January 1, 2022 Homily

The Octave Day of Christmas, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Readings: Click here to read full text
    Reading I: Nm 6:22-27
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
    Reading II: Gal 4:4-7
    Gospel: Lk 2:16-21

Becoming Agents and Proclaimers of the Good News of Salvation

Like the shepherds in our Gospel, we too can become agents and proclaimers of the good news of salvation if we ponder like Mary.

Before Christmas, our Advent Liturgy prepared us for the coming of the Christ, the birth of the Savior. During this Christmas season, our liturgy prepares and empowers us to be agents and proclaimers of this good news.

These shepherds proclaimed to Mary and Joseph what they heard from the angel regarding the child. They made known what they had found, as the angel told them. The Gospel tells us, "All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds." These shepherds had leveled up. They became agents and proclaimers of the good news.

Today, we are celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, to remind us of the fullness of the humanity and divinity of Jesus and of the extraordinary role of Mary in the plan of salvation. Rightfully, the Church, since the early 3rd century, venerated Mary as theotokos, meaning God-Bearer in Greek. This celebration invites us to reflect on the graciousness of God toward Mary and how she responded to such divine grace. In our Gospel, Mary, having heard what the shepherd said about Jesus, her Son, "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." All her life, she kept and treasured, reflected and prayed upon in her heart everything about her Son, Jesus, who was her life.

It is this attribute of Mary that we need to emulate. If we ponder and pray as Mary did, then, we too will be able to see and experience how gracious God is to us. This empowers us to become agents and proclaimers of the good news of salvation.

In this new year, I enjoin you to ponder upon God’s graciousness despite the darkness wrought by the pandemic and the typhoon Odette.  Let us also ponder for the coming 2022 national elections and not easily follow what others and the candidates are doing and saying. Let us be like Mary, the theotokos. Let us be "God-bearers" this year and onwards, especially in the coming elections.

Like the shepherds in our Gospel, we too can become agents and proclaimers of the good news of salvation if we ponder like Mary.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com

December 31 Homily

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

Friday, December 31, 2021

Readings: Click here to read full text.
    Reading I: 1 Jn 2:18-21
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 96:1-2, 11-12, 13
    Gospel: Jn 1:1-18

Stay Connected with the Source 

As Christians, though we share in the mission of Christ, our mission resembles that of John the Baptist. As John is not the light, we too are not the light. As the Gospel relates, the Word is the light, and John was sent to testify to the light that shines in the darkness. Yet, we can only testify to the light if we are connected to the source, the Holy Eucharist.

Look at our Christmas trees and other decorations. They come to life when its lights are switched on. And they can only be switched on if they are connected to the source of electricity. If they are not or are busted, they won’t emit light. 

Connection to the source is therefore necessary if we are to radiate, reflect, and testify to the light. This source, the Word, is now made accessible and available to us. "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," Jesus Christ our Lord, who said of Himself, "I am Bread of Life" (John 6:35), "the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world" (v51). We believe that the Word, that created and gave life to the world, the True Light, is the Holy Eucharist. Our Source, then, is the Holy Eucharist. If we are always connected to the Holy Eucharist, then we can testify to the light.  If we are not, if we are disconnected from this only source, we are like bulbs that never radiate light.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com 

December 28 Homily

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

December 28, 2021

Readings: (CLick here to read full text)

    Reading I: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2
    Responsorial Psalm: 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

    Gospel: Mt 2:13-18

Right after Christmas, we celebrate the feasts of St. Stephen, St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, and now the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This tells us that whether in life and in death, Jesus is the reason. He is the reason of the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr who washed his robe in the blood of the Lamb. He is the reason of the deaths of many innocent children in Jerusalem, whom Herod massacred for fear of the birth of the Messiah, the King of the Universe. He is the reason of the life and death of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.

The Holy Innocents were considered the first martyrs of the Church. Herod, intending to kill the newborn King, Jesus Christ, who was a threat to his throne, massacred boys in Jerusalem two years old and under. They were not killed for Jesus, but rather they were killed instead of Jesus. They died so that Jesus might live. Thus, we can consider them as other Christs. In secular terms, we call them heroes, but in faith, we call them martyrs, though they did not know who Jesus was. Even in their innocence, they gave up their lives so that Jesus could complete His mission.

Now let us ask ourselves, is Jesus truly the reason of my life and my death? Am I ready to give up my life so that Jesus's mission may be fulfilled?

Fr. Joel Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: catholicsun.org

December 26 Sunday Homily

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

December 26, Sunday

Readings (Click here to read full text)

    Reading I: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28

    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10

    Reading II: Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24

    Gospel: Lk 2:41-52

Jesus, Raison d’etre of Mary and Joseph

On the Sunday after the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Day, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This teaches us that our Lord Jesus Christ came into this world through a human family, the family of Joseph and Mary. Why do we call them the Holy Family? Is it because their lives are holy? Let us examine our readings today, especially our Gospel.

In one of the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, we reflect on the Finding of Jesus in the Temple which is our Gospel today. Here, we understand that there were a lot of emotions of anxiety for Mary and Joseph when they learned that Jesus was not in the caravan as they journeyed back home from Jerusalem. Our Gospel tells us that they "looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him." They lost Jesus and searched for Him for three days until they "found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."

Like many parents who lost a child, Mary and Joseph must have been so worried that they never stopped searching for Him. What makes them holy is that their lives revolve around Jesus. Generally, just look at how parents transform their lives when their first child is born. From being selfish, going out with their barkadas on a drinking spree, and doing a lot of other things into staying at home or returning home from work early just to be with their baby. From sleeping early or late, scanning Facebook posts, watching youtube videos or Netflix, to sleeping or not at all just to watch their baby sleep. The birth of their firstborn child changes everything and everyone's lives for the better; he or she is now the apple of their eye, the center of attraction, the reason for their existence, their "raison d'être."For Mary and Joseph, Jesus was their reason for being, their center of life.  Jesus, then, is the one that makes their family holy.

In like manner, our human families will be truyl holy if we center our lives on Jesus. Let us help each member of our family to make Jesus the apple of everyone's eyes.  John teaches us in our Second Reading: "Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us." Jesus is our reason for existence (raison d’etre), our life, our apple of our eyes if we keep His commandments and remain with Him.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com

December 25 Mass during the Day

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Mass during the Day

December 25, 2021

Readings (Click here to read full text)
    Reading I: Is 52:7-10
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.
    Reading II: Heb 1:1-6
    Gospel: Jn 1:1-18

Celebrating Christmas in the Darkness

Today, as we celebrate Christmas in the midst of suffering caused by the coronavirus pandemic and by the super typhoon Odette, we ask ourselves, "How do I see and experience Jesus made flesh in the midst of these painful situations?"

 

For almost 2 years now, we have been struggling to survive and thrive during this pandemic and had to face a lot of typhoons. With typhoon Odette, our country faced 15 this year. And it is sad to think that the most devasting happens near Christmas. I would like to mention three typhoons. I was there in Cagayan de Oro when typhoon Sendong washed away many houses and people on December 15, 2011. Super Typhoon Pablo hit Southern Mindanao on December 3, 2012. The Super Typhoon Yolanda laid to waste the Visayas islands on November 8, 2013. And just recently, on December 16-17, the Super Typhoon Odette left more than 600,000 of people from North Eastern Mindanao to Southern Visayas to Palawan, suffering at this most special time of the year, when people are already feeling the spirit of Christmas despite the pandemic. You may have already watched the news and seen videos and images of the vast destruction of lives and properties that typhoon Odette caused. Some people are still missing, while others were found dead. Many are left injured in mind, body and spirit with little to no food and water, no roof, no walls on their houses, and almost everything were flattened. The devastation is just so enormous and overwhelming.

In our Gospel today, God, who is the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, came as the true light which enlightens everyone, especially those living in darkness. He was born when the darkness was at its deepest and most intense. The Gospel tells us that He is the light that "shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

 

Today, many Filipinos, especially the victims of Typhoon Odette, are literally living in the deepest and most intense darkness. Many have had no electricity yet, no shelter, no communications, no food and water for 10 nine days now. I heard in the news that others are now dying because of starvation and dehydration. The relief goods have not reached them. Theirs is a real situation of darkness when Jesus was born, shining so brightly like a noonday sun and making His dwelling among them. 

 

While this is the truth of Christmas, let us ask ourselves, how can we help them see and experience Jesus’ light shining radiantly in the darkness?  How can we help them see and experience "the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth?"

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: OneNews.ph

December 24 Homily Morning Mass

Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent

December 24, Mass in the Morning
December 23, Simbang Gabi

Readings (Please click here to read full text.)
    Reading I: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
    Gospel: Lk 1:67-79

If we give time in silence to reflect and pray, we will be able to see how God loves us.

In the whole 9 months of pregnancy of Elizabeth, Zechariah was not able to speak as a consequence of his unbelief to the words Archangel Gabriel told him.  He made of his time of silent life to reflect on the message of the angel. It was only after he named their child, John, that he spoke again. Our gospel today gives us the first words Zechariah spoke. We call this a song of thanksgiving.

This song summarized what Zechariah understood from the angel. He thanked God for coming to his people and setting them free, for raising up a mighty Savior, for saving God’s people from their enemies, showing mercy and remembering his holy covenant, for shining on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and guiding their feet into the way of peace. This song lists what Zechariah understood and thanked God for.

When you get home after this Mass, in these remaining days before Christmas, can you also spend time in silence and in prayer? Then, make a list of the things you want to thank God for in the year 2021. Despite the pain and hardships you endure, what are the good things God has done in your life?

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: catholic-daily-reflections.com

December 23 Homily

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent

December 23, 8th Day of Misa de Aguinaldo 
December 22, 8th Simbang Gabi 

Readings (Click here to read full text.)
    Reading I: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14
    Gospel: Lk 1:57-66

If we can give time for silence and reflection each day, we will be able to see wonderful things from God.

 

When an angel of the Lord came to Zechariah and told him about God’s plan that they would become parents even in their old age, Zechariah expressed his doubts even after the angel explained everything to him. Because of this, the angel said to him, "and now, you will be silent and unable to speak until this happened." And so, during the whole pregnancy of his wife, Elizabeth, he was silent and could not speak. He was only able to speak again at the naming of the child. According to the Gospel, his first words were in praise of God.

 

God sometimes allows bad things to happen to us, like what happened to Zechariah, not to punish us, but to give us time to think and reflect on His plans for our lives. Zechariah became mute. It was difficult for him. Just imagine if you suddenly become mute, or blind, or lame. What would you say and do to God? We hear that there are those who have become bitter towards God and blame Him for everything. Some even murmur, "Though I am faithful to God, why did He allow my son to suffer and die.” “Why did God allow Typhoon Odette to devastate the lives of many people, leaving some dead and others, homeless.” “Why did God do such evil things? We complain, while Zechariah did not. He took his sudden disability as a privilege, a time to reflect and pray.

 

For Zechariah, the angel did not punish him. Instead, it was to give him time to see the wonders God was doing for them, for Israel, and for the rest of humanity. It was in silence that Zachariah was able to reflect and understand with belief everything the angel told him. His first words were in praise of God.

 

How do you see the untoward things happening in your life and in the lives of many Filipinos? How do you see suffering? Do you see that as God’s punishment? Would you say that God does not care at all? Or perhaps, you would say, there is no God at all.

 

Our Gospel reminds us to reflect and pray so that we may be able to see the picture of God’s wonderful plan for our lives, a much better plan for us.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pinterest.com

December 19 Homily

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

Readings (Please click here to read full text)
    Reading I: Mi 5:1-4a
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19.
    Reading II: Heb 10:5-10
    Gospel: Lk 1:39-45

If we can recognize and see Jesus alive in others, we will be blessed. 

When Mary visited Elizabeth, after having heard from Archangel Gabriel that she was already in the 6th month of her pregnancy despite her being advanced in age, Elizabeth’s infant inside her womb and Elizabeth herself having been filled with the Holy Spirit, immediately recognized God’s presence in the womb of Mary. She acclaims that Mary is blessed among women and calls her the mother of her Lord. She was so blessed to have been visited by the Lord and His mother that the infant in her womb leapt for joy. She was blessed because she recognized the visitation of the Lord through Mary.

Perhaps there were many times in our lives that God visited us through the different people around us, even those whom we see as unpleasant, dirty and unlovable, the poor, street beggars, and many ordinary people in need. Do we recognize Jesus in them? Do we attend to them as if they were Jesus Himself? St. Teresa of Calcutta emanates Elizabeth’s joy every time she helps the homeless dying. She said, "Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening; This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor." It may be easy for us to see Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. But, is it also easy for us to see His presence in the poor?

Therefore, if we want to be blessed like Elizabeth, let us open our hearts to recognize God’s presence even in the most unlikely of people, the poorest of the poor.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com

December 17 Homily

Friday of the Third Week of Advent  |  Second Day of Misa de Aguinaldo 
December 17, 2021

Readings (click here to read full text)
    Reading I: Gn 49:2, 8-10
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17
    Gospel: Mt 1:1-17

It is a common belief that the sins of our ancestors affect us today, and in like manner, the sins we commit today will affect future generations. In the Second Book of Samuel (chapter 12 verse 14), the son of King David died because of David’s adultery with Bathsheba, even after he was forgiven. His son was punished because of his sins in the past. This is true not only during Biblical times. Remember that the sin of Adam and Eve affects all of us today. It will even continue to affect the future. However, Deuteronomy 7:9 gives us a truly good news that for those who love and serve the Lord, his love extends even to thousands of generations. 

In our Gospel, we heard in the genealogy of Jesus the names of King David as mentioned above and Rahab, who was a prostitute, to mention these two. Yet their sins did not affect Jesus. It is, instead, the other way around. It is Jesus, Son of David, who affect the past, present, and future generations taking their sins away and its effects. This is, in reality, a deep healing of humanity's family tree.  Jesus did this to His own family tree, and it is what He is doing for all of us today.

If we believe that the unfortunate events and situations of our lives are due to the sins of the past generations, then we can do something today for them and for the future. It is by becoming a member of Jesus' family, by loving and serving Him that our ancestors in the past, our family in the present, and successors in the future are deeply healed from the inter-generational ill effects of sins.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com

December 16 Readings and Homily

December 15 , 2021 Wedneday Evening Mass (Simbang Gabi) 

December 16, 2021, Thursday Misa de Aguinaldo

Reading I:  Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8

Reading from the book of Prophet Isaiah

The Lord says to his people:

′′ In accordance with justice and always your deeds are righteous. My salvation will no longer be revealed, it will come, it will be revealed in your eyes. Blessed is the man who does this, the son of the man who rules this. He is doing what he should do on the Rest Day, in doing evil, avoiding himself." A foreigner who is united with the people of God should not say that God will not allow him to join the worship of his people ." This is what the Lord says to the former foreigners, who are now in his people, who serve him with all their heart, who keep the Sabbath day; and those who keep his covenant with faith: ′′ I will bring you to Zion , in my holy mountain. I will make you feel the joy in my Temple. I will accept your offerings, and my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations." The Lord promised to the Israelites, that He will bring many more to be enrolled in his people.

The Word of God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Ps 67:2-3, 5, 7-8

Response: May the praise be to you all the people.

Oh God, bless us with mercy,

We, Lord, have mercy,

So that in the world everyone will be blessed

Your will and your salvation. (R)

May the creations praise you,

Because you are righteous to judge the audience;

You are the guide of all nations. (R)

The lands are doing well,

We are blessed with the Lord our God!

All of us are blessed,

May all nations respect you. (R)

Verse before the Gospel

    Alleluia! Alleluia!

        Come and visit us.

        Bring your peace

        to exist in us.

    Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel: John 5:33-36

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to John,

At that time Jesus said to the Jews, ′′ You sent John, and he testified about the truth. Not that I need human testimony; I'm just saying this to save you. John was like a fiery light that illuminated before, and you immediately enjoyed his light. But the testimony of me is greater than the testimony of John: the works that the Father has done for me, and I am doing for him-this is the testimony that he sent me."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Homily:

Every year, when the time of Christmas is near, why do you go to a Novena Mass, Misa de Gallo, or Simbang Gabi every day for nine days.  Why do you go to Mass? 

Is it because of the snacks after the Mass? Or is it because you will see your longtime crush serving as altar servers? Or is it because it gives you joy to go to Mass with your friends or with your family? Or is it because there is something that we are asking God for? We have different purposes and intentions, good or not-so-good. 

In these nine days of Novena Masses, at dawn or nighttime, until the birth of Jesus, we accompany Mary and Joseph in their journey towards Jesus' nativity. We do this so that we too may be present when Jesus Christ is born.

Looking at our own experience of pregnancy, especially when "labor" comes, in our own family, what were your experiences? What preparations were you making for a healthy and safe delivery of your baby or your sibling?  The father, children, and especially the mother herself, focused their preparation on the baby who was about to be born. The focus is on the baby. 

Our nine-day novena is thus about and for Jesus. We must focus on Him, not on what we want from God. We are not here to get what we want; rather, we are here to give something to Jesus on His birthday.

We have been going to Misa de Gallo /  Simbang Gabi Masses every year for many years already. What gifts have we given to Jesus, Mary and Joseph? In the coming Novena Masses, what gift can we bring?  On the day of Jesus’ birth, Christmas Day, what gift are you going to give Him? 

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: flickr.com

Saying Yes vs. Doing Yes

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

December 14, 2021, Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

Readings: Click here to read full text.
    Reading I: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13 
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23
    Gospel: Mt 21:28-32

Saying "yes" does not accomplish or mean anything yet until that "yes" is executed. This is what Jesus teaches us in our Gospel today. In the parable, it was the other son who refused to work in the vineyard who obeyed his father’s will. And the other son who said yes was the one who actually disobeyed. Both of them did not do what they said they would do. They changed their minds by doing the opposite. Yet at the end of the day, the one who said "no" but did the father’s will anyway, was the one who truly obeyed. Obedience, then, is not just saying yes, it is, most importantly, doing yes. It is one thing to express what we commit to doing with our faith, but it’s another thing to actually obey God’s will by acting upon it. Saying yes to God is just a word that means nothing unless it is made flesh.

Examining ourselves, we can readily identify with both of the sons, for we cannot totally say that we do God’s will all the time. At times, we can be one or the other or both; that is, we execute our yes. It is easy for us to say "yes" to God, but sometimes we find it difficult to do what our "yes" entails. God is reminding us to be more about doing our yes rather than just saying our yes. May our words be made flesh.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: crosswalk.com

Listening To God through His Messengers

Friday of the Second Week of Advent

December 10, 2021

Readings: Please click here to read full text.
    Reading I: Is 48:17-19
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
    Gospel: Mt 11:16-19

Our Gospel reading today is a continuation of the Gospel reading from yesterday about John the Baptist. He ended by saying, "Whoever has ears ought to hear" (Mt. 11:15).

By listening to those whom God sends, we are listening to God Himself. Today, Jesus rebuked the crowd for not listening to Him. He likened them to children in market places who whined at their playmates, "we played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn."  The other group did not listen to the other.  Their game was no fun at all.

Thus, when John came fasting, the people said, He is possessed by a demon.’  When the Son of Man came feasting, the people said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’  No matter what they did, people always opposed them. 

Today, there are people who always criticize everything we do. Like the religious leaders of Israel who see nothing good in Jesus, we too may sometimes fall into this temptation. If we always see something bad in people or situations, we may find ourselves closing our ears to God Himself, who speaks to us through His messengers and through the events of our lives.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: istockphoto.com

Not One be Lost

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

December 7, 2021

Readings: Please click here to read full text.
    Reading I: Is 40:1-11
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13
    Gospel: Mt 18:12-14

The fundamental role of a shepherd is to ensure the safety and well-being of the flock. Some flocks can have up to 1,000 sheep in them. The shepherd pastures the sheep while keeping watch for dangerous plants and predator animals and guiding them to places with rich feed while watching them lest they wander away. It is the shepherd’s responsibility to see that every sheep is accounted for and that no sheep is lost. When the sheep have consumed all of the available grass in a certain region, the shepherd relocates the flock to another richer pasture. 

Jesus made use of this common understanding of a shepherd’s responsibilities to teach the people about God. As a shepherd keeps an eye on each sheep, protects them from every danger, and makes sure that they are well fed, so does God. If one is lost, the shepherd goes out to find it, and so does God. Jesus made it clear that "it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost" (Mt. 19:14). This is why the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to bring all His people to Himself. Jesus even said about Himself: "I am the Good Shepherd" (Jn 10:11). 

This season of advent reminds us that we do not become like predator animals that lead people away from God and that we who are lost let ourselves be found by the Good Shepherd, who never ever stops searching for us.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pinterest.ph

20 Years of Priesthood: A Miracle of God's Love

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

December 1, 2021

Readings: Please click here to read in full.
    Reading I: Is 25:6-10a
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
    Gospel: Mt 15:29-37

For my ordination to the priesthood 20 years ago, I chose the theme "To become a living sacrament of the Love of God." Through the years, I always ask myself, have I become a living sacrament of God’s love? Yes, I believe so, for it is not my own doing but God’s. It is not entirely my effort, but God’s grace first and foremost. God called me, formed me, ordained me and sent me on a mission because His "heart is moved with pity for the crowd" (Mt. 15:32). He made me a living sacrament of His love, as all of us are, so that the pity He feels for His people may become visible and tangible. I believe that through the assignments I have been given, God has responded to the needs of His people with whatever little I have. 

In the Gospel, Jesus apportioned from what the disciples had, even just seven loaves and a few fish (Mt. 15:34) to feed the hungry crowd of "four thousand men, not counting women and children" (Mt. 15:38). Jesus made use of the little given to him by the disciples. Similarly, he uses whatever we have, no matter how little, to make His love more tangible. This is why I said that I have, in truth, become a living sacrament of God’s love. In my priestly years, though most of these were spent as a parish priest, I cannot say that I have given something extraordinary. Yet, God made use of this, though it was small and imperfect. Since God does not require from us beyond the gifts He has given, I am confident that I can continue what He has made me, a living sacrament of His love.

I thank God for these grace-filled years of ministry, for being unconditionally patient with me and for loving me despite my weaknesses. I thank my brothers in the congregation, all my companions in my assignments, Fr. Roel, our Provincial Superior, and his council for your trust and confidence in me. I pray that, in the coming years of my priesthood, God may continue to provide for the hungry crowd through the 7 loaves and a few fish I can afford to offer.

As the Feeding of the Four Thousand was truly a miracle, my 20 years of priesthood is also a miracle, a miracle of God’s love that continues to feed His people in the Eucharist.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: catholic365.com

Tools to Preach the Word

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

November 30, 2021 Tuesday

Readings: Please click here to read in full.
    Reading I: Rom 10:9-18
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
    Gospel: Mt 4:18-22

In every trade people do, tools are essential to get the job done. Fishermen use fishing tools to fish; otherwise, it would be very difficult to catch fish. The fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John in our gospel, used fishing nets. Peter and Andrew were casting their nets on the sea when Jesus found them. They were fishing. While James and John were found mending their fishing nets with their father, Zebedee. They were preparing to go fishing. 

When Jesus called them, He said, "I will make you fishers of men." He knew that what they usually did to catch fish could also be used to catch men. They may already know how to fish by mending their nets and casting them into the sea, but they do not know how to mend and cast the Word of God into the sea of people. This is what Jesus taught them.

And so, when they were already empowered to become fishers of men, they preached the Word where God wanted them to. St. Andrew, whose name means strong and who possessed good social skills, preached the Word on the shores of the Black Sea and through all the lands that are now called Greece and Turkey. It was in Patras, Greece that he was martyred by crucifixion on a "crux decussata," an X-shaped cross or a "saltire." We now call this as "St. Andrew’s cross." He requested to be crucified in this manner because he felt unworthy of being crucified on the same form of cross as Jesus.

St. Andrew is one of those whom St. Paul described as having "beautiful feet." "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" St. Andrew, the rest of the Apostles, and all those who followed them until today used the fishing tools God gave them: their feet to bring them to many places, their arms and hands to touch the hearts of those they nurtured, and their mouths to preach the Good News. Their whole being was their fishing tool to catch people for God. They were able to do that because Jesus taught them how to mend and cast this net, this tool, into the world. St. Paul wrote, "Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

Let us now ask ourselves, how am I mending and casting myself into the world to catch people for God? How beautiful are my feet?

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: wikimedia.org

Jesus Reconciles All Things to Himself

Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | Year I

November 26, 2021  

Readings (Please click here to read full text)
    Reading I: Dn 7:2-14  
    Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81  
    Gospel: Lk 21:29-33

In these last days of the liturgical year, we continue to reflect on the End Times.

In our first reading, the vision of Daniel tells us about the emergence of four immense beasts. In tomorrow’s continuation of this reading, Daniel interprets it as the rise of four kingdoms of the earth. Their dominion would soon end with the coming of the son of man who was given by the Ancient One an everlasting dominion which no one and nothing could destroy. This refers to the coming of Christ as King of the Universe, to whom all the other kings shall serve, all of the earth, and everything that is created shall bow down to praise and glorify God, as portrayed in our Responsorial Psalm.

Yet, even if they serve, praise, and glorify God, everything, including heaven, will one day pass away at the coming of the Kingdom of God, which will subsist because this Kingdom is the Word of God. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Lk 21:33). This is the Word that created heaven and earth. Their passing away does not mean their annihilation. Instead, it is their reconciliation with the Word, Jesus Himself. St. Paul wrote, "For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross, whether those on earth or those in heaven" (Col 1:19-20).

The End Times, the coming of the Kingdom of God, therefore, is not about the end of everything, rather, it is about the Word reconciling all things to Himself in its fullness.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: flickr.com

Is Our World Ending?

Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | Year I

November 23, 2021

Readings: Click here to read the full text
    Reading I: Dn 2:31-45
    Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61   
    Gospel: Lk 21:5-11

According to Meriam-Webster Dictionary, END means "the point where something ceases to exist." In this definition, the end of the world means that the world ceases to exist. It will simply vanish into oblivion, total annihilation of everything. This is what many people think about the End Times. However, what Jesus taught us in the Gospel about the things that are bound to happen, the rise of false prophets, wars and insurrection, "nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Lk 21:10), "powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky" (Lk 21:11), happened through many years and centuries, is happening these days, and will still happen in the future. Yet, the End has not come. Jesus said "such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end" (Lk 21:9). When will it be? No one knows. 

However, for us Catholic Christians, the End is not about the annihilation of the created world. Pope Francis said, "God's plan is to renew everything in Christ and ‘bring everything to its fullness of being, truth and beauty.’" He further said that at the End Times, "we will be face to face" with God. "It's beautiful to think about this, isn't it, to think about heaven. All of us will be there, all of us. It's beautiful and gives us strength" (General Audience with Pope Francis, November 26, 2014). The End Times then is something beautiful to look forward to with greater hope, rather than something to be afraid of.

As Christians, we are not to fear the End Times nor be anxious about its coming. Instead, we prepare ourselves for it by living a life of holiness as we journey towards the eternal life Jesus has prepared for us.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: jimmyakin.com

Attributes of Christ the King

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | Cycle B

November 21, 2021

Readings: Click here to read full text
    Reading I: Dn 7:13-14
    Responsorial Psalm: Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5   
    Reading II: Rv 1:5-8   
    Gospel: Jn 18:33b-37

As the Liturgical Calendar ends today with the celebration of Christ the King of the Universe, the Church is teaching us that our life is a journey towards the time of the coming of the King. Through the readings, the liturgy wants us to know some attributes about Christ the King.
 
In the First Reading, Daniel’s vision reveals to us that the Son of the Man coming on the clouds received His Dominion from the Ancient One, who is the Father. He was given a kingdom that would never end, a kingdom that no power could ever destroy or defeat, and a kingdom that would be served by all peoples.
 
The Responsorial Psalm, which portrays royalty, leads us to acknowledge the supremacy of God, who is robed in splendor, strength, and power with no equal. His throne stands firm through all eternity, and His decrees are trustworthy. His palace is filled with holiness.
 
The Second Reading presents to us that Christ is the Ruler of the kings and the Alpha and Omega. His rule pre-existed before time, because He is in charge of time, the time of our salvation, the time when He frees us from our sins. The Kings’ love is everlasting; that saved us in the past, continues to save us in the present, and will save us when He comes again in the future.
 
In the Gospel, Jesus admits to Pilate that He is King but not the same as earthly kings. He said, "My kingdom does not belong to this world" (Jn. 18:36) and is not bound to time and space. His Kingdom is about the truth that the Father sent Him. And being in the truth means that we listen to Him. The Father said when Jesus was transfigured, "this is my beloved Son, listen to Him" (Lk 9:35).
 
Our liturgical life, our earthly journey towards the completion of our salvation at the Second Coming of Christ the King, must be about being God’s faithful servants who always listen to His Son, who is Christ the King.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: pixabay.com

Hang on to the Words of Christ

Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year I

November 19, 2021

Readings (Click here to read the text)
    Reading I: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59
    Responsorial Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29:10bcd, 11abc, 11d-12a, 12bcd
    Gospel: Lk 19:45-48

As we approach the end of the Liturgical Calendar, the Church leads us to reflect on the End Times when Christ will reign as the King of the Universe. The Liturgy during the whole year prepared us for this time, the time which only the Father knows.

In the Gospel of Tuesday last week, when we celebrated the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica, we were reminded about giving value to the Temple that is made of stones, the Temple - that is the Body of Christ and the temple - that is the people of God, as each one is God’s Temple. This one and the same temple is what Jesus cleansed in our Gospel today. He reminded us of its purpose, that this temple is His House of Prayer.

In this Mass, Jesus gives us the only way to “stand erect and raise our heads” (Lk. 21:28) at the End Times. By giving value to God’s Holy Temple, in its entirety, as the House of Prayer where God speaks to us, by listening to Him, and by keeping His Words, we will be able to pass through the many tribulations that may come and stand tall to the end. Jesus said in last Sunday’s Gospel, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Mk. 13:31). Therefore, the only way for us to “stand erect and raise our heads” at the End Times, the time of Christ the King, is by hanging on to the His Words, the Word made flesh, the Body of Christ which will never pass away.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: catholicworldreport.com

Salvation Has Come To This House

Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time 

November 16, 2021

Readings: Click here to read in full
    2 Mc 6:18-31 
    Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
    Lk 19:1-10

Our Gospel today teaches us a lesson on how to invite salvation to come to our house. And this is filled with ironies. Zacchaeus, being the chief tax collector, was rich but powerless because he was despised by the people. He became wealthy out of the people’s poverty. He was above people’s status but he was small of stature. His name in Hebrew means "clean or pure" but he was considered impure, a sinner because of his corrupt practices of tax collection. He held himself high but was humble enough to climb a sycamore tree though it was shameful for a grown man to do so. He was not a righteous person but he was seeking Jesus.

 

It was this action of seeking Jesus and doing everything he can, even climbing a tree just to see Him that caught the attention of Jesus among so many people. With this, Jesus offered Himself to dine with Zacchaeus at his house. And of course, we see so much joy in his heart as he received Him as his guest, who later became his Host. Seeing this, the people grumbled, but Zacchaeus took this positively. The visit of Jesus transformed him from being corrupt to being generous as he gave half of his possessions to the poor and repaid 4x over those whom he extorted, from being a sinner to becoming a follower, a disciple of Jesus. He readily gave up his wealth for Jesus. He was no longer wealthy, yet he possessed a far greater wealth, Jesus. In response, Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house…" He was damned but transformed and saved.

Zacchaeus' sycamore tree in Jericho

 

This is how salvation came not only to Zacchaeus but to all his household as well. If we, like Zacchaeus, seek Jesus, humble ourselves before Him, dine with Him and receive Him, be generous with our wealth for Jesus' sake, and follow Him more closely, salvation will also come to our house.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

Image credit: flickr.com