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26/01/2025

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23/08/2023

DAILY MASS READINGS (August 24, 2023)

FEAST OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE
(Cycle ABC, Red)

1ST READING (REVELATION 21:9B-14)
A reading from the Book of Revelation

The angel spoke to me, saying,
“Come here.
I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

– The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (PSALM 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18)
R.(12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

1.) Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.

R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

2.) Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

3.) The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.

R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

ALLELUIA (JOHN 1:49B)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL (JOHN 1:45-51)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John

Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
But Nathanael said to him,
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

– The Gospel of the Lord.

REFLECTION: Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Apostle Saint Bartholomew. He was known in our Gospel today coming only from Saint John “Nathanael”. He was known to be knowledgeable of the Law and the prophets, although it does not specify whether he was a Sadducee, Pharisee, or a Jewish leader. He is also known to be a close friend of Philip, who earlier became an Apostle of Christ before him.

When Philip found him, he confirmed to him that Jesus is the fulfilled awaited promise of God who came from Nazareth. Nathanael asked if there is anything that happened at Nazareth, but the invitation of Philip to go and see he did. Jesus called him a true Israelite because there is no duplicity found in this man, meaning he has a pure heart and a pure spirit. He does not grudge anyone, which was also the attitude of Nathanael. He also revealed to him how he saw him on the fig tree because unlike our first parents who sewed clothing from fig leaves then hid from God as a result of their disobedience, this man has seen God’s glory, yet he wasn’t aware yet at that time. At this Nathanael believed that Christ is the Son of God and the King of Israel. And more greatly, Jesus assures his Apostles that they will see him being surrounded by angels. This refers to the time he will truly reward those who remained faithful with the beatific vision of God, which is eternal life in Paradise.

Dear brothers and sisters, Nathanael’s vision of the fig tree proves God’s revelation to us. He reveals to us in the different signs of the times, through various people, and makes his presence known in our lives and the lives of other people. Truly no duplicity has been found in St. Bartholomew as an Israelite, and moreover, he also goes on with his Apostolic mission in preaching the Gospel until Armenia and India. There he was able to convert the people from worshiping false idols. Tradition says that his skin was flayed alive until it bled, then he was crucified and beheaded downward.

St. Bartholomew’s life teaches us to recognize God’s presence among us and in the daily events of life, whether ordinary or extraordinary. It is there that we can be assured of our faith in him and that we can also respond to the calling of giving witness to the Good News through our daily lifestyle.

20/08/2023

SUNDAY MASS READINGS (August 20, 2023)

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Cycle A, Green)

1ST READING (ISAIAH 56:1, 6-7)
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:
Observe what is right, do what is just;
for my salvation is about to come,
my justice, about to be revealed.

The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
ministering to him,
loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants—
all who keep the sabbath free from profanation
and hold to my covenant,
them I will bring to my holy mountain
and make joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be acceptable on my altar,
for my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.

- The Gospel of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (PSALM 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8)
R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!

1.) May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

2.) May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

3.) May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

2ND READING (ROMANS 11:13-15, 29-32)
A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters:
I am speaking to you Gentiles.
Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,
I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous
and thus save some of them.
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world,
what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once disobeyed God
but have now received mercy because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that,
by virtue of the mercy shown to you,
they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience,
that he might have mercy upon all.

ALLELUIA (MATTHEW 4:23)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL (MATTHEW 15:21-28)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus’ disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

- The Gospel of the Lord.

REFLECTION: The Church has devoted her life to be open to all people in all occasions. The Church may be the physical structures open to everyone in the ordinary and extraordinary events of life, whether the Sacraments, Seminars, Formations, relief operations after calamities, blood donations, outreaches, etc. But moreover, the Church is the People of God, both the Ordained and the Laity, who devote their lives to be open to everyone, whether they have different race and religion (belief), and carry out God's message of love and salvation in different cultures and diversities.

The Gospel gives us the encounter of Christ with a Canaanite woman who pleaded to expel the demon tormenting her daughter. Remember that during those times, Gentiles such as Canaanites, Samaritans, etc. were considered outcasts and pagans, for the Jews believed that those outside their faith will not inherit God's salvation. That is why when this woman invoked Jesus as Son of David, it seemed like he snubbed her. Even as the Apostles wanted him to grant her request so that she can go away, Christ said that he has come for the lost sheep of Israel. But in reality, he was testing the woman's faith. He said that and encountered Gentiles to make the Jews realize that God's plan salvation was meant for all.

This is what was meant by the Prophet Isaiah in the 1st Reading and St. Paul in the 2nd Reading. That is why when he told the woman that the food of children must not be thrown to the dogs, the woman responded that the dogs would eat the scraps falling from their masters' tables. It shows us the acceptance of this Canaanite woman to the salvific plan of God. This test of faith resulted in great faith, and the woman's request for her daughter was granted.

My dear friends, as what I've said, the Church will always be open to everyone. It is our mission to make her open to all people of race, religion, culture, etc. Because it is in the Church were we can attain salvation. Even as we hold liturgical activities and prayers inside, the pastoral activities and awareness programs being held outside the walls of this beloved institution shows how we truly live our faith as devoted Catholics. It is our duty to help those in need, whether physical and spiritual. And if we experience problems, let us never forget to put our faith in the Lord who is bigger than every one of pain we're going through right now.

We may think he doesn't answer our prayers, but remember that he will always guide us. Our prayers especially for other intentions shows that we should endure our earthly trials with fidelity and perseverance. And above all, may we have great faith in the Lord like that Canaanite woman, and let that faith enable us to give witness to his message of love and salvation.

18/08/2023

DAILY MASS READINGS (August 19, 2023)

SATURDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(Year I, Green)

1ST READING (JOSHUA 24:14-29)
A reading from the Book of Joshua

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem,
and addressed them, saying:
“Fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely.
Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt,
and serve the LORD.
If it does not please you to serve the LORD,
decide today whom you will serve,
the gods your fathers served beyond the River
or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.
As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD
for the service of other gods.
For it was the LORD, our God,
who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,
out of a state of slavery.
He performed those great miracles before our very eyes
and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples
through whom we passed.
At our approach the LORD drove out all the peoples,
including the Amorites who dwelt in the land.
Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

Joshua in turn said to the people,
“You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God;
he is a jealous God who will not forgive
your transgressions or your sins.
If, after the good he has done for you,
you forsake the LORD and serve strange gods,
he will do evil to you and destroy you.”

But the people answered Joshua, “We will still serve the LORD.”
Joshua therefore said to the people,
“You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the LORD.”
They replied, “We are, indeed!”
Joshua continued:
“Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you
and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
Then the people promised Joshua,
“We will serve the LORD, our God, and obey his voice.”

So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day
and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem,
which he recorded in the book of the law of God.
Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak
that was in the sanctuary of the LORD.
And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness,
for it has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us.
It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.”
Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage.

After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the LORD,
died at the age of a hundred and ten.

– The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (PSALM 16:1-2A AND 5, 7-8, 11)
R.(see 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.

1.) Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

2.) I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

3.) You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.

R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

ALLELUIA (Cf. MATTHEW 11:25)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL (MATTHEW 19:13-15)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Children were brought to Jesus
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

– The Gospel of the Lord.

REFLECTION: The First Reading comes from Moses’s successor, Joshua, on the last years of his earthly life. After 40 years of exile and 430 years of Egyptian slavery, the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land and possessed it. Joshua gathered them in Shechem to remind them of the God who did great wonders in their midst. And the people of Israel assured him that only Yahweh will they worship, serve, and obey. He also reminded them not to do evil acts that might offend the Lord. And because of such, he made a covenant with them and took a large stone, placing it under the oak tree, which served a reminder to fulfill this covenant. And this is where Joshua’s ministry ends. This is why we need to be faithful to our Lord and his commandments. We observe them not to win praise, but in order to inspire others to live up their call as God’s adopted children, which has been given to us at the moment when we were baptized.

The Gospel today tells us of Jesus’s affecting approach on children. During those times, children are considered insignificant in society along with women. That is why the disciples tried to prevent the women from bringing the children to come to Jesus. But Christ told them to allow such to come near him, for they belong to God’s Kingdom. Remember during his Incarnation, he though divine in nature became a little child, born of the Virgin Mother. During his early life until he left Nazareth to begin the Paschal Mystery, he valued his time assisting Mama Mary and Saint Joseph, which showed that he was full of spirit and wisdom.

Likewise Christ is reminding us that we must accept God’s children by becoming “childlike”, not “childish”. Because one who is childlike is obedient, kind, gentle of heart, compassionate, respectful, and humble. Even as Jesus obeyed his parents, he stayed at the Temple, the dwelling place of God, because he knew the importance of obeying and submitting to the Father’s will above all. And of course we need to teach the youth about those important values we have inherited and learned in becoming childlike, even though we are in the midst of a technological advancing society.

Lastly, let us value family life, whether we are parents or children of our parents.

17/08/2023

MGA PAGBASA (Agosto 18, 2023)

BIYERNES NG IKA-19 NA LINGGO SA KARANIWANG PANAHON
(Taon I, Berde)

UNANG PAGBASA (JOSUE 24, 1-13)
Pagbasa mula sa aklat ni Josue

Noong mga araw na iyon, tinipon ni Josue sa Siquem ang lahat ng lipi. Pagkatapos, tinawag niya ang matatanda, ang mga hukom, ang mga pinuno at mga tagapangasiwa sa Israel, at sila’y humarap sa Panginoon. Sinabi niya: “Ito ang ipinasasabi sa inyo ng Panginoon, ang Diyos ng Israel: ‘Noong una, ang inyong mga ninuno ay nakatira sa kabila ng Ilog Eufrates. Isa sa mga ito si Tare na ama ni Abraham at ni Nacor. Sumasamba sila sa ibang diyus-diyusan. Tinawag ko si Abraham buhat sa lupaing iyon at dinala ko siya at pinatnubayan sa buong kalawakan ng Canaan. Pinagkalooban ko siya ng maraming inanak at inapo. Naging anak niya si Isaac, at naging anak naman nito si Esau at si Jacob. Ibinigay ko kay Esau ang kaburulan ng Seir bilang bahagi niya. Ngunit si Jacob at ang kanyang mga anak ay nagpunta sa Egipto. Sinugo ko si Moises at si Aaron, at sa tulong ng mga himala’y pinahirapan ko nang katakut-takot ang mga Egipcio. Sa gayong paraan ay hinango ko kayo roon. Inilabas ko sa Egipto ang inyong mga ninuno at nakarating sa Dagat ng mga Tambo. Hinabol sila ng mga Egipcio at itinaboy papunta sa dagat. Ang inyong mga ninuno’y nanalangin sa akin, at pinalatag ko ang dilim sa pagitan nila at ng mga Egipcio. Pinaguho ko sa mga ito ang nahating dagat at sila’y natabunan ng tubig. Nasaksihan ninyo ang mga ginawa ko sa mga Egipcio. At matagal kayong nanirahan sa ilang.

“Pagkatapos, dinala ko kayo sa lupain ng mga Amorreo sa silangan ng Jordan. Binaka nila kayo, at pinapagtagumpay ko kayo sa kanila. Pinuksa ko sila at nasakop ninyo ang kanilang lupain. Nilabanan kayo ng hari ng Moab, ni Balac na anak ni Zipor at sinugo niya si Balaam na anak ni Beor upang sumpain kayo. Ngunit hindi ko dininig si Balaam, sa halip pinagpala niya kayo. Sa gayun, iniligtas ko kayo sa kamay ni Balac. Tumawid ako ng Jordan at sumapit sa Jerico. Nilabanan kayo ng mga taga-Jerico at ng mga Amorreo, Perezeo, Cananeo, Heteo, Gergeseo, Heveo, at Jebuseo. At sila’y nalupig ninyo sa tulong ko. Ipinasalakay ko sa mga pukyutan ang dalawang haring Amorreo at pinalayas ko sila bago kayo dumating. Walang kinalaman sa pangyayaring iyon ang inyong mga tabak at pana. Binigyan ko kayo ng lupaing hindi ninyo binungkal. Pinatira ko kayo sa mga bayang hindi kayo ang nagtayo. Kumakain kayo ngayon ng ubas at olibo na galing sa mga punong hindi kayo ang nagtanim.’”

- Ang Salita ng Diyos.

SALMONG TUGUNAN (SALMO 135, 1-3. 16-18. 21-22 AT 24)
Tugon: Ang pag-ibig ng Maykapal
ay tunay na walang hanggan. o kaya: Aleluya.

1.) O pasalamatan ang Panginoong Diyos pagkat s’ya’y mabuti,
ang kanyang pag-ibig ay pangwalang-hanggan at mananatili.
Pinakadakilang Diyos ng mga diyos ay pasalamatan,
ang pag-ibig niya ay mananatili at pangwalang-hanggan.
Makapangyarihang higit kaninuman itong Panginoon,
ang kanyang pag-ibig ay mamamalaging panghabang-panahon.

Tugon: Ang pag-ibig ng Maykapal
ay tunay na walang hanggan.

2.) Nang mailabas na’y siya ang kasama habang nasa ilang,
ang kanyang pag-ibig ay mananatili at pangwalang-hanggan.
Pinagpapatay n’ya yaong mga haring may kapangyarihan,
ang pag-ibig niya ay mananatili at pangwalang-hanggan.
Maging mga haring bantog noong una ay kanyang pinatay,
ang kanyang pag-ibig ay hindi kukupas at pangwalang-hanggan.

Tugon: Ang pag-ibig ng Maykapal
ay tunay na walang hanggan.

3.) Ang lupain nila’y ipinamahagi sa kanyang hinirang,
ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay mananatili at pangwalang-hanggan.
Ipinamahagi niya sa Israel, kanyang mga lingkod,
hindi kumukupas at mananatili ang pag-ibig ng Diyos.
Nang tayo’y masakop ng mga kaaway, pinalaya tayo,
ang kanyang pag-ibig ay mananatili, hindi magbabago.

Tugon: Ang pag-ibig ng Maykapal
ay tunay na walang hanggan.

ALELUYA (1 TESALONICA 2, 13)
Aleluya! Aleluya!
Tanggapin n’yo ang salita
na di sa tao nagmula
kundi sa D’yos na dakila.
Aleluya! Aleluya!

MABUTING BALITA (MATEO 19, 3-12)
Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon ayon kay San Mateo

Noong panahong iyon, may mga Pariseong lumapit kay Hesus at tinangkang siluin siya sa pamamagitan ng tanong na ito: “Naaayon ba sa Kautusan na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa sa kahit anong kadahilanan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Hindi pa ba ninyo nababasa sa Kasulutan na sa pasimula’y nilalang sila ng Maykapal, lalaki at babae? At sinabi, ‘Dahil dito, iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama’t ina, at magsasama sila ng kanyang asawa; at sila’y magiging isa.’ Kaya’t hindi na sila dalawa kundi isa. Ang pinagsama ng Diyos ay huwag paghiwalayin ng tao.” Tinanong siya ng mga Pariseo, “Bakit iniutos ni Moises na bigyan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa ng kasulatan sa paghihiwalay bago hiwalayan iyon?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo kaya ipinahintulot ni Moises na hiwalayan ninyo ang inyong asawa. Subalit hindi gayun sa pasimula. Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: sinumang lalaking humiwalay sa kanyang asawa sa anumang dahilan liban sa pakikiapid, at mag-asawa sa iba, ay nangangalunya. At ang mag-asawa sa babaing hiniwalayan ay nangangalunya rin.”

Sinabi ng mga alagad, “Kung ganyan po ang kalagayan ng lalaki sa kanyang asawa, mabuti pang huwag nang mag-asawa.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Hindi lahat ay makatatanggap ng simulaing iyan kundi yaon lamang pinagkalooban ng Diyos. Sapagkat may iba’t ibang dahilan kung bakit may mga lalaking hindi makapag-asawa: ang ilan, dahil sa kanilang katutubong kalagayan; ang iba, dahil sa kagagawan ng ibang tao ay nagkagayon sila; mayroon namang hindi nag-aasawa alang-alang sa ikauunlad ng paghahari ng Diyos. Ang makatatanggap ng simulaing ito ay tumanggap nito.”

- Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

PAGNINILAY: Maraming kritiko ngayon ay natatanong: “Bakit ba di-sang-ayon ang Simbahang Katolika sa diborsyo?” Ang sagot ay makikita sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayon (Mateo 19:3-12). Tinanong ng mga Pariseo si Hesus kung naayon sa batas ang pagdiborsyo ng asawang lalaki sa kanyang asawang babae dahil inutuos nga raw ni Moises na bigyan ng isang kasalutan. Sinagot ni Hesus na ang diborsyo ay hindi plano ng Diyos, kundi kasal. Nangyari lang iyan dahil sa katigasan ng puso ng mga tao. Ang turo niya tungkol sa Sakramento na Kasal ay nilikha ng Diyos ang lalaki at babae, at mayroon espirituwal na pagsasama, at nagiging isa ang dalawa. At sinabi pa ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad na sinumang nagdiborsyo sa kanyang asawa at nagpakasal sa isa pa ay nakikiapid na.

Mga kapatid, napakalinaw ang mga salita ng Panginoon: ang plano ng Diyos ay kasal, at ang tao lang mismo ay nagplano ng diborsyo. Subalit may mga kasong inaabuso ang lalaki sa kanyang asawang babae, at pinipilitan ang babae na humiwalay sa kanyang asawang lalaki. Sa pananaw ng Simbahan, pinapayapagan naman ang pagpapawalang-bisa ang kasal (annulment) at paghihiwalay (separation), subalit hindi ang diborsyo. Pero may mga babae lalo na ang mga biktima ng pang-aabuso ng asawa ay sinasabing dapat pahayagan ang diborsyo sa bawat Estado ng mga bansa, lalo na hindi pa ito sinasabatas at inaaproba ng Tagapagpaganap at Pambatasan ng ating bansa. Kaya lang hindi ito kailanman papayapagan ng ating Simbahan.

Ang nais lang ipunto ng Ebanghelyo sa ating buhay-Kristiyano ay maging maayos at matapat ang relasyon sa isa’t isa. Dapat tingan muna ng magkasintahan kung magiging wasto ang kanilang sibil at espirituwal na pagsasama. At ang bawat pangako na binibigkas sa kasal ay kailangan wagas, at ang pamilyang ibubuo ay dapat ipatatag at ippagmalaki nang maayos. Kaya sa ating pamumuhay sa daang ito, nawa’y maging matatag, mabuti, at maayos ang bawat relasyon ayon sa mga mata ng Diyos at sa tamang landas ng pamumuhay.

17/08/2023

DAILY MASS READINGS (August 17, 2023)

THURSDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(Year I, Green)

1ST READING (JOSHUA 3:7-10A, 11, 13-17)
A reading from the Book of Joshua

The LORD said to Joshua,
“Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel,
that they may know I am with you, as I was with Moses.
Now command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant
to come to a halt in the Jordan
when you reach the edge of the waters.”

So Joshua said to the children of Israel,
“Come here and listen to the words of the LORD, your God.
This is how you will know that there is a living God in your midst,
who at your approach will dispossess the Canaanites.
The ark of the covenant of the LORD of the whole earth
will precede you into the Jordan.
When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the LORD,
the Lord of the whole earth,
touch the water of the Jordan, it will cease to flow;
for the water flowing down from upstream will halt in a solid bank.”

The people struck their tents to cross the Jordan,
with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant ahead of them.
No sooner had these priestly bearers of the ark
waded into the waters at the edge of the Jordan,
which overflows all its banks
during the entire season of the harvest,
than the waters flowing from upstream halted,
backing up in a solid mass for a very great distance indeed,
from Adam, a city in the direction of Zarethan;
while those flowing downstream toward the Salt Sea of the Arabah
disappeared entirely.
Thus the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
While all Israel crossed over on dry ground,
the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD
remained motionless on dry ground in the bed of the Jordan
until the whole nation had completed the passage.

- The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (PSALM 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6)
R. Alleluia!

1.) When Israel came forth from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of alien tongue,
Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his domain.

R. Alleluia!

2.) The sea beheld and fled;
Jordan turned back.
The mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like the lambs of the flock.

R. Alleluia!

3.) Why is it, O sea, that you flee?
O Jordan, that you turn back?
You mountains, that you skip like rams?
You hills, like the lambs of the flock?

R. Alleluia!

ALLELUIA (PSALM 119:135)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant
and teach me your statutes.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL (MATTHEW 18:21–19:1)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
‘Pay back what you owe.’
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused.
Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed,
and went to their master and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee
and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

- The Gospel of the Lord.

REFLECTION: When we recite the Lord's Prayer challenges us, we also mention this line: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." In the Gospel (Matthew 18:21—19:1), Saint Peter asks Jesus on how many times must he forgive if anyone sins against him. Jesus replies by saying not seven times, but seventy-seven times. This means that we must forgive others at times they are truly sorry for what they have done. So when someone asks for forgiveness by the heart, we should forgive that person. If we are sorry to God for our own sins, then why not forgive those who want to reconcile with us? Sadly, some are like the unforgiving servant in the parable, who puts the debtor, the sinner, into prison by anger and unacceptance. So the king, who is God, was indignant because he didn't give the man a second chance. As a result, the servant was thrown into prison.

At our particular judgement after our own physical death, we will be asked by the Lord: "Have you forgiven your enemy? Have you given him another chance, in the same way how I forgave you from your sins?" Remember that Jesus Christ was nailed to the Cross because of our sins. He is the Lamb of God who took away our offenses by submitting himself to the will of the Father. No wonder he, risen from the dead, forgave Saint Peter three times, even though this Apostle denied him three times during his Passion. So in the same way, we should forgive others frequently, especially those who are truly sorry for what they have done to us.

As we journey down this road, if we are truly sorry to others for hurting them and to God for disobeying him, then let us also learn to forgive those who have sinned against us, especially our enemies. It may sound hard and unacceptable, but this is reality. Remember what Jesus said during his Sermon on the Mount: "If your forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions" (Matthew 6:14-15).

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