Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Gospel Reflection



October 16, 2013
Wednesday – Year of Faith – Ordinary Time
Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
by Rev. Fr. Leo Nilo C. Mangussad, - Rector, Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace (Our Lady of Peace Quasi Parish/EDSA Shrine)
12:15PM Mass at the EDSA Shrine

Reading 1 Rom 2:1-11

You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance? By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to his works, eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. Yes, affliction and distress will come upon everyone who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. There is no partiality with God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 62:2-3, 6-7, 9

R. (13b) Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.
R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
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. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.

Gospel Lk 11:42-46

The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces.  Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”

Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

HOMILY

There was a father who was accosting his child, because his child was fighting with his playmate, and he was calling him names. The father said, 'You should not be calling names, because that is bad practice'. So, they went on walking, and while doing so, somebody accidentally bumped into the father. And the father said, 'You stupid, dumb person, why did you bump me?!' And the child looked at him.

Another story is that of a mother who was telling her children how to eat healthy, because it is good that we should take care of our bodies. Later on, they went to a restaurant and the mother ordered lechon and lots of ice cream.

What am I trying to say with these stories? We cannot teach what we don't have. Woe to us who keep teaching things that are right, but do not practice them, just like the Pharisees and the Scribes. Woe to us because we judge other people on what they are doing wrongly, but we, ourselves, also do it.

It is good to reflect on the quality of life that we have. If we do not act justly, or with humility, and in accordance with the call of our discipleship to Christ, then we are no better than the others.

We should reflect. When I open my mouth, are the things that come from my mouth coming deep from my heart because I obey the Lord, or is it just for show-off purposes?