Eze 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 / 1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17 / John 2:13-22 (2023)
Today the Universal Church celebrates the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome because it is the head and mother church of all churches in the world.
The fact is that the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Pope’s cathedral because St. John Lateran's Basilica is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope.
The first basilica on the site was built in the 4th century when the Roman emperor Constantine donated land he had received from the wealthy Lateran family.
That structure and its successors suffered fire, earthquake and the ravages of war, but the Lateran remained the Church where popes were consecrated until the popes returned from Avignon in the 14th century, after which they resided in St. Peter's.
The dedication of this Church is a feast for all Roman Catholics because St. John Lateran is the parish church of all Catholics since it is the pope's cathedral.
This church is the spiritual home of the people who belong to the Roman Catholic Church.
In celebrating the dedication of the Pope’s cathedral, we show our unity with the Pope and our love and respect for him, as well as our obedience and faithfulness to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
It also shows that we are united with each other in the Universal Church. St. Paul described this unity in the Church in the 2nd reading as God's Temple with the Spirit of God living in us and uniting us.
Henceforth it is our duty and mission to keep ourselves free of sin and defilement so as not to turn God's house into a market or, worst still, into a thieves' den.
More importantly, we must be united in heart and mind, and worship in Spirit and truth, so that the Church would be like what is described as the Temple in the 1st reading - with living waters flowing out to bring about healing and reconciliation, and bearing fruits of life and love.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
31st Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 08-11-12
Philippians 3:3-8 / Luke 15:1-10
When we do an honest assessment of ourselves, then we may have to admit that we are quite comfortable and secure in life.
Most of us are fairly healthy, besides some aches and pains here and there; we have adequate food, clothing and shelter, even though we have to deal with some worries and anxieties along the way.
So generally speaking, we do have what it takes to go on in life. We are not really in dire straits or in any great disadvantage whatsoever.
Yet, St. Paul would say in the 1st reading that he had come to consider all the advantages that he had as disadvantages.
Indeed, all would seem as disadvantage if he does not have the supreme advantage of knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord.
In the gospel, the tax collectors and sinners were deemed as outcasts and a disadvantaged lot. The Pharisees, especially would see them as unfit for salvation and beyond redemption.
Yet Jesus would say that it was the tax collectors and sinners who had the advantage now because they have come to seek the company Jesus and to hear what He had to say.
Indeed of all the things that we are seeking and yearning for in life, none can ever be greater than that of seeking the company of Jesus and listening to what He had to say to us.
Jesus is always and everywhere with us - in our prayer and in every moment of our lives.
We just need to seek His company and listen to His promptings in our hearts. Then like the angels, we too will rejoice.
When we do an honest assessment of ourselves, then we may have to admit that we are quite comfortable and secure in life.
Most of us are fairly healthy, besides some aches and pains here and there; we have adequate food, clothing and shelter, even though we have to deal with some worries and anxieties along the way.
So generally speaking, we do have what it takes to go on in life. We are not really in dire straits or in any great disadvantage whatsoever.
Yet, St. Paul would say in the 1st reading that he had come to consider all the advantages that he had as disadvantages.
Indeed, all would seem as disadvantage if he does not have the supreme advantage of knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord.
In the gospel, the tax collectors and sinners were deemed as outcasts and a disadvantaged lot. The Pharisees, especially would see them as unfit for salvation and beyond redemption.
Yet Jesus would say that it was the tax collectors and sinners who had the advantage now because they have come to seek the company Jesus and to hear what He had to say.
Indeed of all the things that we are seeking and yearning for in life, none can ever be greater than that of seeking the company of Jesus and listening to what He had to say to us.
Jesus is always and everywhere with us - in our prayer and in every moment of our lives.
We just need to seek His company and listen to His promptings in our hearts. Then like the angels, we too will rejoice.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
31st Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 07-11-12
Philippians 2:12-18 / Luke 14:25-33
On a clear night sky, we may be able to see a few stars. Yet in other places (as in other countries) we may be able to see a night sky filled with stars.
But whether it is a few stars or a multitude of stars, we are usually mesmerised by them.
Some stars twinkle, some don't. Whatever it may be, stars give us a sense of mystery and songs have been composed about them, from nursery rhymes to ballads to pop.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul used the imagery of stars to refer to the Christians of Philippi.
He told them to "do all that has to be done without complaining or arguing and then you will be innocent and genuine, perfect children of God among a deceitful and underhand brood, and you will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life."
But as we know by now, stars shine because they burn themselves and give out light and heat.
Similarly, the Philippians were urged to make sacrifices and offerings to God so that they will continue to shine like stars.
In the gospel, Jesus said that any who does not carry his cross and come after Him cannot be His disciple.
In other words, we must be willing to deny ourselves and make love sacrifices and offerings for the salvation of the world.
Then we will shine like stars in the night sky and point to the mystery of God's love.
On a clear night sky, we may be able to see a few stars. Yet in other places (as in other countries) we may be able to see a night sky filled with stars.
But whether it is a few stars or a multitude of stars, we are usually mesmerised by them.
Some stars twinkle, some don't. Whatever it may be, stars give us a sense of mystery and songs have been composed about them, from nursery rhymes to ballads to pop.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul used the imagery of stars to refer to the Christians of Philippi.
He told them to "do all that has to be done without complaining or arguing and then you will be innocent and genuine, perfect children of God among a deceitful and underhand brood, and you will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life."
But as we know by now, stars shine because they burn themselves and give out light and heat.
Similarly, the Philippians were urged to make sacrifices and offerings to God so that they will continue to shine like stars.
In the gospel, Jesus said that any who does not carry his cross and come after Him cannot be His disciple.
In other words, we must be willing to deny ourselves and make love sacrifices and offerings for the salvation of the world.
Then we will shine like stars in the night sky and point to the mystery of God's love.
Monday, November 5, 2012
31st Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 06-11-12
Philippians 2:5-11 / Luke 14:15-24
One of the main distractions in our prayer time is that our minds are filled with thoughts about almost anything and everything.
But it is not just about anything and everything; it is anything and everything about ourselves.
Our thoughts will just surface when we want to settle down for prayer and we will start thinking of the things we have not yet done and the things that we want to do but have not found the time for.
And on top of that there are also the worries and the anxieties of life that come flooding in and often we feel that prayer time is a distressful time instead of a peaceful time.
We get discouraged because we feel we are not going anywhere in prayer and we may eventually give up on prayer.
Yet the gospel parable tells us that God is inviting us to sit down at the banquet with Him and feast on the riches of His love.
Just as the 1st reading said of Jesus in that He did not cling to His equality with God but emptied Himself to assume the condition of a slave, we too need to empty our hearts in prayer and to know that we can't solve all the problems of our lives just by thinking about them.
We have to put it into the God's hands in prayer and then to let God's love and peace fill our hearts.
When our hearts are filled with God's love and peace at prayer, then we will know what to do.
One of the main distractions in our prayer time is that our minds are filled with thoughts about almost anything and everything.
But it is not just about anything and everything; it is anything and everything about ourselves.
Our thoughts will just surface when we want to settle down for prayer and we will start thinking of the things we have not yet done and the things that we want to do but have not found the time for.
And on top of that there are also the worries and the anxieties of life that come flooding in and often we feel that prayer time is a distressful time instead of a peaceful time.
We get discouraged because we feel we are not going anywhere in prayer and we may eventually give up on prayer.
Yet the gospel parable tells us that God is inviting us to sit down at the banquet with Him and feast on the riches of His love.
Just as the 1st reading said of Jesus in that He did not cling to His equality with God but emptied Himself to assume the condition of a slave, we too need to empty our hearts in prayer and to know that we can't solve all the problems of our lives just by thinking about them.
We have to put it into the God's hands in prayer and then to let God's love and peace fill our hearts.
When our hearts are filled with God's love and peace at prayer, then we will know what to do.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
31st Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 05-11-12
Philippians 2:1-4 / Luke 14:12-14 (2022)
One of the ways to motivate people is to entice them with rewards.
Organizations use that strategy, companies use it, society uses it and even the family would use it.
This idea of rewards springs from the fact that we usually ask ourselves before we embark on a task: What is in it for me? What am I going to gain from it?
At the back of our minds, we are already thinking of the possible reward, the kind of returns, the expected gains and the tangible as well as intangible benefits.
Yet all that points to our self-centeredness and our ego, our pride and our desires that are connected to it.
And that is what the 1st reading as well as the gospel is addressing.
St. Paul urged the Philippians that if their life in Christ meant anything to them, then they would be united in heart and mind, and there will be no competition and conceit.
Also nobody will think of his own interests first but everybody will think of other people's interest instead.
In the gospel, Jesus went further against the grain of human behaviour by teaching the way of total giving without even thinking of getting anything in return.
The point is that all we do should be for God and before God. After all whatever we do and whatever we give is not ours but given to us by God in the first place.
So if all that we do is for the glory of God, then we won't be looking for rewards and returns. Then we will truly feel the joy in doing whatever we do and giving in whatever we give because we know we do it for God and before God.
One of the ways to motivate people is to entice them with rewards.
Organizations use that strategy, companies use it, society uses it and even the family would use it.
This idea of rewards springs from the fact that we usually ask ourselves before we embark on a task: What is in it for me? What am I going to gain from it?
At the back of our minds, we are already thinking of the possible reward, the kind of returns, the expected gains and the tangible as well as intangible benefits.
Yet all that points to our self-centeredness and our ego, our pride and our desires that are connected to it.
And that is what the 1st reading as well as the gospel is addressing.
St. Paul urged the Philippians that if their life in Christ meant anything to them, then they would be united in heart and mind, and there will be no competition and conceit.
Also nobody will think of his own interests first but everybody will think of other people's interest instead.
In the gospel, Jesus went further against the grain of human behaviour by teaching the way of total giving without even thinking of getting anything in return.
The point is that all we do should be for God and before God. After all whatever we do and whatever we give is not ours but given to us by God in the first place.
So if all that we do is for the glory of God, then we won't be looking for rewards and returns. Then we will truly feel the joy in doing whatever we do and giving in whatever we give because we know we do it for God and before God.
Friday, November 2, 2012
30th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 03-11-12
Philippians 1:18-26 / Luke 14:1, 7-11
Usually when we talk of a dilemma, we are probably talking about a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable.
In other words, in our minds, it is the the worst case scenario with two choices. The imagery would be like that of a choice of a crash landing on a rock or on a hard ground.
In the dilemmas of life, when life seems like a mess of rotten scrambled eggs, what come to the minds of people would be to press the self-destruct button and end it all.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul spoke of a dilemma. But it was a very different kind of dilemma in that there were two options or possibilities and both of which were good for him.
It was like a best case scenario, in that life to him is Christ and death would mean that he would be forever with Christ.
He would want to be forever with Christ but he also thought that to stay alive on this earth would be a more urgent need for the sake of the community.
Whichever way it goes, what made him happy was that Christ is proclaimed and that he will also receive the fruits of salvation - it was a happy dilemma for him.
And from the parable that Jesus told in the gospel we know this truth about life. When we want to exalt ourselves we end up in the dilemma of the worst case scenario - either embarrassment or humiliation
But when we humble ourselves we will have the "dilemma" of the best case scenario. So to be humble or want to be exalted is our choice, but we will have to face the dilemma of our choice.
Usually when we talk of a dilemma, we are probably talking about a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable.
In other words, in our minds, it is the the worst case scenario with two choices. The imagery would be like that of a choice of a crash landing on a rock or on a hard ground.
In the dilemmas of life, when life seems like a mess of rotten scrambled eggs, what come to the minds of people would be to press the self-destruct button and end it all.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul spoke of a dilemma. But it was a very different kind of dilemma in that there were two options or possibilities and both of which were good for him.
It was like a best case scenario, in that life to him is Christ and death would mean that he would be forever with Christ.
He would want to be forever with Christ but he also thought that to stay alive on this earth would be a more urgent need for the sake of the community.
Whichever way it goes, what made him happy was that Christ is proclaimed and that he will also receive the fruits of salvation - it was a happy dilemma for him.
And from the parable that Jesus told in the gospel we know this truth about life. When we want to exalt ourselves we end up in the dilemma of the worst case scenario - either embarrassment or humiliation
But when we humble ourselves we will have the "dilemma" of the best case scenario. So to be humble or want to be exalted is our choice, but we will have to face the dilemma of our choice.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
All Souls Day ( Yr B), Friday, 02-11-12
Isaiah 25:6-9 / Romans 5:5-11 / Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6
Today, we the Church observe All Souls Day and we commemorate the faithful departed and we remember them in our prayers and especially at Mass.
Today, we the Church observe All Souls Day and we commemorate the faithful departed and we remember them in our prayers and especially at Mass.
Yesterday, we the Church, joined with all the Saints who already rejoice in heaven, and today we unite ourselves spiritually with all those who are being purified in Purgatory, so that they may join the saints and angels of the heavenly city in time to come.
Today, as we remember our departed loved ones and the faithful departed, we not only call to mind their memory, but more importantly we also offer Mass and prayers for them.
That is indeed a great act of faith in that we believe that our prayers can help those in Purgatory and that one day they too, will enter the heavenly city and enjoy eternal rest and peace.
This act of faith stems from our belief in the Resurrection, that Jesus died and rose again, and that God is God not of the dead but of the living.
Indeed, the departed do not just vanish out of sight and hence out of mind. In faith and in prayer, we are connected to them and it is by the love of God that we the living are united with the departed.
Visiting the departed at the cemetery or at the columbarium is a very profound sign that we are still in relationship with the departed as well as an affirmation of the fact that they are spiritually alive.
Although death leaves a heartache no one can heal, yet prayers offered with love leave a memory for the departed that no one can steal.
Yet, let us remember that "death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come" (Tagore).
May our departed loved ones, and the faithful departed, rest in God's peace and may eternal light shine on them.
Indeed, the departed do not just vanish out of sight and hence out of mind. In faith and in prayer, we are connected to them and it is by the love of God that we the living are united with the departed.
Visiting the departed at the cemetery or at the columbarium is a very profound sign that we are still in relationship with the departed as well as an affirmation of the fact that they are spiritually alive.
Although death leaves a heartache no one can heal, yet prayers offered with love leave a memory for the departed that no one can steal.
Yet, let us remember that "death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come" (Tagore).
May our departed loved ones, and the faithful departed, rest in God's peace and may eternal light shine on them.
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