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