Sunday Gospel Reflections

HOMILY: Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24: 13-35

23 April 2023 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Please raise your hand if you believe that Jesus is present at every mass? The Holy Mass is the one opportunity for us to come face to face with our God not just through the presider, but through the proclaimed Word, the sacred species of Christ’s body and blood, and the congregation. In all these, Jesus Christ becomes alive in every mass. So every mass is important!

Today’s gospel story of the disciples heading to Emmaus points to us the privileged places for encountering the risen Christ in the Eucharist. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were privileged to be accompanied by Jesus along the way, to listen to Him explaining the Scriptures to them, and to break bread with Him. If we look at it closely, what indicated to the two disciples that their travel companion was Jesus, are also the two most important parts of our mass. First of all, they recognised Him only by His breaking of the bread. Secondly, they recalled that their hearts were “burning” when He quoted and explained the scriptures to them. Isn’t that also our experience at mass? We gather at the Table of the Word to hear the scripture proclaimed to us and through the priest’s homily we seek to understand the message of God for us. As Jesus explained the Scriptures to the two disciples; “He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).  Jesus speaks to us His Word of life in the Scriptures proclaimed every Sunday.  Then afterwards we gather at the Table of the Eucharist to partake of Jesus’ body and blood in communion! Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we meet Jesus and are nourished from the Table of God’s Word and the Table of Christ’s Body. 

I have talked to friends who were baptised and raised Catholic but later changed their religion. Surprisingly, the main reason for their switch is the quality of the Sunday masses of the Catholic Church. They found it to be unsatisfying and unfulfilling. A young French friend told me, he doesn’t like our songs at mass.  He said they can be repetitive and uninspiring. Others get frustrated with priests because they have issues with them — grumpy, with vices, strict, and so on. The others said they did not get anything from the readings and the priest’s homily. They just fall asleep. Those are their reasons why they are leaving the Catholic church. It is a bit shallow, isn’t it? If only they received sufficient catechesis and made an effort to know more of their faith, they may have developed a better understanding and appreciation of the beauty and the significance of the mass for all of us Catholic Christians.  

Departure stories like this are sad considering what I mentioned at the beginning of this homily that Jesus is part of the mass on so many occasions. The song selection is the responsibility of the choir and the music minister. They should choose hymns that are suitable, touching and singable. Besides giving life to the liturgical celebration, the songs are meant to unify the people in worship! The purpose is defeated if the massgoers cannot sing the songs. Mass is not the place for the choir to show off their vocal calisthenics. Their role is to encourage participation from the congregation. Many people also do not like the mass because of the priest. Sometimes they even go to mass and avoid the priest. Please remember that we, priests are not God. We are not perfect. We are also imperfect human beings and we cannot please everyone. Some don’t like those priests who speak fast, some don’t like those who speak slowly. Some people like priests who are  serious, some like those who crack jokes. In truth, sometimes the priest does not know anymore what to do and how to act in most respects. Let us remember what the Catechism teaches us: “While a human being is the minister of the sacrament, Christ Himself is the one who is at work:  He baptizes, He confirms, He absolves, He changes the bread and wine into His Body and Blood, He unites a couple in marriage, He ordains, and He anoints.  Acting in His sacraments, Christ communicates the grace…” (Catechism, #1127-28.) But even if the presider were extremely flawed as a person and as a presider, Jesus is still present in the proclaimed Word — in the readings at mass. So the lector is also important! She must be prepared as well. If the lector does not give life to the word of God. Even the priest should prepare the homily! Because this is an opportunity to discuss God’s message in the readings. Again, even if the lector is a dismal failure and the homily is lacklustre, Jesus is still present in communion! During consecration, the bread and wine become, by God’s love and mercy, the Body and Blood of Jesus that we may receive Him and become what we eat — become like Jesus. Never forget that Jesus is also present in mass through each one of you. You all carry Jesus in our hearts and make Him present to your seat-mate when you behave properly so everyone can worship, or when you participate actively so you contribute to the liveliness of the celebration! So it is not true that one does not get anything from the mass. We all encounter God in various forms during the celebration of the mass. 

Don’t lose heart and change religions if you find it a bit difficult to appreciate the significance of the masses. Recall that even those disciples going to Emmaus, had a hard time recognising Jesus who was travelling with them. If they didn’t recognise Jesus who walked with them on the way, who talked to them, who listened to them and who shared a meal with them, how much more most of us who never had such a first-hand experience of the Risen Christ? It is God’s grace that opened their eyes, their minds and hearts. Last Sunday, Jesus makes a special effort to help His friend and apostle, Thomas, to believe that He is indeed resurrected and alive. Remember what Jesus tells him?  “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29) We recognise that it is much harder for many of us to believe and witness to the resurrection of Jesus in our lives because there are no more living eyewitnesses from the time of Jesus’ resurrection. Hence, it is only in seeing through the eyes of faith that we are able to recognise and to truly encounter the Lord in our midst. 

In each mass, we journey with Jesus just as the disciples journeyed with Him to Emmaus. Every mass is an opportunity for us to encounter Jesus so let us not be “foolish” and “slow to believe”. Today, I pray that God may also open our eyes, minds and hearts so we may recognise Him frequently and consistently in our masses. May we leave each celebration with our hearts also “burning within us” from a meaningful encounter with our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ! AMEN!

HOMILY: Second Sunday of Easter

John 20:19-31

16 April 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

It is very common among charismatic groups to say… “God is good….all the time!” Can we all say it out loud? “God is good, all the time!”  Do you believe this? Raise your hand if you truly believe this statement. Really? Even if life is hard? Even if evil seems to be widespread in the world? Even if there is a war? Even if basic commodities are very expensive? Even if you feel like you are experiencing one bad luck after another? 

The answer is a resounding YES! We just articulated this in our responsorial psalm. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love is everlasting.” (Psalm 136:1) In the Lord’s goodness, He sends His only Son so that we can be saved from sin. The ultimate sacrifice of God’s own Son for our salvation is something He did not have to do. The truth is none of humanity deserves God and all the wonderful things He does for us. No one, not even the saints, by their own merit, can say that they deserve God. It is God who of His goodness, chooses to love us and save us despite our failings and our weaknesses.

In today’s readings we hear all sorts of proof of God’s goodness to us. In the Acts of the Apostles, they describe the kind of harmonious living God desires for His people and in His goodness, He is said to have added daily to the number of those who were saved. (Acts 2:42-47) In our second reading, Peter praises God who gives us “new birth to a living hope”, “inheritance in heaven”, and “salvation ready to be revealed in the final time”.  Such everlasting gifts for such undeserving subjects. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

In the gospel, Jesus makes an extra effort for the benefit of His disciples to help them believe in His Resurrection, proof of mankind’s salvation. He showed the disciples the wounds on His hands and side. He even makes an exception for Thomas who was absent when He visited the disciples the week before. Jesus allows Thomas to place his finger on His hand and his hand on His side so he would believe that He was indeed, the same Jesus who was crucified. As people, we always tend to look for something tangible and palpable. It is not enough to see or be told about something. To be able to touch and feel something with our own hands, guarantees something is REAL. It gives a better understanding. The Lord lowers Himself so that people can reach Him. (Patuloy na ibinababa ng Panginoon ang Kanyang sarili upang maabot Siya ng tao.) In God’s goodness, He indulges humanity with signs and wonders that we may believe in Him. 

Today is also Divine Mercy Sunday. This day is important because what we celebrate speaks of another proof of God’s goodness. He cannot emphasise further that there is no sin so grave that He cannot forgive. He gives everyone an ultimate chance to repent and be saved by seeking refuge in His Divine Mercy. Despite the hardness of our hearts and our recurring repeated rejection of Him, we are still given a chance. By His sorrowful passion, Jesus obtains for us the boundless mercy of His Father. We can barely understand the logic behind God’s goodness and love for us. 

God the Father knows that we all can be likened to Thomas. We, too search for tangible proof of the resurrection. St. Paul reminds us that as followers of Christ: “We walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) Thomas was called to believe through the testimony of others who had the first-hand experience of the risen Lord. Actually, the gospel does not say whether Thomas actually touched the wounds of Jesus. We are simply presented with his response in faith: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28) — a profession of faith that contains the very words used in the Old Testament to refer to the one true God. Seeing with physical eyes is not enough, for in the post resurrection sightings, the disciples had their eyesight but did not readily recognise the Lord. It is seeing through the eyes of faith that brings recognition and encounter with the Lord and tangible proofs of the risen life in the Christian community.  Our first reading attests that Jesus was alive in those who devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, who strove to live an ideal communal life, who broke bread with others, and who prayed as individuals and as a faith community. (Acts 2:42-47)

Today, Jesus is very much present in people who dedicate their lives to the work for peace and reconciliation and who share their time, talent and treasure with others. The risen Lord is at work whenever people feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, free the captives and comfort the sorrowful. It is not always easy to have a response in faith to the goodness shown to us by the Lord.  Let us entrust ourselves to Him that in His mercy He may increase our faith and bring to completion the work that He has begun in each one of us as witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Never forget that: “God is good…all the time!”

HOMILY: Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection

John 20:1-9

9 April 2023 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

 Not too long ago, 2,010 British adults were surveyed about their religious beliefs.  The research was commissioned by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) local radio for Palm Sunday of that year. The result was surprising. It revealed that only 17% of all people believe the Biblical account of the resurrection word-for-word. Of the Christians surveyed, only 31% believe the Bible word-for-word—a shockingly low percentage! The figures only increased to 57% when the respondents were Christians who attended church at least once a month. It is sad to think that possibly half of Catholics, Protestants and other Christians do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Despite the events of 2000 years ago, the growth of the church and the testament of the saints, many still doubt that the resurrection of Jesus Christ really took place.

In our time when most of the core Christian beliefs are challenged, it is doubly necessary to make an effort to better understand them. At each Sunday mass, we profess the tenets of our Christian faith by reciting the Creed. Sometimes we recite the Nicene Creed, sometimes the Apostles Creed. Among others, we hold in faith a belief in the resurrection of the dead. In the Apostles Creed we profess… “I believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting…” while in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed we declare… “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”  These are basic for us Catholics. It is what our faith is built on — proof that Jesus spoke the truth that He is the Son of God, that He saved us from sin by His death, and by His resurrection, those who follow Him can look forward to the promise of everlasting life!

Now, if we really believe this, we should have no fear of death. Is anyone here eager to go first? (🤣) Yes, although we may have that fear,  true Christians have hope that we shall live in the presence of the Lord in the afterlife, and when Christ returns we shall experience the resurrection of the body. Sadly, for some of us, belief in the resurrection remains in theory only. For instance, those who experience the death of loved ones can not visualize their loved ones taking part in the resurrection of Jesus.  Instead of being assured that their departed loved ones are in Christ’s embrace in heaven, they dwell and wallow in their state of mourning.

In the gospel accounts of the resurrection, we note that the common reaction to Jesus’ rising from the dead was met with fear, confusion and doubt. In the gospel, we are told that Mary of Magdala, Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved “did not yet understand” that Jesus “had to rise from the dead.” It took a while before they could fully grasp the reality of Christ’s resurrection, more so the call for them to become witnesses of this risen life. The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, shows us how the once guilt-stricken Peter now openly professes to convince others that Jesus is God’s Anointed One. Like the first disciples, we, too perhaps “do not yet understand”. Yet, we continue to struggle and open ourselves to the transforming grace of the Holy Spirit. Recall that the apostles first had to receive the Holy Spirit before they gained the courage to proclaim the miracle of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit is the key so that we no longer doubt the risen Christ and eventually testify ourselves to the truth of this holy mystery. To borrow the words of a priest-friend, “The proof of Christ’s Resurrection should not only be the empty tomb. Rather, every believer of the Risen Christ should be a living sign of his Resurrection. In fact, the only living proof of Christ’s resurrection is US – YOU and ME. By our self-giving, by our selfless love, by our humble service, by our living and dying for others, as Jesus did, we become a living sign of the Resurrection.”

St. Paul stresses: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20) Jesus conquers death so that we, too, may share in His life!  The Easter mystery, however, does not unfold all at once. As Christians, we need to continually grow in our belief, understanding, and appreciation of the resurrection.  It is a mystery which we cannot fully understand but only accept with faith. No one really knows the details of this risen life with God. When it will happen and what we will look like, we do not know, but we have faith that there is definitely a future waiting for us in the presence of God the Father. Rejoice then, brothers and sisters for there is indeed everlasting life! Let’s be happy,  my friends, because we can find FOREVER in the Lord. Happy Easter!

HOMILY: Mass of the Lord’s Supper/Holy Thursday

John 13:1-15

6 April 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

When we want our friends to remember us, we usually give them gifts. Sometimes we give them gifts we know they will like, or give them things that will remind them of us, or sometimes we treat them to experiences like a trip (ang “shala”), a movie, or treat them to a meal.  They are tokens of our friendship.  Gifts need not be expensive among true friends; rather meaningful gifts are more precious and reflective of the depth of the friendship.  

At the Last Supper, Jesus also gives His disciples a special parting gift. It is not just any kind of gift but rather a very special one.  Jesus gave Himself and His constant presence among them in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is His greatest Gift to us; it is the source and summit of our Christian Life. 

Tonight, more than the washing of the feet of the apostles, we celebrate the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. At every mass, we remember Jesus’ gift of Himself for His dear friends. It is not a past event that we worry about. Hindi ito isang nakalipas na pangyayari na ating inaalala. Neither are we watching a reenactment of Jesus’ flogging, passion and crucifixion but rather we witness Christ’s sacrifice on the cross becoming truly present in the celebration of the Eucharist. Tuwing inaalay ang katawan at dugo ni Kristo sa altar ay nangyayari na mag-uli ang Kanyang pagsasakripisyo para sa ating kaligtasan.  Though the Paschal mystery of Christ is not repeated, it is made present by the power of the Holy Spirit at every mass. How is this possible? Sa totoo lang ito ay isang Banal na Misteryo ng simbahan. Hindi natin lubos na maintindihan ang galaw ng ating makapangyarihang Diyos. Pero nanampalataya tayo na totoo ang binitiwang habilin ni Hesus sa Huling Hapunan.  Sa ikalawang pagbasa ng sulat ni San Pablo sa mga Korinto, ikinukuwento muli ang mga sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Jesus twice told the apostles, “Do this in remembrance of me.” First, after He says over the bread: “This is my body that is for you,” and then again, after He says over the cup: “This covenant is the new covenant in my blood.”  The Church teaches “All that Christ is – all that He did and suffered for all men – participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times” (CCC 1085) Dahil sa umaapaw na pagmamahal ni Kristo para sa sangkatauhan, ipinahintulot Niya na ating maranasan sa bawat misa ang Kanyang sakripisyo na siyang ugat ng ating kaligtasan. 

Kamakailan, may isang estudyante na ginawan ng food review ang consecrated host “Ostiya”. Ibinulsa ang ostiyang natanggap sa komunyon at ginawan ng food review na tila ito ay ordinaryong pagkain lamang. Nakakalungkot ito dahil ito ay patunay na tila kulang na ang ating kaalaman at pananampalataya kung kaya’t di natin kinikila ang halaga ng banal na sakramento. Importanteng, nakikita sa atin ng kabataan kung paano dapat respetuhin ang katawan ni Kristo sa ostiya.  Salamat sa Diyos at nang may isang news article na nagsabing “the host symbolises Christ” ay may pari na umalma at itinama ang balita. The host is not a symbol! The host is Christ Himself!” The scriptural basis for this belief can be traced back to the Last Supper, as recounted in the Gospels. In particular, the Gospel of John (6:53-56) highlights Jesus’ command to His disciples to eat His flesh and drink His blood, an act necessary for eternal life. 

Theologically, this can be explained through what is termed as “Transubstantiation”, which means a change of substance. Sa oras ng “consecration” sa misa nagbabagong anyo ang tinapay at alak ay nagiging katawan at dugo ni Kristo. Kahit pareho lang ang hitsura nito sa atin, nananampaltaya tayo na binago na ng Diyos Ama sa kapangyarihan ng Espiritu Santo ang inihain sa altar. 

Since it is Jesus Himself we are receiving, we should always approach the Holy Communion with reverence, respect, and devotion! Kaya tayo ay pinapayuhang mag-ayuno ng isang oras bago magkomunyon, magbihis ng maayos bago humarap sa Panginoon, at ihanda ang kalooban (mas mabuti kung nakapagkumpisal) bago tanggapin si Kristo. We must realize that as we approach the altar, we are to receive Jesus, not mere bread and wine symbolic of Jesus, but truly Jesus Christ, the bread come down from heaven, His true Body and Blood. We are receiving the Lord Himself. As Jesus Himself said: “My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” And as St. Paul said: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion in the blood of Christ? The bread we break, is it not a communion in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). 

When we receive Holy Communion and enter into this most intimate union with Christ, we are also most intimately united with one another. The Eucharist is what makes the Church. Ang binubuklod ng Sakramento ay di lang ikaw at si Hesus kundi ang buong sambayanang banal. Through our union with Christ, we are also united deeply with one another as the Body of Christ.  When we receive the Eucharist, our soul is fed: we become what we receive, we become ONE IN CHRIST.  What an amazing gift indeed!

Photo from: Denver Catholic

HOMILY: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Matthew 27:11-54

2 April 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Do you like the feeling of being alone? It’s true that some prefer to be alone. They are at peace — alone but not lonely. But loneliness is far different from being alone. It can be felt even when you are surrounded by so many people.  Loneliness can be a terrible thing. The feeling of having no one to talk to, no one to understand us, no support in times of trouble, no one to share our joys is sad and painful.

In counselling sessions, a very common issue is the feeling of abandonment. There are children who feel abandoned by parents who have other priorities and are always too busy for them. But there are more and more elderly people who feel that their children have already forgotten them. Some are the “empty nesters” whose children have moved on to make their own lives. Others, even when living with their family, feel that they are just a burden and are simply useless.

Whether we admit it or not, we all yearn to be wanted, acknowledged and accepted.   We fear rejection and abandonment because we are by nature, relational beings. Don’t we say, “no man is an island” and we sing, “no one lives for oneself…”? We all struggle with the feeling of not measuring up or not being accepted and loved for who we are.  

Today is Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week. Listening and meditating on today’s account of Jesus’ Passion according to Matthew, we are made to imagine the sense of abandonment Jesus experienced on the cross. Abandoned by friends, betrayed by one and denied by another, mocked by soldiers, taunted and jeered at by the bystanders, Jesus could not have felt more alone at His darkest hour. To highlight this utter abandonment, Matthew’s account does not make mention of the presence of Mary and the Beloved Disciple standing at the foot of the cross. At least in the other Passion narratives, both are described as having accompanied Jesus up unto His crucifixion. Mary Magdalene and the other women are also mentioned but they were supposedly looking on from a distance. 

Jesus cries out in agony and desperation from the cross: “My God, my God why have you abandoned me.” (Psalm 22:1) One Scripture scholar notes that this is the only time in the gospel accounts that Jesus prays to His Father using the formal and distant name — “God” — as compared to other gospel accounts where He consistently calls God, “Abba” (Father). Jesus knew how it felt to be in pain, to cry out for God, and to feel alone. At a very crucial moment of His life, Jesus has a very human response. This is important for us because we can be sure that Christ fully understands what we are going through. There is no pain hidden in his knowledge and experience. Our God is not oblivious to our suffering. Victims of war and natural disasters who struggle to survive in a world that is indifferent to their plight, children of broken families who end up thinking they are to blame, the desolation of those who die alone — these are some of the many faces of Jesus today who cry out to God (and us) for mercy, relief and compassion. 

However, Jesus does not dwell on this painful human experience. His confidence in His Father wins out in the end. We are told that Jesus cries out AGAIN and this time hands over His spirit to the Father. Jesus dies in anguish but still trusts in God’s vindication. Just like the Psalmist’s prayer of lament that ends with a statement of trust in God: “For He has not despised nor scorned the suffering of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from him; But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.” (Psalm 22:24) Jesus hands over Himself in obedience. He remains faithful to the end — seeking to fulfil God’s will to the very end of His life. Jesus does not lose confidence in His Father. He abandons Himself to the loving arms of the Father because He knows, in the Father’s mercy, everything turns out for the good. This should encourage us to persevere and to have hope. Desperation, loneliness, and abandonment should never be the end of our story. God never abandons His people. He knows each one of us intimately and loves us unconditionally. In Isaiah 49:15-16, God says: “…even if a mother forgets her child, I will never forget you. I have engraved you in the palm of my hand.” 

The call for us this Holy Week and throughout all our lives — is to recognise that Jesus, in His love for us, is one with us, even in our suffering and feelings of abandonment and He shows us by example what it means to have complete confidence in the Father. Let us ask the Lord to deepen our faith so that we can surrender to God all that is troubling our hearts and minds. May we never lose sight of His unwavering promise of new life. “Father, we place ourselves into your hands in our desire to become sharers of your divine life!”

HOMILY: Fifth Sunday of Lent (A)
John 11:1-45
26 March 2023
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
 
It is crazy and annoying to read or watch “nega” posts and videos on social media. It destroys our peace and mental well-being. Even in text messages, if we are not careful, we might be spreading fake news. As my friend calls it, we, ourselves, have become purveyors of death rather than of life to those around us.
 
Isn’t it better for us that we give life and hope to others? Why do we have to join in so many toxicity and negativity around us? There are so many traces of death, destruction, and chaos in all aspects of life today. Sometimes it may feel like we are living in tombs like Lazarus. We do not have to be locked in our tombs and even more so we shouldn’t put others in that situation.
 
The raising of Lazarus is a PREVIEW into the resurrection.  Although it is proof of the power of God over death, the raising of Lazarus was a resuscitation not a resurrection. Lazarus retained his same mortal body that would have been subject to aging, sickness and death. In due time, Lazarus also died. Easter is our first genuine example of the resurrection. In His resurrection, Jesus’ body is transformed and is eternal, a body that will never die. This resurrection of dead people at the second coming of Jesus is believed and expected by all who believe and accept Christ.
 
Today’s first reading from Ezekiel gives us an image of this resurrection of the dead. God opens the graves and makes the dead rise out of them. It is not zombie apocalypse. They are fully alive and not the living dead. They are brought back to life by God’s very spirit that He puts in them. The second reading tells us how precious and powerful the Spirit of God is. It says, “If Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. If the spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also.” (Romans 8:10-11) Let’s remember that after Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were punished with mortality — they grew old and died. In Genesis 3:19 God says to Adam that he shall return to the ground “for dust you are and to dust you shall return.” All of us as descendants of Adam and Eve inherit this punishment. We will all die in time. That is the wages of sin. But the reading says, if Christ is in us, our soul will remain alive and the Lord who resurrected Christ will also resurrect our human body. That’s God’s promise! We can hold on to him because the Lord never lies.
 
What does this mean for us now as we wait for the day of Christ’s return? As followers of Jesus, we need to choose life and what is life-giving. The restoration of life depicted in the readings is very much like the work of Creation. In the beginning, the creature that had been formed from the dust of the ground came into being when God breathed the breath of life into it. (Genesis 2:7). When we choose things that are in accordance with Christ, it is as if we are participating in God’s work of giving life. We participate in God’s work of creation, in Christ’s work of redemption, in the Holy Spirit’s work of recreation!
 
In times of crisis like the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, we witnessed the volunteerism of many good Samaritans, heroes, and saints. They were there to save as many lives as they could — rescuing people, providing treatment to the injured as well as food and shelter to the victims rendered homeless by the catastrophe. Many of us, will not be given the opportunity to join such rescue operations but if we look around us, we will see who needs our help. Sometimes, it is our own companions in the house who need our care the most. 
 
Although we cannot, on our own, raise ourselves out of the many forms of death that afflict us, remember that the author of life never tires of reviving us. Jesus is constantly calling to us, inviting us to follow Him, the same way He called Lazarus out of his grave to restore him to life. Let Jesus be our inspiration to be LIFE-GIVERS to one another. Let us draw from within ourselves what is good, true, and Christ-like to bring people out of their tombs of death and lead them to faith and hope in our God!

HOMILY: Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)

John 9:1-41

19 March 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

“For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities…. This is proof that dreams come true.” This is what Michelle Yeoh said in her acceptance speech as best actress in the recently concluded Academy Awards last Sunday. She adds, “And ladies…never let anybody tell you that you are past your prime.” Michelle Yeoh makes history as the first Asian to win an Oscar for best actress for her role as Evelyn Wang in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Her win is ground-breaking because now filmmakers and producers will start seeing Asians, Asian women, and older women as the talented and bankable Hollywood artists that they are. They will no longer be passed up for meaty lead roles in movies. 

The principal theme of the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent centres on seeing. It is not just about physical seeing but rather a much deeper kind of seeing that leads to spiritual insight. Ang kuwento ng ebanghelyo ngayong ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma ay ang pagpapagaling ni Hesus sa isang taong ipinanganak na bulag. If we look closely, there are more here than meets the eye! It wasn’t just the sight of the blind man’s eyes that was restored. He actually gained in-sight into who Jesus was and the impact He made on his life. Unlike the Pharisees who continue to persist in darkness and acknowledge the truth before them, the once-blind-man can really see who Jesus is — the Messiah. 

In the Gospel, ironically everyone who had sight failed to see. Everyone except the blind man. This blindness is prevalent throughout the gospel passage. First the incredulous disciples asked: “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2) And Jesus responded “Neither he or his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible thru him.” (John 9:3) Right there and then, Jesus wanted them to see that it is through human weakness that the power of God is able to enter through and work in someone’s life. Diyan pa lang sa Kanyang salita, ipinakikita na ni Hesus na sa kahinaan ng tao natin maaaninag ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos Ama. Second, you have some of the blind man’s neighbours who only saw him for his disability: “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg? Some said, “It is,” but others who refused to recognise the healing said, “No, no he just looks like him.” (John 9:8-9) Thirdly, you have the Pharisees who chose to live in the darkness of their prejudice towards Jesus. Ginawa nilang issue ang pagpapagaling ni Hesus sa Sabbath. They discredit Jesus by focusing on the fact that Jesus has failed to observe Jewish law and even condemn the once-blind-man as a fraud saying he was born in sin. “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” (John 9:16) They were adamant despite the presence of dissenting voices who recognise the truth about Jesus: “How can a sinful man do such signs?” (John 9:16) They were easily drowned out by those who shouted the loudest. As they say, “If we are prejudiced against a person, that person can do nothing right in our eyes. If we are prejudiced in favour of a person, that person can do nothing wrong in our eyes.” Lastly, even the parents of the blind man who should have been the most credible witnesses of such a miracle were afraid to open their eyes to the blessing received, abandoning their son to the cynical crowd. Instead of witnessing for him, say their son is of age and can answer their questions himself.

This theme of seeing is further emphasized in the story of the search for a new king and the eventual choice and anointing of David as King of Israel. Nobody saw anything worthwhile in the youngest child, David; he was considered too young and unimportant to be thought of as a viable contender to become king of Israel. Not even the great prophet Samuel saw in him such a potential. The prophet was reminded, however, that “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) God saw David’s heart and was obviously pleased with what is there for him to become God’s anointed one.

The readings this Sunday offer us an opportunity to look carefully at how we perceive others and the situations we find ourselves in. Do we consider some people too insignificant for greatness?  Are we so jaded and biased by society’s judgment of people that we cannot see them for who they are?  Dati, ang mga pulis ay may reputasyon sa pagiging baluktot. Di na halos makita ang mga magigiting na pulis na kahanga-hanga at may integridad. Pag nakakakita tayo ng “Bumbay” na nakamotor, agad iniisip 5/6 ang negosyo nito, samantalang iba-iba na rin ang trabaho nila. Sometimes, we are so hung up on what is going wrong all around us that we fail to see what is gojng right in our life.  Are we too focused on what afflicts us that we fail to see the good God makes out of all of our life’s challenges? Di ba sabi nila “Count your blessings?” There is actually a prayer that goes “Lord, increase my faith that I may see You through my tears.”

St. Paul tells the Ephesians in our Second Reading today: “Live as children of the light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” (Ephesians 5:8-9) Let us pray for a deepening of faith. Let us pray that we may be open to receive the light of Christ that illumines the darkness around us. In moments of blindness and doubt, when we are seemingly asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35) we can answer confidently, “Yes, I do believe, Lord!” (John 9:38)

HOMILY: Third Sunday of Lent (A)

John 4:5-15

12 March 2023 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Have you ever made an effort to avoid certain people because you feel judged? That’s exactly what the woman in the gospel does! She went to the well at noon, instead of the usual early morning, probably to avoid the “gossipmongers” (“marites”). It is not surprising that her affairs interest others foremostly because, she is a Samaritan and their kind is not accepted by the Jews. Second, her love life is quite an issue as she has been with a number of men. 

In her conversation with Jesus, we can observe that she has no awareness nor shame over her practice of immorality. Indeed, when we have become so used to a sinful pattern of living, we can become blind to what we need to correct. We continue to sin because we are numb to our sin. At times, we can be as stubborn and stiff-necked as the people in the wilderness whom Moses had a really hard time dealing with. They were saved from slavery in Egypt; Yet, they still had the proclivity to get angry, to demand and grumble the moment they experience thirst. Despite, their ill behaviour, God provides water for them. As Moses strikes his staff on the rock, water flows out fit for them to drink. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we can also be way too stubborn for our own good. Yes, we are invited to listen to people who truly care for us so that we can get out of certain patterns of behaviour that deter us from truly becoming the persons God intended us to be. 

Only the sincere concern of Jesus enlightened the Samaritan woman. He recognises that she has been filling the void in her life with unhealthy relationships. Jesus offers her living water. He says that whoever drinks it will never go thirsty and it will become a spring within them welling up to eternal life. Despite her sins, Jesus offered her a lifelong solution to her thirst. Her decision to acknowledge her shortcomings and eventually open her heart to Jesus brings her a new lease on life. 

The gospel challenges us to think about where we have gone astray. We must find courage to let go of our sinful patterns of behaviour and to choose to be found in the Lord. Let us remember that Christ’s coming into the world made no sense to those who had no need for Him (those who thought they were already righteous). Jesus came for those who knew they had sinned and were aware that they needed to be saved from their own transgressions. The Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus brought about healing and transformation.  

Consequently, the Samaritan woman’s conversion moved her to be a herald of the Good News to her community. She returned to their place and told the story of her encounter with Jesus as the Messiah. They invited Jesus to the town and He stayed there for two days! Her testimony brought the people to a deeper faith in Jesus. The people professed their new-found faith in Him saying, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the saviour of the world.” (John 4:42) Like her, our relationship with the Lord must lead us to a more zealous proclamation and living out of the Good News. 

Brothers and sisters, we are sinners, but Jesus loves us so much despite our unworthiness. This is what St. Paul speaks about in the Second Reading. “God proves his love to us…that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Let us open ourselves to God’s transforming grace so that our lives may be a visible testament of the Good News for others.

Artwork by Blair C. Nuyda, AA

HOMILY: Second Sunday of Lent (A)

Matthew 17:1-9

5 March 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

We are persons of habit. When we like something or have a habit of doing something, we will choose it or do it over and over again. We eat the same food, watch the same TV shows, go to the same barber for haircut, etc. When we are comfortable and are set in our ways, we are not too keen on making changes even if it is for our own good. A smoker for thirty years will not find it easy to quit the habit. Those who are used to taking coffee first thing in the morning are cranky if they must go without their usual cup. We resist and refuse to succumb to what is unfamiliar, uncomfortable and possibly difficult.  We do not want to be inconvenienced.  

In the gospel reading for this Second Sunday of Lent, we hear of the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John caught sight of the true glory of Jesus. Peter’s reaction was a bit strange. He was in awe of Christ. This is the image of the saviour he has been looking and waiting for, not the ordinary person they meet every day who is oppressed and despised by the authorities. “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here…” (Matthew 17:4) While Peter is eager to stay and get settled, the implied message of Jesus’ transfiguration is actually a challenge to those who follow Him. If we are to partake in Jesus’ glory, we cannot simply stay where it is safe.  We cannot stay where we are always winners, where we are always at peace  and where we are always the hero, especially if those around us are suffering and falling into error and evil.

In the passage from the Book of Genesis, we are told of how God’s call demanded a radical change from Abraham. He left the security of his home to travel to another which was completely foreign to him. He had to leave behind what he knew and loved and journeyed into an unknown future. Because Abraham listened to God and believed in His promises, he was greatly blessed throughout the days of his life.     

Similarly, we cannot simply sit back, stay put and be content with the status quo. The one who truly listens to Jesus’ words… the one who takes heed of Jesus’ teachings cannot just stay and remain the same. We who have been blessed to come to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with him are akin to those who have ascended the mountain and encountered God.  But we should not simply stop there. We must come down the mountain to share with others what was learned from Jesus! We have to live out the demands of that Holy Voice that directs and leads us where to go and what to do. This is how we can witness to others the truth that Jesus lives and that He is the only true path to eternal life. 

The Transfiguration of Jesus is meant to encourage us to have hope and to look forward to our own transformation. We all have hope to change for the better even those whom we think are beyond redemption. It will not be easy. We may even have to pay dearly and sacrifice much as followers of Christ. There will be many challenges but we need to be strong.  In the Second Reading, St. Paul encourages Timothy, “Bear your share of the hardship for the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:8) He also gives assurance that God will provide him the strength that is needed to carry out what God wills — not only for Timothy but for us all.  Again, it will not be easy but the outcome will be our spiritual growth and maturity. As disciples of Christ, let us trust in Him and persevere. Let us keep the hope alive that one day, we may share in the glory of Jesus in Heaven.

HOMILY: First Sunday of Lent (A)

Matthew 4:1-11

26 February 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

“I’m only human.” This a phrase that we may have heard of and even used at some point in our life. We use it to justify our weaknesses that cause us to fall prey to temptations. However, it is our humanity that should constantly remind us of where we stand before the Lord — how we draw our strength from Him and find refuge in our Creator.

On the First Sunday of Lent we usually hear one of the Synoptic Gospel accounts of the Temptation of Jesus. This year, we hear St. Matthew’s version.

Many Bible scholars have noted that if we look closely at the three (3) temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, they could actually be classified into just one temptation. What  then is this temptation of Jesus? If we take into consideration the First Reading, the temptation to which Adam and Eve succumbed is set within the context of their being creatures. The devil enticed them to abandon their dependence on God by making them believe that they themselves would become “like gods”. In their desire to be equal with their Creator, they denied their reliance on Him as His creations. They, too, wanted the knowledge of good from evil and be independent of God. 

Contrast this with Jesus’ responses to the devil. “One does not live on bread alone…” (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3) “You shall not put your God to the test…” (Matthew 4:7; Deuteronomy 6:16) “The Lord, your God, shall you alone worship and Him alone shall you serve.” (Matthew 4:10; Deuteronomy 6:13) Each of these answers illustrates how the created being should relate with God, how a creature is necessarily dependent on the Creator alone. Hence, Jesus’ temptation in the form of food, prestige and power were the devil’s ways to make Him forget His reliance on the Father. Jesus was able to resist the devil’s temptation for satisfaction, power and wealth because He was humble. Although He Himself was God, He always deferred to the will of His Father. According to St. Paul in the 2nd Reading, redemption and new life entered the world through the obedience of Jesus whereas sin and death entered the world through the disobedience of Adam.

In fact, these three tests would recur throughout Jesus’ life. In every instant He would overcome it by choosing to serve God alone. According to a commentary I read on this gospel narrative, here are a few of those trying moments in Jesus’ life:

First, we recall that in two occasions, He multiplied bread for the multitude. He did so not for Himself but rather to feed the hungry crowd. (Matthew 14:13-21) Second, He rejected calls from His opponents to prove Himself by performing some wondrous signs. He insisted that the only sign that would be given them was that of His own death and resurrection. (Matthew 16:4) Third, after one of the feeding of the multitude accounts in John’s gospel, the crowd  wanted to make Him king. Instead, he fled, sought the Father’s guidance in prayer and moved on to other villages where He could also minister to others in need. (John 6:1-14)

Jesus would pass all three tests and would continue to do so during His life right up to the moment of His death. “In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus would ask to be spared the horrors of His Passion, but He would eventually put aside His own fears of suffering and death and voluntarily submit to the Father’s will. (Matthew 26:42) On the cross Jesus would make the despairing cry: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, and soon after, in total surrender He would say as He breathes His last: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.””

We all struggle with the temptation to abandon our loyalty to God for seemingly more attractive and easier paths of life that give us false security.  The temptations of Jesus also come into our lives in varying forms. We are all tempted to desire comfort. This is not the ordinary comfort that God wants us to have through hard work and perseverance, but rather the kind that we achieve through selfishness and indulgence. We are all tempted to desire success, to be somebody. Sometimes, we pursue this no matter the cost. We are all tempted to desire power: to run things, to run people, to be in charge to the point that we neglect the humanity and needs of people involved. Sometimes, we do not make room for God to work in our lives anymore. God’s will becomes secondary to our will. These are basic human desires, desires that we are inclined to want for ourselves no matter what it takes. These are inclinations that we need to be aware of, inclinations that we need to confront.  For us, too, the battle against evil never stops. It is a constant struggle as we try to be faithful followers of Jesus. 

Let our Lenten observance be a grace-filled moment where we can stand utterly naked before God, acknowledging our total dependence on Him who created us. Let us resist the temptation to believe that we can do things on our own without God’s help. Let us always call on God in moments of temptation. With Him at our side, we shall conquer bravely every temptation that comes our way.