29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

Readings:

Is 45:1.4-6          1 Thes 1:1-5            Mt 22:15-21

The church celebrates today the World Mission Sunday. We remember today all the missionaries working around the world to spread the faith and the love of our God.  In a very simple act of solidarity, we are given opportunity to be part of this mission through our donations.  In our churches today, a special envelope is distributed among the faithful to solicit help for the missionaries. The amount gathered will be sent to a special office in Rome that takes charge of the missionary activities of the church.
Supporting the missionary activity of the church is one way of responding to the challenges of the gospel. Jesus commanded all of us to go out and spread to the entire world all that he taught us. (Mt 28:19-20). This commandment makes every baptized Christian a missionary. In our baptism, we are incorporated to a church whose very nature is missionary.  The second vatican council's decree on the church's missionary activity pointed to us that this missionary character of the church flows from the very mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit (Ad Gentes 2).  Being born, therefore, in the church through baptism makes us share in this very nature. We are all called to be missionaries.
In today's gospel, we heard Jesus facing the  Pharisees together with the Herodians who are out to trap him with their carefully crafted question; "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" They did not only come up with a very tricky question but they also started the conversation by showering Jesus with praises. "Teacher, we know you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully", they quipped. The entire scenario gives us a view that it is a well-orchestrated and well-planned encounter with Jesus.  The plan was specifically designed  to offer no escape for Jesus this time. Imagine the hostility of the crowd surrounding Jesus.  The pharisees are seen together the Herodians! The pharisees are those who strictly observe the law of the temple while the Herodians are those who willingly pay taxes to the Romans. Their coming together clearly driven by their desire to bring Jesus down. But, they did not succeed. In the end, those listening to Jesus walked away challenged as ever.  What was Jesus' reply? "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's".
We have seen many times this reply of Jesus used in many discussions particularly those discussions related to the issues between the state and the church.  This has become the favorite phrase of those who want the church out of the discussions in the society.  They would often quote this biblical passage to help present their case that the church should only mind issues that are spiritual in nature.  What they forget is that Jesus is also a devout Jew who faithfully observes the law. A devout Jew is someone who sees everything as a gift from God and everything a responsibility to God.  In saying that those of Caesar's should be given to Caesar is a just recognition of individual's due. However, the second part brings us to an even greater reality that the all things in this world is of God. Even that of Caesar's are still of God's because everything in this world came from God.  Jesus does not see a dichotomy between his being a citizen of the state and being a Jew. His faithful observance as a Jew makes him a better citizen.    
The gospel today challenges us to be like Jesus.  Our duty as Christians should make us more participative in the issues of our society because it is God who gave us this society, this community.  The society is within and is God's creation.  We are reminded by today's gospel  not to be remiss of our duty as missionaries in our society. Let us not think that missionary activities are limited to the church.  Let us not think that only the priests and the religious are missionaries.  All of us are missionaries. Let us render to God what is God's.  Every part of lives and everything that we own are of God.  Therefore, our being missionaries should not only be limited in our churches.  In every place that we go, let us bring Christ.  Let us make every encounter with other people an encounter of Christ.  St. Paul asks us to be ambassadors of Christ.  To be a missionary is to be an ambassador of Christ. Let us render to God what is God's.

28th Sunday in Ordinary time- Cycle A

Readings:

Isaiah 25: 6-10    Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20    Mt. 22:1-14

We hear another parable today which for many see it as something quite difficult to understand.  The gospel of today tells us of a king inviting his people to the wedding feast of his son.  Unfortunately, the people whom he invited turned down the invitation and went on with their regular day to day activity instead.  The king in his frustration has ordered his men to destroy these people who did not heed his invitation. Finally, the king extended his invitation to everybody and the banquet hall was filled. However, he found a guest not properly dressed so he ordered that person to be removed from the banquet hall and was put in place where he will weep and gnash his teeth.

Our problem in understanding the parable comes from the difficulty in reconciling our belief of a God who is compassionate and loving to a seemingly punitive and vengeful king we see in this parable. It will truly be difficult to reconcile these conflicting portrayal of God if interpret the story literally.  Scholars agree that this particular parable is an allegorical allusion.  The destruction of the city is an allusion to the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem which the Romans carried out.  The killing of the servants, which we have also witnessed in the parable last Sunday, refers to the attitude of the people of Israel towards the prophet sent by God.

God continues to be loving and compassionate to his people.  Today's gospel shows us that He has prepared for us something beautiful, a feast and he is never tired of inviting all the people. A king inviting anybody is already unbelievable.  When Prince William and Kate Middleton got married, there were only a handful of people who got invitations to join in the ceremony.  They were not even ordinary people but heads of states and luminous personalities around the world.  But in today's gospel everybody was invited.  Yet, when guests went into the hall, one man was found to be improperly dressed so he was removed and was thrown in a place proper for his behavior.
How often do we think and behave that we can do anything we want even if we say we are a Catholic. We behave and think without considering what God teaches, what our church teaches. God is always willing to give us all the beautiful things as what the prophet Isaiah tells us:"the Lord of host will provide for all people". However, our affiliation to our church requires a degree of obedience to her teachings.  In the same manner that responding to the invitation of God requires conversion of mind and of heart.  We have to dress properly according to the occasion. We have to act like a true christian.  We have to be loving and merciful like the God we say we believe and love

27th Sunday in Ordinary time- Cycle A

Readings:

Is 5:1-7           Ph 4: 6-9          Mt 21:33-43

The beautiful readings in today's liturgy reminded me of a story I've heard in the past.  The story tells of a lady sitting in a hospital waiting room when she noticed a man staring at her. She became upset and angrily glared back at the man, but he didn't turn away.  Finally, she walked up to him said, "I don't appreciate you staring at me."  He replied, "I wasn't staring at you. I am blind."

St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, reminded them to dismiss anxiety from their lives.  "Have no anxiety at all", he said. In the case of the lady in our story, she was upset because of a man staring at him only to find herself in an embarrassing situation. There could already be something running and formed in the mind of the lady even if she wasn't sure of what's really happening in her outside environment. In one way or another, many of us have experienced what the lady experienced.  Psychologists call it as an anxiety disorder.  Anxiety is different from fear. Fear is valid because it is a result of something that happened. Anxiety, according to definition, is a painful uneasiness of mind over anticipated ill.    While fear has a foundation, anxiety lives in mind and may or may not happen.  Many of these anxieties do not really materialize in to real fears but their result in the life of a person can wreck havoc.  Anxiety can disable the person's capacity to think straight and make wrong choices.

Confronted by so many problems and bad experiences in life, we also start feeling anxious of so many things in life without noticing that we have already acquired a negative stance in life. We start becoming suspicious of people around us. We become easily distracted. We start losing peace of mind. St. Paul reminds us today to return to the Prince of Peace by prayer and petition. Let our anxieties reach the ears of God and we shall experience again the peace that is beyond all understanding. To pray to God is to make him take charge of our lives once again.  This is what we forget when we start to be anxious of our lives, of our future.

This is what the tenants in the parable had forgotten.  The vineyard is only leased to them.  There is a real owner. There is an owner who invested and poured his resources so that in the future he may collect the produce of the land.  The tenants failed to see their reality because greed and pride had already filled their minds. Their next actions had led them to greater sins by killing the servants of the master and, ultimately, killing his son.  In the end, their lives had to pay for their actions.

Many times we are our own tormentors. Our worries drive us to do crazy things. In today's mass, let us pray to God that we may experience peace of mind. After praying the Lord's Prayer, let us offer the sign of peace with genuine affection to our seatmates in the church. 

Update on Re-Roofing of our Parish

The Parish Pastoral Council of St. Anthony of Padua headed by Rev. Fr. Sabino Fulo would like to express our deepest gratitude to the tremendous support we got from you, Gubatnons and Devotees of St. Anthony, for the Re-Rooffing Project of our Parish Church.   We are happy to announce that we have already fixed those part of the roof and gutters that were destroyed by the typhoon Glenda, last July 15, 2015. 

However,  we have decided to pursue the long-over-due major overhaul of the whole roof after discovering its dangerous condition. As of the posting time, the repair is about 40 percent done. 

In view of this, we reiterate our appeal for your continuous help for this project may come to completion as soon as possible. For our financial report of your donations and our disbursements, please see this link

Showing you the following:

1. status of the ongoing Re-roofing work of our Church, 

   

   checking the back side of the roof

   

   checking the condition of the existing wood, changing the dilapidated ones.

    
   

   

   
   
2. the condition of the old wood and;

   

   dilapidated woods

   
   

   

   70% of the woods needs to be changed according to the estimate of the Engineers

3.  some of the finished areas

   

   gutters were also changed

   
   

   

   this is at the right wing of the Church

   In everything TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Dios Mabalos po!

Update on Re-Roofing of our Parish

The Parish Pastoral Council of St. Anthony of Padua headed by Rev. Fr. Sabino Fulo would like to express our deepest gratitude to the tremendous support we got from you, Gubatnons and Devotees of St. Anthony, for the Re-Rooffing Project of our Parish Church.   We are happy to announce that we have already fixed those part of the roof and gutters that were destroyed by the typhoon Glenda, last July 15, 2015. 

However,  we have decided to pursue the long-over-due major overhaul of the whole roof after discovering its dangerous condition. As of the posting time, the repair is about 40 percent done. 

In view of this, we reiterate our appeal for your continuous help for this project may come to completion as soon as possible. For our financial report of your donations and our disbursements, please see this link

Showing you the following:

1. status of the ongoing Re-roofing work of our Church, 

   

   checking the back side of the roof

   

   checking the condition of the existing wood, changing the dilapidated ones.

    
   

   

   
   
2. the condition of the old wood and;

   

   dilapidated woods

   
   

   

   70% of the woods needs to be changed according to the estimate of the Engineers

3.  some of the finished areas

   

   gutters were also changed

   
   

   

   this is at the right wing of the Church

   In everything TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Dios Mabalos po!

Laity Week Celebration: Laiko, Like Ko!

Saint Anthony of Padua Parish was all out in reflecting the significant place and roles of the Laity in the Church as it joins the celebration of the National  Laity Week, September 21 - 27, 2014. 

program of activities

program of activities

The week of the Laity was formally opened with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration at the Christ the King Park, September 21, coinciding with the feast of INA, Our Lady of Penafrancia. It was however preempted with the Parish Youth Congress held on September 20 as part of the Laity Week celebration. This particular activity was attended by over three hundred (300) young men and women from all over  29 Kapilyas under the Parish.

Another significant activity of the celebration was Men's Fellowship. This 3-night activity exclusively for men aimed to empower the men of the Church and to reflect on their significant part in the life and mission of the Church. The Parish Pastoral Council decided to hold this particular activity coming from the common observation of the weakening  participation of men in most of the barangaychapels and in some BEC groups. 

Finally the celebration was culminated last September 27, 2014 with the 2nd General Assembly of the Laity, with the guest speaker Ms. Judith Ayo, diocesan lay commission head of the Commission of the Laity, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which was presided over by Rev. Fr. Sabino Fulo.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of  the Philippines (CBCP) has declared the celebration of Year of the Laity from December 01, 2013 - November 23, 2014,  as part of the  preparation of the 500 years celebration of our Catholic Faith in the Philippines. This year's theme is LAITY: Called to be Saints and set forth as Heroes

For the duration of the year, the Laity are recognized as significant part of the Church and thus called to choose to be brave in witnessing the Gospel of Christ

http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=32666

26th Sunday in Ordinary time- Cycle A

Readings:

Ez 18:-25-28/Ps 25:4-5. 6-7. 8-9/ Phil 2:1-11/ Mt 21:28-32

http://www.madreseton.it/nuovosito/en/

“Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future” says Oscar Wilde.  This saying speaks a lot about one’s personal responsibility in setting a direction for his or her life.  A person is always confronted whether he or she would like to dwell and curse his/her ugly past or set things straight as the future continues to unfold before his/her eyes. 

The house of Israel believes that everything in their past has something to do with what is happening to them in the present.  This is what we heard from the first reading taken from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.  When the house of the Israel starts complaining that the Lord’s way is unfair, it is because they believe that they should not be suffering or be held responsible for the sins of the past generations.  The house of Israel plays a blame a game and they extend it to God by accusing him of being unfair.  Yet, the Lord reminds them that he has always been fair to them by giving them the chance to correct their mistakes.  He gives them the chance to choose virtue over evil. The preceding verses show God as saying that a son will not die because of his father’s iniquity.  God in all his fairness does not count the offenses of the past.  He only wants his people to turn away from their wickedness and start living a just and holy life. This is more than what fairness can give.  In our world’s standard, we always consider what a person did in the past. An ex-convict has a hard time finding a job even if he is completely reformed because of his record.  

We see the same thing in the gospel of today.  Jesus addresses the parable of the two sons to the chief priests and elders of the people.  These are the people who regard themselves highly in front of the people. They condemn the tax collectors and prostitutes for they choose to live a life that is evil and sinful.  While they look at themselves as holy and righteous because they try to follow the letters of the law.  Jesus in telling the story of the two sons who have different responses, the one saying “yes” but did not go, and the other one who initially said “I will not” changed his mind and went instead, clearly delivers his message to the chief priests and elders of the people.  They certainly feel alluded to in this parable most especially when Jesus spoke of John.  They did not recognize the authority of John nor consider his message when they should have been the first ones because of their knowledge of the scriptures and the law. Yet, it is the sinners who lined up to be baptized in river Jordan to be cleansed. They, who have initially rejected God in their lives, have now expressed sorrow by recognizing that they need the mercy of God and so they go to John for baptism.

The good news in today’s readings is that we are shown that we have a lively possibility of turning our “no” into “yes”. For many of us who are sinners, the tax collectors and prostitutes in Jesus’ time taught us that we can always change and that God is always willing to take us up.  It is a challenge for all of us struggling to not ever give up.  We are challenged not to lose hope. The question for all of us is “where do we stand in regards to God’s invitation to change and to fulfill our God-given mission?”

SAdP Honors INA!

from: https://www.facebook.com/baedino

Hundreds of devotees and parishioners gathered together to celebrate the feast of our INA, Nuestra Seniora de Peñafrancia, September 21, 2014. The celebration started at around 1 o'clock in the afternoon with a motorcade from the Parish ground to Tiris Bridge, Brgy. Tiris, Gubat, Sorsogon, wherein the Fluvial Procession will start. Long lines of vehicles preceded the INA in the motorcade which was participated by different religious organizations, Local Government Unit, delegates from different kapilyas under the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, and some sectoral groups of Gubat.

click here for the video of the motorcade

Afterwards, the Queen of Bicolandia blessed the waters of Gubat through a Fluvial Procession from River of Brgy, Tiris to the Pier in Brgy. Balud Sur, together with around 60 motor boats.

Our Lady also visited the Poblacion of the town in a festive and colorful Procession. She was joined by the voyadores (co-travelers), hundreds of  men and women of different age, dancing their prayers, thanksgiving and honor to INA.

The Celebration was culminated with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Sabino Fulo, together with his parochial vicars Rev. Frs. Mark Marbella and Jupe Garalde at the Christ the King Park, Brgy. Pinontingan.

Our Lady of Peñafrancia is the Patroness of Bicolanos whose devotion to her started more than three hundred years ago.St. Anthony of Padua Parish started their own celebration of the Feast of INA since the year 2000, and has then become the center of parish celebrations every September of the year.

more pictures

video of the dance procession

Kafiestahan ni Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia - September 21, 2014

Mga Pagbasa: Genesis 3:9-15    Apokalipsis 11:19; 12:16    Lukas 2:27-35

photo: http://www.panchopiano.com/

Ang linggong ito ay espesyal sa buhay ng mga bikolanong katoliko sapagkat sa araw na ito ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang kapyestahan ni Ina, Birhen ng Peñafrancia, ang patrona ng Kabikolan. Tayo ay nagbibigay pugay at nagpapasalamat sa mga biyayang natanggap sa pamamagitan ni Ina. Kaya ito sa parokya ni San Antonio de Padua sa Gubat ay malaking paghahanda rin ang ating ginawa upang lubos na maipakita at maipadama ang lalim ng debosyon sa Mahal na Ina.

Sa lahat ng ating pagsasaya at paghahanda sa kapyestahan ni Ina, mahalaga na huwag sana nating makalimutan kung ano nga ba talaga ang mga importanteng bagay na dala ng ating mahal na Ina sa buhay natin bilang mga Kristiyano. May tatlong mahahalagang bagay ang pwede nating pagnilayan sa buhay ni Ina na sana ay maging bunga ng patuloy na pagdebosyon natin sa kanya:

            Una, si Maria ay nakikinig sa salita ng Diyos (hearer of the Word)

            Pangalawa, si Maria ay sinasabuhay ang salita ng Diyos (doer of the Word)

            Pangatlo, si Maria ay dinadala tayo patungo kay Hesus

Una: Ang espesyal na lugar ni Maria sa ating pananampalataya ay nag-uugat dahil sa kanyang pakikinig sa salita ng Diyos. Siya ang nagging Ina ng Diyos  dahil sa pakikinig at pagtanggap nya sa balita ng anghel na sa Gabriel na nagdala ng napaka espesyal na mensahe mula sa Diyos. Kahit may takot na dulot ng presensya ng isang banal na anghel ay nagawa pa din ni Maria na pakinggan ang mensahe ng anghel.  Ang misteryo ng inkarnasyon o ng pagiging tao ng Diyos ay nagkatotoo dahil binuksan n’ya ang kanyang puso upang makapasok ang mensahe ng Diyos.

Kahapon ay ginanap sa parish youth congress.  Nakakatuwang basahin ang mga suhestyon ng mga kabataan na kanilang sinulat sa papel. Para sa mga susunod na pagpaplano ng komisyon ng kabataan, minarapat naming humingi ng kung anong mga nais nilang mangyari o gawin ng komisyon para sa kanila. Nakakatuwang makita na isa sa pinakamaraming beses na naisulat ay ang suhestyon an magkaroon ng pag-aaral ng bibliya sa kanilang mga kapilya. Hindi eto ang pinakainaasahan kong magiging una sa prayoridad ng kabataan subalit eto ang lumabas.  Marahil nga ramdam nila ang pangangailangan na makapakinig at makapag-aral ng salita ng Diyos.

Pangalawa: Hindi lang pakikinig kundi pagsasabuhay ng napakinggan. Ito ang pinakita sa atin ni Maria. Ang kanyang buhay ay naging buhay ng pagtalima sa kalooban ng Diyos, pagsunod sa salita ng Diyos. Hindi n’ya man lubos na maunawaan ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng anghel ay tinanggap n’ya ang misyon at pinalaki n’ya si Hesus.  Ang mga salita ni Simeon ay naganap sa kanya dahil sinikap n’yang gampanan ang misyon hanggang sa huling yugto ng buhay ng kanyang anak sa krus at sa patuloy na pag-aruga sa mga iniwan ng kanyang anak.

Pangatlo: Ad Jesum per Mariam, mga katagang latin na nagpapakita sa atin ng tamang lugar ni Maria sa patuloy nating pagdebosyon sa mahal na Ina.  Ang lahat ng ito ay magdulot nawa ng pagiging malapit natin kay Hesus, ang anak ni Maria, ang anak ng Diyos.  Sapagkat ito naman talaga ang misyon ni Ina; ang tayo ay maging malapit sa kanyang anak.  Iisa lang naman ang hangad ni Maria para sa atin, ang magawa rin natin ang kalooban ng kanyang anak.  Ang mangyari din sa atin ang kalooban ng Diyos. Kaya unang milagro ng kanyang anak sa kasalan sa Cana ay maririnig nating namutawi sa kanyang bibig ang mga katagang “gawin ninyo ang anumang pinapagawa N’ya” (Jn 2:5) Hindi galing kay Maria ang kapangyarihan at grasya kundi sa kanyang anak. Kaya tayong lahat ay itinuturo n’ya papunta kay Hesus.

Magdiriwang tayo ngayong araw pero sa pagtatapos ng ating pagdiriwang nawa ay patuloy nating ipanalangin kay Ina na pag-alabin pa ang ating mga puso sa pagnanais na makapakinig ng salita ng Diyos at maging tunay na taga-sunod ni Hesus.

Viva la Virgen!

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross - September 14, 2014

photo from: http://avemomma.blogspot.com/2012/09/feast-of-exaltation-of-holy-cross.html

Let me start with the story of The Three Trees: (story from: http://www.word4life.com/threetrees.html)

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: " I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. " I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world! The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.

One day three wood cutters climbed the mountain and cut the three trees.

The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, or treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and awed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. " All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him." Her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. " This manger is beautiful." She said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and a thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She new she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten wood pile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hand to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Lessons we can learn from the Story:

• Everything finds its new meaning only in Jesus Christ. yes! even the seemingly useless ones.
• The power of the love of God changed the meaning of the Cross from being  a symbol of punishment  to that of forgiveness ; slavery to freedom; weakness to power and; death to life
• and so are our daily personal crosses will have new meaning in Jesus Christ.

as the Gospel for today says: "As just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life" (John 3:14-15)

The Triumph of the Cross is the triumph of the Love of Him lifted up on the Cross.

Ika-23 Domingo sa Ordinaryong Panahon -Cycle A - September 7, 2014

Mga Pagbasa:
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Romano 13: 8-10
Mateo 18:15-20

“Sino ka para pagsabihan ako kung ano ang tama o mali?” “Gagawin ko kung ano ang gusto ko at wala kang pakialam dahil sarili ko ‘to!” Kapag naririnig ko ang mga katagang ito ay nagigising muli ako sa katotohanang ang mundo nga sa ngayon ay malaki na ang pinagbago lalong lalo na sa aspeto ng pagkilala sa kapangyarihan ng mga merong otoridad katulad ng mga magulang, guro, pamahalaan o kaya ng kahit ng mga taong simbahan. Sinasabing ang mga ganitong uri ng pag-iisip ay bunsod ng post-modernism na kung saan ang nagiging sukatan ng lahat ay ang sarili. Tyranny of relativism ang tawag ni Papa Benedikto XVI sa pangingibabaw ng personal na pamantayan kesa sa pamantayan na binigay ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga utos at ng batas ng kalikasan na umiiral sa ating mundo.


Sa mga pagbasa natin sa linggong ito, pinapaalalang muli ng Diyos sa atin ang pag-iral ng kanyang mga batas. May mga batas Siyang ibinigay sa atin hindi para tayo ay pigilan sa mga pansarili nating kagustuhan kundi para tayo ay ihanda at ihatid patungo sa buhay na inilaan Niya sa atin. Ang mga kautusan na ito ay paulit-ulit Niyang ipinapaalala sa atin sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga propeta katulad ng utos ng Diyos kay propeta Ezekiel na paalalahanan ang mga tao. Na sa tuwing kinakalimutan o hindi sinusunod ang kanyang mga utos ay nakakaranas ng kahirapan at kamatayan ang mga tao. Dumarating ang kahirapan o kamatayan hindi dahil gusto ng Diyos na maghirap o mamatay ang tao dahil sa hindi pagsunod s Kanya kundi dahil sadyang ang daan papalayo sa Diyos ay tiyak na daan patungo sa kahirapan at kamatayan. Walang ibang kayang magbigay ng buhay kundi ang Diyos lamang. Tayong mga bininyagan ay mga profeta kaya may tungkulin tayo na kausapin o paalalahanan ang kapwa natin sa kung ano ang tama at ang mali ayon sa batas na binigay ng Diyos.


Pinapaalala rin sa atin ni San Pablo na ang mga batas na binigay sa atin ay hindi batas ng pagbabawal kundi ang kabuuan at ugat ng lahat ng mga batas na ito ay ang gawin tayong mapagmahal sapagkat ang katuparan ng batas ay pagmamahal.
Kung kaya ang makikita natin sa ebanghelyo ngayong lingo ay ang pangingibabaw ng pagmamahal sa taong hindi nakakasunod sa utos ng Diyos o kaya ayaw sumunod sa utos ng Diyos. Itinuturo sa atin ni Hesus kung ano ang kailangan nating gawin sa kapatid nating nagkasala. Ang bawat pagkakasala ay pagtalikod sa kakayahang magmahal. Subalit ang sinasabi sa atin ni Hesus sa ebanghelyo ay patuloy na iparamdam sa taong nagkasala sa atin ang pagmamahal. Sa mga pagkakataong ito mas lumalabas ang tunay na hamon ng pagmamahal dahil kung meron mang napakahirap mahalin ito ay ang mga taong nagkasala mismo sa atin. Binigyan tayo ni Hesus ng halimbawa kung paano natin gagawin ang pagtutuwid sa kapatid nating nagkasala. Una ay ang kausapin ang taong nagkasala. Ang pakikipag-usap sa taong kaalitan natin ay isang napakahirap na bagay lalo na kung iniisip natin na siya ang may tunay na kasalanan. Pangalawa, kapag ginawa na natin ang lahat, katulad ng paghanap ng ibang makakatulong at sa huli ay sumangguni sa simbahan, at ayaw pa ring tanggapin ang kasalanan ay dapat na itong ituring katulad ng isang hentil o kaya taga-singil ng buwis. Marahil ay naiisip natin na may hangganan naman pala ang pagmamahal ni Hesus kasi parang Siya mismo ay nawawalan ng pag-asa. Subalit ang utos na ito ni Hesus ay lalong nagpapakita kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal N’ya sa mga taong nagkakasala. Sapagkat kung ating susuriin ang lahat ng utos at buong buhay ni Hesus kung paano N’ya pinapakisamahan ang mga hentil at mga makasalanan ay walang iba kundi ang patuloy na pagpaparamdam ng walang hanggang awa at pagmamahal. Nariyan ang kwento ni Hesus at Zakeo, ang babaeng nahuling nakikiapid at napakarami pang mga kwento. Nawa ngayong lingo ay makita rin natin kung paano at hanggang saan ang pagpaparamdam natin ng awa at pagmamahal.

Be Man Enough for Ina

photo and text from Atty. Nonong Paps' Facebook account

Inviting 100 Men devotees of Ina to join the Voyadores 2014 which will be held on September 21, 2014, the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

Ika-22 na Domingo sa Ordinaryong Panahon - A - Agosto 31, 2014

Mateo 16: 21-27

Isang malaking tanong sa panahon ngayon ay ang tanong na "bakit pakunti ng pakunti ang mga taong nagpapari o pumapasok bilang mga relihiyoso at relihiyosa?" Kahit sa mga mismong nagsimula nang pumasok sa loob ng kumbento o seminaryo ay mapapansin na iilan din lang talaga ang nakakatapos.
Hindi naman talaga nakakapagtaka sapagkat ang panawagan ni Hesus sa lahat ng mga gustong sumunod sa kanya ay nakakatakot.

Sa ebanghelyo ngayong araw ay ipinakita ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad ang isang katotohanan ng kanyang misyon. Kailangan nyang pumunta sa Jerusalem at doon ay dadanasin nya ang pahirap at kamatayan. Kailangan nyang harapin ang pahirap at kamatayan dahil sa panawagan ng kanyang misyon. Para sa mga alagad na nakakarinig ang mga bagay na sinasabi ni Hesus ay natatakot para kay Hesus. Subalit ang panawagan na talikuran ang buhay para sa misyon ay hindi lang para kay Hesus kundi para din sa kanila, para sa lahat ng gustong sumunod sa kanya. "Ang sinomang taong ibig sumunod s akin ay tumanggi sa kaniyang sarili at pasanin ang kaniyang krus, at sumunod sa akin."

Sa panahong ito na ang higit na pinapahalagahan ay ang pansariling ambisyon, seguridad at kasiyahan, ang panawagan ng pagiging alagad ni Hesus ay mas lalong nagiging mahirap at nakakatakot.  Mahalin ang sarili-eto ang isa sa napakalakas na panawagan ng mundo ngayon. Para sa iba, ang nagiging kahulugan ng pagmamahal sa sarili ay pagbigyan ang lahat ng hilig ng sarili. Subalit alam ni Hesus kung ano ang mangyayari sa taong ang iniisip lamang ay ang kapakanan ng kanyang sarili. "Ang sinomang magibig iligtas ang kaniyang buhay ay mawawalan nito: at ang sinomang mwalan ng kaniyang buhay dahil sa akin ay makakasumpong niyaon."

May malaking katotohanan sa mga salitang eto ni Hesus. Mas may kalayaan ang mga taong ang iniisip ay ang kapakanan ng ibang tao kesa sa mga taong ang laging iniisip ay kung paano malalamangan ang iba. Mas masaya ang mga taong nakakatulong sa kanyang kapwa kesa sa mga taong ang iniisip lagi ay kung paanong mas dadami pa ang pera nila.  Mas masaya ang magkakapit-bahay na nagtutulungan at nagbibigayan ng kanilang biyaya kesa sa magkakapitbahay na matataas ang pader at lahat ay may aso. Mas may buhay ang sambayanan na may pakialam sa nangyayari sa kapwa kesa sa sa mga taong nagkakanya kanya.

Ang pagiging alagad ni Hesus ay nananawagan ng paglabas sa sarili, ng pagtingin sa nangyayari sa buhay ng iba. Magpapasan di lang ng sariling krus kundi pati krus ng iba. Subalit lahat ng ito ay may kapalit ng tunay na saya, ng totoong buhay na si Hesus lang makapagbibigay. Ibibigay nya ito sa mga tao na ang sukaaltan ay ang uri din ng pagmamahal na ipinakita dito sa mundo.

TINGOG KAN PAROKYA GOES ONLINE!

The Commission of Media for Evangelization - Social Media Team, gladly welcomes you to TINGOG KAN PAROKYA Online edition,  reaching out to Gubatnons and devotees of St. Anthony of Padua worldwide. 

This site is updated weekly and offers the following sections: 

1. Church News - Updates about Diocesan as well as Parochial Activities
2. Reflections - Scriptural Reflections 
3. Features - Literary contributions from parishioners (for your contribution: email us at sadpgubat@gmail.com).
4. Tweetbits - Parish quick updates 
5. Parish Calendar of Activities - Found at the bottom of this page.

              

               

Help Restore the Roof of the Church

Post Typhoon GLENDA situation of the roof of the Church

God makes crooked events be moments of Grace.

for your donations here are our bank account numbers:

Dollar Account:

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH GUBAT

105990129077 

SAVINGS ACCOUNT

BDO-SORSOGON
SWIFT CODE (for donations from overseas): BNORPHMM

Peso Account:

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH GUBAT

005990200111

SAVINGS ACCOUNT

BDO-SORSOGON
SWIFT CODE (for donations from overseas): BNORPHMM

please do email us the deposit slip at sadpgubat@gmail.com for confirmation and acknowledgement purposes.

May St. Anthony of Padua, intercede for your intentions.