Weekly Reflection

Second Sunday of Lent
“At His Transfiguration, Christ showed His disciples the splendor of His beauty, to which He will shape and color those who are His: He will reform the lowness configured to the body of His glory.” St. Thomas Aquinas

In today’s first reading, Abraham sets on a journey with his only son, Isaac, to offer sacrifice to God. In faith, Abraham is prepared to sacrifice his only son, born in his old age. God stopped him from offering his son and blesses him with the gift of innumerable descendants. In the second reading, St. Paul reiterates, “If God is for us, no one can be against us.” We have an advocate who is always interceding for us because His love has no limit. St. Mark, in the gospel, narrates the transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Peter, James, and John. God the Father affirms and reveals the identity of Jesus as His beloved Son. Peter wants to savor the sweetness of the scene as he wishes to build three tents. Indeed, it is good to experience the beatific vision of Jesus.

In the first week of Lent, we reflected on the theme of Temptation. A reminder that no one is above the lure of the devil. The second week of lent focuses on the transfiguration of Jesus. This theme reminds us of our Lenten observances results. The entire season is about transformation and readiness to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus by dying with him on Good Friday with our sins and rising to a new life on Easter Sunday. Through the Holy Spirit and the fruits of our Lenten observances of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the grace of God strengthens us.

Let us walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

First Sunday of Lent
"Lent is a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God to defeat the temptations of the evil one. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith, prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our baptism.” Pope Benedict XVI

Today's first reading recounts how our merciful God chose Noah's family to renew the original covenant - "See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you." The renewal by the flood symbolizes our liberation from original sin through the water of baptism. In the second reading, St. Peter connects Noah's rescue and our baptism, "God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. This prefigured baptism, which saves you now." St. Mark, in the gospel reading, briefly tells of Jesus' temptation in the desert by the devil.

The reception of the sacrament of baptism does not shield us from experiencing the devil's daily lures. Baptism cleanses us from original sin, makes us children of God and members of His household. It empowers our determination to resist the temptations of the devil with faith, prayer, scripture, and penance. Temptation is not a sin, but it becomes a sin when we intentionally consent to it. These we learn from Jesus' temptation in the desert. The season of Lent offers many opportunities to act like Jesus in the face of temptation. It is a season of spiritual advancement and Christian growth.

What can we do during this season of Lent?
- Participate in the Stations of the Cross.
- Mortify our bodies.
- Read and listen to the word of God.
- Create time for personal prayers.
- Practice almsgiving.
- Fight our addictions.
- Receive the sacrament of penance.
- Battle the devil within us.

The Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

"We should all realize that no matter where or how a man dies, if he is in the state of mortal sin and does not repent, when he could have done so and did not, the Devil tears his soul from his body with such anguish and distress that only a person who has experienced it can appreciate it." - St. Francis of Assisi 

In today's first reading, the Lord instructs Moses and Aaron on how to treat lepers. The one with leprosy must come to the priest, Aaron, who shall declare the person clean or unclean. Such an unclean person must dwell apart from the people outside of the camp. In the second reading, St. Paul writing to the Corinthians encourages us to be holy by doing everything to God's glory. In the gospel reading, Jesus cures the leper and instructs him to present himself to the priest as prescribed by Moses to prove his healing. 

Among the ancient Jews, leprosy is considered both a physical and spiritual disease. Anyone inflicted with leprosy is deemed to be unclean and separated from the community. Placing the situation of leprosy side by side with the sacrament of penance elucidates today's readings. When we sin, like the lepers, we are separated from God’s community. We need to return to Jesus, who is present in the priest, to be reconciled to the community and God. This process begins like that of the leper who trusts that Jesus can heal him. We, too, must come to Jesus in the sacrament of penance with trust that Jesus would heal and forgive us. 

As you reflect on the physical and spiritual consequence of sin, consider answering these questions: 
 -    Are you aware of the spiritual and physical effect of sin in your life? 
 -    When was the last time you went to the sacrament of penance? 
 -    Do you know Jesus is patiently waiting to ask him for the forgiveness of your sins? 

Who will you turn to? “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.”  

The Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.” St. Teresa of Calcutta

In today’s first reading, Job describes human suffering through his experience. When Job looks at his condition, he admits that his situation is worse than a laborer who at least rests at night. Because of his pain and sorrow, he lies restlessly awaiting the dawn without hope. Thus, he concludes, “Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.” In the second reading, St. Paul confesses the necessity to proclaim God’s word, “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” In the gospel reading, Jesus exercises his power over human sorrow and pain by curing them, “He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons.”

On this fifth Sunday, we reflect on the plight of human suffering. Often, Christians attempt to understand God’s role in human sufferings from two perspectives. First, there is the conviction that God permits suffering to portray the depth of his love for us - through suffering, God purifies us. Second, there is the notion that God allows suffering as punishment for sin. Irrespective of our views of suffering, it is a reality we must accept as part of humanity. It comes daily, and we have no control over it. We must embrace it, allow Jesus to work through us as he did in the gospel reading, and support one another at those critical moments. 

As you reflect on human suffering, consider answering these questions:
 -     What is your understanding of human suffering?
 -     Where do you find strength and relief when in pain and sorrow?
 -     Do you identify and support others at their difficult moments?

“One must not think that a person who is suffering is not praying. He is offering up his sufferings to God, and many a time he is praying much, more truly than one who goes away by himself and meditates his head off, and, if he has squeezed out a few tears, thinks that is prayer.” St. Teresa of Avila.

The Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
“The goal of human freedom is not in freedom itself, nor it is in man, but in God. By giving man freedom, God has yielded to man a piece of His divine authority, but with the intention that man himself would voluntarily bring it as a sacrifice to God, a most perfect offering.” - St. Theophan the Recluse.
 
The fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time invites us to reflect on Divine Authority. In today’s first reading, Moses spoke of the Lord’s intention to send a prophet like him. He mentioned that the prophet would speak with authority. Those who fail to listen to the prophet will be held accountable. Moses affirmed the Lord would not spare false prophets. In the second reading, St. Paul taught on unmarried and married life. He enumerated the advantages of those who chose to remain single in serving the Lord. In the gospel reading, Jesus spoke to the Jews with authority as He fulfills the prophecy of Moses in today’s first reading, “A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kin; to him, you shall listen.” Indeed, the Jews listened with amazement, “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” Jesus used His Divine Authority to teach and set us free from evil spirits. He is still very much among us, guiding us daily with authority and setting us free.

We must imitate Jesus by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us. As priests, prophets, kings, leaders, and supervisors, we must instruct with Christ’s authority. In words and actions, we testify to the power of Jesus to liberate, comfort, serve, and love others. 
 
As you reflect on Jesus’ Divine Authority, consider answering these questions:
 -     Do you recognize the authority of Jesus in His Church?
 -     Do you employ the power of God to bring joy to others or to inflict anguish?
 -     What are you ready to sacrifice to establish God’s authority among us?

The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
“Be ashamed when you sin, don't be ashamed when you repent (To repent means to have a change of heart and mind. It is not simply a feeling of sorrow, but a psycho/spiritual growth away from evil/death and a turning to God/life). Sin is the wound; repentance is the medicine. Sin is followed by shame; repentance is followed by boldness (Boldness means to beg God for undeserved mercy). Satan has overturned this order and given boldness to sin and shame to repentance.” – St. John Chrysostom.

In today's first reading, the Lord instructed Jonah to embark on a mission to the Ninevites. Delivering God's message, the people of Nineveh repented, "when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth." Because they responded positively to the forty days more before the city's destruction, God did not execute his plans. In the second reading, St. Paul encouraged us to waste no time in accepting the gospel's message of repentance in anticipation of his second coming. In the Gospel reading, Jesus proclaimed repentance as he invited Simon, Andrew, James, and John.

The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time invites us to reflect on repentance and our response to God's invitation. Like the people of Nineveh, let us respond to God's warning to repent from our sins and be faithful to the gospel. Amazingly, God is never tired of giving us second chances. The offer is left for us to accept or reject. The needed action is a contrite heart ready to approach God for forgiveness. 

As you reflect on the call to repentance, consider answering these questions:
 -      When was the last time you acknowledged your sins before God?
 -      Do you know God is anxiously waiting on you to forgive your sins?
 -      Are you prepared to respond to God's invitation to be His disciple? 

The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
“Vocation does not come from a voice out there calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice in here calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original self-hood given me at birth by God.” – Thomas Merton

Today’s first reading recounts the call and response of Samuel. Eli assisted Samuel in identifying God’s voice with the instruction, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” In the second reading, St. Paul teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit meant to glorify God. In the Gospel, John the Baptist shows Jesus to his disciples, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew, one of the two disciples, invites his brother, Simon Peter, to meet with Jesus - “We have found the Messiah.”

The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time invites us to reflect on our Divine Vocation. We are formed, from our mother's womb, to fulfill a specific mission on earth. God keeps revealing himself for us to understand and achieve our mission. We need to listen to His gentle voice directing us to follow our Divine Vocation. Sometimes, the process of recognizing God's message is complicated and unclear. Like Samuel unable to discern God's voice, we must be open to the "Eli's" around us for guidance. We must be eager like Andrew to invite others to testify to the Lamb of God.

As you reflect on your Divine Vocation, consider answering these questions:
-       Have you recognized your Divine Vocation?
-       Are you ready to help others, like Eli, identify their goal and purpose?
-       Are you as eager as Andrew to draw your brothers and sisters to Christ?

The Baptism of the Lord
“The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism.” - St. Ambrose of Milan.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah tells of the servant and his mission - "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations." St. Peter reflecting on the baptism of Cornelius, in the second reading, affirmed that God is impartial because He is open to whoever accepts Him and acts uprightly. In the gospel reading, St. Mark wrote of the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan by John the Baptist.

The baptism of the Lord, like the visit of the magi, is another epiphany of Jesus. His baptism is significant because it revealed His personality, mission, identification with sinners, and endorsement to begin his ministry. After His baptism at the river Jordan, came the voice from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased." Jesus is the beloved Son of God, who came to reconcile us to His Father. He accepted baptism to identify with sinners and set an example for us. The baptism of the Lord was the inauguration of His mission. Through the Holy Spirit's descend, Jesus was commissioned to begin His ministry.

Today's celebration reminds us of our identity in Christ and our mission in the world. By our baptism in Christ, we are sons and daughters of God called to share in his love. May the light of Christ continue to enlighten us to know, love, and serve God in humanity.