Filipino Mission Sunday (July 26)

17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: THE GENEROSITY OF GOD

Jn 6:1-15

THE MULTIPLICATION OF LOAVES is one of the most loved stories in the Sacred Scriptures. We have the exchange of deeds of generosity. God is there as a great provider. Jesus performed the miracle which only shows the generosity of God.

The story is said to be a reflection of an event that happened in the Old Testament. In the second book of Kings, Elisha the prophet was speaking to the people, “For thus, says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over.’” God performed a miracle by providing the people with food. In both events of the Multiplication of Loaves, we see two important persons who shared. First is the man from Baal-Shalishah and second, the boy in the Gospel. Two generous persons who did not hesitate to give what they have. It is an act of being self-less. Giving the most basic of needs to others speaks of generosity at its best. We remember the widow in the Gospel who gave her all.

Generosity is a virtue that comes from God himself. God gave this to humanity in order for them to reciprocate the gift to God and others. The act of generosity must now spring from the person; it should start from within oneself. In the many instances in life, miracles happen out of generosity. God works on this generosity. Generosity also comes from being grateful and joyful of the gift received. This would be passed forward, or one famous film would say it “pay it forward.”

This Sunday is the celebration of Filipino Mission Sunday. This day we remember the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP), a missionary society which was founded in 1965 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBCP); its foundation was rooted on the values of generosity, gratitude, and joyfulness. We are reminded that our beloved Missionary Society started from humble beginnings. The generous heart of the bishops is instrumental. Their graciousness led to the establishment of the MSP as a continuous concrete act of generosity. The sharing and offering of lives of many of our Filipino Missionaries is a genuine sign that we are indeed thankful to God to the gift of faith received. We thank the Lord by giving back to him our apostolate in the missions. The willingness of missionaries to leave the familiar and comfort confines of one’s country so people of other places can know Jesus comes from the simple act of generosity of God by making our country rich in faith.

Our Church continues to invite us to share the gift of faith to others. I had a foretaste of what it means to bring ones faith to peoples of different cultures. Witnessing to the faith was my concrete experience when I had my Overseas Training Program in the Diocese of Auckland in New Zealand. My experience as a Filipino seminarian abroad taught me that our faith is very much relevant to a world that hungers for God. It is true that many do not believe in God in that part of the world. But I am very much surprised to realize that a much bigger number of people long for God. The unique faith of a Filipino Catholic is a big gift to the Church. Our deep sense of religiosity and piety is invaluable. It has the power to enliven the faith of a dying Church. It makes the faith of others alive.

I am also amazed that together with our faith are our values of respect, patience, resilience, understanding, humility, gentleness and love. These are the same values that St. Paul has taken into consideration in his letter to the Ephesians. Allow me to share an experience. One Sunday morning, inside the church foyer, I was surprised to see a non-Filipino youth from the parish taking the hand of a Kiwi for a blessing. It was a lovely sight. It’s very unusual to see a parishioner making Mano to someone who’s not even Pinoy. It is surprising yet it is very heart warming.

There are countless stories that our missionaries can share about their life of generosity in the missions. Many mission experiences can make us remember that all of these wonder or even unwanted circumstances came from God’s generosity. Our obedience and willingness to share the gift of faith truly rely on the graciousness of God. It is God who continues to inspire us to give ourselves to the mission. We have relied upon God’s generosity since the very day that we were born. We continue and will be wanting of God’s boundless generosity. Who can ever know what God will do next? Our faith and trust in God makes us strong and believe that he will provide us of our need in our respective missions.

We pray for the grace that the generosity we share to others be rewarded. By God, He himself will keep on bestowing upon us His countless blessings. Graces that we do not deserve yet it is there for us to enjoy, may God make us multiply in our good works. We love you Lord, help us become faithful to the mission you have entrusted to us, may our apostolate sow the gift of faith in others and may it bear fruit with many vocations to the missionary priesthood. You are a God of infinite generosity. Amen.

[Sem. MARC LOUIE CALO, MSP MSP Seminary, Tagaytay City} http://www.msp.org.ph/homilies.do?id=4447

The Good Shepherd Sunday (July 19)

A Reflection by Dennis Hankins

http://www.dennishankins.com/2009/05/i-am-good-shepherd-sunday-may-3-2009.html

"Jesus understood the crowds as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (see Matthew 9:36)

Sheep by their very nature require leadership. Without a shepherd, sheep wander, become disgruntled and disagreeable with each other. Under the care of a shepherd, sheep are content and docile. Such is the meaning of the Twenty-third Psalm: "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

What sheep need, and cannot survive without, is a shepherd. A good shepherd knows his sheep by name, and will lead them to good pasture and water. When he calls, the sheep recognize his voice, for in his voice is the assurance of the next meal and of safety in the time of trouble. Most importantly, a good shepherd will never forsake his sheep. If a wolf approaches, it is the shepherd who guides his flock to safety; guarding them with his own life. We have found that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and Guardian of our soul. (see 1 Peter 2:25) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me.

No less than five times in today's Gospel Jesus speaks of laying down his life. "A good shepherd," Jesus said, "lays down his life for the sheep. The other four statements of Jesus are, "I will lay down my life for the sheep;" "I lay down my life in order to take it up again;" "No one takes it from me, I lay it down on my own;" and lastly, "I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again."

To say Jesus is my shepherd is to say, he is my salvation. There is no salvation through anyone else. No one else has pursued Adam's race with such affection and abandonment. Is there salvation in any other name? Has anyone else offered himself for the salvation of the world? Other than Jesus, do you recall anyone in world history, who spoke to the weariness of humanity, and said, " I am the good shepherd?"

It is for his sheep Jesus laid down his own life. As the good shepherd, it is Jesus who came seeking us, in loving kindness calling our name, because he cares, because he wants us in his fold.

I have seen the loving kindness of this Shepherd: In the face of the priest in the giving of absolution; in the March for Life; in the care of a Mother for her child; in the joyful voice of a child; in the hopeful face of a cancer patient; in the wrinkled faces of the elderly. All around us is the presence of the Good Shepherd; for he is never far away.

As I've experienced more of life, grown a little older, and maybe wiser, I notice more the richness of creation. Because of this, I hope I am more inspiring to those nearest me. The song of the Cardinal and his visits to my backyard bird feeder capture my imagination. Tears come freely while listening to my daughter Bethany caress the strings of her violin with her soul. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

In Christ's name and example, the Church, the sheepfold of the sheep, is a place of welcome and refreshment. Jesus has other sheep who do not yet belong to this fold. No matter the age, the color, or the accent, the Church is a place of safety, of welcome and love.

The work of the Good Shepherd is not finished. So to those who are harassed and helpless and sometimes without hope, we must become the face and voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. If somehow on my face and in my voice someone can recognize Jesus' love, perhaps that person, will find his way back home, to the fold, the Church, where we all belong. And we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Let us pray: Dear Jesus, like a shepherd lead us. Lead us to be more kind, more tender hearted, more loving to those sheep who are scattered and gone astray. Amen."

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16)

Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah (northern Israel) in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726 it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception.

St. Teresa of Avila (October 15) called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” St. John of the Cross (December 14) credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him escape from prison. St. Theresa of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion, she dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.

There is a tradition (which may not be historical) that Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1446

Negros Nine will Celebrate Silver Anniversary

On July 3, 2009 the Negros Nine will celebrate the 25th or Silver Anniversary of their release from the Negros Occ. Provincial Jail in Bacolod City.

To mark the occasion, the Kabankalan Diocesan Pastoral Office, the Negros Nine Human Development Foundation and the Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creaton Ministry will sponsor a gathering/Reunion of KK members from all the parishes of the Diocese of Kabankalan on the 2nd of July.

Each parish is invited to send a delegation of up to 20 KK members, especially those who were active during the Martial Law years. The celebration will take place in Kabankalan on Thursday July 2, from 9am to 2pm.

Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Patrick Buzon DD SDB, Bishop of Kabankalan. Preacher will be Msgr. Wilfredo Dejilla of San Carlos Diocese, formerly of Kabankalan parish.

At the gathering, there will be special presentation on the “Martyrs of the Kristianong Katilingban.” It is hoped, that when we have a complete list of those members of the KKs who were tortured, murdered and/or disappeared, a book and/or video will be published to commemorate their sacrifice for the Church and for all of us.

“In the traditional spirit of the KKs, we will ask delegations to be self provisioned. The sponsors will cover all the other expenses. “This will be a occasion for celebrating, remembering and renewing our commitment to building up the strengthening of the KKs in the diocese and so proclaim the reign of God in our world.”

The legal team of the Negros Nine lead by Atty. Frank Cruz is being invited to attend as well as members of the media and friends and supporters from Bacolod. The Negros Nine is not about a number of people but about a vision for our church for the future.*

Contact numbers:
Fr Brian Gore 09202002729
Mr. Lydio (Boy) Mangao 09295728046
Mr. Jerome Seballos 09092293497

http://www.negrosnine.com/news-jun2709