of the WORLD. The Christians will reveal in the world what they are made by the Almighty Creator. They are made, just like all the rest of mankind, in the IMAGE OF GOD. By proclaiming and sharing LOVE to everyone, each Christian makes its true identity shines—an IMAGE OF GOD. And so Jesus challenged every Christian not to become like a lamp that is kept hidden under a bushel. The Lord calls every Christian to let his/her light shine for the WORLD to SEE, because in doing so the world “may see your GOOD WORKS and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” The glory we give to God is dependent on what we “show” to the world. If we only light the FLAME of LOVE in all our ACTIONS, we then give glory to God for God is revealed by our LOVE for others. Therefore, if we fail to love we become like the salt that have lost its saltness that is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com
For your personal comments, you can reach me through this email: sanolorenz@yahoo.com
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Daily Talk to Walk On: GOOD FLAVORING FOR OUR TROUBLED WORLD!
Daily Talk to Walk On: GOOD FLAVORING FOR OUR TROUBLED WORLD!: "Friday, July 15, 2011 St. Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Feast) by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr. Matthew 5: 13 - 19 ----------------..."
Monday, July 11, 2011
OPPOSITION FOR A HEAVENLY CAUSE!
Monday, July 11, 2011
St. Benedict, Abbot (Memorial)
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 10: 34 - 42 | |
34 | "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. |
35 | For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; |
36 | and a man's foes will be those of his own household. |
37 | He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; |
38 | and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. |
39 | He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. |
40 | "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. |
41 | He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. |
42 | And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." |
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED MONDAY TO ALL!
Family unity is a source of strength to each member of the family. A family that is beset with misunderstanding and disagreement cannot provide inspiration and security to its member. Conflict and contradiction in the family would eventually create hostility and hatred among the members. And so there is the saying that goes: united we stand, divided we fall. Therefore, unity and harmony in the family is of prime importance and so an inherent aspiration of every family.
The Gospel today, however, presents to us a very intriguing scenario on family relationship. It seems to go against the natural propensity and aspiration of every family for unity and harmony. Jesus must have shocked his listeners, whom he required in yesterday’s Gospel to listen and hear him, when he declares "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household.” These words must be felt to be too hard by those who listen to him. How can one make these words of Jesus to fall on the good soil of one’s heart for it to bear manifold fruits? One can easily let it pass by and let the “birds” take them, or the “sun” makes it wither, or the “thorns” to choke up, for Jesus’ words can destroy the family. What did Jesus mean when he said that he brings a “sword” than “peace”? Jesus is very clear that he comes to sow opposition and resistance. According to Jesus, in one’s household one finds one’s foes. Is Jesus anti-family?
In one of the Gospel readings last week, specifically last Saturday, Jesus was challenging his disciples not to be afraid to those that destroy the body but what can destroy the soul. If one has to be afraid, one has to have the FEAR of the LORD. I think it is in this context we can understand the full import of the Gospel today. The SWORD that Jesus brings is the uncompromising demand of Jesus to those who listen and hear him to make a CHOICE. Jesus wants us to CHOOSE GOD ABOVE ANYTHING and ANYONE ELSE. One has to make such choice and NOT to be AFRAID about it even if such choice is a SWORD that will CUT one’s family’s harmony into ANTAGONISM and OPPOSITION. Jesus must have said that he will set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and even so make the whole household one’s foe, because he wants us to choose God over our father, mother, siblings and in-laws. That is why Jesus makes it clear that “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Our LOVE for GOD will require us to make Him the FIRST in our lives. That will surely create division from those who will insist themselves to be made the first. This love for God then will demand the giving up of anything/anyone if such attachment can destroy one's soul. Our family and friends can then become our enemy if they hinder us from doing God’s bidding. Making this primary choice for God has its corresponding promise reward from God. We have our entrance into God’s HEAVENLY HOUSEHOLD.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Daily Talk to Walk On: OPPOSITION FOR A HEAVENLY CAUSE!
Daily Talk to Walk On: OPPOSITION FOR A HEAVENLY CAUSE!: "Monday, July 11, 2011 St. Benedict, Abbot (Memorial) by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr. Matthew 10: 34 - 42 34 'Do not think t..."
Daily Talk to Walk On: FEAR, AN ENEMY AND FRIEND!
Daily Talk to Walk On: FEAR, AN ENEMY AND FRIEND!: "Saturday, July 09, 2011 Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr. Matthew 10: 24 - 33 24 'A disciple is..."
Daily Talk to Walk On: TO BE FRUITFUL, LISTEN AND HEAR THE LORD!
Daily Talk to Walk On: TO BE FRUITFUL, LISTEN AND HEAR THE LORD!: "Sunday, July 10, 2011 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr. Matthew 13: 1 - 23 1 That same day J..."
TO BE FRUITFUL, LISTEN AND HEAR THE LORD!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 13: 1 - 23 | |
1 | That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. |
2 | And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. |
3 | And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. |
4 | And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. |
5 | Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, |
6 | but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. |
7 | Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. |
8 | Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. |
9 | He who has ears, let him hear." |
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED SUNDAY TO ALL!
Yesterday’s Gospel had shown to us Jesus giving the mandate to his disciples to go and preach the Kingdom of Heaven without having the fear to those that only destroy the body. The Gospel today focuses on the challenge on how the HEARERS of the PROCLAMATION should RESPOND to what they have heard. And so the Gospel ended with this exhortation, “He who has ears, let him hear.”
Whenever Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God he usually uses parables. He uses it as a strategy in order for his listeners to go to the CORE of what they HEAR. Jesus uses a parable to invite his listeners to not just listen to what he is telling them, as a parable can either be a short story or a saying, but to EXAMINE THEMSELVES. In the case of the Gospel today, Jesus is inviting us to examine ourselves as to what kind of hearers we are of his message. In the Gospel Jesus speaks of a sower, seeds, roots, birds, rocks and soil. Jesus uses this imagery to impart his message as it is very familiar with his audience. With the clear imagery of his parable Jesus intends to lead his listeners to enter into an introspection wherein they will find or identify themselves in the parable. This introspection is meant to elicit a decision on the part of the listeners to hear what Jesus wants him/her to become.
What then this parable of the sower have to do with the Kingdom of God and to those who listen to Jesus’ preaching? Among others, this parable contains a very simple metaphor that will make us assess the kind of response and commitment we have to Jesus’ Word. The parable gives us a picture on the different responses people have to the Goodnews of Jesus and, in turn, yield different fruits. The Goodnews of the Kingdom of God is already been sown and made present among us by Jesus coming. Jesus is the sower of this Goodnews, the in breaking of God’s love into the world that brings the offer of salvation to all. Yet, such offer must be accepted for it to yield its desired fruit—salvation.
However, there are those who receive the Goodnews but never bear the desired fruit, for the listener lacks commitment unto what she/he hears. There are those who simply don’t care about the message, or simply reject it as INSIGNIFICANT just like the seeds that falls on the pathways that never grow because the BIRDS find it good for their food. So here are those who have come to be confronted with the message of Jesus but never consider it to be SIGNIFICANT and RELEVANT as FOOD for their spiritual lives.
Also there are those who accepted the message but never nourished them to bear fruit because their understanding, and in effect their commitment has no depth. The message has never got to reach the very core of their being. Probably Jesus’ message just fire up their interest for a moment which addresses their curiosity or it simply appeal to their intellectual thirst, but never take root deep in their hearts because they never let it grow. Their hearts might be too tight to let Jesus message grow because it is so loaded with the ROCKS of worldly concerns that it lacks the soil of spiritual thirst for heavenly treasures. These worldly concerns stifled the growth and maturity to fruition of the message of Jesus in the person’s life that even the coming of the opportunity of the sun of spiritual nourishment cannot revive the withered and barren heart.
There are those whose hearts are really prepared to receive the message but cannot allow the message to grow because of the many voices around that bring THORNS that choked up the message to take root and grow. These are people who are truly spiritually thirsting, but their liberal views to life clouds their hearts from truly comprehending and accepting completely the message of Jesus. These thorns of the different voices and philosophies are growing more rapidly than the Goodnews of Jesus. Their hearts are soaked with confusions as to find out what is the truth among the many voices around.
But there is the fertile soil that nourishes the seeds to grow and yield the desired fruits in different quantities. These are the people who do not just listen but hears the Lord. To listen is to be aware of the Goodnews of the Lord. But to hear the Lord is to get into the bottom of the demand of the message of the Lord. To listen is simply to know what is being said by the Lord, but to hear is to commit oneself to what one is being told, and most especially to commit to the One who speaks, the Lord Jesus. It is only through this listening and hearing that the message will truly bear manifold fruits. Let us then not just hunger and thirst for the Word of God, but must also LISTEN and HEAR him who SPEAKS the Words of Life.
Friday, July 8, 2011
FEAR, AN ENEMY AND FRIEND!
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 10: 24 - 33
24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master;
25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el'zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
26 "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
27 What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will.
30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven;
33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED SATURDAY TO ALL!
FEAR is something that we are very familiar with. At some point in our lives we were afraid about something. The Blessed Virgin Mary, whose memorial we celebrate today in our Church calendar, was afraid when the angel Gabriel appeared to her for the annunciation for her to become the mother of Jesus. The disciples were afraid when their boat was tossed by the big waves while Jesus was sound asleep. Most students are afraid to participate in every recitation. I would like to suppose that Jesus could have felt fear when he was about to face his “finals days” in Jerusalem that when he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane he was so anxious and prayed that the Father will let the cup of suffering pass him by. Fear is a very common experience we have in our lives. There are many reasons to our fears. Many have considered fear to be our WORST ENEMY. It can do a lot of damage to us, physically, mentally, psychologically, spiritually, etc. Fear is always associated with the awareness, may it be anticipated or actual, of some THREAT or DANGER. Dr. Philip Holder, PhD considers fear to be caused by an anticipation of a LOSS.
The most dreaded loss that most people are afraid of is the LOSS of one’s LIFE. And so Jesus challenged his disciples, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” In this challenge Jesus would seem to be transforming fear into a positive force in his disciples. Fear can alarm us of something that we need to be concerned, prepared or ready about. Fear can then makes us become RESPONSIBLE and ACT accordingly. And so Jesus is then warning his disciples not to be afraid to those that can only destroy or kill their bodies, but rather be afraid to what can destroy both body and soul. Jesus is making his disciple to be prepared to face whatever adversity that may come in the performance of their task of proclaiming the dawning of the Kingdom of God. Jesus is forewarning his disciples that they too will walk on the same path of animosity that their Master, Jesus himself, has been walking on all along his missionary journeys. Jesus shows then that FEAR can also be our GOOD FRIEND. Fear can transform us to become full of courage and zeal in facing what would make others remain to tremble in fear.
The mandate to all the disciple of Christ is to PROCLAIM the Goodnews of salvation and be a WITNESS of Jesus before men, testifying in the light what the master declared unto them in the dark and proclaim in the housetops what the master has whispered unto their ears. A true disciple is one who stands by the master at all cost. If a disciple then is to be afraid, he/she must only have FEAR of the LORD. For when the Lord denies him/her before the Father, it is not only his/her body can be destroyed but also his/her soul. If we have to be afraid then, let us have fear of the Lord who has the power to send us to hell. Let our FAITH then transforms all our fears into FEAR of the LORD so that we will not be afraid of whatever loss we may have, except the fear of losing one’s soul by going to hell.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Daily Talk to Walk On: A CALL TO AUSTERITY AND SIMPLICITY!
Daily Talk to Walk On: A CALL TO AUSTERITY AND SIMPLICITY!: "Thursday, July 07, 2011 Weekday by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr. Matthew 10: 7 – 15 7 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heav..."
A CALL TO AUSTERITY AND SIMPLICITY!
Weekday
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 10: 7 – 15
7 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.
9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts,
10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food.
11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart.
12 As you enter the house, salute it.
13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.
15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED THURSDAY TO ALL!
One of the hot issues these past days that rock the Church is the alleged PCSO “cars” and “cash gifts” given to Catholic Bishops. These allegations created a lot of reactions. A lawmaker even considered it to be a “sin” for alleging that the Church is competing in obtaining what is legitimately due for the countless indigent patients and other legitimate beneficiaries. There are leaders of the Church who expressed their allegation that these Bishops were singled out because of their strong anti-position on the passage of the RH bill. Whatever is the “truth” behind this controversy is not the point of my reflection. This is for the competent authority on the matter to settle and the Church hierarchy to clear up.
The above controversy, however, has some bearing on the Gospel today. Jesus charged his disciples to preach the Kingdom of heaven, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Yet in doing so Jesus seem to indicate, at the same time, that they will NOT carryout their mission for PROFIT or INCOME, or any MATERIAL REWARD. Jesus was very explicit and direct in his reasoning, “You received without paying, give without pay.” This simply means that they must serve without any interest for recompense. Furthermore, it is a demand that sets the prime direction and goal of the disciples’ missionary activity that they have to perform FOR the GLORY of GOD ALONE, that they must render service to others as service for God and not for any other material profit or reward for themselves.
Jesus did not even indicate an easy and comfortable missionary journey that the disciples will take in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven
Sunday, July 3, 2011
KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS IS POWER!
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 11: 25 - 30 | |
25 | At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; |
26 | yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. |
27 | All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. |
28 | Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. |
29 | Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. |
30 | For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." |
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED SUNDAY TO ALL!
We have heard the popular adage that KNOWLEDGE is POWER. And so many come to the strong conviction that education is the key to fighting poverty, attaining a stable and well-paid profession, and a necessity in designing and implementing laws and programs for the common good. Parents unwaveringly remind their children to study hard for education is the best “pamana” that they can receive from them. Once it is achieved, it can never be stolen. Yet, there are those who has the best education but don’t have the best HEART. They used the knowledge they get from their education to control and manipulate people to serve their own interest. Moreover, there are those who think HIGHLY of themselves over others because of the knowledge they possess. Their knowledge leads them to become PROUD, ARROGANT and EGOTISTICAL. Masyadong belib sa sarili.
People spend a lot of money for research to come up with new discoveries for the betterment of life and the world. In the field of medicine there many scientists who are in almost solitary confinement in the laboratories just to find the cure in many diseases that threaten the integrity of the human health and life. In the field of education, researches have been done in different areas to broaden the horizon of knowledge to understand the different aspects of life and to come up with different theories and strategies in the best way possible in imparting knowledge to the learners. In the field of technology, experiments and inventions are being made for the purpose of making everything easy, instant and profitable. There are many more to mention as to how people invest anything just to KNOW something for KNOWLEDGE is POWER!
Yet, oftentimes, many failed just to take a LITTLE moment of SILENCE to LISTEN to the SOURCE of all knowledge. Many are so distracted and get busy by the concerns of the world that they failed to be in communion to the One who can give TRUE KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM. Many have FORGOTTEN GOD. What is so sad is that those who brag to be intelligent and knowledgeable are the ones who failed to recognize God. For these people GOD is DEAD! And so in the Gospel today Jesus said, in the mode of prayer, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.”
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