Gospel for July 13, 2008 - Matthew 13:1-23 Parable of the Sower

In this gospel, Jesus uses the Parable of the Sower to illustrate the outcome of seeds that fall on different types of soil. The picture drawn by Jesus in this parable represents two parts in contrast: one bears on the failure on the part of the seed when it falls on unsuitable ground and the other, on the success of the rest of the seed where the seed yields an abundant harvest after it falls on rich soil.

The parable is fundamentally optimistic in its conclusion. This is shown in Jesus’ use of extraordinary figures such as “a hundred, sixty or thirtyfold” to describe the produced fruit. According to historians, the average yield of the harvest is only 7.5. Palestinian soil could never have reached the degree of fertility that Jesus mentioned in this parable. And during those times in Palestine, much of the seed is wasted as they are scattered on unsuitable ground because the sowing often preceded the tilling of the soil. Yet while much of the seed fails to produce fruit, Jesus stresses that the seed that falls on good ground bears fruit in extraordinary large measure that outbalances the losses. In this parable, Jesus wanted to highlight triumph over failure.

In our lives, at one time or another, we experienced failure or disappointment in failed relationships, difficult people, career problems or unfulfilled dreams. The message of this gospel is that we should not lose hope or give in to discouragement. The seeds that God planted in our life will eventually yield a bountiful harvest that will overshadow the failures of our past. So long as we strive for what is aligned to God’s will and let Him take control, we must trust that He is aware of our needs and that He continues to shape us into the persons He wants us to be.

What difficulties are you faced with right now in your life? List them down and offer them up in prayer to the Lord. Submit to His will, allow Him to take control and trust in the bountiful harvest He has prepared for you.

Source: Nil Guillemette, SJ. Parables for Today, pp. 26-30.

Gospel for June 8, 2008 - Matthew 9:9-13 Jesus Eats with the Tax Collectors (By Mike Gan)

During the time of Jesus, very few were hated more than the tax collectors. This hate stems from two things: one, tax collectors often resorted to extortion in order to gain profit. Two, they were considered traitors to their people because they are collecting taxes for the enemy, the Romans.

In this Sunday’s gospel however, Jesus chose to call Matthew, a hated tax collector, to become His disciple. The significance of Jesus’ choice is made further evident when one considers that very few people mentioned in the gospels are specifically named by the gospel writers. Jesus’ choice of Matthew the tax collector leaves no room for doubt that Jesus wanted to raise a point.

But Jesus raised no less than a scandal in making that point. He later shared a meal with Matthew and his friends, who unsurprisingly were like Matthew himself: tax collectors. For the self-righteous Pharisees, this was intolerable and, in fact, scandalous because Jesus was considered a religious teacher.

In Jesus’ time and more so under Judaism, sharing a meal signifies a participation in the host’s “benediction” at the start of the meal; and so, it means an association before God. In the eyes of the self-righteous Pharisees, Jesus was associating himself before God with the enemies of God. Tax collectors are sinners in their eyes and all sinners are God’s enemies.

Sinners, especially the worst ones, are the preferred people who are called to be disciples. Of course, this is not to say that one must sin, to become a disciple. It is to say that self-righteousness has no place in Jesus’ disciple. When we begin to think that we are closer to God than the other person, then we become closer to the Pharisees.

Application Questions:

Among those we encounter in our everyday life, who do we consider as self-centered, difficult, or sinful? What is my attitude towards people them?

By Mike Gan (May 31, 2008)

Commentary for Sunday Gospel of June 1, 2008 - Matthew 7:21-27 The House Built on a Rock

This is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7). Matthew’s audience were Jews who became Christians, and yet calls some of them “evildoers.” “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

The literal translation of evildoers means “doers of lawlessness.” Remember that the whole law is summed up in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor.

Even if some Christians did good works, Jesus tells them they have not done the will of the Father. They prophesied, drove out demons and did mighty deeds. They did good works but they did not love. Their actions were not motivated by love.

Further into the passage, Matthew says “whoever hears this word of mine and puts it into practice is like the wise man who built his house on a rock.” “To do” occurs 11 times from verse 12-26 of this Chapter.

The message of this gospel passage are classic Matthew: firstly, action must follow words. Second, the action is based on love.

It is not enough to say that one believes in Jesus. A true disciple of God manifests Christ through actions. These actions must be done with a clear motivation to love and glorify God. When we do that, then we are building our houses on a rock.

We all do our Christian actions for others. Take a moment to check your motivations.

Sources: Nil Guillemette, SJ. A Kingdom for All, pp. 175-177. Nil Guillemette, SJ. Parables for Today pp 19-25.

Matthew 28:16-20 Ascension Sunday (by May Racaza)

As the Easter season draws to its close this coming Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus’ Ascension which coincides also with the SE14 Weekend. J In this Gospel reading, before Jesus was taken up into heaven, He appeared to the eleven disciples on whom He gave the Great Commission, wherein He conferred to them His power and authority as His very first Church to continue His mission of making disciples of all nations.

Matthew’s message for his intended audience (comprised of Jews) was to reassure and to exhort them to be unwavering in their faith. The Great Commission carried with it Jesus’ promise that “the risen Christ comes to his Church, to remain with it all days until the end of this age.” (from Kingdom for All: p. 256). Ascension marks the time when the disciples could no longer see Jesus physically, but this gospel passage reassures us that Jesus continues to be with the Church spiritually.

Just as Jesus commissioned His eleven disciples who “worshipped but doubted”, Jesus’ message was also meant for these Jews who comprised the early Church then and may have faced also a lot of fears, doubts and uncertainty themselves.

As we bring this message in the light of the Singles Apostolate, we see how it very much applies to our very young community, which was born 9 years ago. We are all called to the mission to “make disciples of all nations.” In the Catechism for Filipino Catholics, it says, “As Catholics we are privileged to receive the Lord’s charge of bearing witness to the Faith and to the Christian way of life as a service to our brothers and sisters, and as a fitting response to God.”

In spite of the many fears and doubts we may have about our young community, Jesus has promised us that He remains with us and will stay faithful until the end until we have finished the race and fought the good fight of faith.

This is the message of Ascension: The mission to make disciples of all nation is given to all – to those who may be strong in their faith, as well as those who doubt and waver. To the latter Jesus reassures us that though we no longer see him, his presence continues to be with us. This culminates in the sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.

As we raise the flag of “Mission Possible” in our apostolate, dear Single, how can you contribute to the mission that Jesus has given us make disciples of all nations? You need not go to a faraway land; who are the people within your reach who you can convert to a disciple?

Gospel for April 27, 2008 - John 14:15-21, The Sending of the Holy Spirit

John’s audience were non-witnesses of Jesus’ life on earth. They were people in a community who have heard about Jesus’ life and ministry from secondary sources. We, the singles apostolate, are in the same situation as John’s audiences. We did not experience being with Jesus physically but He is spiritually present in our lives.

In this gospel, Jesus sent an Advocate to be with us as He goes back to the Father. In other versions of the gospel the term “Paraclete” was used. “In Greek the word “parakletos” comes from “para” = alongside of, and kaleo = to call, which refers to any “resource person” who is called at the side of an accused in order to help the accused in his defense. The word “Paraclete” has a lot of nuances such as counsellor, attorney, lawyer, helper, assistant, defender, auxiliary, spokesman, witness.”[1] The Holy Spirit who Jesus has sent can have many roles in our lives, depending on the situation when we need to call on the presence of Jesus. John also emphasised that there is no distinction between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus may no longer be present with us physically but He is still with us spiritually and very much present today even 2000 years later through the Holy Spirit.

The second learning is Jesus’ reminder that “keeping the commandment is also keeping His word” and that it cannot be taken separately. Keeping Jesus words or teachings means believing in them. However, it is not sufficient that we just believe in His teachings, there should be an action or an obedience manifested in our behaviour. If we say to ourselves, yes I believe and accept Jesus as my Lord and saviour, then I should show this through concrete actions of love for one another. In the same way, good works without faith is also insufficient for a Christian.

Discussion Question:

In using the word “paraclete,” John suggests that the Holy Spirit (or Jesus’ spiritual presence today) can work in many ways. How does the Holy Spirit work in your life?

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[1] Hungry No More, p. 191, v.16

Gospel for

There are two gospels in the Church calendar for Easter Sunday. The to be read in the morning is John 20:1-9, and the one in the evening is Luke 24:13-35. The two Gospels celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are told of two aspects about the Resurrection in both gospels.

The first is that the Resurrection of Jesus is a bodily Resurrection. In John 20:1-9, the author gives a very detailed account on how Jesus’ followers found the tomb empty where Jesus was buried.

In Luke 24:13-35, it explains that Jesus Resurrection is also a spiritual Resurrection. When two of His followers were talking with Jesus Himself on their way to Emmaus, they did not recognize Him; meaning that his Resurrected body is no longer the same as before His death. They only recognized Him when He was already breaking bread with them. How exactly is it different? No one knows.

Jesus died and seized to be with us physically but when He resurrected from the dead, He became alive but not in the same physical form. It is unlike the resuscitation of Lazarus who was brought back to life in his own body and later on died again. Jesus’ resurrection transformed Him in a way that even His disciples could not recognize Him. Resurrection is not just resuscitation of the body, but also a spiritual transformation.

The Resurrection reminds us that Jesus is alive and is with us even to this day. It is the cornerstone of our faith. But every time we proclaim the Resurrection to others, imagine that other person asking you, “How can you prove that?” The best proof we can give that person is by showing him or her that Jesus is alive. How? By living the way Jesus lived. Jesus is alive when we are just, humble, selfless or when we share with the poor just as Jesus did when He was physically with us. When we love and forgive others, then we show that Jesus is alive.

How is Jesus alive in your life? How can you show the people you work with that Jesus is alive?

Gospel for March 16, 2008 - Matthew 26:14 - 27:66 - Passion and Death of Jesus

Matthew narrates in the gospel the events that took place in Christ’s passion and death. One of the important events that happened was Jesus’ agony as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, the three disciples who were allowed to see his glory at the Transfiguration, in order to witness and share his suffering.

Peter, James and John were part of the glorious event of Jesus’ Transfiguration – they were fully transfixed on Jesus as he was transfigured and his full divine glory manifested. This is in stark contrast to their behavior in the garden of Gethsemane where they had trouble keeping awake to watch and pray with Jesus during the lowest point of his life. He pleaded for companionship and comfort from them as the hour of his passion approached. It was at this time that Jesus, full of sorrow and anguish, fell on the ground and prayed three times saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will (v.39).”

It was through the persistence in prayer that Jesus gained a clear knowledge of the Father’s will. He prayed for an escape from the situation, but he also knew that this was not possible. He then counts on God to complete His plan of salvation and in deep surrender accepts the cup of suffering he has to undergo for the sins of the world. Matthew shows Jesus as a model of prayer and obedience by submitting his will in obedience to the divine will. Thus, Jesus reversed the sin of man’s disobedience by obeying the Father in all things.

The passage helps us to reflect on our own prayer life as singles. We may experience difficulty when we pray since we are faced with a lot of distractions (e.g. when we are tired and sleepy, when we are occupied with work, when we have no time, etc.). When things are going well in our lives, sometimes we tend to forget to pray. It is when we encounter problems that we remember God. But when the problems become too great for us, such as death of a loved one, loss of a job, grave sickness, and the like, our tendency is to leave God by blaming Him and asking Him “Why me?” Jesus teaches us the importance of perseverance in prayer so that we do not become weak, fall into temptations, and abandon Him, but rather strengthen our spirits by always recognizing and obeying God’s will especially in times of difficulty.

§ In what ways can we strengthen our prayer life so that we continue to easily recognize and do God’s will especially during the low points in our lives?

§ How can we be a model of prayer and obedience for others?

Gospel for March 9, 2008 - John 11, 1-45 Jesus Raises Lazarus

(By Mike Gan, reviewed by TM)

The raising of Lazarus is the final sign in Jesus’ public ministry which leads to his condemnation and death. It is also the most powerful and important sign because it does not merely involve healing the sick and feeding the hungry, but raising someone from the dead, a power proper only to God.

In the Gospel, when the most powerful sign is about to be performed, Jesus behaves in a shocking manner. John prepares us by first saying that Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters. Jesus loved them and yet, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days. Why would Jesus do that?

John wanted to highlight that Jesus always acts in accordance with his Father's will, not the will of his family or his closest friends. He is concerned first and foremost with God's glory, with doing God's. His love does not feel like love at first, but it is. But as we shall later on see, it is for the best. His seeming delay will lead to a greater blessing.

Today we easily find ourselves in difficult and even painful situations. We cry out for help but there are times when God seemingly delays in answering our prayers.

What is my attitude when I feel that God delays in answering my prayers? How do I find faith and comfort in those trying times?

Sunday Gospel for March 2, 2008 - John 9:1-41 The Man Born Blind (By Estie and TM)

John is usually more difficult to interpret than the other gospels because he uses several symbolisms. It would be helpful to understand the following:

· This passage takes place during the Feast of the Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths (or Tents). During this feast, the Jews recall the time when they wandered in the dessert for 40 years and lived in tents. It is also known as the feast of lights because the temple was brightly illuminated at night. It is during this feast that Jesus declares “I am the light of the world.” (8:12).

· The waters of Siloam, was used in the water ceremony of the feast. The High Priest would draw water from Siloam and bring it back to the temple to be poured out. Jesus uses this water for the blind man to see the light.

The blind man is physically healed after the clay is washed away but his spiritual eyes take time to be opened. His level of conviction increases as he is opposed by neighbors, his own parents and the Pharisees. He starts by referring to Jesus as “the man called Jesus;” later “He is a prophet;” and eventually, he says “Lord, I do believe.”

On the contrary, the Pharisees, who were supposed to be the most knowledgeable about the law and about God chose NOT to believe. They regarded Jesus as a sinner because He healed on a Sabbath; rather than believe He was from God because the blind man can now see. Their pride and self-righteousness prevented them from seeing the truth.

The pride of thinking that we know everything can prevent us from seeing what is right and true. When others see things differently, our self assurance sometimes prevent us from stepping into the light because change can be painful. For example, there are many times when we say, “this is just the way things are done around here,” or “new ideas are good, but also risky,” or even “there are two ways to do things in the apostolate: our way and the wrong way.” The gospel teaches us that God speaks through every person, even those we may regard as totally blind and wrong.

Discussion:

What beliefs do you have about any area in your life (social relationships, community, career, spiritual) that other people see very differently? In what way might God be speaking to you through that person?

Source: Nil Guillemette, SJ. Hungry No More, pp. 116-127.

Sunday's Gospel for Feb. 24, 2008 - John 4:1-42 Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus initiated a conversation with a Samaritan woman who was drawing water from the well.

Historically, Jewish men did not speak to women in public, much less to women of Samaria since racial hatred and tension between Jews and Samaritans were common in those days (Jews were the “Chosen People” and Samaritans were considered as a “contaminated” or mixed race having intermarried with foreign invaders). It can also be observed from the gospel that she was not only an ordinary Samaritan but one with a disreputable lifestyle, having had five husbands in the past and not even being married to the man she was living with.

Despite the woman’s personal history, Jesus not only initiated a conversation with her but it seemed as though He even sought this woman out. Jews normally avoided contact with their Samaritan neighbors by traveling other, longer routes but it says in John 4:4 that Jesus “had to go through Samaria”. Jesus deliberately went to Samaria, breaking down barriers and boundaries, to meet this woman, to seek her out and offer her “living water”.

The gospel offers a challenge for us today to be like Jesus to the Samaritan woman – to reach out to people who are difficult to reach out to.

In our workplaces and in the apostolate, there are people who we have avoided because of their irregular lifestyles or just because they are “different,” “difficult,” “or do not conform to our values.”

Who are these people and how are you going to be like Jesus to them?

The Singles Apostolate’s GK Outreach Program allows us to reach out to those in need. When are you going to set aside time to visit and help them?

Sunday Gospel for February 10, 2008: Matthew 4:1-11 Temptation of Jesus

Matthew’s account of Jesus being tempted in the desert and overcoming these trials bring us back to the Old Testament where the people of Israel underwent the same tests in the desert and failed. Jesus quotes scripture (Deuteronomy 8:3 ; 6:16; 6:13) likening His temptation in the desert to that of Israel’s, but in this case not relying on His messianic power to deliver Him from temptation as He could have, but as man, remaining dependent on His father and fully faithful to His commands to deliver Him from evil.

It is also noteworthy that the Spirit that descended upon Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan River narrated in the previous chapter is the same Spirit here that deliberately led Him into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The Spirit did not spare God’s own son, from having to undergo testing himself.

We often feel “spirit-filled” after a prayer meeting, an SE weekend, or when a prayer intention has been answered in the way we have hoped for. We fail to realize that the same Spirit that is upon us during all those uplifting experiences is the same Spirit that brings us face to face with trials/temptations that put your faith into action – financial problems, death of a loved one, the trap of habitual sins. But Jesus in his humanity gives us hope and shows us how these trials can be overcome - with obedience and abandonment to the will and protection of the Father.

Reflection Question:

1. What has been my attitude towards the trials and temptations in my life as a renewed Catholic

2. What current situation/temptation am I experiencing that the Lord is asking me to abandon fully in order for His will to be done?

Sunday Gospel for Feb. 3, 2008: Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the highlights of Jesus’ ministry, the first part of which is referred to as the Beatitudes. The word “beatitude” is from the Latin word “beatus,” meaning “a state of utmost bliss,” of “supreme happiness,” of “true happiness.” The Beatitudes are often misinterpreted as “it is good to be poor.” Further study of the gospel shows otherwise.

The Beatitudes were declarations of blessings for the marginalized sector of society during Jesus’ time. Even during the Old Testament times, those who were considered poor enjoyed the special protection of kings and were favored by God. This “divine” favor was not attributed to their social status or inner disposition but because of God’s disposition towards them. Hence, Jesus’ ministry affirmed what the prophets said about the Messiah. This is the reason why Jesus came: to seek out and save the last, the lost and the least. “The Sovereign Lord has filled me with His Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison.” (Isaiah 61:2)

Jesus incessantly preached about the Kingdom of God – that it is not a place but a condition where justice, equality, well-being, love and forgiveness prevails. Thus, Matthew’s message to his audience (mostly Jewish) during his time was for them to favor the poor and marginalized just as God found favor with them, because God made them co-heirs of His Kingdom as well.

The same message resonates in the Catholic Church today. The 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines declared, "Following the way of our Lord, we opt to be a Church of the poor.” As Jesus’ followers, Filipino Catholics are enjoined to have a preferential love for the poor because of the abject poverty and misery that a great number of Filipinos find themselves in. The poor should be welcomed, made to feel at home and actively involved in our Church, if we are to follow the way of Christ. The late Pope John Paul II describes this option very succinctly and exhorts us to rise to the challenge: “This love of preference for the poor cannot but embrace the immense multitudes of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care and, above all, those without hope of a better future. To ignore these realities would mean becoming like the ‘rich man’ who pretended not to know the beggar Lazarus lying at his gate.”

As a Catholic, what little things can you do to rise to the challenge to live out the preferential option for the poor? As a member of the Singles Apostolate, how can you improve your involvement in the Outreach ministry?

Sources: Guillemete, Nil, A Kingdom for All, p. 151

Catechism for Filipino Catholics

Gospel for January 27, 2008 - Matthew 4:12-23, The Beginning of Jesus Ministry

The Gospel presents the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. It started in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, and it is also in this location where Jesus called his first disciples.

As a background, all the four gospels mention that Jesus’ ministry started in Galilee, but it is ONLY Matthew that also mentions that Galilee is located within Zebulun and Naphtali. There must be a significance to this. Zebulun and Naphtali were two of the 12 sons of Jacob, and when the Jews entered Canaan, the land was parcelled among the sons, and Zebulun and Naphtali got the land where Galilee is located. The region of Zebulun and Naphtali were eventually overran by Assyrians and Greeks, and were therefore considered as “pagan” (or not purely Jewish) land because of the intermarriages between these foreigners and the Jews.

The Jews were known as the chosen people of God but it is ironic to know that they were also the ones to reject Jesus and His teachings. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus started His ministry in a land considered as “contaminated” or pagan. Matthew’s message is that Jesus gives priority to those who do not know God over those who are already close to God, as in the case of the Jews.

Today, we are reminded by this gospel to reach out to those who do not know God, those who are far away from Him and those who choose to be stubborn to let Him in their hearts. We are all called to evangelise like Christ. Like Jesus, we should start seeking for people outside of our apostolate, or those who are not yet familiar with Jesus.

Relate an experience when you had the chance to evangelise about God to those outside the apostolate who do not know Him or do not yet have a personal relationship with him. Was this a favourable or non-favourable experience? As you share this with the class, let this experience serve as a “push” for you to begin the ministry of evangelising to others.