‘Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph’
“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
FROM THE first candle of Hope to Peace and Joy, the color is pink! We are called to have joy radiate in our life as we await our Lord. Every year J.R. Carpio’s mom would make me beautiful gigantic lanterns. They are a family from Barangay Santa Maria.
‘Primer Domingo de Advento’
TODAY WE lit the candle of HOPE and Healing as we were devastated by the Delta virus that caused a surge of more than 2,500 cases and deaths. We have been recovering with God's mercy and grace. Yet, a new variant Omicron or B.1.1.529 with risks of "reinfection" per WHO is now challenging nations across the globe.
“SON OF David, have pity on me.” This was the plea of blind Bartimaeus, who gave up his cloak to be able to catch the attention of Jesus. And Fr. Francis Alvarez, S.J., took note of this detail. For the blind beggar, the cloak contains coins and perhaps food that he collected from the people. And also Fr. Karel San Juan, S.J., mentions the need of patient waiting, in humility, begging God’s mercy to ask for healing, and the gift of seeing.
I PRAYED, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
THE LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." God in His love and goodness has instituted marriage and Family. From individuals joined by God to form a family. ME + We = US. We reflect on God's ways of uniting couples and forming a family as the church is formed.
DO I cheat? Do I lie? Do I steal? - At the expense of people’s sufferings? Cut it off! The Gospel today is Jesus’ call to each one of us. Father Joel Malcampo was very emphatic in his homily of removing all that prevents us from following Jesus.
“TODO TIENE PERSONAL INTERES!” A young man said about Elections 2022. It made me think, and realized verdad todo tenemos interes y ambicion, pero EL INTERES DE PUEBLO, EL INTERES DEL VIVIENTES DEBE HACE UNA bajo na personal Interes!”
“THE LORD GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?”
Thus says the Lord: “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.”
HYPOCRITES! The past few days the Gospel readings show Jesus addressing the duplicity/double life of those who seem to follow the law outwardly but inwardly were doing the opposite.
“AS FOR me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
BROTHERS AND sisters: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.
18th Sunday
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 and John 6:24-35
17th Sunday
2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18
Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15
14th Sunday
Ezra 2:2-5; Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 2; Corinthians 12:7-10 and Mark 6:1-6
13th Sunday
Wisdom
1:13-15; 2:23-24 and Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 and Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43
12th Sunday
Psalm 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 and Mark 4:35-41
Ezra 17:22-24 and Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 and Mark 4:26-34
