Living in Christ: Steadfast In His Mercy

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 5, 2021

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

First Reading: Isaiah 3:4-7

Second Reading: James 2:8-9, 12-13

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146 : 3 – 9

Gospel Reading: Mark 7 : 24 – 37

In our passage today, the Lord made two miracles: the deliverance of the daughter of the Canaanite woman and healing of a deaf and mute man. He showed us how merciful He was to us and that we may respond in faith, humility, and thanksgiving to Him.

First, a Canaanite woman came to Jesus asking for His mercy and help for her daughter. Jesus told her that He came for the Jews only and to give food first to the children (Jews) then to the little dogs or pet dogs (non-Jews). Jesus said this not to insult her but to stimulate her faith. She was not after the food on the plate but just the little crumbs (mercy) that fell from the table. She understood that she was a Gentile, who had no covenant with God and no right to ask, but still she was appealing for His mercy. Her great faith amazed Jesus and He granted her request.

Mercy here is not just compassion but “favor given to us even we don’t deserve it.” It is synonymous with the word clemency. Clemency means forgiveness and forbearance of the punishment to the offender even justice requires it. Just like us who are people who were not Jews and judged to perish because of our sins, God in His mercy sent Jesus to die for us and through faith in His death, we received forgiveness and became part of His kingdom. He did it not because of what we have done, but because of His love and He’s own choosing.

The healing of that deaf and mute man is our healing too. Away from God we can’t hear and speak of the goodness of God for were in bondage to sin. When we believed in Jesus, we experienced the “EPHPHATA” means “be opened or be released.” He opens our spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts to God. He also released us from the bondage of sin and death.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord for He is good and his mercy endures forever Ps.106:1

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August 15, 2021 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Theme : “Living in Christ: True Bread for Eternal Life”

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

First Reading: Proverbs 9 : 1 – 6

Second Reading: Ephesians 5 : 15 – 20

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111 : 1 – 10

Gospel Reading: John 6 : 51 – 58

Growing in the Divine Life

For two Sundays now, the Lord emphasizes to us that He is the Living Bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of it or believes will have everlasting and divine life.

What I want to share is about growing and bearing fruits in Eternal Life. This is a reminder of our responsibility and accountability as recipients of this eternal life.

Eternal Life is both a gift and a responsibility. Today, I would give importance to the word “eat.” The word has been mentioned several times in this chapter specially from verses 47 -58. …the one may eat of it and not die, if any one eats of this bread, whoever eats and many more.

First it gives us an idea that eating is connected to growing. Naturally we need to eat so we can grow. Spiritually, we need to continue to abide with Jesus and “eat” His Word and His body and drink His blood in order to grow and be sustained in this divine life. We must grow in faith, love, service, and in our relationship with Him so that we could be life-sharers and givers to the world.

So, to “eat” not only means to partake or put something in your mouth to chew. Figuratively speaking, it means to believe, or to abide, obey, surrender, and be one with Jesus. We should be willing to submit to the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. So every time we partake of body and blood, when the priest would say – “Receive The Body and Blood of Christ” and you say “Amen,” what you are really saying is “Yes Lord, I’m willing to surrender and submit to your will, have your way in me, not my will but your will be done in my life.” That’s our responsibility and accountability as recipients of this divine life.

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August 8, 2021

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Living in Christ: Source of True Life ”

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

First Reading – 1 Kings 19 : 1 – 8

Second Reading – Ephesians 4 : 25 – 32

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34 : 1- 10

Gospel Reading – John 6 : 41 – 51

In today’s gospel, Jesus told the Jews (and us) that He is the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven. This is a kind of food that gives us everlasting life if we “eat it” or believe it.

This is the food that He want us to work for. The kind of food that makes us to surrender and do His will. Food for our spiritual journey.

In last week’s scripture, He was the Bread of Heaven at the Table of the Word, and now He is the living bread in the Table of the Lord in the Eucharist.

He wants us to know that He is the bread of life that would give “life” to the world. In verse 51: He emphasized that He is the Living Bread and the bread that He will give is His flesh/body. This refers to His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection.

In His finished work on the cross, He gives “life” to the world. Life means salvation of all mankind. Salvation means deliverance from evil.

By His grace, He forgives and delivers us from death as penalty of our sins. As we have faith in His redeeming work, we receive new life, an everlasting and divine life. We don’t need to wait to die and experience everlasting life, we can experience everlasting life today here on earth.

We received divine life during baptism and through the growth of our faith in Him. That divine life in us will continue to flow in us as we continue to “eat” His Word (read, meditate and obey), do prayer and intercession, worship, partake of His body and blood in the eucharist, and being a blessing to others.

By doing these we become a an instrument of bringing life to the world. When we bring love, faith, hope, healing and compassion to others especially in this pandemic, it is an evidence that divine life that flows in us.

Our prayers, worship, and obedience – individually and collectively as a church, bring light, fight spiritual battles, and proclaim the presence of God in this darkness – thus bringing healing and hope to the people. We prove that the Church is the life of the world, and the Divine life in us is greater than death and fear around us.

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July 25, 2021- 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Living in Christ: From Lack to Abundance”

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

First Reading – 2 Kings 4 : 42 – 44

Second Reading – Ephesians 3 : 20 -4 : 6

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145 : 10 – 19

Gospel Reading – John 6 : 1 – 12

This Sunday’s Gospel Reading is just a continuation of last week’s topic about our Good Shepherd who is compassionate. In this gospel reading, Jesus continues to show His disciples about compassion in action. Not just feeling sympathy for the misfortune of others but, finding ways to do something about the problem.

Last Sunday He met their spiritual needs. Today, He met the physical needs of these hungry people.

He asked His disciples what they should do it was a test of faith and compassion for them. It did not mean that Jesus did not know what to do, He already knew what to do.

In Mark 6:36 one disciple proposed a first solution – “send them away.” It was a quick fix. Get rid of the problem – No people, No hassle.

Then Phillip also gave his analyzation of the problem: “We need a lot of money to buy bread and it’s hard to raise funds in this situation, it’s a hopeless one.” Then Andrew followed. He found a boy who had five loaves and two fish but did not know what to do about it.

Obviously, the disciples had no solution at all and failed their faith and compassion test. Then it was time for The Good Shepherd to give His solution. He told them to let the people sit down as He received the five loaves and two fish and gave thanks. (Mark 6:41 -received the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, bless/give thanks, broke the loaves gave to the disciples and they gave to the people)

Then a miracle of multiplication happened. They were all filled, with plenty of left overs. This action reminds us of the Eucharist that Jesus will feed us with His word and His body and blood. It teaches us also that to overcome lack in our life, we should give first to God.

We acknowledge that He is the real source by looking up, being thankful instead of complaining, and giving/blessing others. By doing that all you need to do is watch the miracle happen.

This is an expression of our faith – allowing ourselves to become instruments of His compassion by meeting the needs of others, spirit, soul, and body. Only then can we really say from the heart, and not just a mere confession or a slogan, that “we are blessed to be a blessing.”

Recap from Fr. Nonoy Villanueva

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July 11, 2021, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Theme : “Living in Christ: Courageous Laborer”

Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

First Reading – Amos 7 : 7 – 15

Second Reading – Ephesians 1 : 7 – 14

Responsorial Psalm -Psalm 85 : 8 – 13

Gospel Reading – Mark 6 : 7 – 13

Our gospel reading today is the continuation of last Sunday’s topic – “Focus on Mission.” Our Lord taught the disciples how to do the mission since they were the ones who would continue the ministry of our Lord. He stressed that there will be rejection and opposition, especially in our own family and hometown. But nevertheless, the Lord showed them not to give up or be hindered but to continue preaching the gospel to other people.

Today, He called, sent, and empowered His 12 disciples to embark on their first missionary journey. They had learned and seen from Him what to do; now it’s their turn to do it. The Lord taught them, including us, about missions for I believed that this is now the direction God wants us to go as a church, to expand, make disciples, and build churches.

After the disciples had been commissioned as His representatives, He taught them some practical tips in mission. He emphasized the importance of teamwork as He sent them two by two. He told them not to carry any resources and trust in His divine providence instead. He told them to stay in one house, learning to be content and thankful in every situation. He encouraged them to continue even in the face of rejection and opposition. As they obeyed and went to mission by faith, God proved to them His faithfulness and the power of His Word through signs and wonders. They had learned a valuable lesson that when the Lord of Mission is with you, there is hospitality and victory in the midst of hostility.

Recap By Fr. Erel Villanueva

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