Monday, September 9, 2013

Gospel Reflection



September 09, 2013
Monday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
by Rev. Fr. Prudencio 'Jun' T. Solomon, Jr., Parochial Vicar, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Sampaloc, Manila
12:15PM Mass, Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)

Reading 1 Col 1:24–2:3

Brothers and sisters: I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his Body, which is the Church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you and for those in Laodicea and all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, to have all the richness of assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Responsorial Psalm PS 62:6-7, 9

R. (8) In God is my safety and my glory.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. In God is my safety and my glory.

Gospel Lk 6:6-11

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

HOMILY

"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Alin ba ang ayon sa kautusan - ang gumawa nang mabuti o ang gumawa nang masama sa araw ng pamamahinga? Ang pagligtas ba ng buhay o ang pumatay?

Mga ginigiliw kong mga kapatid, ang buhay ay isang kayamanan na dapat ay nangingibabaw sa anumang batas o alituntunin. Ang hindi pagsagip sa buhay ay hindi isang mabuting bagay.

Sa ating Ebanghelyo, pinagaling ni Hesus ang lalaking may tuyot na kamay, kahit na anihin pa Niya ang galit ng mga Escriba at mga Pariseo. Ang pagpapalaya Niya sa lalaki sa sakit na dinaramdam nito ay hindi na Niya ipinagpaliban, kahit na iyon ay araw ng pamamahinga at para sa mga Hudyo, iyon ay isang banal na oras. Hindi dahil sa wala Siyang galang sa kanilang kaugalian at tradisyon, kundi mas mahalaga para kay Hesus ang kaligtasan ng isang tao - kaluluwa at katawan.

Mga ginigiliw kong mga kaibigan, minsan, sa ating buhay, ang ating mga relihiyosong nakaugalian at ang ating mga pagsambang nakasanayan ay nakikipagtunggali sa ating mga tungkulin sa kapwa. At kapag ganito ang nangyayari, maliwanag sa halimbawang ipinakita ni Hesus sa ating Ebanghelyo na ang nais ng Diyos ay tayo ay makapagkawanggawa.

Tandaan po natin - kung nasasaan ang mga nangangailangan, si Hesus ay naroroon. At gayon din naman, dapat tayong lahat. Hilingin natin sa pagpapatuloy ng pagdiriwang na ito na sana ay makita rin natin ang ating tungkulin na magligtas, tungkulin na magmalasakit, tungkulin na magkawanggawa sa ating kapwa kapatid. Amen.