Archives: Episode

Walking with Christ, Witnesses of His Glory

February 27, 2022

8th Sunday of Epiphany

First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35

Psalm Reading: Psalm 99

Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:13-18

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

Today’s Gospel ushers us into the Lenten Season – a season of self-examination, repentance, and amendment of life. The transfiguration of our Lord reveals His glory as God. It is also one way for the Father to encourage and affirm His plan.

It also reminds us about our own spiritual transfiguration everyday as we walk in the Lord. Transfiguration means “change in appearance that comes from within.” Transfiguration is similar to transformation, to change or alter. Matthew and Mark use this word but Luke used alter or change.

How do we experience this transformation in our lives?

1.)Prayer

Luke emphasizes prayer as one factor to have a transformed life. As we spend time in prayer, we soak ourselves in His presence. We become sensitive to His voice as His Spirit intermingles with our spirit. We could see and understand His ways. However while Jesus was praying, James, Peter, and John did the reverse. They were sleeping, that’s why they didn’t understand what was going on. They even repeated this mistake in the garden of Gethsemane. No wonder Peter reacted in his own way because he didn’t understand the plan of God. “Sleeping” can also mean that we don’t give much attention to the things of God because we have other priorities or we are just lazy.

2.) Word of God.

Romans12:1-2 says that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind with the Word as we surrender our mind, body, and will to God. The Lord transforms us from within so that we will not conform to the ways of the world, that’s why God told them “Hear Him.” Changes in us do not happen overnight, it’s a decision and a process of daily dying to ourselves.

3.)Holy Spirit

The theological name for this experience is called Sanctification. A process in growing into holiness and transforming into the image of our Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, consciously or unconsciously, whether we like it or not. We should submit to His dealings in our lives, changing us from glory to glory, day by day, (2 Cor.3:18).

Lastly, I would like to add the Sacrament an avenue of grace to us, let the sacraments work in our lives as we combined it with faith and in the process our lives become a reflection of Jesus to the world.

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Keeping God’s Commandment, Expressed in Love

February 20, 2022

7th Sunday of Epiphany

First Reading: Genesis 45:3-15

Psalm Reading: Psalm 37

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:42b-49

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:27-38

Homily by +Bp. Raymundo Abogatal

What makes a Christian different from other religions?

Loving one another.

God teaches us to treat other people, the just and unjust embracing the sins and sinners alike.

Matthew 5:45 states what God wants from us which is to seek the highest and greatest good from others, even those who are unjust. Our love in others must be like Christ and be marked with the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us.

Giving, forgiving, and loving one another is the core of today’s gospel. Give without expecting anything in return, forgive those who hate you, and how do we treat our enemies? We should love them, do good to them, and pray for them. Only God can satisfy our soul. If we have Jesus in our hearts, we have peace, and He makes the difference in our lives.

We should not feel vindicated by our enemies but we should be more like God in our character, for it lasts until eternity. Luke 6:37-38 reminds us also that what we sow, is what we reap. The same principle applies when we give ourselves in ministry. The works of God should not be sacrificed over our own activities and schedules for the heart of God is the mission. Let us not be afraid to share the word of God and serve Him especially those who really are in need, the sick, the poor, the unjust. For we serve a faithful God!

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Yielded to God: The Way to Blessed Life

February 13, 2022

6th Sunday of Epiphany

First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10

Psalm Reading: Psalm 1

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:19-26

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

True blessedness comes a from a yielded heart.

Our Gospel talks to us about true blessedness. True blessedness comes from a yielded heart to God. A yielded, submissive, and surrendered heart trusts and obeys God.

Blessedness is a state of having divine joy and perfect happiness that comes from God. This is His promise to those who trust Him. But how come not everyone is experiencing this blessedness even when we were confessing that we are “blessed to be a blessing.” This all boils down to our submission to God’s will.

We are praying for peace, unity, and other things, but as long we are not submitted to God, it will be difficult for us to receive it. We just enjoy the outcome / result but we don’t do what we’re supposed to do.

We should develop a yielded heart by faith and  and do it through His grace. We can’t do it by ourselves. First, we must decide to submit to God knowing that away from Him, we can do nothing. We are doomed to failure without His guidance for His ways are higher than ours. It is a daily dying to ourselves and willingness to put God first.

Second, we must submit to the dealings of the Holy Spirit in us who is our sanctifier. There are times God would allow circumstances in our lives due to the hardness of our hearts. We should realize that our sufficiency is in Him and not ourselves. Jesus is the true example of a yielded heart. Our salvation became true to us because He submitted to the will of the Father. He said, “Not my will but your will shall be done.”

God is looking for a contrite and broken (humble spirit) and this is our loving sacrifice that God will not despise – letting God have His way in us.

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Saved by His Grace, Rising to the Challenge

February 6, 2022

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

Psalm Reading: Psalm 138

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:3-10

Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

Homily by Fr. Andy Illustre

Luke 5:1-11 reminds us to become partakers of the Lord’s work.

God is calling people for His Kingdom. He calls us to become fruitful members of His kingdom. Being members of His kingdom means to represent Christ and His church, to bear witness to Him wherever they may be, according to the gifts given to us.

Peter rose to the challenge in obedience to God. Because of His faith, despite the contrary circumstances, he was rewarded with a good catch.

Like Peter, we must also rise to the challenge to follow God’s plan in our lives. What God’s calling does is make us aware of our unworthiness. But we need to be aware that God calls us not according to our unworthiness but according to His grace and mercy. Our dependence is on God.

It is because of God’s grace that we can follow Christ’s command to not be afraid. All we need to do is faithfully obey God and trust God to do His part.

In 1 Cor 15:1-11, God’s grace is what makes our calling possible. it is by faith to the Gospel of God that we are saved.

Homily recap by Sally Illustre

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Destined by God, Obedient Servant

January 30, 2022

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a

Gospel Reading: Luke 4:21-31

Our gospel today talks about the response of the Jewish people to the first preaching of Jesus in His hometown. Let’s imagine ourselves as one of the people who were inside the synagogue with Him. How do you think we would respond? The Jews responded first with amazement, then later it turned into wrath and unbelief.

Why? First they could not believe that this homegrown boy proclaimed that the prophecy was fulfilled that day. Secondly, how could He say that He was anointed by the Holy Spirit, and specially in saying that salvation is also for the Gentiles. It pricks their pride as a chosen people and shattered their belief in the exclusiveness of salvation. This meant that they should also repent and believe in Jesus like Gentiles for them to receive salvation.

For us, how do we respond when we hear the Word? In the pulpit, when we read, or when somebody shares to us? Like the Jews, they like the truth when it enlightens them but hate the truth when it confronts them. They like gracious words but they don’t like to face the truth. May we have a submissive or surrendered heart towards God.

Jesus responded in love. He did not retaliate nor had a bad feeling against them but continued to be patient and forgiving to them and to us. He knew He had been called to be a prophet and The Messiah, to suffer and die for the sins of world. He was merciful to us knowing that apart from God we were miserable, destined for destruction and hell.

We are currently in the state of grace; God is giving us ample time to repent. This is what the acceptable year of the Lord is all about! Today is the day of salvation, don’t harden your hearts. The day of vengeance of the Lord is coming. In Isaiah 61:2 where this prophecy originated, it says that the day of vengeance of the Lord follows after the acceptable year of the Lord. This is reserve for His second coming. Our God is merciful, full of loving kindness and slow to anger, but He is also righteous.

May we respond to His grace in faith and humility.

 

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Called by God, Instruments of Salvation

January 23, 2022

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Theme: Called by God, Instruments of Salvation

Homily by Fr. Andy Ilustre

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-4a, 5-10

Psalm Reading: Psalm 19

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-20

Gospel Reading: Luke 4: 14-21

The Holy Spirit was given to us to do the work of Christ. Like the apostles who went out into the world and taught in all the nations, we should not stop doing Christ’s work until He comes back again.

It says in verse 18, that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me”. The Holy Spirit was at work in Christ’s life. Also, it is the same spirit that is in us, the same spirit that guided and helped Christ. It is also said in verse 18 that the Spirit anointed Him to preach the Gospel. The Gospel includes the good news of salvation and because of God’s salvation, we have received the right to become His sons and daughters.

With the Holy Spirit comes a mandate, a mandate to preach the gospel to the poor. Poor in the knowledge and understanding of the love and grace of God. That is why we should share the good news of the gospel and enlighten them with God’s love.

Also, we have the ability to heal the brokenhearted and those who were set apart and give light to those who are blind to God’s word and those who chose to be in darkness.

This is the task that the Holy Spirit has called us to do. Especially in this time, where it is the time of darkness. God calls us to become an instrument of salvation, hope, and life, knowing that the Holy Spirit is with us and is working with us.

Homily Recap by Sis Sally Illustre

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Children of God, Precious in His Sight

January 16, 2022

Second Sunday of Epiphany

Theme: Children of God, Precious in His Sight

Homily by Fr. Romie Jun Peñalosa

First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 10-17

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 10

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:1-5

As a church, we are “Pro-Life” for we are the recipients of the life of God. We live by the life of Christ. Jesus emphasized to us that the kingdom of God belongs to the children. His standard is children. Children remind us that like them, it is necessary to be humble for the way
to the kingdom of God is through humility.
Without humility, we cannot receive the gospel, and without the gospel, we cannot enter into salvation.
Genuine greatness begins with humility and children are teachers of humility. The goal of humility is to always welcome Jesus in our life and one way of doing that is by welcoming the children.
So why is Satan trying to get rid of children? Why is he so bent on destroying their lives? Because children are heirs of God who will destroy the enemy. So it is important that we defend and preserve their lives.
Homily Recap by Paz Indulo

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Feast of the Baptism – First Sunday of Epiphany

January 9, 2022

First Sunday of Epiphany

Homily by Fr. Jun Peñalosa

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89

Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38

Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST

(A RECAPITULATION BASED ON THE HOMILY OF +FR. ROMIE JUN PEÑALOSA)

The first Sunday after the season of Epiphany is the church celebration of the “Feast of Jesus Christ’s Baptism.” Why do we celebrate this? “To remind us of our own baptism.”

Looking back on the story of Jesus’ baptism, gives us a glimpse of what happened during our own baptism. The baptism that John the Baptist made by the Jordan river were baptisms of repentance in order to prepare the people for the great baptism to be made by our Lord Jesus Christ – the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. The baptism of Jesus by John is made not just to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah; but to fulfil the righteousness of God through Jesus; and Jesus is the only One who can make us righteous in God.

In the Gospel reading, when Jesus is praying while being baptized, the Holy Spirit came to Him in the form of a dove, and John heard the voice of the Father affirming, “This is my beloved Son, in Him I am well pleased.” This particular event shows us, that wherever Jesus is, the Father is there, and the Holy Spirit is there also. They are inseparable! This accounts also the event when we were baptized – the heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit came to us, and the voice of our Father speaking to us, “His beloved son or daughter, and with us, He is well pleased”. Knowing this truth, we can enjoy life and live happily every day.

Isaiah, as the prophet of the coming of Christ, not only speaks of what Jesus would do being the Anointed One, but prophesied also of bringing justice and love. Basically, it means that the anointing of God to us will cause us to walk in justice. We need to understand that the purpose of our baptism is to immerse us in Christ, so that when we rise up, we will walk in justice and will live in love.

“To be reminded of our baptism is to be reminded also of our responsibility.” Yes, we have benefits in baptism. We became adopted sons and daughters; we can pray to God and ask Him anything we want. But let us be reminded as well, that with benefits, come along responsibilities. And as adopted children, we are immersed in Christ; therefore, it is our responsibility to bring out Christ and be bearers of Christ in our lives! As one who received the anointing in baptism, it is our responsibility to walk in justice. And how does God bring us justice? He brings us to a right relationship with Him! And this is what expected of us – to live and walk daily in righteousness.

As baptized Christians, it is our responsibility to do what is right – not right with our own eyes, but right in the eyes of God; to walk in justice and live in love. Every day, we intend to live in love – the newness of life. Let us therefore be patient and forgiving with one another, for love is a life-learning process.

Today, we are reminded of our baptism with Christ. Father Jun encouraged us then, “to live consciously and deliberately” every day. Let it be not just a habit, but a decision, with consciousness and willingness to do what is right, to walk in justice and live in love. Further, he urged us to always have that attitude of gratitude to the newness of our life. +

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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Matured Sons, Mindful Of The Father’s Will

January 2, 2022

Second Sunday of Christmas

Theme: “Matured Sons, Mindful Of The Father’s Will”

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

First Reading: Isaiah 40:27-31

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 84: 1-2, 4-5 , 10-11

Second Reading : Ephesians 1:3-6

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

” Like Jesus, we should grow to fulfill God’s purposes in our lives”

Being children of God, we must grow spirit, soul, and body to know and fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. Joseph and Mary fulfilled their duty as a normal parents would do. They cared, trained, and guided Jesus as He grew.

Jesus did not use His divine powers to learn to live as a human. He grew as normal as other Jewish boys did. One time they brought Jesus with them in Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Passover. After the event, they went home but the boy Jesus stayed. When they found out that Jesus was not with them, they sought and found Him in the temple with the teachers asking and listening to them. His parents asked Him why He did this and His answer puzzled them. They didn’t understand what He meant when He said “I must be about my Father’s business.”

This is the very first word spoken by Jesus found in St. Luke’s Gospel since He was born. Nevertheless, after their conversation, Jesus went home with them and obeyed them.

His obedience is something worth imitating, and can be likened to how our obedience to God must be. He submitted to His earthly parents while fulfilling God’s purpose in His life. We will never know and fulfill our purpose apart from God since He is the one who gives our purpose. Jesus’ obedience and a seeking heart help Him grow in wisdom, in years and grace, fulfilling God’s purpose, why He came to earth this Christmas, to be our Savior.

Thus, the Father was able to say to Him” You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” May the Father someday say that to us also.

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Present Ourselves As A Living Sacrifice

December 26, 2021

First Sunday of Christmas

Theme: “Present Ourselves As A Living Sacrifice ”

Homily by Fr. Andy Ilustre

First Reading: Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 148: 1-2 , 7-8, 11-14

Second Reading : Galatians 4:1-7

Gospel: Luke 2:22-32

The lessons for today’s gospel are obedience and faithfulness.

We all receive from God. And, He calls us to give back to Him our gifts and our lives.

The quality of the gift we give will never outdo the gift He gives us. But our Reasonable Service.

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Love of Christ; Faithfully Fulfilling His Covenant

December 19, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Theme: “Love of Christ; Faithfully Fulfilling His Covenant”

Homily by Fr. Romie Jun Peñalosa

First Reading : Micah 5: 2-4

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80: 1-2, 14-15, 17-18

Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 5-10

Gospel: Luke 1:39-55

LOVE OF CHRIST: FAITHFULLY FULFILLING HIS COVENANT

(A RECAPITULATION BASED ON THE HOMILY OF +FR. ROMIE JUN PEÑALOSA)

Today, as the fourth candle of Advent representing love is lit, Father Jun reminded us of the things we need to be prepared for. As we already know and understand that Advent is a time for preparation for the coming again of the Lord; we also need to prepare our hearts and our lives if we truly believe what we, as a church, have been proclaiming – that Christ will be coming again! “The success of everything that we celebrate in life, depends on our preparation. The more we prepare, the more we are guaranteed success.”

So, what are we going to prepare? It is our hearts. We need to cultivate the following: first is hope. We need to see to it that hope is always kindled in our hearts. No matter how hopeless the circumstances, let hope continue to shine. The second is faith. We need to cultivate it by doing and obeying what God is telling us to do. Regardless of how many times we fall and fail, get up always and walk with faith, not by sight. The third is joy. As the scriptures teach us to serve God with gladness, we need to see to it that in everything we do, we have the joy of doing it, “for the joy of the Lord is our strength!”

Our hope will always be tested. Also our faith and joy in Christ. But let us remember that this testing in our lives produces the groaning… there is that infilling that happens to us when we are being tested. The more we are tested, the more we are filled with the love of Christ!

Our Gospel reading today is one of the most beautiful stories ever written in the Bible. For it tells a story of love, of a mother – considered to be the best icon of love. Mary, as the first disciple of Jesus, being the first one to receive the Word, after Gabriel, the angel, proclaims the Good News to her, magnifies and rejoices in it. Elizabeth, despite her being old and barren did not see it as a burden when the angel of the Lord told her she will bear a child. These two mothers did not look at the circumstances around them but only looked to the truth that God has favored them. They are rejoicing for God has fulfilled His promise in their lives!

 “When there is joy and love in us, the word of God comes in us; it becomes prophetic in us.”

As a church, we need to rejoice every day because God’s promise in us is working out every day to be fulfilled in our lives. We might be going through difficulties in life now, and facing unfavorable circumstances…but all these testing and trials are just proving our hope, our faith, our joy, and our love for God.

Here, Father Jun share the church mission by 2022 to plant and build more mission churches. He expresses his excitement but at the same time, feel apprehensions knowing we will be encountering mighty and strong giants in the land. But praise God, we have this hope, faith, joy, and love of Christ in us – God is with us! Therefore, who can be against us? 

Two things we learn from the gospel about love today:

  1. Once you are filled with the love of Christ, do not stay home and become complacent. Like Mary, when impregnated with love of God, she went out to bring Christ to others. Why? Because she is a Christ-bearer. Each one of us, are Christ bearers so let us bring Him to others.
  2. We need to work together. And here, love is very important. Without love, it is hard to work. We need to understand that as achurch, we will never accomplish the work that God would want us to fulfil if we work individually.

God’s destiny with our lives is already within us. All we need to do is love each other and begin to help each other. Let us not worry about who will get credit, what is important is we could be of service to one another.

“Love is best demonstrated in humble service; when you start to help and serve others with humility.”

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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Joyful in Christ; His Grace Abounds

December 12, 2021

Third Sunday of Advent

Theme: “Joyful in Christ; His Grace Abounds”

Homily by Fr. Andy Ilustre

First Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-20

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85: 2-3, 8-11

Second Reading: Philippians 4: 4-7

Gospel: Luke 3: 7-18

Let us prove our new life by the fruits that we bear. Baptism isn’t a magic formula that gets you into the Kingdom of God, but it is a beginning of a new life with Him. It doesn’t give you immunity just because you have higher connections.

Repentance shows that you have changed your life; you have turned away from darkness into light. Judgment belongs to those who are persistently rebellious.

It is about wanting to bear fruit, despite not being able to do it on our own, while having the willingness to believe that we can do it through The One Who is able.

Having a surrendered life shows us the fruit of a changed life. And, it is by His spirit that we have an abundant new life. We expect God to act on our behalf. Yet, God’s grace is sufficient for us.

The coming of Christ is an exhortation to the righteousness, but it scares the persistently unrighteous.

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I AM BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

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