FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C

-



JESUS SECRET OF PEACE



When Miss Universe 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines, came for her homecoming and victory visit to Manila, it was expected that large crowds of people would welcome and follow here wherever she would go. Security was tight, the traffic was managed, and schedules were carefully planned. What Filipino would not feel blessed to meet or, at least see and hear the beauty titlist who finally brought home the coveted crown after 42 years of waiting?

The gospel is situated in the visit of Jesus to his hometown, the story of which was proclaimed last Sunday and continues on this day. And what a homecoming that was. Jesus captured the attention of people who were filled with awe and amazement at this native son who has grown so famous. But this gospel actually combines several visits of Jesus to his native place and the altering impressions people had of him.

Initially there was admiration, then later on, people felt threatened by his presence and by his message. Today, we hear people doubting Jesus in terms of his poor origin. They were also more interested in the miracles he was said to be performing than in his message of conversion. In the end Jesus did not feel welcome anymore. In fact, the people drove him out of the town, intending to kill him by throwing him down from the top of  a hill.

How did Jesus handle this rejection? And the many others waiting to happen? It was clear that most of the Jews were not comfortable with him.

The gospel simply said: Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away. What strikes me here is the spirit of serenity, peace and self-confidence Jesus possessed. His own life was threatened. His own people refused to acknowledge him. He felt people’s hearts and minds closing and repulsing his love. And yet, he calmly walked past the people and went his way, to another place, to another people waiting for his arrival.

Jesus showed us the key to peace in the midst of the storm. Jesus exhibited how it was to truly trust and surrender everything to the Father. He did not panic because he knew God was protecting him and guiding him and would not allow him to be disturbed from his mission. The prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1: 4-5. 17-19) describes this in his words of assurance: be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them… they will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with to deliver you, says the Lord.

Are you shaken when problems come? When troubles happen, do you panic and lose heart? Let us ask from Jesus the strength that he had in the face of difficulties. Let us ask the Lord to teach us to entrust everything to the Father. When you pray, “drop” before the altar the people, the concerns, and the fears that disturb your heart. And let God handle them while you go about your work in peace and trust.

Popular posts from this blog

HOLY MASS IN FILIPINO (TAGALOG)

-
Image
ANG BANAL NA MISA PAMBUNGAD NA AWIT Pari:    Sa ngalan ng Ama, at ng anak, at ng Espiritu Santo. Bayan: Amen P.         Sumainyo ang Panginoon. B.        At sumainyo rin. P.         Mga kapatid, aminin nating ang ating mga kasalanan upang tayo’y maging marapat sa pagdiriwang ng banal na paghahaing ito.             Sinugong Tagapagpagaling sa mga nagsisisi,             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.        Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.        Dumating na Tagapag-anyayang mga makasalana’y magsisi,             Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Nakaluklok ka sa kanan ng Diyos Ama para ipamagitan kami             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Kaawaan tayo ng makapangyarihang Diyos,             Patawarin tayo sa ating mga kasalanan,             At patnubayan tayo sa buhay na walang hanggan. B.        Amen. GLORIA/ LUWALHATI
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 1: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
FIRST DAY: DECEMBER 16   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo First Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8   Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just, for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.   Hay is the one who does this, whoever holds fast to it: Keeping the sabbath without profaning it, keeping one’s hand from doing any evil. The foreigner joined to the Lord should not say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people”; Nor should the eunuch say, “See, I am a dry tree.” And foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, to become his servants—All who keep the sabbath without profaning it and hold fast to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 2: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
SECOND DAY: December 17   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo   First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10   Jacob called his sons and said [to them]: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father. “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise—your hand on the neck of your enemies;the sons of your father shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s cub, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches, lies down like a lion, Like a lioness—who would dare rouse him? The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and he receives the people’s obedience.”     A.             Short Background on the First Reading   1. Who was Judah? Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (or Israel). Jacob was considered the father of the nation of Israel and his twelve sons were cons
Read more