Above all, LOVE!

Homily: Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 12:28-34

3 November 2024

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez 

Last month I was interviewed by The Family Rosary Crusade (FRC) Philippines for their feature on priests and their pets.  I even brought my corgis — Kian and Snow to their studio. We got to talk about how care for pets has evolved over the years. Before, pets were either caged or chained outside the house, fed table scraps, bathed maybe twice a month and given anti-rabies shots at the very least. However, these days, pets are welcome to sleep indoors, are fed specially formulated dog food, bathed weekly, and as puppies are given 6-in-one vaccines. They have dog carriers and prams so they can be brought to malls and restaurants. Before, we would take “bantay” to the veterinarian only because it was in danger of dying.  Now, vets treat pets for simple discomforts like parasites and allergies to serious ones like stones, nutritional imbalances and cancers.  The grief of losing a pet is real. Did you know that there are even pet memorial services and pet cremations these days to help ease the owner’s heartbreak? When I was young, a dead pet almost always ended up unceremoniously buried in the backyard or some vacant lot. 

Why did I tell you this story? I want you to see just how much we would do for the love of a pet. There is no effort or expense too great to prolong the healthy life of a furbaby.  Now, if this is how we deal with pets we love, how much more do we give of ourselves and our resources when it comes to our family members and people we love? True love does not take an account of all the times we forgive our loved ones, help them when they are in need, shower them with tokens or gestures of our affection and appreciation, or simply spend time with them.  We move beyond a checklist of do’s and don’ts and instead cultivate a heart transformed by love. 

In the gospel passage, a scholar of the law asks Jesus: “Which is the FIRST of all the commandments? In asking this question, the scribe, supposedly an expert on the law, seems to be figuring out whether there is a priority sequence among the 613 commandments that is expanded from the Biblical law. There is no indication that Jesus perceived this as another challenge meant to entrap Him as is frequently the case. Here Jesus gives a straightforward response by giving the scribe not just one, but two related commandments: “love of God and love of neighbour.” Jesus goes to the very heart of the matter.  To love God with one’s entire being is a commandment above all others — a commandment lifted from the Book of Deuteronomy 6:5, known as the SHEMA. (To this day, this is committed to heart and recited morning and evening by every devout Jew. They cover their eyes when reciting it so they are not distracted.) In this instance, Jesus proves faithful to His Jewish roots. Then Jesus adds the expression of the love of others as an extension of the self. This is a citation from Leviticus 19:18, which is an injunction to love one’s neighbour as oneself. 

In pointing this out, Jesus does not negate the other commandments. Instead, Jesus clearly reminds those listening that everything else that they do shall be measured against the highest ideals of love. To love God and neighbour is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. (Mark 12:33)  Are we all hearing this message? Are we also taking this to heart? To help us understand this concept further, let me tell you of St. Augustine who once said in a sermon: “Love, and do what you will. If you hold your peace, hold your peace out of love. If you cry out, cry out in love. If you correct someone, correct them out of love. If you spare them, spare them out of love. Let the root of love be in you: nothing can spring from it but only good.”  St. Augustine invites us to examine the motivations behind all of our actions. Are our actions rooted in authentic love, or are they driven by selfish desires? If we train ourselves to consciously love God above all, we can be assured that we will not do anything in life to offend Him and our neighbour. 

All parents here understand that loving their children, does not mean allowing them to do whatever they like especially when they are doing something wrong that is hurtful to themselves or to others. It is the responsibility of parents to discipline their child. When you do so, are you driven by anger, irritation, or shame? Do you embarrass your child in public or take them aside and scold them privately? Of course, the child is likely to cry, sulk, and feel misunderstood either way, but what matters is how a parent deals with the situation.  St. Augustine encourages us to assess our motives especially when faced with moral decisions. If love is the impulse behind our choices, there is greater likelihood that we can trust that our actions are in harmony with God’s plan.  We have to keep in mind though that love is not self-absorbed but rather other-centred. When someone justifies their mistreatment of others by saying it was out of love, that is not love. They are only looking after themselves and protecting their interests. True love requires looking after the well-being of the other at our own expense, even if it means a sacrifice on our part. Love shuns exclusivity and isolation; it instead promotes communion and solidarity.  In short, we just need to love! When love becomes the measure of everything we do, we can never go wrong. 

Brothers and sisters, let us all strive to be lovers after our Lord Jesus! Most of the time the simple setting of our loving is at home, at work, at school or on the streets. Let us pray that we may be so taken up by our love for God so as to become more loving not solely to ourselves but more so towards others. When we do so, “we shall not be far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34).

Knowing… Persisting… Trusting…

Homily: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 10:46-52

27 October 2024

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez

I have a friend who is a shopaholic. She loves to walk around the malls and hunt for great deals. When there is a mall wide sale, she spends hours buying all sorts of things she fancies and insists she needs but when she gets home, she tends to have buyer’s remorse. We thought the pandemic would have slowed her down but NO! She got herself into online shopping. Sabi ng sister niya palaging tumutunog daw ang doorbell nila dahil sa delivery. (Her sister said that their doorbell kept on ringing because of the delivery.) However, she behaves differently when she really wants something. When she is buying something, she really wants, she will patiently search for that item until she finds it. She will spend hours combing through the shops in a mall, (now online), to look for it.  Her tired companions would chide her to get the next best thing but she would rather come home empty handed than purchase a substitute. When she knows what she wants, she will patiently save up for the item, no matter how expensive, wait for the opportunity to purchase it and will settle for no less. 

In the gospel this Sunday, we encounter Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, sitting at the side of the road as Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem. He is ecstatic when he senses Jesus is nearby. He calls out to Him persistently, making such a racket that Jesus stops and asks him what he wanted. “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) We recall a similar question asked by Jesus in relation to the request of James and John in last Sunday’s gospel passage. Unlike the two brothers who asked for seats of honour and power, Bartimaeus asks Jesus for something more essential — the gift of eyesight. “Master, I want to see.” (Mark 10:51) He does not flinch. He does not stutter. He does not take a moment to think it over. He knows exactly what he wanted from Jesus and he asks with full confidence and boldness. The crowd rebuked him but Bartimaeus continued to call out to Jesus for healing. In his determination, he was not put off easily by those who wanted to silence him and his persistence was rewarded. 

There are three things we ought to learn from the gospel story this Sunday. First — We should know what we want. Second — We need to be persistent.  Third — We should trust in God’s providence. 

Bartimaeus was blind and he knew that he wanted to see more than anything else. He wanted to be whole again! In those days, beggars would spread out their cloaks so they would be able to collect alms. We are told that Bartimaeus threw the only possession he had aside in order to respond to the call of Jesus. He approaches Jesus with nothing, leaving behind the alms he collected for the opportunity to ask what he wanted from the man who could give it. Do you know what you would ask for if Jesus also asked you what you really want?  Oftentimes, we want so much, not knowing if these are what we need or if it will be good for us. We even pray for the wrong things and wonder why God does not grant what we ask for. We tend to be overwhelmed by what the material world can offer — riches, fame and power, that we tend to lose sight of what is essential. It is by living mindfully and taking time to reflect on our life that we can determine what it is that we really need. We must know what we want. 

Second, we should be persistent. Bartimaeus’ resolve represents our tenacity to pursue what we want even in the face of opposition. Bartimaeus would not have received what he wanted if he simply gave in to the crowd’s pressure and stopped calling out on Jesus. Often when we pray, we expect an immediate answer and we grumble and get discouraged when God doesn’t seem to be listening. The key is to be persistent. Jesus, Himself, says, ask, seek, knock (Matthew 7:7) He does not say do it just once. In his Letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds us to pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) 

Finally, the passage teaches us to trust in God’s providence. Bartimaeus had faith that Jesus could heal him, so he asks boldly and believed that Jesus would be merciful to him. We ask ourselves, “Do we believe Jesus can answer our prayers? Some of the faithful say that when they pray for something, they “claim it.” We must, however be prepared to wait patiently. Sometimes, our prayers will be granted in minutes, sometimes it will take a week, sometimes it will take years. God sees through space and time. He knows better. His timing is always best. We have to trust in the Giver of the grace!

When Jesus asks us the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51), it is not on the same level as a waiter asking our order at a restaurant or a saleslady asking what we are buying. It is an opportunity we should never pass up. It is God asking! God, whose power is unfathomable, whose greatness is immeasurable and whose mercy is endless who asks of us what He can do for us. God’s love for us is so deep and personal that He opens the heavens to rain graces on us. Again, we should know what we want. Let us ask Him persistently and be prepared to wait. May we have faith in God’s providence and His great love for us .

Called to SERVE, not to be SERVED

Homily: Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 10:35-45

20 October 2024

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez 

I came across this post and a comment that both seem very appropriate for our reflection this Sunday. Jai Cabajar posted in X: “Would you consent to a surgery to a person who has never studied to become a surgeon? Would you have your house done by someone who has not built anything at all? Would you ask someone to teach you who has no knowledge of the topic you are studying? So why would you vote for someone who has no platform for you?” Then, someone wrote in the comments section: “Hey Sir Jai. That didn’t work in the last elections what more now? But hopefully, there will be a plot twist and my judgment of Filipinos is proven wrong.

In the gospel this Sunday, James and John approach Jesus with a special request. They would like to be seated on either side of Him when He comes into His glory. (Mark 10:37) Take note that these are very prestigious places that indicate honour, power and authority. Jesus responds to them and the other disciples listening by teaching them what true greatness entails in the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells those closest to Him that if they want to be great in God’s eyes, they must strive to be servants of all. whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Mark 10:43) They must lead by serving in the manner that Jesus serves others. 

We automatically think that these instructions of Jesus on servant-leadership only apply to those of us who hold any civic or church leadership positions. However, that isn’t the case.  In the short passage from one of the Servant Songs of the Prophet Isaiah, we are given the example of a servant-leader as one who utterly knows and loves his followers.  A servant-leader is one who does not “lord it over” (Mark 10:42) but rather is one who stands under (understands) the other, suffering for them that they may be served, that they may be saved. In the Second Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we are told that we have “a high priest who is able to sympathise with our weaknesses…” (Hebrews 4:15) Thus, every baptised Christian is called to enter the servant leadership of Jesus. We are invited by the gospel to examine ourselves and acknowledge the subtle ways we place our self-interests over the needs of those we have been entrusted to serve. 

Moreover, we need not take for granted Jesus Christ from whom we model our selfless service. He shows us what it means to follow the will of God in humility. He shows us what it means to be selfless in service of others. Sometimes we are tempted to do what we want or what we believe to be what is best for us. James and John initially asked for what they thought was a good deal for them, not realising God had better and more important plans for them. The only way we can be sure is to always be connected to Christ in prayer. In prayer, we get to know our God better and open ourselves to His voice calling out to us and instructing us. It is God also who gives us the strength to carry out the task or the mission He has laid out for us. 

With the election fever already on, we are once again being asked to see through the words and actions of those who present themselves for public office. We have to be very discerning of the sincerity and capability of these candidates. We have to assess whether their actions or words are truly motivated by public service and not by self-serving purposes only.  In a society that gives premium on appearances, we can easily forget the message of the Gospel. We may even be tempted to make decisions for personal gains, forgetting that we are called to think and to behave “out of service for our neighbour” as described in the Gospel. A friend told me… “We have to choose someone whom we need at this time of our life as a nation rather than whom we simply want/like or someone who is popular. Let us have pity on our country.” 

As followers of Jesus, let us pray for humility, a sensitivity to the needs of others, and willingness to serve.  Let us value leadership that strives to emulate the example of Jesus who came “not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet by Ford Madox Brown

MARY: Our Warrior-Queen

HOMILY: Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval (Patroness of Quezon City)

Luke 1:26-38

13 October 2024

(A Repost of the Homily on 8 October 2023)

“Gentle Woman,
Quiet Light,
Morning Star,
So Strong and Bright. Gentle Mother,
Peaceful Dove,
Teach Us Wisdom,
Teach Us Love.”

Are you familiar with this church hymn? It creates such a beautiful, conventional image of Our Blessed Mother Mary that is of a a quiet, delicate, self-effacing young woman.  But somehow it keeps us from remembering that Mary, like all mothers, could be fiercely protective when it came to her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many years ago, I came across this unusual 15th-century image of Mary as a protective mother, as “Madonna del Soccorso” (Our Lady of Help) in Italy. In this image, a mother is asking for Mary’s help as a demon tries to snatch her child. Mary is depicted as holding the child safely in one arm while raising a stick to threaten the demon. Mary with a stick? I was intrigued by this image because we are definitely not used to seeing a tougher side of Our Blessed Mother.

Yes, Mary may not exactly be a warrior with a sword in hand, but she is known to be a protective mother to Jesus and to all of us her children. Recall that as her heart was breaking as she beheld Jesus dying on the cross, she still managed to receive humanity as Jesus entrusted all of us to her protective care. As she protected Jesus, she also looks after all of us her children and protects us from harm and the forces of evil.  This is probably the reason why there are several Marian feasts celebrating her triumphant intercession for protection in military circumstances. 

One of the most popular Marian feasts is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary which we celebrated on October 7. The feast honours Mary in thanksgiving for the victory at the Battle of Lepanto between the Holy League and the Ottoman Turks. As the battle is being fought on October 7, 1571 in the Ionian Sea, Pope St. Pius V had ordered the people of Rome to pray the rosary on that day. Later, in gratitude for the victory despite overwhelming odds, the pope set up a commemoration feast to be held every First Sunday of October, which was eventually fixed on October 7. Sometimes, Mary is also called as “Our Lady of Victory.”

On September 8, 2023, Bishop Honesto (Nes) Ongtioco declared the Second Sunday of October as the Solemnity of Our Lady of La Naval. It is to be observed in all parishes and chapels starting this year. All communities must observe all norms and guidelines in the exercise of the celebration to encourage the promotion of devotion to the Blessed Mother and put into practice the virtues of Mary that lead us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. This marks the 51st year of Our Lady of Naval being patronness of Quezon City. Her image which has been canonically crowned can be found in Sto. Domingo Church. 

The feast we celebrate today has a similar background to the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary as it also acknowledges Mary’s intercession in helping to successfully repel invading forces of the Dutch Republic during the Battles of La Naval de Manila in 1646. The combined Spanish and Filipino forces that fought are said to have prayed for the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary before the battle. Their win is attributed to the protective intervention of Our Blessed Mother. 

Furthermore, if we look closely at the image of Our Blessed Mother as Our Lady of the Rosary, she is depicted as a queen dressed in royal clothing complete with sceptre and crown. In the Jewish culture, a Davidic King would have his mother as Queen rather than his wife, because he rarely had just one wife. In fact, a king was expected to have many wives and sharing power among them would be problematic, so the title and position of Queen was always given to the King’s mother as he is sure to have only one mother. Bishop Robert Barron once commented that the Feast of the Queenship of Mary is actually not a sentimental feast since “whenever Biblical people spoke of kings or queens, they were actually speaking of warriors.” In Genesis 3:15, we believe that Mary is the woman-warrior who crushed the serpent’s head. Mary is a fighter. She fights alongside God’s messengers against the forces of evil in our midst that threaten to snatch us away from God. 

Whether we think of Mary as a warrior of many battles or not, what is certain is that she protects us as she did her Son. We entrust ourselves to our Blessed Mother and pray that she will lead us to safety through life’s battles and bring us closer to her Son, Jesus, Our Lord.

Nossa Senhora do Socorro, por Bernardino Mariotto – Museu Cívico de Morrovalle (Itália) – Foto: wikimedia commons

Not just a Contract but a Covenant with God

Homily: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Mark 10:2-16
6 October 2024
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez

Among the contentious issues in the Philippines is whether to legalise divorce or not. The Philippines is one of only two countries in the world where divorce still isn’t legalised. On 22 May 2024, the Absolute Divorce Act was approved on its third and final reading in the Philippines House of Representatives. The next step for the bill is to undergo Senate deliberations. Once the Senate approves it, it will be recommended to the president who will either veto it or sign it into law. Those in favor, believe that divorce will not destroy the sanctity of marriage because people marry hoping for “forever”.  Divorce is a way out for spouses who are endangered physically, mentally, or emotionally, by remaining in a marriage that is not working. Why then must we as Christians oppose such a bill?
 
In the gospel passage, the Pharisees test Jesus with a question about divorce. Jesus refers to the original intent of God. 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) This forms the basis of the Church’s teaching on the permanence of the marital union.
 
The insistent Pharisees cite the validity of divorce because it is permitted under the Mosaic Law. Were they really concerned about the acceptability of divorce? Of course not! They never question the law; they wanted to catch Jesus to incriminate Himself. What does He say? Is He silent? Does he invoke His right against self-incrimination?  No!  Jesus challenges them to aim for the ideal in marriage. He 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.

I believe the Church wants to keep us aware of the danger of using divorce as a ticket to trivialise marriage. When couples ask for divorce they declare the other to be so problematic and flawed that they cannot stand to be married to them anymore.  They sever ties because they mistakenly believe it is just a contract between the two parties.  One netizen said it perfectly when she said “Marriage without God is a contract. Marriage with God is a covenant.” A contract prioritizes one’s personal gains and benefits so when one party breaks the agreements, the other is free to leave. A covenant is a perpetual promise to put one’s spouse’s needs before one’s own and to always choose to love and forgive. The sacrament of marriage is bonded by God and He will reinforce that bond if the husband and wife do not easily give up hope on their relationship and exhaust all means possible to save it.

You might say, what is this bachelor lecturing us about marriage and family life? Does he not care that some wives are abused? Don’t get me wrong. When one lives with another person totally different from you, with different family backgrounds, levels of education and at times cultures, we soon realize, the struggle is real! (Kung kapatid mo nga nagkakainisan pa kayo, yun pa kayang iba ang nakagisnan at kinalakahan?) The Church does not believe in discarding people because it makes room for the power of God to convert or to change people for the better. No one is beyond redemption in the eyes of God. St. Paul cites patience as the prerequisite virtue to love.

A friend of mine saved painstakingly for years to buy her own car.  She cleaned it every day and religiously did the annual maintenance checks. She forbade people to smoke or eat inside her car so it would not get dirty. She installed special matting so dirt did not get onto the carpets. So many rules… As these prove how much she valued her investment in the car. In the same way, our First Reading and the Gospel this Sunday make us consider the value of the sacred union of marriage. All these rules against divorce do not negate the difficulty of marriage, but they do emphasize the importance of the marriage bond. Through this bond, children are brought into the world, and reared to be heirs of God’s Kingdom. Marriage is the foundation of family — the domestic church. Here, children first learn to be loving, forgiving, generous, and patient. Here they learn gratitude and humility. Here they first learn about the mercy and love of God. To destroy a marriage is to destroy the foundation of a family. No one wins.

Let us entrust to His divine wisdom and grace all our commitments so that we may not waiver in our perseverance or be lacking in patience.  May we always welcome God into our relationships and keep in mind the value of family. Let us depend on God to strengthen us in our commitments and make us always strive for the ideal in our relationships.

Not Quenching the Spirit

Homily: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

29 September 2024

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez

There is a pastor based in Mindanao who has set himself apart from humanity by declaring himself “the Appointed Son of God and owner of the universe”. He has attracted many followers, organised his “church” and generated much wealth for their group because he is a clever and charismatic leader and a gifted speaker. Lately, he has been in the news because of the nationwide manhunt for him, his dramatic capture, and the ongoing live-streamed investigations of the charges against him. He is being investigated for sex trafficking, fraud, and his unspeakable verbal and physical abuses reported by members of his church. Whose agenda did he further? Would we say that he has used his gifts to do good and glorify God? 

In today’s gospel, the disciples are concerned that someone else is driving out demons in Jesus’ name. Essentially, they are suggesting to Jesus that He protect His turf and make clear that only those who belong to their group are credible and legitimate. Jesus, of course, sees the bigger picture. Driving out demons, healing the sick, feeding the poor, or whatever other work of charity one might imagine is a good thing. It is not important who does it. The man in question must have some degree of faith in Jesus if he is able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name.  How could he possibly be undermining the ministry of Jesus? He is not an enemy here but an ally. What good would come from stopping him and not allowing him to do good work for other people? And so, Jesus utters one of the most famous and gentle rebukes in the Bible: “For whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:40) 

We have a similar situation in the First Reading where we find Joshua upset that Eldad and Medad, who were not present in the tent with the seventy elders, also received the spirit and the gift of prophecy. Even if the circumstances of receiving the blessing were different for these two men, Moses did not hinder them from prophesying to the people. What concerns Moses is the motivation behind Joshua’s irritation. He asks, “Are you jealous for my sake?” (Numbers 11:29) I think it is more of good old-fashioned pride. Joshua knows that God has personally selected people to serve Him in a special capacity, and he has given them gifts and powers to help them carry out their mission. He believed they were special because God set them apart. Joshua had a notion of exclusivity. His focus was shifted towards them and away from God and the mission. 

Like John and Joshua, we can also be very protective of our turf that we tend to stifle the work of the Holy Spirit. When we are more concerned with what renders us better than others, we open ourselves to the temptation to sin. Take note that the rest of our gospel passage says, “Pluck out your eye/cut off your hand/ cut off your foot, if they cause you to sin.” (Mark 9:43-47) The elevation of the self and the preservation of the self leaves little room for God.  If our egos are inflated because we have been born into wealth or royalty or gained status by our own personal achievements, we tend to forget the Giver of the blessings. GOD, the source of all blessings, is infinitely wise and cannot be outdone in generosity, yet we act as though He is stingy and His resources are scarce. By losing sight of what is important and, for whom we exist, we restrict the power of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul tells the Thessalonians, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19–22) To quench the Spirit is like dumping water on a fire. When we do so, we extinguish the fire of God’s Spirit that burns within the hearts of the faithful and we hinder the work of the Holy Spirit within our own lives, the life of the church, or the world around us. 

I was talking to a lady who stopped serving her parish after getting really frustrated with some of her fellow ministers. Sabi niya… “Napagod na ako Father kasi parang sila lang magaling. Sila lang ang tama. They seemed more concerned with who gets the credit than who actually benefits when we all work together.” If we are honest with ourselves, we can sometimes be no different from this. We would prefer that half as much good be done if we could get all the credit than if twice the good were to be done with the credit shared. So here we must imitate Jesus and worry not about who is getting the credit but rather about whether God’s work is being done. I once read a very helpful advice: “Whether I am praised or maligned doesn’t matter to me, what matters most is pleasing God and doing His work.” 

This Sunday, we are asked to let go of our pride and to focus on the Lord. We, too, are invited to be grateful for the blessings we  have received from God, whether it be wealth, skill, authority, or a special charism. Let us not forget that God gave us these gifts, not just to enjoy, but primarily so we can use them to help others, to witness to the gospel and advance His Kingdom on earth. May God bless us with the gifts of humility, discernment, and perseverance.

Angel of Peace Painting by Karen Tarlton

Greatness in God’s Kingdom

HOMILY: Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 9:30-37

22 September 2024

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez

I am so amazed at how talented kids are these days! On TV the voice kids showcase incredible talent that can easily put adults to shame. I also see videos online of kids who dance like professionals but can barely speak a complete sentence. Moreover, there are those who speak so well that they have their own vlogs! It’s not unheard of that kids even become the breadwinners of the family because of their talent. Yet, our laws still protect them because they are young, impressionable and inexperienced. They are still dependent on their parents and authority figures to care for them and make big decisions for them.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus highlights an aspect of children that we still observe in little ones today, regardless of their exceptional talents — smallness and dependence on others.  This is the standard for those considered as the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  In the story we heard, the disciples were bickering over who among them was the greatest, then Jesus called in a child and 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) This must have perplexed the disciples. Imagine the irony of the weakest holding the greatest position over all?  

Instead of reprimanding His friends, as Jesus did with Peter in last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus seizes the opportunity to teach them what true greatness is about. Remember that Jesus was speaking to them of His impending suffering, death and resurrection — a very important and serious matter. And yet His friends were concerned with thoughts of becoming admired, revered, and idolised, themselves. The focus was no longer on Jesus and the mission but themselves. Even more alarming was that they were not just casually talking about it but arguing!  The fact that they were getting on each other’s nerves means, they were taking this more seriously than the news Jesus was delivering to them about the salvation of humanity!  They lost sight of what was essential.

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 power over others — getting people to do 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 securing these posts because of the perceived accompanying privileges. The essence of authority which is first and foremost bestowed for the purpose of service is easily forgotten and taken for granted. Once I watched Family Feud and the question asked was … “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘politicians’?” Guess what the top answer was… ‘Corrupt’… Somebody answered ‘Public Service’ and he got zero (0). 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 neglect of the common good.

Children are not like this. They have an innate sense of curiosity and eagerness to learn. They do not claim to know everything. They need a teacher.  Even if they can earn millions, they still need adults to prepare their food, their clothing, and their needs. They are aware of their dependence on others especially for their most basic needs.  They have simple needs and simple joys. In adulthood, this translates into the virtue of humility — a characteristic most valued in Heaven. Mother Mary is venerated in heaven and earth because of her profound humility. It is what allows her to be fully dependent on God and obedient to His will — constantly allowing herself to be guided, even when she does not understand His plans. Even now, Mama Mary defies norms and goes out of her way to be in service of her Son and His friends.

The Second Reading (James 3:16 – 4:3) from St. James presents further how one who is humble, lives a life of service and enjoys peace.  This is termed as the way of the wise! Motivated by wisdom from above, we are sure to generate harmony and goodwill. This is sure to bear a lot of good fruits in the community.  On the other hand, St. James calls foolish those who obsess over jealousy and selfish ambition. He says this is what sparks wars, which we can observe in our world situation today — whether on a small scale in our local elections or on a grand scale among nations in armed conflict. Nothing good can truly come of it. Nobody truly wins.

This Sunday we are reminded that true greatness is being the servant of all. Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Through God’s grace, may we learn to recognise our dependence on God. May we pursue a life of humility and service keeping in mind that to sincerely work for the well-being of those in need, is to pursue greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Art Work by Emil Nolde

A Far Greater Inheritance

Homily: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 8:27-35

15 September 2024 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez 

I have a question for all of you. Do you like suffering?  Do you enjoy it when your body is so tired or in pain that you just want to collapse but you can’t even sleep because of discomfort? This is a physical suffering often endured by those growing older. What about emotional suffering? Do you delight in having your heart broken by people you love or perhaps by seeing your loved ones suffer? I think no one can honestly say they want themselves or their loved ones to suffer. 

Suffering bears such a negative connotation, doesn’t it? A normal person is just averse to pain and if possible, would avoid inconveniences. It is the same with Peter in our gospel. Jesus clearly reveals Himself to be “the Christ” who will suffer and die to accomplish the work of salvation He was given by the Father to do. He predicts His cruel fate in the hands of the religious authorities in Jerusalem. “Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.” (Mark 8:31) Peter would not hear of it. He takes Jesus aside and rebukes Him! He might have said the equivalent of a disapproving “Huwag ka nga magsalita ng ganyan!” On one hand, he does not want to hear of losing His dear friend. On the other hand, he also realises that such talk could scare off and demoralise Jesus’ disciples and future army. Peter was still expecting that Jesus would still become a kingly, warrior Messiah who would save them all in a glorious display of power. To his shock, Jesus scolds him with a stern, “Get behind me Satan”. (Mark 8:33) Peter must have thought he was being a good friend, only to be called the enemy. 

Do you think if Jesus did not go through with the crucifixion there would be no suffering on earth? Of course not! Suffering and misery are the consequence of the first sin. Adam and Eve had the perfect life in Eden until they disobeyed God and were banished from the Garden. Eve was condemned to suffer in childbirth and Adam had to suffer the difficulty of providing for his family. Up to now, people suffer because of the selfish, greedy, and hateful choices made also by people. There is flooding because people throw waste carelessly or cut too many trees without thinking of the consequences. When food industry businessmen cut corners to make more profits, they contribute to their consumers becoming unhealthy and sickly.  If we can’t eradicate suffering, what is the point of living you may ask. 

Focus on the explanation as to why Jesus rebukes Peter. He says “you are thinking not as God does but as human beings do.” (Mark 8:33) The truth is, Christ’s suffering and death on the cross are what won for us salvation. It is what gives us a chance at heaven.  It is all part of God the Father’s plan. For a Christian who believes in Jesus and His teachings, suffering is a bearable phase because it is not something we endure in vain. By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we accept the cost of following Him. Jesus says “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34) 

Pope Francis once said: “There is no Christianity without the cross. And there’s no cross without Jesus Christ.” Our world is so imperfect that it cannot be devoid of suffering. There is suffering; there is pain and there is death which comes our way each day. We do not have to find them. Our Christian vocation entails a readiness to accept suffering in this life, perhaps even an untimely death if that is our lot. Suffering is not something that we desire for its own sake. Rather, we deal with it knowing that it is not the end of the story. God’s power transforms suffering. Jesus ends His passion prediction with His ultimate vindication… “and rise after three days” (Mark 8:31) His resurrection! This is something we believers can hope for — that we too will rise on the last day and spend eternity with God. 

There is a recently-added movie on Netflix entitled How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. (Spoilers alert!) The main character, M, is a jobless and carefree young man, who lives with his mother and just plays computer games all day. Inspired by the good fortune of his friend who cared for her own sick lolo (grandpa), he thought that if he cared for his own sick lola (grandma), she might favour him and leave him a handsome inheritance so he could finally upgrade his gaming equipment.  He moves in with his lola and takes care of her as she is being treated for cancer. Would you say he is doing good work if he acts on selfish motives just to be on his lola’s good side — to be her “number one” and so get the house as inheritance? He starts to have true compassion for her when he witnesses her suffer from the disease and from longing for the love and attention of her grown children. Still, M gets deeply upset when his grandma leaves the inheritance to her heartless, gambler of a son. He angrily asks his grandma: “Why am I not your number one?” When  he learns his uncle has dumped her in the ward of a nursing home, he is moved by his grandma’s disappointment and loneliness and M has a change of heart. Now motivated by love and a genuine concern for her, he takes her home where he and his mom lovingly care for her. 

Isaiah and St James remind us today that to rise above tribulation and suffering and to continue to do good works are the marks of a true follower of Jesus, the suffering Messiah. You know caregivers of the elderly also suffer. It is not easy work and it is painful to watch a loved one slowly deteriorate and weaken. In the story, M realises that his effort was not in vain after all because he inherited something even greater. In the end, he tearfully declares, “Amah, you’re my number one.”  We, the faithful, who endure our share of the suffering of our Lord Jesus, can also be assured that with God, we too have a far greater inheritance for our faithfulness and perseverance  — eternity with God, our Father — our “number one”!  

Let me end with the words of St. Paul,  “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) As we walk through suffering today or in the days to come, we walk with confidence knowing that we have a far greater inheritance — fullness of life to come!

Restored Holiness in Christ

Homily: Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 7:31-37

8 September 2024

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez

These past couple of weeks, we have been equally entertained and irritated by the numerous senate hearings — there is one on Quiboloy and the KOJC, the budget of the OVP, the infamous Alice Guo and POGO, and the Muhlach case. Our legislators are working to uncover the truth of these matters. I am personally irritated when those questioned refuse to speak or answer the questions. Do you watch the recordings and livestreams? Are you also irritated by obvious attempts to conceal the truth?

Have you ever wondered why it is important to examine these matters in public? In my humble opinion, I think it is an attempt to restore the social balance and order that was disrupted because of the actions of those being interrogated. Their actions suggest, injustice, corruption, and sometimes criminal activity. If these matters are not addressed and dealt with, they will eventually destroy the ethical fabric of society.

Today’s readings talk of God’s promise of restoration to His people. It is a bringing back of order; a putting back of things in their proper place; a restoration of balance. In the First Reading, Isaiah relays God’s promise to save His people from exile. He tells them to watch out for the signs — among others, the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf will be cleared, the lame will leap up, and the mute will sing. (Isaiah 35:5-6) It is a very observable and clear restoration of wholeness and balance in the life of an individual.  Now jumping hundreds of years forward to the time of Jesus, we know that Christ’s healing miracles exhibit these very specific signs — the lame walking, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, and the mute speaking. In our gospel, Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech impediment. He takes the man aside, touches his ears and his tongue, looks up to the heavens and says: “Ephphatha: Be opened” (Mark 7:34). And the gospel text says, immediately, the man’s hearing and speech were restored.

This is a clear suggestion that Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promise of salvation. Unfortunately, those who witnessed it were more taken by the magic and spectacle of the miracle. They spread the word about His astonishing acts but it ended there.  They failed to understand and see the deeper meaning behind Christ’s actions. Perhaps it was because they were expecting a different kind of liberation because at the time they were still under Roman rule. Perhaps they refused to accept that the man they knew as the carpenter’s son would be the Messiah after all.  I am sure after a few months, many of them would have forgotten about Jesus, with the exception, of course of the man who was healed.

There are two things I would like us to reflect on this Sunday — first is our need for the healing touch of Jesus, and second is the concept of being “opened”.  Ninety-nine (99%) of all of us gathered here are not deaf, mute, blind or lame. But there are many things in our life that need healing (restoration). It may not be physical, but it could be emotional, mental or spiritual. All those aspects of life are often thrown off balance when we encounter situations that shake our faith such as tragedies and problems, and also times when things are going so well with family, career or business that we begin to rely on ourselves and forget our dependence on God.  This is not the natural order of things. We, as God’s creation and His adoptive children, must always live in the consciousness of our connection and dependence on Him. He is the source of all blessings and He is the solution to all our troubles.

We are also encouraged to ponder today… What is it that needs to be opened in us? Perhaps our eyes need to be opened to the suffering and the needs of those around us; perhaps our ears need to be opened to the call of many persons in our lives to use our gifts for the common good; perhaps our hands need to be opened to be generous with our time, talent and treasure; perhaps our mouth needs to be opened to speak the Word of God to give consolation and hope to others; perhaps our hearts need to be opened to see our own sin and our need for God. There is a saying in Filipino, “Mahirap makakita ang nagbubulag-bulagan o makarinig ang nagbibingi-bingihan.”  As Christians, we cannot be true witnesses to Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven if we refuse to testify to the ideals of truth, peace and the message of the gospel. The Second Reading reminds us that we need to see Jesus in everyone — rich or poor, and treat one another with equal kindness and compassion. (James 2:1-5)

Finally, let us be reminded that in baptism, our ears have already been opened to receive the Good News and our tongues have been freed to proclaim this same Good News. We pray then that Jesus continuously opens our ears to hear God’s Word so as to understand in fullness the Lord’s saving message. We pray too that we may be most attentive and docile to God’s Word.  May the Lord bless our lips that we may always be ready to proclaim God’s life-giving message to others.

Hearts in the Right Place

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

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

1 September 2024

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez

Is it wrong to wash your hands? Of course not! Our parents taught us to wash our hands before every meal, right? During the time of COVID we were told to wash our hands well with soap and water to avoid contracting the virus. This is a very helpful practice even now to keep us from getting sick because we tend to touch surfaces where germs, viruses and bacteria accumulate. Hence, we need to observe proper handwashing at all times.

If hand washing is not a bad thing, why does Jesus take issue with it in today’s gospel? Handwashing in this case is not for hygiene but rather a ritual for purification. It is more symbolic. It is supposed to suggest purity more than cleanliness. In the gospel passage this Sunday, Jesus lashes out at the Pharisees calling them hypocrites for their over-emphasis on the external observance of the washing ritual. Jesus scolds them for ignoring what is truly at the heart of these religious practices. Jesus wants these religious leaders to realise that because they are so caught up with the external, they no longer know for what purpose they have created all these rituals. They have forgotten that all these rites are supposed to remind them that they are in the service of God. Jesus reminds them to focus on what is on the inside; not on what is outside — to try and see what is in the hearts of some of Jesus’ disciples. Do they really intend to disrespect God? Are they really defiling themselves?

In the First Reading, Moses instructs the people to observe God’s commandments carefully so that “they may live.” (Deuteronomy 4:1) He emphasises that by observing the law they are manifesting their unique relationship with God. Thus, observance of the law springs from a heart that desires to please God by pursuing what is right in His eyes.  It follows that Jewish laws about food are revered despite their complexity because they are aware that they are observing them to please God. However, there are so many rules and the Pharisees felt it is their duty to police the Jews into observing every little rule of their rituals.  Sometimes, these leaders revel in the power they have over people so they lord it over the Jews every chance they get. They feel slighted when people go against them or had an opposing opinion.

As we mentioned earlier, focusing too much on the “how-to-do-things” takes away the focus from the “why-we-do-things”. Jesus says that rather than worry about what goes into our mouths, what really counts is what comes out of our hearts. Jesus explains His point by stating these two principles:  First, nothing that goes into the body from outside can make a person ritually or religiously unclean. No food that goes into a person from the outside can make a person unclean because naturally, food does not go into the heart but into the stomach and ultimately passes out as waste. Second, Jesus says that real uncleanness is in the heart and in the mind. (Be careful how you think your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23) What makes a person unclean is the filth that comes from their thoughts and motivations expressed through spoken words and actions. Such evil thoughts and actions such as “unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly” (Mark 7:21-22) are what make us impure. These behaviours do not honour God. All these exemplify real uncleanness and their very source, their very root is found within ourselves and not in what we eat.

One of my pet peeves are people who take more than what they can eat at buffets, justifying their behaviour by saying: “I paid for it, anyway.” What a lame excuse! It ends up with so much food wastage! In my opinion, they do not really appreciate the grace of God, the effort of those who prepared the food as well as the blessing from which the money to pay the buffet came from. Then I catch myself because I realise, I am judging them. I cannot presume to know their hearts. I am reminded of what the Lord tells Samuel: “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Hence, we cannot make rash judgements about certain situations because we do not really know the whole story. Would we say, for instance, that it is okay for men to disrespect a woman just because her dress is short? In the same way, we cannot conclude that a person’s mobile phone was stolen because he was not careful with his things. Of course, these victims could have acted more prudently but we cannot judge them as bad people deserving of their misfortune. This is flawed logic! We cannot simply blame the victim for instigating or inviting the criminal to commit the said crime. Let us remember that a person’s wrongdoing is always a matter of choice. They are not powerless to resist temptation. It is just that they choose to do bad things.

Another thing we are guilty of sometimes is passing judgements on other people’s faith. We look closely and critically at their observance or possibly their non-observance of some religious externals. If someone shows up at church almost every day and never misses a Sunday mass does this automatically mean that that person loves God? What if that person is a rude boss at work or a cruel employer to his househelps? Our being a Christian is manifested in our way of life. Sometimes, we also assume people are bad because of what we observe in them especially when it comes to the norms of our worship today.  We, Catholics who like to do novenas, rosary, processions, are often accused by persons of other faiths as those having a shallow faith. On the other hand, there are some from their ranks who like to quote the Bible but it doesn’t seem to be reflected in their life either. We can quote the Bible as we please but if the teachings of Jesus have no bearing in our life choices nor in our behaviour, we are simply mouthing the Bible uselessly. Have we forgotten that only God can really see the heart of each person? If we have been judged this way by others, we need not worry. We just keep on praying, doing good works and caring for others as we try to honour God in all that we do. That is what is more important.

Brothers and sisters, where is our heart? Is it in the right place? May we not focus so much on trivial externals. May our hearts be accordingly disposed, open and ready as we witness to our Christian faith. Let our hearts be centred on God. Only then can we say that our hearts are in the right place.