No Sin Too Great, No Soul Too Lost

Homily: Second Sunday of Easter / Divine Mercy Sunday

John 20:19-31 

27 April 2025 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Do you find it easy to forgive someone who offended you? If your answer is “NO”,  ask yourself if it is easy for you to ask forgiveness when you are the offending party?  Some people only confess during Kumpisalang Bayan (Parish-wide Penance Service) thinking it is better to confess their habitual sins once and avoid going to confession frequently for the same sins. Others are so ashamed of their sins that they cannot bring themselves to speak of what they have done even in the confidentiality of the confessional. Either way, you are short-changing yourself by avoiding the mercy of God. Pope Francis once said “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.” 

Today, on Divine Mercy Sunday, we reflect on the forgiveness that we can always expect from Jesus, most especially on this Feast. He says that those who go to confession and receive Holy Communion today will receive the complete forgiveness of their sins and the punishment resulting from them. Blood and water gush forth from the heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy.  Even the most hardened sinner, once immersed in the ocean of His mercy will be forgiven.  This promise, anchored on the boundless mercy of God, is our ultimate hope. This is something we can count on. Jesus, the Divine Mercy will not fail us if we approach Him with full trust and confidence. He loves us so much that He does not want us to be separated from Him. God our Father encourages us to embrace His forgiveness that He may grant us the opportunity for a renewed life and a deeper connection with Him. 

On Holy Monday, I heard the confessions of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). In my thirteen (13) years as a priest, I have never heard confessions more powerful and heartbreaking than these. One conversation with a lady inmate had such a profound impact on me. The woman hesitantly stepped forward. She admitted she hadn’t really wanted to come for confession but her fellow inmates had urged her to. Avoiding my gaze, she said quietly, “Nagsasayang ka lang ng oras, Father. Hinding-hindi mamahalin ng Diyos ang taong tulad ko.”  (“You’re just wasting your time, Father. God will never love someone like me.”) I gently asked, “Bakit mo naman nasabi yan?”  (“Why would you say that?”) Her expression hardened as she revealed she had done contemptible things too terrible to mention. “Ang nakikita ko sa sarili ko ay isang taong wala nang kaligtasan. Ang tulad ko, wala nang pag-asa.”  (“I see myself as someone beyond salvation. There is no hope for someone like me.”) My heart sank. I felt such pity and compassion for her. I told her “With God, there is always hope. No one is worthless. No one is unredeemable. His mercy is unlike that of human beings because His mercy has no limits. There is no sin so dark and deep that is beyond the reach of His love. Ang Kanyang pagmamahal ay hindi batay sa anumang magagawa mo. “Mahal ka Niya dahil sadya ka Niyang nilikha at inangkin bilang anak.” (“His love is not based on anything you can do. He loves you because He intentionally created you and claimed you as His child.”) I pointed out to her Romans 5:8: “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  She looked at me for the first time and I saw tears in her eyes. In that moment, I knew grace had entered the room.

It may not seem sensible that God’s mercy should bypass the full force of His justice, but it does, because His love for us is simply so great!  This is the power of Divine Mercy. It does not excuse sin, but it heals it. It does not erase the past, but it gives us a future. And that future is rooted in hope — the hope that no life is beyond redemption, and no one is too far for God’s embrace. By God’s grace, we are freed from the burden of guilt and we receive the Lord’s peace. We are equally encouraged to extend the same mercy to others, reflecting God’s compassion for all. 

So today, on this Feast of the Divine Mercy, let us carry this message in our hearts: God’s mercy is bigger than our greatest failure. No matter where we are — in prison, in pain, or in doubt — there is hope.  If God can transform the heart of a prisoner, imagine what He can do in our life — if we let Him.

Jesus, we trust in You.

Light in the Darkness: The Hope of Easter

Homily: Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection (C)

John 20:1-9

20 April 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

This is the day!! Look to your seatmate and happily announce to them “This is the day!” For us, Christians, no other day holds more significance than THIS DAY!  Jesus is risen! Our Messiah has conquered sin and death in the world. He has opened the gates of Heaven for humanity and given us a reason to hope again.  He is the light at the end of our tunnel and the dawn of a new day for us.  The light of Christ has never burned brighter because it is fueled by a love that no dark power in existence can ever extinguish. This is the triumph of Easter! 

The Easter story from the Gospel according to John begins with a very interesting detail: “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb…” (John 20:1) We would expect that Easter, being the feast of light, would start in brightness, but the gospel tells us that it begins in darkness. Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb “while it is still dark”. Her heart is heavy. She is grieving the loss of a mentor and a dear friend. Everything she hoped for in the Messiah seemed lost. 

That situation is not uncommon to us. This is exactly where many of us literally and figuratively are, or have been. Some of us are still in the dark, still trying to make sense of suffering, still carrying grief or confusion, still waiting for something to change.  We often think of Easter as the moment when everything is all right again. But the truth is, though Christ rose, the world’s pain did not vanish overnight. Pain did not disappear. The Jews still suffered oppression from the Romans in power. Yes, the tomb was empty but the impact of the Resurrection had yet to come to light. 

And that is the same today. Easter brings hope, but it does not erase the challenges we still face. There are still loved ones lost and relationships that are still broken. The news headlines are consistently filled with war, injustice, and fear. We still experience the shadow of our broken world just as Mary Magdalene and the disciples did in their day.  It is not easy to discern the will of God in the everyday occurrences around us — especially, the evil and the mundane. There is still a lot of confusion even among those of us who try our best to be good Catholics. In our First Reading today, we find Peter boldly proclaiming the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. However, his witness did not start with certainty — it started with confusion. He had run to the tomb. He saw. He wondered. And although, it was not immediate, the light of faith slowly dawned upon him. 

Yes, the wonder of Easter does not wait for the darkness to end! Christ rises in the dark, while Mary was still crying and while the disciples were still hiding. As the world remained shrouded in darkness, Jesus triumphed over death.  Even if they did not understand it right away — even if they were confused and afraid — the light had already broken through. Thus, if we are still walking through our own dark morning, let us not lose heart. New life does not always come with a spectacle. Sometimes, it comes quietly — like dawn breaking after a long night. 

It reminds me of the lyrics of the song Blessings by Laura Story, 

“Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise” 

Let us keep walking our paths. Christ is risen! That is more than enough reason to keep hoping.  We can be sure that there is always light — in our life, in our wounds, in our longing — no matter how dark it feels. 

Happy Easter, brothers and sisters. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Photo from Hallow.com

Kenosis: The Descent of Love

Homily: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (C) 

Luke 1:1-49

13 April 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

At the start of the mass, we gathered outside with our palm fronds to get a feel of what it was like to be present at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This was a moment filled with hope as people waved palms and loudly cried out “hosannas” to Him whom they regarded as the Promised Messiah.  Yet, just moments ago, we re-enacted the heart-breaking events that took place just days after. How quickly the “cheers” turned to “jeers”; how the joy of this day gave way to the agony of the cross. As we begin this week’s journey with Jesus, we are asked to reflect through our readings, particularly the Passion Narrative, on the mystery of God’s great love for us. 

St. Paul tells us in Philippians that Jesus, “though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself…” (Philippians 2:6) This act of self-emptying — kenosis — is the very essence of the person of Christ. He gave everything: His power, His dignity, His very life. Not because He had to, but because He chose to. Jesus stripped Himself of everything and stooped down to the level of humanity — a heap of mess, sin, and suffering, because He chose to reach out to us from where we are. God does not save us from a distance. He enters into our world, into our pain, into our death. 

But again, we may ask: “Why did Christ empty Himself so completely?” Because that is precisely what LOVE does — it stoops. By its nature, love cannot remain distant. Love reaches out and draws everyone near. As one commentator puts it: “Love kneels to wash feet. Love shares meals with sinners. Love touches the untouchable. Love sees the invisible.” Jesus stooped so low in order to lift us up. Hence, we cannot say, “God does not understand what we are going through” because Jesus has lived through our human experience for love of us. 

Something I would like us to remember and internalise today is that Jesus does not endure all of this only for the holy and the righteous. He makes this sacrifice even for the worst sinners, that they may have a chance. He does not exclude the Jews who betrayed Him by consenting to His crucifixion. He does not exclude the Romans who carried out the gruesome sentence. He does not exclude the millions and millions of people who persecuted His followers through the ages. He does not exclude people two thousand (2000) years later who have devised worse ways to sin. He does not exclude you and me, who despite being baptised (made children of God) continue to sin the same sins. It is almost unthinkable that a person would accept suffering to liberate another who does not deserve it. Yet it is not impossible, because Jesus proved it is doable if we have love in our hearts. 

This blessed week, let us walk with Jesus — not just to the cross, but beyond it, to the resurrection. Let us stand in awe of a love that goes so far, so low, and so deep — just so He can bring us home; united with Him forever!

Eugène Delacroix 1798 -1863, Christ on the Cross (detail) 1853, The National Gallery, London

Mercy Over Judgment: Jesus’ Response to Sin

Homily: Fifth Week Week of Lent (C)

John 8:1-11

6 April 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

“Bawal ang judgmental!”  (“Being judgmental is prohibited!”) I’m sure most of you have heard that line before. It is a very common sentiment these days, especially among the young. In books, memes, movies, videos, and even in everyday conversations, there are reminders not to be “judgy”. However, I bet more often than not, we all make judgments on others. It is just that some of us are better at keeping our thoughts to ourselves. Am I right? 

In today’s gospel passage, a group of scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in the very act of adultery. Hoping to get Him to react in a way that would entrap Him. They wanted Jesus to contradict His teachings and try to get Him to publicly disregard Jewish laws. As the story progresses, we are told that instead of passing judgment on the woman, Jesus “bent down and wrote on the ground with His finger.” John 8:8) Then He challenges them saying, “If any one of you is without sin, cast the first stone”. (John 8:7) He writes on the ground once more and the people walk away from Jesus and the woman. He addresses her and says “Has no one condemned you? “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11) 

The story shows how judgmental the Jewish leaders were. Worst of all, their judgment of this woman did not stop there. They condemned her for her misdeed and were ready to take her life.  I recall one of my professors saying that “If she was caught in the very act of adultery, why did they not bring in her partner as well?” That is a genuinely valid question. Both were guilty of the act and under the Jewish law both of them are supposed to be stoned. Thus, why was it only the woman who was brought in to be judged? That double standard persists today, as evidenced by the use of the term “mistress” or “kabit” to refer to a woman who is involved as the third party in a marriage. However, when a man has an affair to a married woman, what do we call the man? Let me know after mass, if you have the answer! 

Jesus shows the woman mercy. He does not belittle her sin, but neither does He take away from her the chance at repentance. He sends her on her way with the mandate to “Sin no more.” (John 8:11) This is parallel to how God the Father has forgiven Israel countless times for their repeated infidelity. The prophet Hosea speaks of how God was willing to take back His people and make them “clean” after they had degraded themselves by worshipping other gods and disobeying the Father’s commandments. 

The Gospel passage teaches us to be most mindful in arriving at conclusions and in making judgments. Sometimes, we are given information that normally we consider “nakakasakit ng ulo” (headache-inducing) or “nakakataas ng Blood Pressure” (raises Blood Pressure) Before we react, it is best to take a breath and take a step back to assess whether it is true and if we are seeing the complete picture. More often than not, we overreact or make hasty conclusions about people and situations without making an effort to fact check or learn the whole story.  

We live in unusual times where we have access to a wealth of information online and the speed of communication has improved tremendously.  Yet, if we are not careful, the act of sharing texts, videos and photos can make us transmitters of lies and destroyers of innocent people’s reputations. These days there is so much fake news, spliced videos and altered photos, that we can no longer accept things at face value.  More so now, because AI is making it so easy to create fake videos and photos. Those with the right tools and mischief in mind can easily create a fake narrative and provoke people. We cannot simply believe everything on the internet and social media. 

On a final note, let us look at the unusual action of Jesus in the story — “He bends down to write on the ground with his finger.”  (John 8:6,8) A Bible commentator says this is reminiscent of Jeremiah’s denunciation of Israel’s infidelities and refusal to repent. The prophet says, “O Lord, all who forsake You shall be put to shame; those who turn away from You shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.” (Jeremiah 17:13) Perhaps, Jesus was somehow reminding them that their hard-heartedness was an act of forsaking the Lord? What personally intrigues me is what had written on the ground.  Some say Jesus wrote down the private sins of the Jewish leaders such that they opted to back off on the stoning rather than be exposed for their own transgressions. Nevertheless, who is to say if that is true? What is important is that whatever Jesus had written, IT made these leaders think twice about condemning the woman to death. It stopped them from pursuing their wicked plans. 

This Sunday, we are invited to place ourselves in that crowd. What would Jesus have to write on the ground to stop us from sinning against God and our neighbor? What would remind  us to suspend our judgment and be merciful to others?  Let us thank the Lord for welcoming us, accepting us, and loving us despite our flaws. May He transform our hearts that we may always seek the truth and  treat others with understanding and compassion.

By Charalambos Epaminonda (Acrylic on Wood)

Embracing God’s Unconditional Love

HOMILY: Fourth Sunday of Lent (C) 

(Laetare Sunday)

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

30 March 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

In the past few days, no one has made us prouder to be Filipino than 19-year-old Filipino Tennis Player Alexandra “Alex” Eala. On Thursday she won against the world’s #2 tennis player, Iga Swiatek. However, her dreams of being hailed as one of the top tier women tennis players was quashed last Friday by American Jessica Pegula. Despite her loss, Alex beamed at the audience who cheered for her and was quoted as praising her opponent for being a really good player. Sports commentators said: “Not often do you see the losing player of the match with a bigger smile.” When asked how she got past the usual frustration of defeat she highlighted the importance of keeping perspective saying, “It is not the result but the attitude and grit that define me on the court.” Slow clap 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 for Alex Eala!

In today’s gospel we read the popular parable of the Prodigal Son.  We often focus on the younger son and the merciful, loving father. The young son’s foolishness and waywardness and his crestfallen return set the stage to show the father’s gracious forgiveness and unconditional love. However, today let us focus our eyes on the older son. He remained faithful to his duties as a son, worked hard, and never strayed, but when his brother came back, he became angry and resentful. He struggled with jealousy, unable to rejoice in the graciousness extended to his sibling.  

If Alex Eala were anything like the older brother, the cameras may have caught her cussing, throwing her racket in anger and storming off the court. Thankfully she has a better attitude. Instead of being happy that his own flesh and blood is safe and reunited with them, the older brother was bitter that his own efforts were seemingly unacknowledged by their father. It makes me think that he only worked hard out of duty and not for love of his father or their family. With his lofty expectations of recognition, he was trying really hard to amass more wealth for himself but now he just may have to share his part of the family wealth with his brother again. Sadly, he lost all perspective of what was more important.

How often do we feel the same way? Many of us can relate with the older son’s struggle. Perhaps when someone who has made mistakes receives forgiveness or when we see others experience grace, we feel they do not deserve. One church Tita said: “Aba, nakasuwerte pa din sila!” (“They got lucky!”), as she watched YouTube videos on actresses who married well despite starting out in sexy films and bearing children of various men.  Sadly, she sounded like she did not believe they deserved their good fortune instead of being happy that they married good men who loved them, respected them and gave them a decent life.  It is easy to believe that our efforts, our faithfulness, should earn us something more. But the reality of God’s kingdom is that grace is not earned — it is given. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that “God has reconciled the world to Himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them…” (2 Corinthians 5:19) Hence, grace is given to all, freely, whether we think it is deserved or not.

As followers of Christ, we are called to rejoice not only in our own redemption but in the redemption of others. The father’s words to the older son remind us of this truth: “We have to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again.” (Luke 15:32) Among us children of God, we should all strive to avoid resentment or jealousy. There should only be room for God’s grace that invites all of us into the joy of God’s love. Let us therefore strive to embrace that all-encompassing grace of God and share in the joy of others’ redemption, just as God rejoices over us.

A Painting by Christian Rohlfs

Turning Back to God

HOMILY: Third Sunday of Lent (C)

Luke 13:1-9

23 March 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

“Habang may buhay, may pag-asa.” (“As long as we are alive, there is hope.”) Do we believe this? I guess, we should! A wise Jesuit said death only makes permanent the state of our soul at our last breath. So, if we die with a heart full of hate, vindictiveness, greed and envy, we no longer have a chance to do better, correct our mistakes, make peace, and contribute good in the world. The dead cannot expect positive outcomes with respect to one’s own life or the world, precisely because they are no longer in the world.  The worst part is, we never really know when we are going to die, until death comes knocking at our door. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us about the urgency of turning our lives around, using two tragic events as examples: the murder of some Galileans by Pilate and the collapse of a tower in Siloam that killed eighteen (18) people. At the time, many believed that if something bad happened to someone, it was because they deserved it — like a punishment for sin. Jesus challenges that mindset. He tells them that the tragedy is the failure to repent of one’s sins.  “If you don’t repent, you will all perish as they did.”  (Luke 13:3) 

There are three things we can learn from our readings today. First, death is not necessarily a punishment. Both good and bad people die. Both good and bad people are susceptible to tragedies and misfortunes. Second, the urgency for repentance comes as a consequence of the suddenness at which death may come to claim a soul.  Quite a number of young people these days die suddenly of aneurysms and heart attacks. It is unthinkable but it happens. In the same way, some old people live until their nineties (90’s) or past one hundred (100) even if they keep praying for God to take them. No one knows when our time on earth is up.  Third, we must use the chances we get in life to live as people of God. Like the fig tree that was given a chance to bear fruit before it was to be cut down, we are expected before we die, to bear the fruit of Christianity — LOVE! 

The example of the fig tree that has not borne fruit is appropriate for all of us. The gardener cultivates the soil and fertilises it that it may have the best chance to bear fruit. God is like a gardener that gives all of us all the chances, graces and blessings that we may become true witnesses of Jesus’ love and mercy and ambassadors of His Kingdom.  Our entire life is the chance we are given because the call to repentance is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process, something we work on every day. Conversion is not a one-off event but a daily transformation. Every day, we have opportunities to grow closer to God and orient our hearts toward the Lord. Even the difficult things we face in life — like accidents, sickness, tragedies, etc. are opportunities for us to turn to God in repentance and to grow in love. 

Whether we are aware of it or not, we constantly encounter God in our lives through both serene and difficult moments.  God is always with us, blessing us. The only way we do not lose sight of His presence is by staying connected to Him. Thus, let us pray often and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist frequently to allow God to nurture our hearts. Let us always bear the fruit of love in our lives and show the world the transformative power of true repentance.

Unexpected Paths to Glory

Homily: Second Sunday of Lent (C)

Luke 9:28-36

16 March 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

One time I presided over a golden wedding anniversary mass and renewal of wedding vows in my previous parish. The couple in their late 70’s chose to renew their vows in the parish church with a hundred of their friends and relatives in attendance. During the homily, I asked the husband how long their courtship lasted and he revealed that it took him a year before he could convince his wife to be his girlfriend. However, when he proposed two (2) months later, she did not hesitate to say “Yes”. The wife revealed that he had the reputation of being a ‘ladies’ man’ and it took many months before she saw in him the potential to be a good husband and family man. She said she did wait to be absolutely sure. That brief moment was so impactful that it convinced her that he was “The One”. 

In today’s Gospel, we hear about the Transfiguration, where Jesus is revealed in His full glory to Peter, James, and John on the mountain. It was a privileged moment, offering them a glimpse of who Jesus truly is. While this experience is amazing, it is only a glimpse of something much greater that is yet to come. They did not understand completely what they had witnessed but it was enough to convince them that Christ was otherworldly. 

In the Transfiguration of Jesus, the disciples were shown Jesus’ glory, but it also points toward something very important: salvation does not always come the way we expect. We often think of salvation as our triumph over our problems, over our struggles. We tend to associate it with easy answers, quick fixes, or immediate results. However, Jesus’ glory, as revealed in the Transfiguration, will only be fully manifested through His suffering, death, and resurrection. Many times, when we find ourselves in tough situations, we complain why life has to be that challenging. But just like our Master’s story, our redemption often comes through the difficult moments of our lives. Actually, it is in these times when God is working in us the most, helping us grow in faith. 

The Transfiguration reminds us that while Jesus is revealed in His glory on the mountain, the path to the fullness of that glory is paved with challenges. The disciples saw His glory, but they also had to understand that the real victory would only come through the cross. Just like our Lord Jesus, we, too have to walk through some hard times to reach the glory God promises us. What are we challenged to constantly deal with these days? Yes, we are made to realise that when we face difficulties, we should not lose hope. We may not understand why we have to go through something beyond us, but we can trust that God is guiding us through it. Through our struggles, God is bringing us closer to the salvation He offers us. 

A few days ago, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and flown overseas to face charges filed by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Many of his supporters are not only worried about him, but are also fearful for themselves, as members of the Die-Hard Duterte Supporters (DDS) brace for their own reckoning with the law. Regardless of our differing opinions and views about matters, we must remember that this is an important moment for all of us to reflect on and learn from. No matter which side we identify ourselves with and how uncomfortable this whole experience maybe for some of us, we all have important lessons to learn from this. Hence, instead of persecuting one another, we are all called to pray for one another. May we consider this as a crucial time for our redemption as a nation, a chance for God to purify and save us through conversion. Let us remember that God’s grace always finds a way to bring salvation to those who are willing to turn to Him. This could be God’s way of offering us an opportunity for true change as a people. 

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us keep in mind that salvation does not always come in the ways we expect. At times, it is in the most unexpected moments — when we are struggling, when we are suffering, when we are confused — that God is at work, shaping us, and leading us toward the glory He has promised. Lent is a time for us to be open to the ways through which God is bringing us to our salvation. May we recognise them when we come upon them.

Surrendering Control to God

HOMILY: First Sunday of Lent (C)

Luke 4:1-13

9 March 2025 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Do you know what is your greatest weakness?  Is it your temper? Is it your desire for wealth? Is it the pursuit of eternal youth?  Sometimes when we fail to control our instincts and leanings towards these things, we forget ourselves and others. Nothing else will matter. If we are not aware of what causes us to fall, we become an easy prey to the devil. He takes note of our weaknesses and lies in wait to exploit us and tempt us to sin. 

The temptations Jesus faced are very much like the ones we deal with every day. They may not be horrific events such as mass destruction or grand theft. Sometimes, it is in the small things — failing to pray in favor of  scrolling through your phone, responding with irritation to your parents when they ask for your help, letting your anger get the better of you when you try to discipline your children.  We become most vulnerable to temptation when we feel we are most in control of our life. We  let our guard down, thinking nothing can faze us. Sometimes we deceive ourselves into thinking we do not need God’s help anymore.  We often challenge God, trying to do things our way, instead of trusting in His unfolding will. We take matters in our hands and try to do everything ourselves. We project ourselves to be the perfect person, the perfect parent, the perfect worker, forgetting that we cannot do it on our own. This tendency highlights that the core of our struggles lies in our desire to overlook our limitations and attempt to control our lives as if we were God.

When Jesus responded to the devil, He always pointed back to God’s power: “Man shall not live by bread alone…” (Luke 4:4) “Worship only God…” (Luke 4:8) “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Luke 4:12) These responses remind us that the real struggle is not about what we can do. Rather, it is about acknowledging  our limitations and trusting God to lead, instead of trying to take control.  It is about realising that we are truly limited as human beings and that God is the true power.  Instead of seeing Jesus’ temptations as isolated events, we can understand them as struggles He faced throughout His lifetime, constantly resisting the pull of worldly desires and staying true to His obedience to and reliance on God. 

St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, emphasizes that salvation is achieved solely through God’s grace. He teaches that it is by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and invoking His holy name that we are granted salvation. Lent serves as a reminder of this profound truth, encouraging us to recognize that our deliverance is not a result of our own efforts but a gift from God. By clinging to Him, we find protection from the evil forces that surround us.

As a privileged time, Lent invites us to stop pretending we have everything together. We have begun Lent by marking  our foreheads with ashes reminding ourselves of our limitations and our dependence on God for strength as we face spiritual battles. Let us recognise our weaknesses and allow God to be God in us.

Temptation by J. Kirk Richards

Integrity: The Fruit of a Christian Life

HOMILY: Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Luke 6:39-45 

2 March 2025

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

Do you follow people on social media? Whether they be entertainers, politicians, critics or artists?  I find it quite difficult to take people at their word these days. It is not easy to believe people, even those who hold positions of trust, such as politicians, media personalities, lawyers, ministers, even parents. Social media has glamourised and glorified those who have successfully captured the attention of netizens, gaining for themselves ‘influencer status’.  Content creators claim they are simply being authentic. However, how many of them have resorted to following viral trends to spike their engagement and following?  On social media one is often rewarded for creating an image and content that sells, oftentimes at the cost of what is true.  

Now, we do not want to be “judgy”. Jesus, Himself cautions us against criticising others for their faults and mistakes without being aware of our own. He says, why notice the splinter in your brother’s eye without removing the bigger beam in your own eye? (Luke 6:41) This Sunday, let us take a moment to look into our hearts and quickly check if our words and actions of the week align with our identity as Christians.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.” (Luke 6:43) Are you confused? We should not be! We have a similar saying in Tagalog — “Kung ano ang puno, siya ring bunga.”  (“As the tree is, so is the fruit.”) While we should not be too quick in judging others, we should keep in mind that there is no mask or pretence that can hide the truth of one’s heart and soul. It is always revealed by our words, actions and choices.  As men and women of Christ, there is a need to maintain integrity in the way we express ourselves and  in how we relate with one another. 

In today’s world, integrity seems to be in increasingly short supply. The election fever has already begun. In these days leading up to the election, quite a number of politicians shall be courting voters to consider them for public office. Many of them will pretend to be advocates of justice and truth. They will claim to be on the side of the people. They will dance, sing, shake our hand, hug us and take selfies with us. They will promise economic reform but, once elected, unfortunately, will use their position for personal gain or disregard the needs of the people they have vowed to serve. Their actions betray the very ideals they have claimed to uphold. Just like a rotten tree that does not bear good fruit, their actions reflect a lack of integrity, and their words are proven to be empty.

On the other hand, there are those running for public office who speak the truth no matter how unpleasant, nor difficult it is to hear, and who consistently work toward the welfare of the people. Even if it is challenging, they remain steadfast in yielding positive outcomes. Their sincerity and commitment to their promises are not mere words — they are reflected in what they do. These are the persons whose actions are  consistent with their values, and their integrity fosters trust with the people they committed themselves to serve.

Jesus’ words challenge us to look inwardly and look into our motives and our values. Let us be mindful that this will be made evident through our words, actions and choices. In our First Reading we are told: “The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind. Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that people are tested.” (Sirach 27:6-7)   Integrity is the bridge between what we say and what we do. As the Hebrew word DABAR suggests, “word” and “deed” are inseparable — our words must reflect our inner values, and our actions must be consistent with what we claim to believe in. It is easy to speak of righteousness and good intentions, but it is through our deeds that we ultimately demonstrate our true character.

In the end, what Jesus is teaching us is that our lives can be likened to trees, and the fruits we bear reveal the condition of our hearts. If we want to bear good fruits, we must instill and foster integrity within our hearts. Our actions should reflect the honesty, generosity, and righteousness that are consistent with our Christian values. In a world where trust can easily be compromised, integrity is the fruit that builds stronger relationships, nurtures flourishing communities, and promotes a more just society.

Brothers and sisters, let us pray for the grace to cultivate integrity in our lives, so that the fruit we bear will always be good, living out the truth and love of Christ in every aspect of  our relationship with others. 

Life Giver, A painting by Amy Giacomelli

Taking the High Road: The Path of Mercy

HOMILY: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Luke 6:27-38

23 February 2025 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

It is natural for people to get upset or angry when hurt, cheated or placed at a disadvantage. It is so instinctive that if you watch a toddler who can barely speak, swat another toddler with his hand, the automatic response of the other is to hit back. And it is when both have an experience of pain do they start crying loudly. Am I right, mothers?

The message of today’s Gospel is something difficult to accept and comprehend because it goes against what is natural for us as human beings. Jesus offers us one of His most challenging teachings: to love our enemies. He doesn’t simply ask us to love those who love us, or even those who are indifferent to us, but rather, He calls us to a higher standard, saying, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-31)  

It is a difficult concept, for sure. I have read this gospel quite a number of times and tried my best in my homilies to encourage the faithful that this is not impossible. Oftentimes, they only believe me until the mass is over and they step out of the church. A parishioner from a previous parish raised hell when a co-parishioner accidentally hit his car in the parking lot of the parish church. That started the heated argument.  Was it too much to ask that both parties would be in a forgiving mood since the mass just ended?  Sometimes siblings start boisterous play once they exit the church. As is expected, simple “kulitan” (playful banter; teasing) ends up in “sakitan” (causing pain; hurting). Do you think they would not want to get back at each other and retaliate? That is when the fight ensues. Jesus understands how hard this is, but He calls us to “take the higher road” — to do more than just respond with what feels natural or what others might expect.

Hence, what does it mean to “take the higher road”? How can we love those who hurt us? How can we wish well on those who curse us? How do we forgive when we are deeply wounded?  It is easy to meet hatred with hatred, to strike back when we have been wronged. It is easy to hold onto resentment and treat others the way they have treated us. However, Jesus is inviting us to break out of this cycle of revenge and bitterness. Instead of reacting in anger, He calls us to respond with love, forgiveness, and kindness. 

There is a girl who was very much consumed by anger after her boyfriend left her for someone else. She could not eat nor sleep because she kept stalking him on social media and devising plans to embarrass him or hurt him the way he hurt her. She was suffering while her ex-boyfriend, oblivious of what she was going through, kept posting happy pictures of his travels with his new girlfriend. Her family was concerned because she was falling into unhealthy habits.  In her attempt to hurt her ex, she was only hurting herself. How ironic, right? I think this is the logic behind loving one’s enemies. It is about freeing oneself from anger and hatred and leaving justice up to the Lord. It is about accepting that pain is a part of life, and no matter how we try to escape it, it will still find us. 

Loving our enemies doesn’t mean we are weak or passive. In fact, it takes great strength, will power and self-control. Remember that anger tends to cloud our judgment and causes us to do impulsive and potentially dangerous things which we may end up regretting. Often, retaliation becomes a deadly cycle. A case in point are clan wars that end up in violence and multiple senseless loss of life. Both sides find themselves at a losing end. If we choose to love, we break the chain of hate and violence. Even in the most difficult circumstances, we take a stand to reflect God’s grace and to find our peace in God’s mercy and justice. To love an enemy is a powerful statement that we will not let the actions of others control us. It is about refusing to have external forces destroy what God has made beautiful in us. Loving or hating is always a matter of choice. We can choose to always be a reflection of God’s love and mercy!  

David provides a powerful example of self-restraint in the passage from the First Book of Samuel. Despite being clearly favoured by God, David refrains from exploiting this favour. Saul sought to kill David, and from a human perspective, David could have easily justified taking Saul’s life to protect himself. No one would have blamed him. Yet, David chose to spare Saul’s life. He believed that judgment belonged to God alone, who rewards or punishes each according to their righteousness and faithfulness. David declares, “The Lord will reward each man for His justice and faithfulness.” (1 Samuel 26:23)

There is a reel on Facebook by Ninong A. He said, if a person were bitten by a snake, the immediate tendency is to chase after the snake and kill it, pulverise it, and punish the creature. Oddly enough, the first aid treatment for a snake bite is to lie down and relax so the poison that entered the bloodstream will not circulate fast enough to reach the heart. He says, we do not seek vengeance for ourselves. Let others around us deal with hunting down the snake. He says, it is the same thing in some situations in life. There are many “snakes” around us in the forms of people who do us harm. We should not waste our energy on vengeance. Let us pray for them. Let us pray for their conversion. Let us also pray for ourselves, that God will take away our anger and heal us. Let us take care of ourselves first and make sure we are all right. 

Jesus is not asking us to love only when it is easy or convenient. He is calling us to do something more — to rise above the norms of the world and love in a way that transforms. This love is not natural to us; it is something that comes from a God who empowers us. It is the kind of love that heals wounds, builds bridges, and changes lives.  Let us pray for the grace to love our enemies, to go beyond what’s expected, and to always choose the higher road— the road of mercy, forgiveness, and true transformation.

Loving Ones’ Enemies a painting byLester Yocum