Sunday Gospel Reflections

HOMILY: Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 10:17-30

10 October 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

I chanced upon a tweet that said “Wala akong pakialam kung sino ang sinuportahan at binoto mo noong mga nakaraang eleksyon. Tapos na ‘yon. Ang mahalaga ay kung sino ang iboboto mo sa 2022. ‘Yong jowa mo nga pinalitan mo noong niloko ka. Pwedeng magbago ng isip. Huwag magtiis, may choice ka.” (I don’t care whom you supported and voted in the last elections. It’s all in the past now. What is more important is whom you are going to vote in 2022. ‘You even dumped the boyfriend/girlfriend who cheated on you. So, you can always change your mind. You need not wallow in misery, you have a choice!’)

It’s truth dressed with humour. Life is indeed full of choices.  These days we choose how we spend our days at home, what food we want delivered, what K-Drama to watch, what “budol” we get suckered into ordering online.  Sometimes we take for granted the fact that we have the power to make important choices — ones that can determine or influence the future.  We end up making the wrong choices because of ignorance and fear.  When we feel so helpless, we delude ourselves into thinking we cannot effect change so we just never tap into that power. Other times, we are so complacent in how things are going for us that we shy away from choices that we fear would cause us discomfort even if they will benefit more people. 

The man in our gospel was surrounded by choices.  He happily declares to Jesus that since his youth he had chosen to follow all the commandments. However, Jesus presents him with another choice — to give up all his possessions and give them to the poor or to keep his status quo. I have always been intrigued by what happened after the last line of today’s Gospel passage. We are simply told that “when the young man heard [what Jesus told him], he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”  (Mark 10:22) Would you say he left seemingly dejected because he knew he couldn’t give up his possessions? Or do you think he left feeling down because he had the intention to sell his possessions, give up his present life and follow the Lord? Either way, the man’s choice would be difficult — wrought with fear and uncertainties. The first option endangers his chances at eternal life, while the second endangers his personal comfort. Neither motivation is a bad one but the latter choice would require a huge sacrifice on his part. Perhaps the idea is to present the reader with the opportunity to put themselves in his shoes and make their own choice. 

Brothers and sisters, many of us are like this man in the Gospel whose heart is in the right place as he approaches Jesus, fully convinced at the value of meriting what the Lord offered — eternal life. However, like him we also hesitate when the choice to follow Jesus involves a major personal sacrifice. We look for excuses; we look for reasons why we cannot follow God’s way and end up faltering in our tracks. At worst, we even start questioning the wisdom of God!  Take for example how people respond differently to the fact that we are mere stewards of God’s blessings. It amazes me when I read about indigent people helping those who are in a worse situation. Isusubo na lang nila, hahatian pa nila ang kapwa nila. (It’s the only thing they have but they still share it with others.) And yet, there are wealthy people who eat sumptuous meals while their househelp subsists on a regular diet of canned sardines.  There are people who donate from their excess and people who choose not to donate at all because it allegedly encourages the poor to be dependent on dole outs and it condones the inefficiency of government in finding solutions to poverty. In both instances, you see just how people struggle to part with their material wealth. 

I think on a very basic level, no one would willingly opt to let go of what one has been comfortably used to or what gives one security. In other countries, people put such a high value on their personal freedoms that they demand it at the expense of others. Before vaccines were available, we saw people refusing to wear masks in public simply because they were uncomfortable. They did not care about contributing to the concerted effort to stop the spread of COVID 19 and minimising fatalities. These times, more than ever, society encourages us to protect what we believe is best for ourselves over protecting ideals that are best for humanity. Is this truly a good thing? People value the freedom to choose their religion but yet they allow laws to be effected that prevent people from publicly praying to God and in extreme cases, allow the killing of those of a different faith. Yesterday, Maria Ressa was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize for protecting freedom of expression. It suggests that the right to speak out and express one’s views is valued by society, YET we tolerate people spreading fake news and those cancelling out those who have a view or opinion contrary to theirs. We have to learn to weigh our choices and opt for what serves a higher purpose and achieves the greater good.

Making a choice can be tough. To choose one option is to relinquish the others. There is always a price to pay or an opportunity cost. When we choose for others to pay the price, we are being selfish. When we refuse to make smarter shopping choices to promote sustainability and protection of the environment, it is the future generations that will suffer the consequences. When we choose leaders who fill our pockets today and rob the country tomorrow, we would have deprived our nation of a true chance at unity and progress. We have to be brave enough to make adjustments in our lifestyle in order to defend our choices and commit to them. We have to take responsibility for our choices and be willing to make a sacrifice.  It is neither easy to make better choices especially when we are hurting. News reports warn us that increased joblessness due to the pandemic has given rise to criminal behaviour. The sad truth is that some people feel they have no other choice but to do others harm so they and their families will not starve. Consider also families that are suffering simultaneous COVID infections among their members. It is not easy for family members quarantined at home to remain in their houses while a family member fights to survive in the hospital. Under other circumstances, they would actively exhaust all their resources to provide any support they can to save their loved one. 

These same issues hold us back from wholeheartedly saying “Yes” to Jesus’ invitation to trust Him. Trusting and following the Lord means letting go of everything we cling to, offering each and every thing to Him including our woes, our pains, our fears. To choose Jesus is to acknowledge that He is the higher good, that He is always worth our greatest sacrifices. If we anchor our decisions on Jesus, we can be sure that He will lead us to the truth. The Second Reading guarantees that in all our choices, the Word of God is our true moral compass. “Indeed the Word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

The Gospel challenges us to make wise choices; to bravely ask questions that allow us to make informed decisions. Hopefully, this leads us to relinquish our tendency to hold on to what is self-serving and what provides us with a temporary sense of security and to serenely entrust ourselves and our future to God’s providence and benevolence. St. Mark reminds us that there is a blessing in being “spiritually poor”. “Amen I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more in this present age… and eternal life in the age to come.” (Mark 10: 29-30). Let us set our hearts therefore on the Kingdom of Heaven where our true “treasure” lies.

HOMILY: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 10: 2-16

3 October 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Before I officiate over weddings, I conduct canonical interviews with the couples preparing for marriage. When I’d ask how the preparations are getting along, their usual response is about accomplishing the paper work, finalising the entourage, choosing the venue, picking the menu, deciding on the wedding motif, the decorations, the gowns, etc. I just sigh and remember the quote I once read, “The flowers you pick out for the bouquets will wilt, but the spiritual bouquets — made up of prayers, living the sacramental life — will produce a sacred harvest long past your wedding day.” In that spirit I always shift the couples’ attention to what is more essential in a church wedding and ask them about their spiritual preparation for their marriage. Most of them are taken off guard by the question. Sadly, even for believers who opt for a church wedding there is very little attention given to the spiritual preparation for marriage — the lifetime they have chosen to live with their partner after the festivity of a wedding. They focus too much on the externals. However, since the pandemic, I have observed that couples have learned to scale down on the pomp and flashiness of a wedding. Due to restrictions, they have learned to identify the most important people in their lives and invite them to witness the ceremony. Gone is the kilometric entourage with prominent people in business and government as sponsors. Even simple receptions were prohibited. Still, couples chose to push through with their wedding.  I appreciate that they treasure each other so much to make a life commitment before God and obtain His blessing. 

In the gospel passage this Sunday the Pharisees test Jesus with a question about divorce. Jesus responded by going back to the original intent of God that forms the basis of the Church’s teaching on the permanence of the marital union. In God’s design the couple has become one flesh and therefore must not be separated. “Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” (Mark 10:9) As pointed out by the Pharisees, divorce was permissible according to the Mosaic Law so they were not really concerned about the acceptability of divorce. What they were trying to find out was whether Jesus would undermine the authority of the Mosaic tradition. Instead, Jesus challenges the Pharisees to aim for the ideal in marriage. Jesus invites them to strive for the ideals to which God has called them, rather than to submit to the accommodations people often tend to make for their convenience. 

There are varying reasons why people marry these days. The most ideal of which is because of love. Those who marry later in life do so for companionship. Still others enter into marriage for security, for money or because a child is involved. As a priest I have observed that couples whose marriages have been grounded on love tend to withstand the test of time. Marriages that required couples to make certain sacrifices and fight for their love would weather most of life’s challenges. I recently came across this article about Japan’s Princess Mako who had made sacrifices in order for her to wed the love of her life. She patiently waited for years when her family delayed their wedding due to their displeasure concerning the financial standing of her fiancé’s family. She finally chose to give up her chance to be in line for the crown and to forego a one-time million-dollar payment (150M Yen) usually offered to royals marrying commoners just so she could finally wed her college classmate. This love story attests to the fact that having a healthy, loving relationship does not imply that there are no struggles. In fact, the challenges we have to face often strengthen the relationship. We are “made perfect through suffering” (Hebrews 2:10), as the Letter to the Hebrews puts it. 

For us Christians, we aim for the ideal of marriage. Many people ask what is so distinctive about a Catholic Christian marriage? In the Catholic tradition, marriage is understood as a sacrament. It is a covenant made with God. We see this religious significance of marriage in the way the matrimonial vows are exchanged in a church wedding. In a civil wedding, vows are exchanged as such: I, [name], take you [name], to be my [husband/wife], to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part. Whereas in a church wedding, the vow begins with the words… “Grant us, O Lord to be one heart and soul…” While the former is worded as a promise, which we know we, as flawed human beings, can easily break, the latter is in the form of a prayer. The couple acknowledges that it is “the presence of the Lord that will render their marriage as full and profoundly true.” The couple recognises that they need to strive to be true to each other, not so much out of their own strength but through God’s grace. For those among you who were married in church, isn’t this why you sought out God’s blessing on your married life? You wanted what the readings today say, (for) “the Lord to bless them (you) all the days of their (your) life” (Psalm 128:5). This is the foundation on which you build your future together — you build your life together on solid rock, entrusting your love to Him who is love.  With God at your side, nothing can ever separate you! Who, indeed, shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Romans 8:35) 

The point is not to give up easily on a relationship. Relationships are hard. Two very different and imperfect people from different backgrounds, choosing to be together is bound to generate some friction, misunderstandings and disagreements. These days, when there is such a focus on finding one’s personal happiness, people hop from one relationship to another. We observe this in the way people unfollow each other or cancel people out on social media. It seems so easy to delete, erase everything. I remember the days when people needed to take time to process or to even ritualise their break up by the shredding of the love letters, burning of the photos and getting rid of whatever it is that reminds them of the person. Not to oversimplify, “pero ngayon parang ang bilis maka-move on ng tao.” We should not let it reach the point where married people believe it’s the same for their union and they will not make an effort to save their marriage. The difference is that in a marriage, the couple has pledged to place each other’s happiness and welfare before their own. You have to expect to make sacrifices for the other and not toss them away when they are no longer pleasing nor benefitting you. If you must know, the Philippines is the only country besides the Vatican City State where divorce is not legal. Our lawmakers are pushing the bill for legalising divorce in the country. The danger is when this will be used as a ticket to trivialise marriage. To obtain divorce, couples declare the other to be so problematic and flawed that they cannot stand to be married to them anymore, as though people do not have the capacity to change and become better. They sever ties because they mistakenly believe it is just a contract between the two parties. Marriage is bonded by no less than God, Himself.  A couple should trust that God will reinforce that bond if the couple does not easily give up hope on their relationship and exhaust all means possible to save it. 

The readings this Sunday make us consider our various commitments in life.  It makes us examine in a special manner the vitality of our faithfulness to them as well as our covenant before God.  May we always welcome God into our relationships. Let us entrust to His divine wisdom and grace all our commitments. As the Psalm tells us… “Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.” (Psalm 128:1) May the Lord strengthen us to always strive for the ideal of love in our relations with one another today and in the many years the Lord will bless us with.

Homily: Feast of St. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

29 September 2021

Who are angels? What roles do they play in our faith history, in the story of human salvation? 

It is most fitting that we give light to these questions as we celebrate today the feast of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. 

The word “angels” principally means “messengers”. They are God’s messengers as the Bible would portray them; they are the bearers of His will, of His pronouncements, of His love and goodness to His people. In Jewish and Christian Scriptures, the angels appear to suggest God’s presence. They are sent by God to be our helper, our rescuer and our source of comfort and consolation. The Letter to the Hebrews has more to say about the role of angels in our midst: “What are angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by Him to help those who are to receive salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14) We also take note that “El” is one of the Hebrew words for “God”. “Mica-el” means “who is like God.” “Gabri-el” means “God is strong.” “Rapha-el” means “God heals.” 

As messengers of God, we recall in the Gospel of Luke that it was the angel Gabriel who told Mary that she was to be the mother of Jesus. It was also Gabriel who announced to Zechariah the birth of his son of his old age, John the Baptist. In Matthew’s Gospel, it was also an angel who was sent to tell Joseph that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. It was also an angel who told Joseph to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. It was an angel as well who told the women the great news that Jesus has been raised. 

As consoler of God, we call to mind Raphael’s mission to Tobiah in the Old Testament. He served as his guardian angel, protecting him on the dangerous journey, healing his father Tobit from blindness and introducing him to his wife Sarah and eventually healing her as well. In Tobit 12:15, Raphael reveals himself saying: “I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.” Though not named, an angel comforted Jesus in His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:43)

As defender of the good, Michael is depicted as battling against the dragon in the passage from the Book of Revelation. “The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail.” (Revelations 12:7)

Today’s feast and the stories of angels in the Bible remind us that we too can and should be God’s messengers, like Gabriel. We are to be bringers of God’s consolation and concern to our wearied brothers and sisters during these trying times, like Raphael. Finally, like Michael, we are called to emulate him in fighting for the good (defending the truth) and in ensuring that God reigns in every heart of all believers.

Let us thank God for the presence of angels in our lives. They are those angels whom we can see and those angels who act and are very much present, “ascending and descending” in our pilgrimage through life.

HOMILY: Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

26 September 2021

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

Politics is everywhere! It has overtaken everyone’s Covid-related conversations. It’s in the news and in the different social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Tiktok, etc. We are saturated with all kinds of propaganda videos of people who present themselves as the leaders who would bring about the change we want for our nation. Expect more to come next month as the deadline of the filing of candidacy nears. There are just so many candidates to consider in terms of quantity, but I’d say not so much of the quality, if we must choose based on real performance and competence. In the spirit of honouring the freedom to run for public office and the freedom to select candidates, we allow those who lack the qualifications and competencies a chance to govern us, to represent us, and make decisions for our future. Another disadvantage of a multiparty-system is that it exacerbates our divisiveness as a people. We are quick to label one another according to our political affiliations or beliefs these days and it affects the way we perceive and deal with each other. Our prejudices, intolerances and biases do prevent us from recognising the true state of things and the truth of what is for the common good. It’s so easy to fail at seeing a reality bigger than our own. 

This Sunday’s readings present two scenarios showing how our intolerances can prevent us from considering another person’s point of view and seeing a bigger reality than our own. In the passage from the Book of Numbers, Joshua wanted Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying. Joshua was offended that those who received the spirit in a different way from the rest would be allowed to prophesy. Like Joshua in the First Reading, John also wanted to stop someone from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. To Joshua, Moses replied: “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” (Numbers 11:29) Moses is plainly concerned about promoting the good of the entire people than preserving the exclusive prophetic authority bestowed on him and the elders. To his mind, if it would be better for the majority that they share their privilege as leaders, so be it. Similarly, Jesus teaches John that someone who does exorcisms successfully in His name is not an enemy but rather an ally. “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:39-40) Jesus directs John’s attention to what is essential — that the work of ushering in God’s reign be done regardless of whoever does it.    

Going back to our upcoming elections… dumadami na naman ang mga “Epals”. This Filipino slang for “mapapel,” refers to those who are attention grabbers, scene stealers, or people who crave a role (papel) in affairs that are not necessarily theirs to handle or decide. I don’t mean to depress anyone of us. If we look closely, there are many good, dedicated and honest people who really serve the people in the truest sense of being public servants. They have a true “passion for service”. They have always been committed to improving the quality of life of our people. Sadly, most of the time their efforts are unrecognised because they work quietly. There are also some who cannot look beyond their political affiliations to acknowledge the good others are capable of doing. Di ba dapat tulong-tulong sa ikabubuti ng karamihan? Shouldn’t we support whatever it is that is for the good of the majority? After all, no one has a monopoly of good ideas and good deeds. “Di porket di ikaw ang may pakana, bad idea na.” Some value the credit to their name and reputation so much that they say, “Gawa na lang tayo ng sariling project kasi project yan ng ibang tao.” Please! Let us set aside our egos and our need for adulation and self-promotion. 

Sadly, this also happens in the Church among her minsters. A parish has different organisations and ministries with different charisms. Wouldn’t it be great if we supported their projects instead of launching our own similar projects to prove we are productive, or so others can fawn over how generous our members are or how good we are at organising and mobilising our own teams? I would like to believe that this is one of the reasons why the Church has convened a synod on synodality come 2023 in Rome with its preparations on the diocesan level already underway. Pope Francis is giving Catholics worldwide a voice in deciding the future of our Church. This is a privileged moment to have a time of listening, dialogue and discernment so we can collectively respond as a Church to our mission of relevantly proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to the entire world.

The times we live in remind us of the great importance of unity among us. In a society divided so greatly by political affiliations and opinions, we as Christians are called to focus less on what will further divide us. We have to keep in mind that we can only get through this pandemic if we foster more unity among ourselves and work together to find ways and means to ensure that all of humanity survives. Let us then enter more deeply into the prayer of Jesus and continue to work for that unity among us. We pray passionately, longingly, confidently, and humbly, “Lord, make us all one in your ways.”

HOMILY: Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Priest

Matthew 11: 25-30 

23 September 2021

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

I have mixed feelings about ending the ECQ. Do you? I understand the economy will suffer if we prolong strict restrictions. So many people’s livelihood will be in peril. On the other hand, being cooped up at home does take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. We constantly shift between the temptation to be restless and the temptation to be lazy, hoping to find some balance in between. Either way, we find so much to worry ourselves about. 

The pandemic has definitely raised our level of anxiety. Some break down in tears for no reason at all. Some feel exhausted, while others have sleepless nights. We all struggle to find ways to cope yet there are, of course, those who choose to defy the rules, because they can. I was recently told that in Poblacion, Speakeasy’s have mushroomed in the area and young people have been having underground parties so they can socialize with their friends, destress and drink their cares away in secret.  Escaping to these haunts is a challenge and quite a thrill if they succeed. They go, because they can — as if they can escape a COVID infection because it all happens in secret or BELOW the radar. On the other hand, there are those who believe they are ABOVE the law because of the size of their bank accounts, the weight their name carries or the position they hold in society.  I know of family members who use the IATF exemption IDs of their relatives to cross inter-city borders during ECQ — just because they can. It also brings to mind a news report of a high-level politician who insisted on being self-quarantined at a fancy suite in a luxury hotel on taxpayer’s money. He did it because he felt his status was worthy of the prestige. I’m sure you can identify other instances wherein people you know or you yourself have acted selfishly and delighted in putting one over the government and the rest of society. These acts of self-gratification are the same as boasting of what makes one special. 

On this Feast Day of St. Pio, we learn a lot from this man of God who was no stranger to the struggles we have today. St. Paul declares in the Second reading: “The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14), but it might as well have been uttered by St. Pio. He had extraordinary gifts but never boasted about them or used them to influence situations in his favour. He accepted his circumstance with gentleness and full trust in God. St. Pio was undoubtedly a remarkable person. He was a sought-after confessor gifted with the capacity to see into people’s souls. He was said to have the otherworldly ability to bilocate — being at two places at the same time. He was also blessed with the stigmata of Christ! St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians says “…the marks on my body are those of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Padre Pio literally bore the nail wounds in the hands and feet of Jesus and the piercing in His side. He did not openly display this gift for people to marvel or gawk at. He kept his hands modestly hidden in his sleeves or pockets or he wore gloves to conceal the wounds. Still, people came in droves from everywhere to see him and hear him, to confess to him and be blessed by him because he was so exceptional. 

His popularity must have alarmed the religious authorities at the time that they restrained the poor Capuchin friar. The book Padre Pio: The True Story by Bernard Ruffin, details how the saint reacted to the decree that worked against his ministry. It stated: “Padre Pio is to be stripped of all faculties of his priestly ministry except the faculty to celebrate the Holy Mass, which he may continue to do provided it is done in private, within the walls of the friary, in the inner chapel, and not publicly in church”. For a priest this is a very painful sanction yet Saint Pio responded: “God’s will be done,”…then he covered his eyes with his hands, lowered his head, and murmured, “The will of the religious authorities is the will of God.” He readily obeyed his superiors when they told him to confine himself while being investigated.  While in “quarantine” he experienced many struggles, even spiritual attacks. Through it all he prayed constantly, remained humble and cheerful. Asked by his friend and former teacher, Padre Agostino how he spent his time in confinement, he good naturedly responded: “I pray and I study as much as I can, and then I annoy my brothers.”    

In today’s Gospel Jesus declares “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.” (Matthew 11:25) I’d like to think that because St Pio also had the humility, meekness, and wonder of a child, he used his time to seek Christ more deeply and was rewarded. And the gospel passage continues “…no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” (Matthew 11:27) It was in his moments of meditation and prayer that Jesus allowed him to develop a greater understanding and love for God through a devotion to His Sacred Heart.  When emissaries of the Pope Pius XI were sent to check on Padre Pio two years after his “convent arrest”, it was reported: “They found no wild-eyed fanatic, no crazed neurotic, no embittered rebel, but a pleasant, humorous man. According to Padre Rafaele, one of the Pope’s representatives Mosignor Luca Pasetto was very much impressed with Pio’s humility, his docility, and the whole of his conduct.”   

If you think about it, his popularity would’ve been sufficient to make an appeal for a reversal of the decree. These days a slighted priest can opt to mobilize his flock to rally on his behalf or he could use the pulpit to criticize his detractors. Padre Pio did nothing of the sort. Neither did he flaunt his gifts.   The wisdom in his meekness is noteworthy.  When the country started to administer vaccines, I remember being in awe of Jaime Zobel de Ayala, who for all his wealth and influence, fell in line and waited for his turn to be vaccinated with Sinovac!  He could have simply boarded his private jet and gotten himself vaccinated in the US with any vaccine of his choosing, yet he opted to queue for the least favoured vaccine brand. Several days ago, I came across an article explaining why a favourite presidentiable had not declared her candidacy. She said: “Madaling tumakbo pero marami pang dapat pag-isipan.” Having served well in her capacity, she does have an advantage in terms of name recall and her many accomplishments as a public servant.  She said, however, that she wants to ascertain if her running will benefit the nation because if it will divide the nation further or damn the country to a worse fate, she is willing to hold back. There’s some self-sacrificing wisdom for you and me. We really should not lord things over others because we can, but rather choose humility and look beyond one’s self for the good of the other.

St. Pio is definitely someone we can look up to and strive to emulate as we struggle through this pandemic and recurring quarantines. He inspires us to take the high road even when our freedom is curtailed and we are done an injustice. He was never boastful nor arrogant nor did he resort to taking advantage of others for his benefit. He cautions people against useless worry and encourages people to pray and pray often. It was prayer that helped him fight many spiritual battles while alone in his room and helped him overcome the lack of support he suffered from people who should have looked after his welfare. St. Pio advocates the praying of the Holy Rosary disclosing that it is the most effective weapon against evil and the snares of the devil. By his example, St. Pio teaches us that against all uncertainties, we simply have to submit to God’s plan and trust in Him completely.

HOMILY: Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 9:30-37

19 September 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

A friend once chanced upon a social media meme with a picture of two women who are sitting on the floor each busy writing something in textbooks that lie open on their laps. They are discussing about their dreams for their children. The first woman said: “Mare, kailangan maging duktor ang anak ko paglaki niya para makatulong sa maysakit.” (Pal, my son must become a doctor so that he can help those who are sick.) The other woman answers, “Balang araw ang anak ko magiging engineer! Kaya dapat galingan na natin ang pagsagot sa assignments nila….” (Someday, my son will become an engineer! So, we better do well in answering their assignments…) Funny but very sad at the same time. I do not know if you have also read about “Online Kopyahan” in the news. It is a Facebook Group Page with 700,000 followers allegedly used by students to cheat on online learning tests and exams. The page is filled with posts of test papers and questionnaires with answers on various subjects. This is indeed quite alarming! 

In today’s Gospel passage, the disciples are squabbling over “who is the greatest” among them. While Jesus is speaking of His impending suffering, death and resurrection, the disciples are themselves engaged in a heated discussion about status within the community. However, instead of reprimanding them as Jesus did with Peter on last Sunday’s Gospel, this time Jesus seizes the opportunity to teach them what true greatness is: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) This idea of greatness is in total contradiction to everything that the disciples perceive greatness to be. As disciples, they have indeed much to learn from Jesus. 

To illustrate His point, Jesus calls in a child. Amidst the bickering of the disciples over greatness, Jesus says, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” (Mark 9:37) The child here represents those persons in society who have no power, no status, no influence whatsoever. They are the helpless, the neglected, the powerless among us whom the followers of Christ are called to minister to. When we accept, when we welcome such persons, Jesus says, is tantamount to welcoming Him. To “welcome” means to respect and to serve, in the way a host welcomes a guest with so much attention and care. Jesus showed them that the way to Christian greatness is simple: when we sincerely work for the wellbeing of others in need. To be of service to others is to pursue greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Just recently, John Arcilla, a Filipino actor, won with high honours for his acting talent in the Venice Film Festival. He is the first Filipino actor to win such an award. He even bested the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor who plays Marvel’s Dr. Strange. Despite his achievement John chooses to remain humble, saying… “I simply believe that no human being can live and survive without keeping their feet on the ground. I am a human being. I cannot be anything else.”

Many of us, even those who profess to be Christians have difficulties accepting Christ’s view of greatness. For us, greatness necessarily means being first, being on top, being in control or having people doing what we want them to do. It is no surprise then that there are some of us who want to be in positions of authority at all costs. They would even dare cheat their way into winning because of the perceived privileges that accompany these posts. The essence of authority which is first and foremost bestowed for the purpose of service is easily forgotten and taken for granted. It is indeed disheartening when those who take the reins of the community or a country get lost in their power and influence; when they forget the value and essence of humble public service in their leadership. This selfishness results to all kinds of corrupt practices and a neglect of the common good. 

Jesus is saying otherwise, true greatness is in being the servant or slave of all. A friend of mine who is frustrated about politics in the country told me, “Father, I think the priests need to be more emphatic and specific about the candidates we ought to elect in the coming elections.” How am I supposed to answer that without being accused of partisan politics? I believe if we take seriously what the Word of God tells us, we would find enough guidance in choosing the kind of our leaders who emulate the ways of Christ. In the Second Reading (James 3:16 – 4:3), St. James contrasts two styles of behaviour: the way of the foolish and the way of the wise. The former is characterized by jealousy, selfish ambition, while the latter (as it is motivated by wisdom) generates harmony, peace and goodwill among peoples. 

In closing I would like to invite you to picture St. Teresa of Calcutta. She was given a state funeral by the government of India. She was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her greatness, which she probably did not dream of nor want for herself. She was recognised for giving herself to the very lowest, treating them as brothers and sisters and living close to them. She and countless others are given as examples and inspiration to all of us to pursue true greatness in the way of Christ. The only sure way to recognise Christian greatness is to follow those who serve. May the Holy Spirit help us to recognise and to pursue true greatness.

HOMILY: Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Luke 2:33-35

15 September 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Alinaya Cordero, a cardiologist, recounted on her FB post how broken she was after having to inform the mother of her youngest COVID patient that her child was gone. “Habang nasa gilid ng kalsada, kausap ko ang ina na OFW ng pinakabata kong pasyente na tinamaan ng COVID, 28 taong-gulang, para ipaalam na siguro ang pinakamasakit na salita na pwedeng marinig ng isang ina at pinakamasakit na salita na pwedeng masabi ng isang doktor.”  News such as this is a dagger to the heart of any mother. 

Today we remember how Mary, was not immune to suffering even if her Son, was God. As a mother, her heart was crushed every time she feared for her child, Jesus, and witnessed His sufferings. When we look at the image of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary’s heart is often depicted to be pierced with seven wounds or with that of a sword. Explicitly we are reminded in today’s gospel reading of Simeon’s words to her: “And a sword will pierce your own soul…” (Luke 2:35). The devout man also foretold that a sword of sorrow would pierce Mary’s heart (Luke 2:22-37). Such is deemed the first sorrow of the Blessed Mother. Mary and Joseph’s flight into Egypt is said to be Mary’s second sorrow. The couple took the new-born Jesus to safety as they escaped the massacre of the children in Bethlehem (Matthew 3:16-18). In Mary’s third sorrow, we recall how the Child Jesus went missing for three days when they were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The 12-year-old Jesus was actually in the Temple discussing the Law with the teachers (Luke 2:41-52). Mary’s exchange with Jesus went like this… “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”(Luke 2:49) The fourth sorrow of Mary was when Jesus met His Mother on the Way to Calvary. Though not mentioned specifically in the Scripture, we find Jesus’ ascent to Calvary bearing the cross in John 19:17. Mary’s fifth sorrow is noted in the Gospel of John which tells us that the Mother of Jesus was present right there at the foot of the Cross (John 19:25-27). The sixth, although with no specific scriptural reference, must have been part of the events after the death of Jesus on the cross in John 19:39-40. It is the traditional and heart-rending scenes from the Stations of the Cross and the Pieta where Jesus is finally taken down from the cross. Lastly, Mary’s 7th sorrow is recorded in all four gospels — Jesus is laid in the Tomb. This must have been a painfully sad moment for the Mother who must have believed this would be the very last time she would lay eyes on her Son (Matthew 28:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-50). 

In all of these sorrowful moments in Mary’s life, she remained most trusting in God. She may not have understood everything but she always pondered everything in her faith-filled heart. She was obviously sorrowful in all of those painful moments but she was also the perfect picture of calm. She was reflective. She kept everything in her heart but she was not overly emotional. Mary is an inspiration of contemplation and reflection for all of us in the most trying moments of our life.  She is there to comfort and console us as we make sense of all our painful experiences during this time.  

In this swirling pandemic where we are desperately clutching at straws and almost at the brink of despair, we turn to our Mother Mary, whose heart was battered by one sorrow after another. Yet, she did not waver in her faith, she did not falter in her resolve, she remained focused on Jesus even if her eyes were blurred by the searing pain of each sorrowful episode. Instead, she used each piercing, painful experience as a way to strengthen her faith in God. 

Our Lady of Sorrows, we pray that we may have pondering hearts like yours. May we be able to accept with serenity and hope whatever God wills for us in our lives.

HOMILY: Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 8:27-35

12 September 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

A friend recommended that I watch the American adaptation of the South Korean medical drama series, The Good Doctor. The plot revolves around Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young physician with autism and savant syndrome, who joins the surgical unit of a prestigious hospital.  All throughout the series he is depicted as a super-smart diagnostician and a very skilled surgeon who struggles with picking up on social cues and dealing with emotions. His lack of empathy and sensitivity to the feelings of others usually gets him into conflict with patients and his colleagues. He does not understand how his words or actions upset people. He does not mince words. He says what he thinks and bluntly tells patients what they must hear. For Dr. Murphy there is no need for the usual niceties and sugarcoating. He openly declares all pros and cons of any procedure. His brutal honesty can be quite off-footing at times but it also endears him to the audience. One fan posted on IG: “Really wish everyone speaks honestly like Shaun does… It would surely make life much easier…” 

In the gospel passage from Mark this Sunday, we see Peter who balks at Jesus’ revelation that as the Christ he must “suffer greatly… be rejected… be killed…, and rise after three days.” When Peter was confronted with this hard truth, he could not simply bear the thought of the hoped-for Messiah being tortured and dying like a common criminal. Overwhelmed by his immediate reaction, Peter failed to see the complete picture of Jesus’ identity and what Jesus was meant to accomplish through His death. He failed to grasp that through His death Jesus would bring about new life. Dismayed at his imprudence, Jesus addresses Peter in the same way He admonishes “Satan” in the Temptation narratives and orders him “to get behind Him” for “thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”  

If we are honest with ourselves, we too are no different from Peter at times. We also recoil at comments that make us uncomfortable. We tend to hear only what we want to hear— only those feel-good, complimentary and self-patronising comments of others about us. On the other hand, we refuse to hear what challenges us. Though unsettling and contrary to our whims, we immediately dismiss as mere criticisms any honest to goodness opinions of others. But if we take a hard look at most of our experiences, we realise that more often the things that we initially did not want to hear are the very things that usually have paved the way for our growth and improvement. In one of the first episodes of The Good Doctor, Dr. Shaun Murphy praises his boss Dr. Neil Melendez, but poses a straightforward question. He says “I saw a lot of surgeons in medical school. You’re much better than them. I have a lot to learn from you… You’re very arrogant. Do you think that helps you be a good surgeon (a better person)? Does it hurt you as a person? Is it worth it?” 

As followers of Jesus, we cannot simply sit back, stay put and be content with what seems agreeable. The one who truly wants to follow Jesus… the one who takes heed of Jesus’ teachings of carrying his/her cross cannot just close off to one’s self and remain the same. We do not want crosses. We do not want to be challenged. We are all invited to step outside of our comfort zones and humble ourselves in order to be able to truly hear the call of Jesus and bring to action what we learned from Him. We have to live out the demands of our faith that directs and leads us where we should go and what we have to do. St. James warns us today in the Second Reading, we are to be wary of those people who have “faith”, that is, they claim to be Christians and lovers of the Scriptures but their lives speak the contrary. 

I am sorry to say this but I believe we would have been or will be in a much better state in our Covid 19 Pandemic Response if we have learned how to truly listen to one another, to value each other’s opinions, and to work together for a common cause. We have become too divisive to have a common ground. We have become too unreasonably reactionary to the point that we consider every contrary opinion as a personal attack to our integrity. Let us set aside our egos at this crucial time when many people are getting sick and are dying. Let us be courageous enough to accept that we need to listen to the voice of reason in order for us to truly rally our people out of this pandemic.    

We pray therefore for God’s grace that we will not be rash and dismissive of other people’s suggestions, opinions and ideas especially those different from ours that might prove to be helpful for the common good. Let us be honest with ourselves, to recognise our failings, and to learn from the path of Jesus how we can be more like Him.

HOMILY: Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 7:31-37

5 September 2021 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

I recently heard a medical practitioner lament that COVID is the most complex disease that mankind has ever encountered. He said, “Every day, it seems we discover how this disease finds new ways to kill mankind. I cannot see a light at the end of this tunnel.”  I found myself wanting to cover my ears to save me from more anxiety. Everywhere it seems experts are discussing the emerging virus strains that are more contagious and vaccine-resistant.  We seem nowhere close to the end of the pandemic and I find myself asking more frequently, “What is the world coming to?” And together with the faithful I cry out in prayer: “God save us! 

On this Sunday’s Gospel, we are told that after performing some ritual gestures in the healing of the deaf-mute man, Jesus looks to heaven and groans and then says to the man: “Be opened!” (Ephphatha!). Then the gospel narrates… “And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed and he spoke plainly.” (Mark 7:35) The act of healing the deaf-mute man is one of the signs Isaiah gives in the First Reading that marks the restoration of Israel — their return from exile.  Isaiah says that when God comes to save Israel… “the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared…” (Isaiah 35:5) In today’s reading, a deaf-mute is healed. In the next chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we will hear about the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida. If you think about it, when Jesus healed these people, Israel was still under Roman rule. They did not have their independence so technically they still needed saving or deliverance. Nonetheless, by witnessing these signs, the people recognised the saving act of God saying: “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37)

“Be opened!” Don’t you think it is a strange command to restore the speech and hearing of a person? No one says “Open your ears” to hear or “Open your tongue or vocal chords” to speak, right?  I think, as Jesus gives this command, he opens up a little bit of Heaven in the deaf-mute man. We believe that in Heaven there is only wholeness. To experience this bodily restoration is to have a foretaste of the heavenly life, where God reigns supreme in a place (or state of being) where there is no death and decay. Is this also your idea of Heaven? I think sometimes we miss out on the signs that Heaven is for us, because we have a different idea of Heaven. For others, Heaven is an endless party or a huge family reunion. There are those who perceive heaven to be an open bar or an impressive buffet that never runs out of food. For others looking for peace, it is a vast garden of flowers or perhaps a serene beach with perpetual sunny days…. Now that we are stuck in cyclical quarantines, we have no mass gatherings so no big family get togethers, no parties, no drinking at bars and no more tarrying at buffets; no trips to the beach or botanical gardens except for a privileged few.  What happens to us when these experiences of what we perceive as “heaven” are now obscured from us? It becomes so difficult to feel and discern the presence and saving power of God.  It becomes so hard to see Him at work. How is God saving us from the pandemic when virus variants keep emerging one after the other?  Many of us are drowning in sorrow and despair. Even the most faithful of us are getting wiped out and overcome by the waves of grief and helplessness. 

Perhaps this command of Jesus to “Be opened!” are words we must learn to cling to.  To those of us also in need of deliverance from all of our present woes, these words are very powerful. At the very utterance of Jesus, heaven is opened and the gifts of His kingdom dispensed on those in need. That is the best “ayuda” we can hope for during this pandemic. We are invited to come to Jesus that He may open us to the reality of God’s presence in our midst, even in the vulnerabilities of life. In Jesus, we find that heaven is not a completely far off place (a state of being) closed off to us until our death… In fact, we can draw strength to persevere from the little bits of heaven we still experience despite the restrictions.  Isn’t heaven in the joy elicited by a friend’s smile, the tender hug of a caring mother, or the protective arm of a father, the dedicated service of a public servant, and even in the care shown by medical frontliners going beyond their duty by offering their patients words of comfort and consolation in moments of grief or fear. Most of the time heaven is found in the most ordinary things of life that we take for granted.  Yet these are ways Jesus OPENS UP heaven in us. These are ways God revives us, and strengthens our resolve to push forward and overcome what trials beset us and what else lies ahead.  We are invited to keep the faith and to entrust ourselves more fully to the will of our God who is compassionate and loving toward us. There is no human circumstance where God will abandon His people. He wants us to triumph on earth that we may spend eternity in heaven as His adopted children and therefore His heirs. 

We pray that like the deaf-mute man, Jesus will continue to open Heaven for us. Hence, as we have a foretaste of our heavenly inheritance, we may be inspired to help one another fix our hearts on the day of our deliverance, to expect it and to claim it!   When we pray the Lord’s Prayer throughout the bleakness and uncertainty of our present life, we ought to pray with greater conviction… “Thy Kingdom Come”… knowing that God saves His people and He will bring healing and wholeness, peace and justice.  We ask that Heaven open its gates for us… so that in our answered prayers we may receive hope in abundance and a foretaste of what we ultimately aspire for.

HOMILY: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

29 August 2021

Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

I wonder if you’ve seen the video ad entitled “Pandemic Effect” before the company-sponsor was forced to take it down. It was a time-lapse video featuring a pretty girl who grows hairy, pimply and overweight as she sits on a couch watching TV during the quarantine.  Although it was meant to encourage people to “take care of themselves during this pandemic”, it drew a lot of criticisms from the netizens who found the ad to be insensitive to those with health issues. Others also said that the advert may actually foster more insecurities for people who are already going through a very tough time. Some pointed out that “the real pandemic effects are unemployment and people losing their loved ones to COVID-19.” In fairness, to the Belo Medical Group they readily apologised, thanked people who had expressed their thoughts on the video and promised to learn from this experience. 

In today’s gospel passage from Mark, Jesus is calling out the scribes and Pharisees for being a bit superficial in terms of their observance of the Law. This stems from the scribes and Pharisees’ indirect criticism of Jesus by complaining that Jesus’ disciples do not observe the proper ritual washing. It is important to understand that this is not merely a hygienic practice but rather a ritual washing. Having a penchant for observing the tiniest details of the Law, including those that are part of what they call the “oral law”, the “unwritten law”, or the “tradition of the elders”, the Pharisees tend to expect any religious person to adopt their very rigid and high standards of holiness. I don’t think the Pharisees are bad people because they do strive for holiness. There are times, however that they can be too caught up with the mere externals that they fail to realise that they have become oblivious to the true intention of the Law. The Law as we are told in the passage from Deuteronomy should direct our hearts to what is right and good, to the ways of God. That is why Jesus admonishes them to move from “outward observances” to “inward intention” of the Law. Jesus does so by quoting a passage from Isaiah against them: “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written; This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” (Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:6-8)

This is the same exhortation we find in the Letter of St. James in the Second Reading. He urges the people to act on the word and not merely to hear the word. Of course, it is important to hear the word (some could not even get passed this stage) but it should not stop there. St. James counsels that the word of truth takes concrete form in their lives through the service they render to the community’s most vulnerable, those who have no legal status in a patriarchal society such as the widows and the orphans. 

Reflecting on the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines our very own Cardinal Luis Antonio (Chito) Tagle has challenged church people and the laity to take their calling in Christ seriously. If we are honest with ourselves, how many of us take the time to really understand our faith practices as Catholic Christians? Some do not really know what religious meaning they hold for us. For others, these faith practices have completely lost their meaning and so they perform them out of habit. How many people these days care to have a “church wedding” because they understand the values and principle of such as a religious event? There are those who opt for civil marriage thinking a church wedding is an elaborate and very expensive production number.  Do you really think God intended marriage to be about well-dressed couples and their entourage, or expensive floral arrangements? I am happy for us in San Roque Parish that due to the quarantine, our fiesta became a purely religious event, reflecting and drawing inspiration from the life and example of San Roque of service to the Lord. I believe that we are being invited to strive to make of our religious practices an impetus towards a profound experience of God.     

I also invite everyone to take a long hard look at ourselves and how we choose to express our faith and adhere to our religious beliefs. Are we growing deeper in love with the Lord? Does it encourage us to develop more compassion for those around us?  Are we one of those people who like to flaunt their prayer life, in order to be seen or to be perceived as pious and devout more than anything? There are homes where nightly rosaries are a production number in the household. Everyone is there, rosaries, in hand, kneeling before the family altar bedecked with fresh flowers and candles. However, in order to gather everyone, the mom has yelled, scolded and threatened the kids. “Nasaan na kayo?? Ano? Magdadasal ba kayo o hindi?” And although her eyes are tightly shut as she leads the rosary aloud, she manages to yell out orders to the kasambahay or angrily shout expletives over noises that break her concentration on prayer.  It makes for a funny scene for local sitcoms but it is hardly a model for piety or the religious expression of our Catholic Christian faith. Can we be honest with ourselves and see what aspects of our faith life we need to improve on? 

In so many ways, Jesus reminds us that our religious faith has to be better than the mere “externals” of religion. As a people, we have a number of our pious ‘devotions’ that need to flow from a deep religious conviction. During this pandemic, the image of San Roque is popularly paraded in the streets of communities. Sometimes, organizing such events can be very tense and frustrating for our church volunteers. You know this to be true. The funny thing is, that image nor the Saint in heaven, as Bishop Ambo David ably pointed out, is not “superman”. His presence does not heal. God uses ordinary people like us to minister to the sick, to give them hope and encouragement and care. Our devotion to San Roque should make us healers and consolers to the sick through our prayer, provision and presence. I know, we cannot be physically present for those in isolation but we can still be supportive and emotionally present for them. Just take a closer look at the meaning of the word, “devotion”. It is derived from the Latin devotio, which describes an internal attitude that is close to “consecration, surrender, dedication, and the ready will to perform all that belongs to the service of God.” Within us, are our prayers that speak externally of our disposition and internally of our surrender to God. Each complements the other as our devotion should always lead us to the deepening of our faith. It should make us become more faithful and dedicated to the ways of God in our lives. 

A friend of mine, with a zany sense of humour, says she was sad that the Belo ad was taken down. She found the ad hilarious because it spoke the truth of her circumstance and the change in her appearance resulting from foregone salon treatments and gym sessions in lockdown. I believe that although it is necessary for us to take care of ourselves during these tough times, this self-care should go beyond the mere physical, external appearance. There is also the need to toughen what we call our inner reserves, which includes our mental, psychological and spiritual well-being. Admit it or not, many of us can easily get stuck only in the externals. This time of isolation is the perfect time to examine our own hearts. Pray that we may be fervent and true not only with our external practices but with what transforms us from within to make us more and more Christ-like. May we see, experience and share the fruits of piety in our lives… in our actions and in our dealings with one another.