The Word God Spells

John 15: 18-21
Acts 16: 1-10 / Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 5

I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
(John 15:19)

How can the choice be hard to make,
Between life or death, wealth or grace?
Let us not make the grave mistake
To love this world and lose the race.

(Jesus said), “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, `No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. And they will do all this to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” (John 15: 18-21)

Reflection

There is no gray area here. We cannot have one and enjoy the other as well. As Jesus so clearly pointed out, “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt.6:24). We also read in the first letter of John: “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). St. James echoes the same message: “Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

What is the “world” being referred to here? It is everything in this life that appeals to our carnal desires, or those “of the flesh”. St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans: “For the concern of the flesh is hostility towards God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8). It is only when we have learned to “crucify” our material or carnal concerns and detach ourselves from the pleasures of the world that the Spirit of God can dwell in us.

Ultimately (if we still remain bull-headed), God may take the initiative, and that is when we will experience the pain of purification. Many times in our brotherhood’s assemblies, we have heard testimonies of personal conversions to a more meaningful relationship with God, but only after the speaker(s) experienced a reversal of fortunes, like bankruptcy, a life-threatening illness, imprisonment, or even the loss of a loved one. This is the other kind of ‘persecution’ that our Lord is referring to in this Gospel passage.

St. Paul warns us: “Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2). The world is Satan’s domain (his playground, really). At every opportunity he lures us into the false belief that our worldly concerns take precedence over everything in our life. Even above our moral standards and spiritual goal. “But do not be led astray,” St. Paul says, “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1Cor. 15:33). Instead, let the Word of God guide us always in the proper conduct of our lives, and the Holy Spirit will shield us from the evils of this world.

Loving Father, we thank You for the guidance and inspiration that we find in Your Word, the Bible. Grant us the grace to persevere in conforming ourselves to all the values taught by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel, so that Your Spirit may always abide in us. Amen.

John 10: 22-30
Acts 11: 19-26 / Ps 87: 1-7

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
(John 10:27)

We are the flock He has gathered
Who heard His call and have answered.
No one can ever be bothered
Who lives the Word of our Shepherd.

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10: 22-30)

Reflection

Most of the Jews who followed Jesus were hoping that He was their political solution for the salvation of Israel from the occupying Romans. Others saw material gain in the ‘magical’ powers that Jesus wielded. These our Lord did not regard as members of His flock. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Today we are witnessing a new kind of political solution (read: persecution) against Jesus and His followers. The United States of America used to be the bastion of the Christian faith, but now the political, ‘pragmatic and modern’ segments of its society, sympathetic to homosexual rights, same sex marriages, separation of church and state (anti-religion), feminism, right to choice (against right to life), promoters of abortion and contraception, and atheists have grown in such great numbers that Satan today seems to be making great strides in America. Just the other day, I read in the papers that a ‘dedicated’ atheist finally won a three-year court battle against his own state for the removal of a memorial cross on a hill. Most states in the US now even ban prayers in public schools. I will not be surprised if one day Americans decide to remove the words “In God we Trust” from their currency.

The Philippines is the only predominant Catholic country in Asia. But the influence of America in our country is so powerful that its materialism and ‘modernism’ has been eroding our long held values and spiritual practices. The onslaught of various controversies like the Da Vinci Code book and movie, the Judas gospel, etc. have only served to increase the hostility and suspicion against the doctrines and Christian traditions of our Church. Is it any wonder that many of the sheep nowadays fail to hear the Shepherd’s voice above the din?

Help us to to find, Lord Jesus, the green pastures and restful waters of your Gospel; keep us safe from the ravenous wolves of this world. Make us the grateful sheep that You pasture, that we may always follow Your call. Amen.

John 6: 30-35
Acts 7:51 — 8:1a / Ps 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
(John 6:35)

Nothing nourishes more than Jesus
In the Eucharist and in His Word;
The Bread of Life God gives will fill us
With His love and free us from discord.

The Jews said to Jesus, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’

Reflection

The Jews kept asking for a sign from Jesus, despite the fact that He had already fed more than five thousand of them (with 12 baskets left over) from five loaves and two fish. It seems that the previous miracle had not been enough proof of His divinity, but had only whetted their appetite for more exciting displays of power. Like their ancestors who received manna from heaven everyday during their sojourn in the desert, they wanted Him to “give us this bread always.”

Like those Jews in Jesus’ time who were only thinking about their physical needs, there are still many people today who only seek to satisfy their hunger for food and other material needs, but neglect the more important needs of their famished souls. Every time we take a stroll in the mall near our home, we notice that almost all the restaurants and fast food chains are packed with people. The same can be said in practically all the other malls we go to. Filipinos are a food-loving people. But they say Filipinos are also a very religious people — in fact the only predominant Christian nation in Asia. So how come our churches are not as packed with people like our restaurants on any day except Sunday? Is Sunday the only time we can receive the Bread of Life, Who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world?

God created us to receive not only mere physical nourishment, but more importantly, to be sustained by His Spirit as well. As Jesus Himself said, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Mt.4:4) This nourishment can only come from regularly reading and reflecting on the Word of God, and receiving the Bread of Life.

Nothing nourishes more than You, Lord Jesus, in Your Eucharist, and in Your Word. Let me receive You always, to be sanctified by Your Spirit, and be inspired and strengthened for the work ahead. Thank You, Father for our Daily Bread. Amen.

John 13: 21-33, 36-38
Is 49: 1-6/ Ps 71: 1-6, 15 and 17

Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.
(John 13:38)

God tempers our fidelity
In the fire of tests and trials.
He’ll turn to good all inequities,
Even betrayals and denials.

As the time drew near for the culmination of our Lord’s mission, He gathered the 12 apostles for the feast of the Passover. Before they ate the meal, He washed their feet as His last lesson on the essential meaning of leadership (servanthood). Then He dispatched Judas to proceed with his scheme of betrayal. After Judas left, Jesus said, “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer… Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, though you will follow Me later.” Immediately, Peter reacted (as he always did), saying, “Master, why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” But Jesus knew his heart, and said, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny Me three times.”

Reflection

The last meal that Jesus shared with His friends before His passion and death must have been the saddest experience of His life. He knew that He was going to be betrayed by one of them. Then, another whom He had anointed to be their leader would reveal his cowardice, and deny His friendship consecutively for three times, barely a few hours after pledging that he would lay down his life for Him.

Judas has come to symbolize for us the height of treachery, which tragically drove him to the unpardonable sin of despair. He was no doubt a friend of Jesus, especially chosen by the Master to be the group’s treasurer. How could Judas betray such a sacred confidence and a friend like Jesus? And then Peter, whom He had exalted as the rock upon which He would build His Church. How could he jeopardize this position Jesus bequeathed to him as the apostles’ leader, declaring his loyalty to the end for all to hear, and then denying he knew Jesus at the first sign of danger?

The case of Judas shows us how wicked a person can become because of money. But aren’t we all in danger of becoming a little like Judas whenever we put the pursuit of money (our business) above our concern to become closer to Jesus and the Father? How many stall owners in malls and markets close shop on Sundays? There too may also be a bit of Peter’s cowardice in us whenever we hesitate to stand up for Jesus or the Gospel when our friends start criticizing Church doctrines or our Catholic beliefs. How easily we justify our denials by saying we just don’t want to offend our friends.

Father, stir us when we hesitate to stand up for Jesus or His Word in our workplaces and our fellowships. Disturb our conscience should we start to sacrifice our moral values for the sake of material gain. Prevent us from ever denying Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 19:13-15
Jos 24:14-29/Ps 16:1-2,5,7-8,11

Let the children come to me, do not prevent them; it is to such as these
that the kingdom of heaven belongs.
(Matthew 19:14)

To choose the path of obedience,
Like a little child let me be;
Let me not lose this innocence,
Which is a wisdom gained from Thee.

As if on cue, after Jesus had finished giving a discourse on marriage and divorce, children were brought to Him for His blessing. His disciples tried to prevent them from interrupting His preaching, but the Lord rebuked them and said, “Let the children come to Me! It is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” (Mt.19:14) Clearly, our Lord Jesus here revealed His favor for the weak, the small, the innocent and powerless. The last shall be the first, the least the greatest of all.

Reflection

Today’s Gospel passage of Matthew brings to light lessons that we can learn even from the weakest members of society — children. First of all, it is their innocence and simplicity that endear children to God. Jesus said, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 18:3). In the process of our growth, as we discard the innocence of our youth in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding the world, we inevitably acquire a taste for material pleasures, and their concomitant evils of avarice and greed. The more we gain in knowledge, power or wealth, the more we may grow in pride and self-reliance, and the danger of drifting farther away from the Father.

Secondly, children’s total dependence on their parents or elders seem to equip them with the capacity to believe and trust that they have nothing to fear even in their state of weakness or vulnerability. In the family’s climate of love and caring, children have an uncanny sense of faith that everything in life will turn out right, and there is nothing to fear or worry about. Have you ever seen a child worry about his future? If we believe in our Lord Jesus’ teaching, and learn to trust His words as a child its own father, “though we walk in the valley of darkness, we will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4). We will believe His every word in Matthew 6:25-34, and be completely dependent on God’s Divine Providence.

Finally, Jesus is telling us in today’s Gospel that even at their earliest age, we must bring our children to Him, regardless of whether they want to or not. Their moral formation is in our hands; we are responsible for their spiritual growth. It touched us to see Bro. Mon and his wife and their three unmarried children join our Brotherhood’s Christian Life Program together as one prayerful family. It is also a joy for us whenever we go to Sunday Mass to see so many little children in church, notwithstanding the racket that some of them make. Who are we to complain? After all, it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.

Thank You for the little children, Lord, who teach us the simple joys in life; whose innocence and total dependence remind us of what our Lord Jesus said, that in order to be worthy of Your kingdom, we must be like little children. Amen.

John 12: 24-26
2 Cor 9:6-10 / Ps 112: 1-2, 5-9

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
(John 12:24)

The harvest came at such sacrifice:
God’s Firstborn had to be crucified;
Let us follow our Lord Jesus Christ,
Through His cross we will be glorified.

Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.” (John 12: 24-26)

Reflection

Our Lord was referring to Himself as the grain of wheat that had to die in order to yield a bountiful harvest. But death was for Him a time “to be glorified” (Jn. 12:23), it meant the accomplishment of His mission.

In much the same way, Jesus means for us to reap a bountiful harvest for ourselves not in this life but in the next. And yet it is also in this life where we must work to produce a rich harvest for the Lord and His kingdom. Even if it means “giving up our life” in the effort. To “give up our life” does not necessarily mean to die as He did for us. It only means to become detached from the materialism of this world so that we can give up living for ourselves for the sake of others. As St. Paul pointed out in the first reading: “Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.. God loves a cheerful giver… (He) will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2Cor. 9:6b,7b,10).

To “hate their life in this world to keep it for eternal life” means to kneel humbly in service, as our Lord knelt to wash the feet of His apostles at the Last Supper. It means to forgive our enemies, not only seven times, but as many times as our Master Himself showed us when He forgave all His torturers in the house of Pilate, and in the hill of Calvary. And as He has forgiven us of all our sins.

Our Lord knows it is not easy to give up the good life that we have been used to, and follow Him on the road less travelled. But as He reminded us time and again in the Gospel readings, “do not store up treasure for yourselves here on earth, where moth and rust destroy…” (Mt.6:19); “set your heart first on the kingdom and justice of God…(6:33). Thus, if we persevere, we will bear much fruit, fruit that will last, and everything we ask the Father in His name will be given to us (John.15:16).

Lord God, as we take on the tasks that You have given us in the service of our community, we pray for the joy of Your Holy Spirit to lighten our hearts so that no fear of failure will weaken our resolve. Thank you for making us understand that it is only by dying to all our selfish inclinations and desires that we can truly be happy in committing our lives to You. Amen.