domingo
15 de Junio^th

Solemnidad de la Santísima Trinidad

1^st Reading: Prv 8:22-31:
Yahvé me creó primero, al comienzo de sus obras. Él me formó desde la antigüedad, desde la eternidad, incluso antes de la tierra. El abismo no existía cuando nací, los manantiales del mar no habían brotado, las montañas todavía no estaban en su lugar ni las colinas, cuando nací antes de que él hiciera la tierra o el campo, o los primeros granos de El polvo del mundo.

Estuve allí cuando él hizo los cielos y dibujó la brújula de la tierra en el abismo, cuando formó las nubes arriba y cuando emergieron los manantiales del océano; cuando hizo el mar con sus límites, para que no se desbordara. Cuando sentó los cimientos de la tierra, estaba cerca de él, el diseñador de sus obras, y era su delicia diaria, jugando para siempre en su presencia, jugando en todo el mundo y deleitándome de estar con los humanos.

2ª lectura: Rom 5: 1-5:
Por la fe, hemos recibido la justicia verdadera, y estamos en paz con Dios, a través de Jesucristo, nuestro Señor. A través de él, obtenemos este favor, en el que permanecemos, e incluso nos jactamos de esperar la gloria de Dios. No solo eso, también nos jactamos incluso en las pruebas, sabiendo que las pruebas producen paciencia, de la paciencia viene el mérito; el mérito es la fuente de la esperanza, y la esperanza no nos decepciona, porque el Espíritu Santo nos ha sido dado, derramando en nuestros corazones el amor de Dios.

Evangelio: Jn 16: 12-15:
Todavía tengo muchas cosas que decirte, pero no puedes soportarlas ahora. Cuando venga el Espíritu de verdad, él te guiará a toda la verdad. Porque no hablará de su propia autoridad, sino que hablará lo que oiga, y te hablará de las cosas por venir. Él tomará lo que es mío y te lo hará saber; Al hacer esto, Él me glorificará. Todo lo que tiene el Padre es mío; por esta razón, te dije que el Espíritu tomará lo que es mío y te lo hará saber.

Reflexión:
For many Christians the revelation that God is a Trinity of Persons seems to add an unnecessary complication to an already complicated religion. “What difference does it make,” they ask, “If God is three Persons instead of just One?”

The God they imagine is a solitary figure alone in the empyrium with his thoughts, a sort of eternal bachelor enjoying the solitude of his heavenly pad… Surely it is possible to conceive of such a God. But, fortunately for us, reality is very different. Our God is not an Eternal Solitaire. He is a triple relationship of love. The source of all being, the Father, exists in all his eternal perfection.

But, like any rational being, he knows who he is and he has a perfect Idea of his perfect infinity, an Idea as perfect as he is himself. That Idea of God is the Son. And God loves his Idea of himself with a perfect love. And that love is the Holy Spirit. As St. Augustine already taught in the 5th century, we humans are little trinities in that we are aware of who we are and love who we are. Is all this so mysterious after all?

Let us pray the “Glory be…” with a special devotion today. Let us remember today that each person we meet is a living tabernacle containing the Blessed Trinity.

lunes
Junio 16^th

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 6:1-10:
Hermanos y hermanas:
Como sus colaboradores, les pedimos que no reciban la gracia de Dios en vano.
For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.

He aquí, ahora es un tiempo muy aceptable; He aquí, ahora es el día de la salvación. No causamos que nadie tropiece en nada, para que no se pueda encontrar ninguna falla en nuestro ministerio; por el contrario, en todo lo que nos encomendamos a nosotros mismos como ministros de Dios, a través de mucha resistencia, en aflicciones, privaciones, restricciones, golpizas, encarcelamientos, disturbios, labores, vigilias, ayunos; por la pureza, el conocimiento, la paciencia, la bondad, en el Espíritu Santo, en un amor sincero, en un discurso sincero, en el poder de Dios; con armas de justicia a la derecha ya la izquierda; Por la gloria y el deshonor, el insulto y la alabanza.

Somos tratados como engañadores y, sin embargo, somos sinceros; como no reconocido y sin embargo reconocido; como muriendo y he aquí vivimos; como castigado y sin embargo no condenado a muerte; como triste pero siempre regocijándose; como muchos pobres pero enriquecedores; como sin tener nada y sin embargo poseer todas las cosas.

Evangelio: Mt 5: 38-42:
You have heard, that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give him your coat as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give when asked, and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Reflexión:
On the topic of retaliation, it is interesting to observe how the Bible’s teaching evolved—as on so many other topics, despite the stubborn denials of the fundamentalists who refuse to admit that the Bible corrects itself on many points. At the beginning, retaliation knows no limit.

This state of affairs is reflected in a boast of Lamech (of the 8th generation after Adam, according to Gen 5) who says to his wives: “I have killed a man for wounding me, a boy for bruising me” (Gen 4:23). But later the Bible taught that the punishment should not exceed the injury inflicted: “Limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Lev 24:20).

This was obviously a great moral progress. But in today’s gospel reading Jesus goes much beyond all that: not only must his followers give up all idea of retaliation, but they are to be extremely liberal in answering the requests of other people.

Naturally we cannot take Jesus’ words literally here because some dishonest people or social parasites would exploit our kindness shamelessly. However, the orientation given is very clear: taking into account our various duties and obligations and responsibilities (i.e. to our immediate family), we must try to be as generous as we reasonably can.

martes
17 de junio^th

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 8:1-9:
We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously, they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones, and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God, so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also.

Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also.

I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others.
For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Evangelio: Mt 5: 43-48:
You have heard, that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. But this I tell you: love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.

If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much?

As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reflexión:
Jesus’ command to love our enemies is absolutely crucial—for our happiness. Because nothing ruins more a person’s serenity and peace of mind than harboring hateful thoughts all day long. But, in order to obey Christ faithfully, we must be clear about a few basic things.

First, Jesus is not asking us here to like our enemies, because that would be psychologically impossible. Liking someone is a spontaneous reaction over which we have no direct control—as also disliking someone. Loving is very different. It consists essentially of a free decision of the will and any normal person is capable of that.

Second, as shown very clearly in the parallel passage in Luke’s gospel (Lk 6:27-36), this decision of the will is directed at doing certain actions in favor of the enemy: do good, bless, pray for, lend money, help in any reasonable way. That is all that is involved here.

But, if one billion Christians decide to take Jesus’ teaching seriously, the face of the Earth will be changed forever. But this most desirable result can come about only if you and I decide to love the enemies in our own lives, in our own back yards. How about it?

miércoles
18 de junio^th

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 9:6-11:
Hermanos y hermanas, consideren esto: quien siembra escasamente también cosechará escasamente, y quien siembra generosamente también cosechará abundantemente. Cada uno debe hacer lo que ya se ha determinado, sin tristeza ni compulsión, porque Dios ama al dador alegre. Además, Dios es capaz de hacer que cada gracia sea abundante para ti, para que en todas las cosas, siempre teniendo todo lo que necesitas, tengas abundancia para toda buena obra.

Como está escrito: Se dispersa en el extranjero, da a los pobres; Su justicia permanece para siempre.

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity,
which through us produces thanksgiving to God.

Evangelio: Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18:
Be careful not to make a show of your good deeds before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be noticed in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be praised by people. I assure you, they have their reward.

If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you. When you pray, do not be like those who want to be noticed. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners, in order to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have their reward.

When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you. When you fast, do not put on a miserable face, as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so that people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already.

When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father, who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

Reflexión:
Jesús quiere que sus discípulos purifiquen sus motivos cuando hacen cosas buenas. Hacerlos sin la motivación adecuada no es meritorio. Hoy en día tenemos predilección por mostrar las pequeñas cosas que hacemos debido a las redes sociales baratas. Allí podemos publicitarnos sin costo alguno. Otras personas nos toman fotos y las publican fácilmente en la cuenta de la parroquia o en las redes sociales personales o en el boletín informativo, sin nuestro permiso. Se ha vuelto difícil distinguir entre dar información clara y satisfacer nuestras tendencias narcisistas.

Aquí tenemos que discernir de dónde venimos realmente cuando nos involucramos en actividades caritativas. Tenemos que admitir que muchas cosas buenas están sucediendo en nuestras parroquias sin ser pregonadas. Los feligreses alimentan a los niños indigentes sin tomar fotos. Algunos toman fotos con sus teléfonos móviles, pero las guardan para uso personal. Otros se dedican a la misión médica y dental en las áreas remotas enfocadas en su trabajo, sin traer cámaras de video ni cámara. Aquellos que trabajan en silencio hacen trabajos meritorios ante los ojos del Señor.

jueves
19 de junio^th

San Romuald

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 11:1-11:
Hermanos y hermanas:
If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere and pure commitment to Christ.

For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough. For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these “superapostles.” Even if I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the Gospel of God to you without charge? I plundered other churches by accepting from them in order to minister to you. And when I was with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
By the truth of Christ in me, this boast of mine shall not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

And why?  Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

Evangelio: Mt 6, 7-15:
Jesus said to his disciples: “When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do; for they believe that, the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:

“’Our Father in heaven, holy be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as in heaven. Give us today, our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are in debt to us. Do not bring us to the test, but deliver us from the evil one.’

“If you forgive others their wrongdoings, your Father in heaven will also forgive yours. If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive you.“

Reflexión:
Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. When praying, they should not imitate the noisy style of the pagans who think God is insensitive to their needs. The Father listens to this kind of prayer, which we entitle, the “Lord’s Prayer.” We use this prayer in our devotions and Eucharistic celebrations.

It is noteworthy to observe the center of the prayer. It is the petition of the daily wage earner who makes it possible to procure daily bread, or in old English, bread for the morrow (for tomorrow) for his family. When he is assured of the bread for the next day, it means he has a good sleep the night before. He does not worry about the food of his family next day when he leaves again for work. Unfortunately, at present we do not have accurate translations of this prayer in our Filipino languages, unlike the English versions.

Another point to consider is the importance of forgiveness. The word “forgive” occurs two times in the prayer and four times in the paragraph after the prayer.

viernes
20 de junio^th

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30:
Hermanos y hermanas:
Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. To my shame I say that we were too weak! But what anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I also dare.

Are they Hebrews?  So am I. Are they children of Israel?  So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham?  So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person). I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death.

Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure.

And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led to sin, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Evangelio: Mt 6, 19-23:
No guarde tesoros para usted aquí, en la tierra, donde la polilla y el óxido lo destruyen; Y donde los ladrones pueden robarlo. Guarda tesoros para ti mismo con Dios, donde ninguna polilla u óxido pueda destruirlo, ni el ladrón venga y lo robe. Porque donde están tus tesoros, allí también estará tu corazón. La lámpara del cuerpo es el ojo; Si tus ojos están sanos, todo tu cuerpo estará lleno de luz. Si tus ojos están enfermos, todo tu cuerpo estará lleno de oscuridad. Si, entonces, la luz en ti es oscuridad, ¡cuán grande es esa oscuridad!

Reflexión:
Treasures are our valuables. They may be difficult to accumulate. We have to work hard. But we can easily lose them because of bad elements lurking around us like insects or thieves. So Jesus highly recommends that we consider storing up spiritual treasures that cannot be taken away from us. As long as we are alive, we do not worry about their loss. We bring them wherever we go.

What are these treasures? Again these are not material riches, like money, gold, jewelries that can be counted, weighed in scales or time deposited, but the joy that proceeds from listening to the Word of God. These treasures are also our spiritual insights that give us proper perspective to the world around us and give us hints how to deal with other people justly and mercifully.

The eye or other senses of our body can be our material treasures. We have to take care of them. We enjoy life because we have good taste buds, we hear beautiful music, we see the beauty of people around us, we feel the tender touch of our loved ones. Faith is our ultimate treasure. When we lose it, our world becomes totally dark.

sábado
junio 21^st  

San Aloysius Gonzaga

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 12:1-10:
Hermanos y hermanas:
I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter.

About this man I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me because of the abundance of the revelations.

Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Evangelio: Mt 6, 24-34:
No one can serve two masters; for he will either hate one and love the other; or he will be loyal to the first and look down on the second. You cannot, at the same time, serve God and money. Therefore, I tell you, not to be worried about food and drink for yourself, or about clothes for your body.

Is not life more important than food; and is not the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, they do not harvest, and do not store food in barns; and yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not less worthy than they are? (…)

Do not worry, and say: What are we going to eat? What are we going to drink? or: What shall we wear? The pagans busy themselves with such things; but your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart, first, on the kingdom and righteousness of God; and all these things will also be given to you. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Reflexión:
Why do some people keep so much money, buy many properties, invest a lot and increase their wealth as much as possible? They believe that it is the right thing to do. They want to secure their future and their children’s. Some accumulate riches for the sake of it. Others are just over anxious of their future.

From the point of view of Jesus, we can avoid worrying so much which lead us to inordinate and exaggerated accumulation of wealth, if we develop trust in the Lord. We must believe that God provides for our needs, present and future. He is a responsible God. He takes care of all the animals and plants. How much more when he deals with us humans who can help ourselves?

We can reduce our activity on money making when we increase our trust in God. This is shown when we give more time to prayer and caring for other people. There must be a limit to our pursuit of wealth and fortune. It is stressful. We are happier when we give more time to our provident Father and share the things we have.