Sunday
June 8^th

Pentecost

1^st Reading: Acts 2:1-11:
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. And suddenly, out of the sky, came a sound, like a strong rushing wind; and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared tongues, as if of fire, which parted and came to rest upon each one of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Staying in Jerusalem were religious Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered, all excited, because each heard them speaking in his own language.

Full of amazement and wonder, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it, that we hear them in our own native language? Here are Parthians, Medes and Elamites; and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia; Pontus and Asia; Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt; and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; and visitors from Rome; both Jews and foreigners who accept Jewish beliefs, Cretians and Arabians; and all of us hear them proclaiming in our own language what God, the Savior, does.”

2^nd Reading: 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13:
I tell you that nobody inspired by the Spirit of God may say, “A curse on Jesus,” as no one can say, “Jesus is the Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There is diversity of gifts, but the Spirit is the same. There is diversity of ministries, but the Lord is the same. There is diversity of works, but the same God works in all.

The Spirit reveals his presence in each one with a gift that is also a service. As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, form one body, so it is with Christ. All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit, to form one body, and all of us have been given, to drink from the one Spirit.

Gospel: Jn 20:19-23:
On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were, because of their fear of the Jews. But Jesus came, and stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples, seeing the Lord, were full of joy. Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”

Reflection:
When we watch a live play in a theater, what do we see? Actors and actresses moving around and talking or shouting or crying on a set made of various props. That is what we see. But that is only the visible aspects of the play. We do not see who wrote that play, who published it, who produced it financially, who directed it. These are all invisible to the public. Yet, without them there would be no play, only jobless actors. Perhaps we can compare the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives to that of a stage director who makes things happen (coaches the actors, inspires them in their roles, guides them from the sidelines, reminds them of their lines, etc.) yet hardly ever shows himself out in the open.

Few of us really appreciate to what extent we depend on the Holy Spirit for everything in our Christian lives. And that is a pity for thus we ignore the One who is the Secret Lover of our souls— which, by the way, is feminine in many languages (anima, Seele, âme, etc.)–and one of the great joys of old age is to become aware of his sweet presence in us every second of our lives. Let us offer our hearts to our Secret Lover and invite him to inspire our every action. Before an important decision today, let us ask the Spirit to guide us.

Monday
June 9^th

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

St. Ephrem

1^st Reading: Genesis 3:9-15, 20:
After Adam had eaten of the tree, the Lord God called to him and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The Lord God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.

Gospel: John 19:25-34:
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.”

And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

Reflection:
In the realm of music, a person who has perfect pitch is a person who can recognize and name any note or group of notes with absolute certainty, as if the person had a built –in tuning fork in his or her head. It is a great gift to have perfect pitch, but it is also a great source of frustration and suffering, for then the person having it detects the slightest sound out of tune or false note.

Spiritually speaking, Mary was endowed with perfect pitch, being completely attuned to God. And this is difficult, nay, impossible for us to imagine, let alone understand. But the downside of this was that she suffered acutely when she came in contact with sin, hate, pettiness, pride, etc.

And so, during the public life of Jesus, as Mary witnessed the mounting opposition of his enemies and could already anticipate how it would all end, in anticipation she suffered the Cross more than we will ever be able to imagine. As Simeon predicted when the child Jesus was presented in the Temple, “and you yourself a sword will pierce” (Lk 2:35). Today we are remembering that Mary, too, was crucified in her own way.

Tuesday
June 10^th

St. Barnabas

1^st Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Brothers and sisters: As God is faithful, our word to you is not “yes” and “no.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not “yes” and “no,” but “yes” has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.

But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

Gospel: Mt 5:13-16:
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it. You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead, it is put on a lamp stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do, and praise your Father in heaven.

Reflection:
One of the functions of salt is to preserve meat from decomposing. In today’s gospel reading Jesus tells us that we, Christians, play an essential role among the peoples of the world by keeping them from spoiling, from rotting. But he also warns us about the danger of losing our saltiness, of becoming tasteless. How can that happen? By compromising with the world and its values, by becoming so much like the world that we will not be able to preserve it from decomposition.

In what concrete, positive ways can Christians today be salt of the earth and light of the world? By proposing the values of the Gospel and thus not letting human societies become satisfied with mediocrity.  That means proposing love instead of hate, forgiveness instead of vengeance, non-violence instead of violence, unity instead of division, generosity and service instead of selfishness, faithfulness instead of betrayal, chastity instead of promiscuity, honesty instead of dishonesty, permanent marriage instead of divorce, respect for life instead of abortion, etc.

But all this should be done more by example than by moralizing sermons. We should show by our whole attitude that life is more tasty when people are honest, reliable, candid, etc.   

Wednesday
June 11^th

St. Barnabas

1^st Reading: Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3:
In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord.

Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the Church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off.

Gospel: Mt 5:17-19:
Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets. I have not come to annul them, but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change, until all is fulfilled. So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be the least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven.

Reflection:
Jesus clarifies that he comes not to abolish the law but to fulfill it or bring it to completion. The Ten Commandments and some other laws are still valid. Jesus does not encourage violation of laws or tinkering with them.

The other name of keeping the commandments is obedience. Obedience to the Word of God is an important trait of a Christ. It is the hallmark of Christian discipleship which is communitarian. As belonging to a community of faith living the beatitudes, each disciple must obey the laws that keep the community in order. He/she must believe that they come from God.

Each Christian must equally pay attention to its details. God’s words cannot be followed in an abstract way. Obedience should be shown in some tangible ways, like teaching others to do the same. We know more about the laws when we go over the whole discourses of Jesus, especially about the Last Judgment, when he enumerates the corporal works of mercy like sharing food to the hungry and taking care of the needy.

Thursday
June 12^th

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 3:15 – 4:1, 3-6:
Brothers and sisters:
To this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel, but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged.

And even though our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.

Gospel: Mt 5:20-26:
I tell you, if your sense of right and wrong is not keener than that of the Lawyers and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard, that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who murders will have to face trial. But now, I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister is liable, to be brought before the council. Whoever calls a brother or sister “Fool!” is liable, of being thrown into the fire of hell.

So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there, in front of the altar; go at once, and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.

Don’t forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There, you will stay, until you have paid the last penny.

Reflection:
Surpassing the righteousness of the lawyers and the Pharisees is a tall order coming from Jesus Christ. Those spiritual leaders of Israel are far above the many followers of Jesus in many respects. They have been trained to interpret every sentence or word in the Hebrew Bible.

Knowing more about the meaning of the sacred scriptures gives them the advantage of becoming good practitioners of religion. The limited knowledge of the common people makes them do only that much.

Can Jesus’ disciples really surpass the sense of right and wrong of the experts? Yes. They can do more than sticking only to the interpretations of the experts. The disciples do not need to be scholars to do it. Jesus asks from his disciples to do doable things like making peace with their brothers whom they have offended. If they humble themselves, they can easily do that. They must be quick to reconcile with others whom they gravely offended.

Christians cannot do much when imprisoned because of failure to be reconciled with those who have filed a case against them. Christians must not neglect the basic need to show respect in speech, to be peacemaker and be reconciled with others.

Friday
June 13^th

St. Anthony of Padua

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 4:7-15:
Brothers and sisters:

We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence.

Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Gospel: Mt 5:27-32:
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery. But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

 “So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

“It was also said: Anyone who divorces his wife, must give her a written notice of divorce. But what I tell you is this: if a man divorces his wife, except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Reflection:
Adultery is understood as committed when one makes love with another who is not his or her legitimate wife or husband. Here Jesus says adultery is already committed when one looks at another lustfully.

Jesus raises the standard of how to look at one another from the point of view of God. Jesus teaches that other people, not only women, are not sex objects. They are humans in need of respect and God’s mercy. We treat one another with the inherent dignity we have. It should not be compromised.

To prevent from falling into temptation, Jesus proposes a hard saying, which of course, cannot be taken literally. Remove what makes you commit sin. It can be one’s eyes or hands. Why? Because punishment is severe. It is hell.

Jesus is also against divorce. He does not like breakdown of marriages, a sacred institution since the beginning of human life. One cannot take a partner and separate from him or her and marries another just like that. We can avoid marital problems if the parties are prepared to make lifelong commitment, by listening to the teachings of Christ and experts in family life. Jesus wants relationships not to foul up.

Saturday
June 14^th

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 5:14-21:
Brothers and sisters:
The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer.

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Gospel: Mt 5:33-37:
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the Lord must be kept. But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God’s throne; nor by the earth, because it is his foot stool; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king. Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything else you say comes from the evil one.“

Reflection:
Jesus is aware of what people are expected to do when taking oath. They must do it. They must be serious about it. But Jesus unexpectedly does not want his disciples even to make oaths or promises with all the big props like heaven, earth, Jerusalem or small one like the hair. His followers are supposed to know what they are committed to. They should stand by their simple “Yes” or “No.” They should simply do it.

One should not say “Yes” when he has no intention of doing it. One should also not say “No” when later he wants to do it. Christians should not make false or mixed signals to avoid confusion. Confusion is the work of the devil. Too bad that our culture forces us to commit to something which we are not convinced of. We participate in activities which at first we have not enlisted ourselves, causing confusion in our activities.

Christians should be clear and decisive when making or not making commitments to avoid false expectations. Christians should make good of their commitments to serve the church. It is uncharitable to disappear after declaring in public our availability to serve.