Fr. Joel – Page 2 – Santuario de San Antonio Parish

The prophet Isaiah tells us that a true follower of God is a servant. A servant is a son or a daughter of God who works in accord to His ways.

The context of the gospel this Sunday is on the thematic teaching of Jesus on his suffering through the way of the cross. It is structured through the Paschal Mystery, that is the Passion, Death and Resurrection that He, Himself will experience. Jesus made the prediction in all these happenings in His life but He was misunderstood by the disciples. In the end, He corrected their misunderstandings by offering them an option for living.

Who do people say that I am? (v. 27) This query of Jesus to his disciples about the impression of people about Him is His way on testing and evaluating their faith in Him. While He is interested on what the beneficiaries of His word will tell about Him, it is a strong reminder and an evaluation too on the part of the disciples as regards their responsibility in assisting Jesus in the missionary task in spreading the Good News. Have we ever thought in reading the bible and sharing His words to others? Other denominations in Christian faith has strong inclinations in this, thus, they continue to immerse themselves in the Word of God.

But who do you say that I am? (v.29) The shift in Jesus’ query is highly noticeable. This time he goes personal, “But who do you say that I am?” He is like saying “How much have you known me? Do you really know my mission? Do you know the reason why I call you? Is your life consistent to the witnessing I show you? Jesus is giving his disciples here a guided retreat in order to help them know Him more and help them understand the true value in following his way of life, that is, the essence of His Paschal Mystery. Peter had the best reflection when he answered “You are the Messiah!”. And Jesus affirmed him in his answer for truly, it is the Father who revealed it to him. And since His time has not yet come, He ordered them not to tell anyone who he is.

Get behind me Satan, for thou dost not mind the things of God, but those of men. (v. 33) A great shift happened in this part of the dialogue. It was a shift from Peter’s affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah which by authority, he was given the keys of heaven BUT after a minute of conversation, he was exorcising the presence of Satan in Peter. Jesus reminds us of the vulnerability of the human person especially those in authority. Thus, constant discernment is very must but the challenge is for all on how we can be mindful of our words and actions.

“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (v. 34) This verse summarizes on the desire of Jesus on how we can wholeheartedly share on the mission entrusted to Him by the Father. It is through this way of life that a disciple of Jesus can truly embrace and lived with meaning the value in following his footsteps.

St. Francis made this as the rallying point in his life. He humbled himself and accepted in total authenticity the way of life of Jesus. (This became the spiritual vision of Francis-the love of the passion aside from the humility of Incarnation.) Having embraced the same, He received the Stigmata in Mt. Alverna, the holy wounds that Jesus received in the Calvary, imprinted in his body. For Jesus, true discipleship is taking up His cross. And everything in us follows.

So what should be the way of life of an authentic disciple of Jesus?
The prophet Isaiah tells us that a true follower of God is a servant. A servant is a son or a daughter of God who works in accord to His ways. The Letter of James reminded us on the importance of faith in action when he said: “Say to whoever challenges you, “Have faith and I have good deeds; show me your faith apart from actions and I, for my part, will show you my faith in the way I act.” (V.18)

In the most recently concluded 12th Franciscan Pastoral Conference in Baguio City H.E. Most Rev. Renato Mayubga,D.D. challenged the Franciscan friars and lay leaders on the importance in knowing Jesus through the Bible, the only source that gives on the ministerial life of Jesus. He said that for us Catholics, we value the Word of God and the Tradition of our Church, taking into consideration as well the saints and the Saints in our Church. He believes and affirms the faithful in their profound experiences of concretizing the Word of God. But he dare say that it will become all the more inspiring and meaningful if we read and study His Word, deepen it in our day to day life through our constant witnessing, and keeping Him in our mind and in our hearts through our faith.”

As we celebrate the National Laity Week this September 23 to 29 with the theme: “Building Up the Body of Christ and Strengthening our Faith through New Evangelization” and honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod, Patron Saints of the Catholic Laity of the Philippines, let us follow them as they themselves followed Jesus on the Way of the Cross. The mark of the true disciple is on how one finds meaning in the midst of suffering because it is only through the Passion and Death that one will experience the Resurrection.

published on September 16, 2012 Parish Bulletin

We are celebrating the life of Jesus, His being the Good Shepherd for all of us …. we are celebrating as well His great invitation on how we can truly imitate Him.

Why are we celebrating Good Shepherd Sunday? What are we really celebrating? What makes Jesus a good shepherd for all of us?

Good Shepherd Sunday is a reminder for all of us of the distinct character of the shepherd whose exceptional life is of great value in enhancing to others. He is not too preoccupied inwardly about Himself. He busied His life in total surrender to the will of the Father, doing the great task of giving more, and more, leaving nothing for Himself. He is more after the blessings of the Father for others, thus, He spends most of His time guiding people through His parables, continuously sharing His being a gift to the world.

What are we celebrating in our communities this Sunday? We are celebrating the life of Jesus, His being the Good Shepherd for all of us. We are also celebrating His great invitation on how we can truly imitate Him. But how has He been as a Shepherd for all of us?

First. His way of love. He showed us His sacrificial love. He laid down His life for all of us. He stretched out His hands and showed how much more He is willing to sacrifice. Even in His Resurrection and Ascencion, He wants His spirit of love felt by all!He wants men to live this way of life, promoted to the well-being of others. Jesus’ love being communicated to the family begets in itself a transforming power that, even changes in the course of our life can never withstand that spirit of love.

Is our way of loving others patterned after the Good Shepherd?

Second. His way of life Jesus’ ministry speaks for itself that “giving life” has been His mantra wherever He goes and whenever He performs His ministry. He goes against those that contradict life. He confronts those who oppose and violate life. He is a hardline advocate and promoter of life. He brings in respect and honor for life. It is in Him that life springs forth.

Is our way of life patterned after His?

Third. His obedience to the Father. Jesus wholeheartedly followed the will of the Father for Him. As an obedient son, He remained focused on the instructions of the Father. It was engraved in His heart. Jesus professed His loyalty to the Father, thus, even the last moment of His life, He commended His spirit to the Father. When He died in Calvary, He submitted His being to the Father. And He continues to manifest His presence to us through the sacraments.

Are we obedient to the will of the Father?

As we celebrate this Good Shepherd Sunday, we pray that our communities, especially our families, will continue to show love and respect for life, freely and gratuitously given to us by God. We pray that may the younger generation learn to love, appreciate life and develop the spirit of obedience to the will of God. We pray that they may blossom to become like the Good Shepherd. As we celebrate the spirit of the Good Shepherd also, may the springing-forth of life, the concrete manifestation of God’s love and the proceeding-forth obedience to the Father inspire all our lives to make ourselves like the Good Shepherd.

published on April 29, 2012, Parish Bulletin