Salvation: A Change of Life

In his Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us that salvation is a change of life. Jesus came not only to save us but to build a lasting relationship with each of us. Through His salvation, our lives are transformed, allowing us to taste the goodness of heaven even here on earth.

For any relationship to grow, it must be rooted in commitment rather than emotion. Commitment means offering ourselves freely to God. When we truly love Jesus, we go beyond comfort and convenience because our relationship with Him moves us to deeper faith and action. Genuine love involves sacrifice—laying down our own desires and even our relationships for the sake of Christ.

Therefore, we must constantly evaluate our relationship with Jesus. Do we treat Him as a friend we only call in need, or as the center of our lives? Our friendship with Him prepares us for heaven because salvation naturally bears fruit in a changed life. Jesus has already saved us; now He desires to dwell in us. When we allow His love to remain in our hearts, our lives reflect His grace and truth.

Indeed, Salvation: A Change of Life reminds us that to be saved is not just to be forgiven—it is to be transformed.

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time- November 2, 2025

Theme: “Go & Proclaim: We had been commissioned, empowered and authorized to go to mission”

First Proclamation: Isaiah 1:10-17

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119

Second Proclamation: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Gospel Proclamation: Luke 19:1-10

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Pray with Humility

In his Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael, Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded everyone to pray with humility. He shared four ways to make our prayers more effective: having faith, being thankful, remaining persistent, and most importantly, practicing humility.

Sometimes, our prayers receive quick answers, while other times, God asks us to wait. Through prayer, God draws us closer to Him. His answers may come as a clear “yes,” a loving “no,” or a gentle call to trust and wait. Each response shapes our faith and reminds us that prayer is not about demanding what we want, but about aligning our hearts with God’s will.

Today’s Gospel teaches that true prayer flows from humility. We must recognize who we are speaking to — the Almighty God — and approach Him with reverence, not pride. The Pharisee in the Gospel prayed to boast of his good deeds, while the tax collector humbled himself before God. The Lord favored the humble prayer because it came from a sincere and contrite heart.

When pride fills our hearts, we focus on others’ faults and forget our own need for grace. But when we pray with humility, we acknowledge that apart from God, we can do nothing. As Scripture says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Let us, then, approach God with a humble heart — one that listens, trusts, and believes that His will is always for our good. Each time we pray with humility, we open our hearts to receive His grace more fully.

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time – October 26, 2025

First Proclamation: Jeremiah 14: 17-22 Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 84

Second Proclamation: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-14

Homily by +Bp. Romie- Jun Peñalosa

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Pray with Persistence

In this Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa encouraged us to pray with persistence.

At times, we face situations so heavy they seem beyond hope. Doubt creeps in, and prayer feels ineffective. Yet, we are challenged today to hold on—to keep praying, not occasionally, but consistently, as a daily habit grounded in faith.

In fact, the Gospel speaks directly to our hearts: pray always and never lose heart. As beloved children of God, we are not forgotten. He sees our struggles. He hears every word. Unlike the unjust judge in the parable, our God is a just and loving Father.

When we pray with persistence, we don’t convince God to act; rather, we allow Him to transform us. Prayer humbles us, sharpens our dependence, and reveals the truth: apart from God, we can do nothing.

Certainly, persevering in prayer involves struggle. It’s a spiritual fight—not against God, but with Him. Through that battle, He reshapes our hearts, preparing us to take part in His work of transformation.

Therefore, don’t lose heart. Even when heaven seems silent or the waiting feels endless, keep pressing on in prayer. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Keep believing.

In the end, praying persistently not only opens doors but deepens our relationship with the One who holds our lives in His hands.

So, pray with persistence. God hears. God acts. And through it all, He changes us.

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time – October 19, 2025

First Proclamation: Genesis 32:22-30
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121
Second Proclamation: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Homily by +Bp. Romie- Jun Peñalosa

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Faith Leads to Service

In his Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Parish in Kalibo, Bishop Romie-Jun Peñalosa emphasized a powerful message: faith leads to service. Drawing from today’s Gospel, he reflected on how these two values—faith and service—are deeply connected.

Faith begins with believing that God is always with us, in both joy and hardship. A life of faith acknowledges God in all things—not just in words, but in daily actions. True faith is not hidden or passive; it actively shapes how we live and how we treat others.

Bishop Peñalosa reminded the faithful that faith is good, but it finds its fullest expression through service. When we serve others with love, humility, and no expectation of reward, we reflect the very heart of the Gospel. Service becomes more than a duty—it becomes a natural overflow of a life rooted in faith.

Faith should never remain private or stagnant. Instead, it calls us to step out, reach others, and be instruments of God’s grace. A faith that moves us to serve is a faith that transforms lives—both our own and those around us.

In the end, Bishop Peñalosa challenged everyone to live out their faith not just by believing, but by doing—by serving. Because when faith is real, service will follow.

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time- October 5, 2025
Theme: Go & Proclaim: “Doing our Duty Faithfully and Willingly”

First Proclamation: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:1-3,4-6,7-9
Second Proclamation: 2 Tim.1:1-10
Gospel Proclamation: Luke 17:5-10

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Help the Poor

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa emphasized the Christian call to Help the Poor. Today’s readings invite us to shape our character—especially by growing in generosity.

God gives us the wisdom to gain wealth, but we must not let it consume us. Instead, we are called to share what we have, particularly with those in need. When handled unwisely, wealth can harden our hearts and draw us away from God. It can blind us to the needs of others.

Generosity begins with empathy—feeling what others feel. That empathy should lead to compassion, moving us to act. To Help the Poor is not just a suggestion; it is a command rooted in love.

The Church teaches three core missions: worship, evangelism, and caring for the poor. Among these, caring for the poor is vital. It goes beyond financial support—it includes helping anyone in need, whether emotionally, spiritually, or physically.

Let us not be trapped by earthly riches. Instead, let us use them as a way to serve. When we give, we free our hearts from materialism and open them to God.

So when should we start? The answer is simple: Help the Poor—start now.

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time- September 28, 2025

First Reading: Amos 6:1-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:1-3,4-6,7-9

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31

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God Uses the Little Things

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa powerfully reminds us that God uses the little things to help us grow in faith, wisdom, and responsibility.

The Gospel focuses on the parable of the unrighteous steward. From this story, we draw two powerful lessons—both grounded in the truth that God often works through the small and ordinary.

Be Wise and Purposeful
We are called to be wiser than those who don’t walk with God. That wisdom should show in how we handle money and relationships. Use what you have—no matter how small—to bless others and build friendships that matter in eternity. Even simple choices carry spiritual weight.

Faithfulness Leads to Growth
God pays attention to how we manage the little things. When we act with faith and integrity in small matters, God entrusts us with more. But if we neglect them, we hinder our own growth. Each step of faith, no matter how small, prepares us for greater responsibility.

True Riches Come from God
There are two kinds of wealth: material and spiritual. Earthly riches fade, but spiritual ones last. When we steward our material blessings well, we show God we’re ready for deeper, lasting gifts.

Invest with God’s Purpose
Don’t let fear make you hide your resources. Invest wisely. Spend with purpose. Let every small act reflect God’s principles. God uses the little things—our time, money, words, and actions—to build His Kingdom in us and through us.

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time – September 21, 2025

First Proclamation: Amos 8:4-12

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113

Second Proclamation: I Timothy 2:1-8

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-12

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Joy in Finding the Lost

In this Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Parish in Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa powerfully reminded us of a central Christian truth: there is great joy in finding the lost.

In his homily, he reflected on the Gospel parables—stories that may sound absurd from a human perspective. Who would leave 99 sheep just to find one that wandered off? Who would turn the house upside down to look for a single coin? And yet, Jesus used these examples to reveal how God values every person.

If you were the lost sheep or the misplaced coin, God wouldn’t hesitate to search for you. He would seek you out with love and rejoice the moment He found you. In the same way, God calls us to do the same for others. When we reach out to someone who has gone astray and help them return to Him, we don’t just fulfill a duty—we share in His joy.

One way we can do this is through mission work. When we step out of our comfort zones and meet people where they are—especially those who feel forgotten or far from faith—we participate in God’s redemptive work.

We were once lost, too. We didn’t earn our way back; God pursued us with mercy and brought us home. Because of that, we now carry the mission to find others.

So, let’s seek out the least, the lost, and the lowly—not out of obligation, but out of love. Let’s bring them back to the Father, who never stops searching.

The joy doesn’t lie in numbers or status. The joy is in finding the lost.

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time – September 14, 2025

First Proclamation: Exodus 32:7-14

Second Proclamation: I Timothy 1:12-17

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51

Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10

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Humble Yourself

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa delivered a powerful reminder for all of us to humble ourselves. Among the seven deadly sins, pride stands out as the most dangerous. Therefore, it is crucial that we remain vigilant against it.

Pride is often an expression of self-interest, and if left unchecked, it can lead us to reject others, ultimately fostering greed. When we continue down this path, pride threatens to destroy our most valuable relationships—our families, our friends, and even our church community.

So, instead of feeding your pride, choose to humble yourself. Humility can be elusive and requires constant effort. We must be mindful and regularly examine our hearts to ensure that pride does not take root. Thankfully, God grants us the grace to cultivate humility within us.

Let us all commit to checking our hearts daily, so that we may walk in humility and avoid being driven by pride.

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time – August 31, 2025

First Proclamation- Proverbs 25: 6-12
Second Proclamation- Hebrews 13:1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14

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Embrace Hard Truths

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us of a vital lesson: we must embrace hard truths and courageously speak it. Often, we tend to accept the Word of God only when it is pleasing to our ears, conveniently rejecting the painful truths that Jesus teaches us. However, it is essential to learn to accept even those truths that hurt, for such hurts are part of God’s plan to mold us into His intended image.

In today’s world, we face a gloomy reality that often rejects the truth. Many shy away from embracing hard truths because it may lead to persecution or discomfort. Yet, true transformation requires an act of God — a change that must happen within us and be spoken aloud. Following Jesus is not easy; in fact, it is far from simple. We may lose many things we hold dear — our money, power, and possessions. But one thing remains certain: we will never lose our souls.

Jesus promises to destroy and transform our lives. We must invite Him into our hearts to remove everything that does not come from Him. By choosing to embrace hard truths, we allow ourselves to be cleansed, burning away ungodly principles and replacing them with His perfect goodness.

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time- August 17, 2025

First Proclamation- Jeremiah 23:23-29

Second Proclamation- Hebrews 12:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 82

Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56

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