TAKE NOTES

31/08/2025

“HUMILITY: GOD’S IMAGE IN HIS CHILDREN”

Being invited to a party is already a great honor. Being seated at the party is another thing. We all have to conduct ourselves in any situations we may find ourselves in. And without human formation, without a keen eye to observe the proper etiquettes, there we will find ourselves in trouble. Jesus entered the houses of tax collectors and friends. With the disciples, he was accustomed to hostile people like Pharisees and Sadducees, and also to sinners like the tax collectors. Jesus takes all those occasions of encounters as moments of personal dialogue with all kinds of people especially with his disciples. This time, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them about true humility? It is in the humble ways of Jesus Christ where we see God and understand God’s presence to his people.

True humility wins us the favor of God and others. The book of Sirach, in the first reading for this Sunday, reminds us to humble ourselves so that we may find favor with God. Sirach says: “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” Christianity is a community of human people. We are not angels in heaven that have no malice of envy and desire for superiority. We are human beings on a journey towards perfection. As the letters to the Hebrews tell us: “You have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” Approaching means, striving in ourselves and in our daily relationships to conform to what the heavenly Jerusalem requires us: humility of life and service for one another.

In the world where power and position were equally important as one’s identity and status, Jesus wanted his followers to learn to be humble and not to desire for superiority against the others. In God’s Kingdom, the true humble is exalted and the self-proud is humbled. In fact, for Jesus the one who wishes to be greatest must first learn how to be a servant of all. By the mercy and love of the Father, he sent his only Son. Jesus Christ is the bridegroom who has invited us to the wedding banquet. And what he offered in the banquet is a lamb that has no blemish and is highly acceptable to the Father.

This selfless love of God in Jesus Christ makes us understand that true humility is sharing to others, so that others may live in harmony and peace with everyone. The reason why Jesus Christ gives attention to the less important people in the society is that because God identifies himself to all and welcomes them as his own. God is a Father, protector and provider of the orphans. This is the image of a perfect God’s family where everyone is equally important, forgiven, embraced, and valued. This is the essence of what Jesus says in the Gospel today: “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” We must find God in the midst of others so that God may dwell in us.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, wishes that all his brothers and sisters experience the harmony of a true community that prefigures the heavenly Jerusalem. As Lamb of God he will gather us all in his eternal banquet in heaven. Let us remember that we were once wanderers in this land. We do not merit the kingdom of God only with our achievements and human status. We are unworthy to share in the eternal banquet since sins make us unpleasant and sins make us unworthy to the banquet of the righteous, where the angels and saints, and the chosen children share with joy and gladness. Every day we are reminded that we must strive to live in the ways of the Lamb of God our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, to be meek and humble so that may become the true image of God in our times.

Fr. Enrico, crs
Reading for the 22nd Sunday (Year C)
Sir 3:17-18; 20, 28-29; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24; Lk 14:1, 7-14

23/08/2025

“NARROW GATE FOR A GREAT TREASURE”

What hinders us to go to Church on Sunday? What makes it burdensome for us to attend Sunday services with our children? Many may be feeling the heavy loads of responsibilities in their homes. Of course, we cannot deny that! And to some, they may think that Sunday is the only day they can have rest and have some relaxation before the days of heavy and tiring work start again the following day. And again, we cannot deny that! But an hour or two will it take all your day? This Sunday we are reminded that how we practice our Christian life matters most for our eternal life. Since salvation is a promised reality at the end of time and so, the question in the Gospel is real and it must be taken seriously: “Will only a few people be saved?”

As Jesus Christ fulfilled his duty every day and every moment in his life. His journey to Jerusalem was not done in a single day. It happened step by step and day by day. And as he moved forward, he also taught to his disciples and to the people of many towns and villages. To some people, Jesus was a fulfillment of what God had promised to their forefathers. To the others, Jesus posed a great challenge in their faith and for eternal life. Just like what we have heard from the Gospel, we must live our Christian life with Christian responsibility. For this very reason, possessing the Kingdom’s reward requires great effort and sometimes it may even cause us to shed our blood. To enter the Kingdom of God is a challenge that we have to surpass in our life. Christian responsibility is every day.

“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Jesus did not answer directly the question of that person. He answered the questions with three familiar images, in parables, that the people were accustomed to during his time: the narrow gate which could be found around the wall of any cities, the locked door of the house and the feast that they celebrated many times.

To enter the Kingdom that God offered for all, every one of us is called to respond by our faith with full understanding and acceptance. The Kingdom of God is not something that is easily accessible for anyone who wants. But easier would seem it to be the gate of this world. It offers easy access to the lives of the people, nonetheless its values do not last long. The gate of the Kingdom is narrow but the joy when one enters it lasts forever. So many choose the wide gate. Later they discover that it is not the real place that makes them happy. To enter the Kingdom of God, everyone has to journey in relationship with the Lord. We have to open our lives to him who first knocks on the door of our spirit. When we welcome Him, he dwells with us, showing us the true meaning of living in God alone. And finally, when we enter the narrow gate and open our lives to God, He himself invites us to share in his eternal banquet where the eternal feast of joy and happiness, peace and love are shared by those who have been worthily called in the house of the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, Christian life is a choice that each one of us has to make. Not all who say they know the Kingdom of God will enter into it. Only those who fulfill what the Kingdom requires will be able to enter it. Jesus Christ has offered himself by his suffering and death. He won everything for all of us. But we must rely on him. Without dependence on God, we will be in a lost world. We have to listen well to His Words as often as possible and Sunday celebration of Masses offers many great possibilities and graces for our growth as Christian that will eventually lead to our salvation. Remember this, God speaks to us in the Eucharist and in the Sacraments, and in the presence of the community whom God has chosen to be his own. Finally, the letter to the Hebrews encourages us to “endure our trials as “discipline”; because “God treats us as his sons and daughters.” Let us trust in the Lord for he is the way; let our courage be built up through Jesus for he is the truth; and let Jesus Christ be the only source of our strength for he is the true life.

Fr. Enrico, crs
Readings for the 21st Sunday:
Is 66:18-21; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30

21/08/2025

“PORTA STRETTA PER UN GRANDE TESORO”

Cosa ci impedisce di andare in Chiesa la domenica? Cosa rende gravoso per noi assistere alle funzioni domenicali con i nostri figli? Molti potrebbero sentire i pesanti carichi di responsabilità nelle loro case. Certo, non possiamo negarlo! E per alcuni, potrebbero pensare che la domenica sia l'unico giorno in cui possono riposarsi e rilassarsi prima che le giornate di lavoro pesante e faticoso ricomincino il giorno successivo. E ancora, non possiamo negarlo! Ma un'ora o due ci vorranno tutta la giornata? Questa domenica ci viene ricordato che il modo in cui pratichiamo la nostra vita cristiana conta di più per la nostra vita eterna. Poiché la salvezza è una realtà promessa alla fine dei tempi e quindi, la domanda nel Vangelo è reale e deve essere presa sul serio: “Signore, sono pochi quelli che si salvano?”

Gesù Cristo ha compiuto il suo dovere ogni giorno e ogni momento della sua vita. Il suo viaggio a Gerusalemme non fu compiuto in un solo giorno. È successo passo dopo passo e giorno dopo giorno. E mentre andava avanti, insegnò anche ai suoi discepoli e alla gente di molte città e villaggi. Per alcune persone, Gesù era un adempimento di ciò che Dio aveva promesso ai loro antenati. Per gli altri, Gesù ha posto una grande sfida nella loro fede e per la vita eterna. Proprio come quello che abbiamo ascoltato dal Vangelo, dobbiamo vivere la nostra vita cristiana con fede e responsabilità cristiane. Proprio per questo, possedere la ricompensa del Regno richiede un grande sforzo e talvolta può farci versare il nostro sangue. Entrare nel Regno di Dio è una sfida che dobbiamo percorrere nella nostra vita. La vita cristiana è un cammino quotidiano.

"Signore, sono pochi quelli che si salvano?"
Gesù non ha risposto direttamente alla domanda di quella persona. Rispose alle domande con tre immagini familiari, in parabole, a cui la gente era abituata ai suoi tempi: la porta stretta che si poteva trovare intorno alle mura di qualsiasi città, la porta chiusa a chiave della casa e la festa che più volte celebravano . Per entrare nel Regno che Dio ha offerto per tutti, ognuno di noi è chiamato a rispondere con la nostra fede con piena comprensione e accettazione.

Il Regno di Dio non è qualcosa che è facilmente accessibile a chi lo vuole. Ma più facile sembrerebbe essere la porta di questo mondo. Offre un facile accesso alla vita delle persone, tuttavia i suoi valori non durano a lungo. La porta del Regno è stretta ma la gioia quando si entra dura per sempre. Tanti scelgono il cancello largo. Più tardi scoprono che non è il posto reale che li rende felici. Per entrare nel Regno di Dio, come ho già detto prima, tutti devono camminare e con relazione seria con il Signore. Dobbiamo aprire la nostra vita a colui che per primo bussa alla porta del nostro spirito. Quando lo accogliamo, dimora con noi, mostrandoci il vero significato del vivere solo in Dio. E infine, quando entriamo per la porta stretta e apriamo la nostra vita a Dio, Egli stesso ci invita a partecipare al suo eterno banchetto dove l'eterna festa della gioia e della felicità, della pace e dell'amore è condivisa da coloro che nella casa sono stati degnamente chiamati del Signore

Non tutti quelli che dicono di conoscere il Regno di Dio vi entreranno. Solo coloro che realizzano ciò che il Regno richiede. Non dimentichiamo che Gesù Cristo ha offerto se stesso attraverso la sua sofferenza, morte e risurrezione. Possiamo contare su questo mistero di misericordia e di amore del Signore. Senza questo mistero di amore e di misericordia di Dio, saremo in un mondo perduto, un viaggio perduto alla fine. Continuiamo ad ascoltare fedelmente bene le Sue Parole il più spesso possibile. E la celebrazione domenicale delle messe offre molte grandi possibilità e grazie per la nostra crescita come cristiani che alla fine porteranno alla nostra salvezza. Ricordate questo, Dio ci parla nell'Eucaristia e nei Sacramenti, e alla presenza della comunità che Dio ha scelto come sua. Infine, la lettera agli Ebrei ci incoraggia a “sopportare le nostre prove come “disciplina”; perché “Dio ci tratta come suoi figli e figlie”. Confidiamo nel Signore perché Egli è la via; lascia che il nostro coraggio si rafforzi attraverso Gesù perché Egli è la verità; e lascia che Gesù Cristo sia l'unica fonte della nostra forza perché Lui è la vera vita.

P. Enrico, crs
Letture della XXI domenica T.O. (Anno C)
Is 66:18-21; Eb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lc 13,22-30

09/05/2025

Today, 8 May 2025

22/04/2025

Heavenly Father,
You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis,
and now You have called him to Yourself.
We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy.
For his lifelong service, we thank You.
For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You.
For his witness to simplicity, we thank You.

In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin.
Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence.
Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence,
into which we all long to be drawn.

Protect Your Church in this time of transition.
Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty.
Grant them Wisdom and Courage,
Hope and Charity,
and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.

Father Most Holy,
our God and King,
Creator of all that was, is, and is to come—
You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen
as the successor to Pope Francis.
Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals.
Open their hearts to Your inspirations.
Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience,
the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter.

May he be a man of deepest compassion,
a man of profound faith and hope,
a man whose charity shines forth,
permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ.

You are God Most High,
the God of the living and the dead,
the Great I AM,
the Alpha and the Omega,
Eternal Being and Source of all that is.

May Your holy will be done,
now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.

19/04/2025

15/04/2025

OUR DAILY BREAD:

"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once.”

(mababasa ng buo sa: Jn 13:21–33, 36–38).

12/04/2025

OUR DAILY BREAD:
“Realize that you were delivered from the futile way of life your fathers handed on to you, not by any diminishable sum of silver or gold, but by Christ’s blood beyond all price.”
(basahin sa: 1 Peter 1:18-21).

11/04/2025

OUR DAILY BREAD:
“The Lord said:Even if you have no faith in my words, you should at least believe the evidence of the works I do in God’s name."
(mababasa ng buo sa: Jn 10:31-42).

10/04/2025

OUR DAILY BREAD:
“You are not yet fifty years old; how can you have seen Abraham? In very truth I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

(mababasa ng buo sa: John 8:51-59).

25/11/2024

MULA SA GOSPEL NGAYON ARAW:

“From her POVERTY, the poor widow has offered her whole livelihood.”

(mababasa ng buo sa: Luke 21:1-4)...................
MAIKLING PAGNINILAY SA GOSPEL:
Ang lahat ng mayroon tayo ay regalo mula sa Diyos, at dapat itong ialay pabalik sa Diyos, sa sakripisyo at bilang regalo natin sa Kanya.

Ang tanging angkop na HANDOG na tinawag nating ibigay sa ating Panginoon ay ang HAIN ng ating buong buhay. Ang espirituwal na katotohanang ito ay isang bagay na napakahirap para sa mga taong napakayaman sa mga bagay ng mundong ito. Ang materyal na kayamanan ay nag-aalok ng madaling paraan upang mamuhay nang may ginhawa. Ang pera ay maaaring magbigay ng bawat modernong kaginhawahan, libangan, saya, makamundong seguridad at marami sa kung ano ang inaalok ng mundong ito. Ngunit hindi mabibili ng pera ang katuparan. Hindi nito masisiyahan tayo sa totoong kahulugan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit hindi tunay na masaya ang maraming tao na namumuhay nang marangyang buhay.

PAGSASABUHAY:
Habang tinitingnan mo ang iyong sariling buhay, gaano ka kahanda na ibigay ang lahat ng mayroon ka sa ating Panginoon para sa Kanyang kaluwalhatian at paglilingkod?

PANALANGIN:
"Panginoong Hesukristo, tanggapin mo sana ang alay ng aking buhay at gamitin mo ako ayon sa Iyong banal na kalooban. Amen."

Happy Monday to all. Ingatan at pagpalain ka nawa ng Diyoa at ang iyong mga minamahal. (Fr. Enrico, crs).

20/11/2024

MULA SA GOSPEL NGAYONG ARAW:

“Engage in trade with these until I return...‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.'”

(mababasa ng buo sa: Luke 19:11-28)...................
MAIKLING PAGNINILAY SA GOSPEL:
Itinuturo sa atin ni Jesus na kailangan nating gawin ang mga kaloob at katangiang ibinigay Niya sa bawat isa sa atin, upang MAGBUNGA. Hindi sila "ATIN" para gawin natin ang anumang gusto natin sa kanila. Ibinigay Niya sa atin ang mga ito bilang pagtitiwala upang tayo ay magbunga ng kapalit.

Mula dito isang mahalagang aral ang makukuha natin. Walang sinuman ang maaaring lumago nang matagal sa buhay Kristiyano ng sarili lamang kakayahan. Maaring tayo ay sumusulong patungo sa Diyos o tayo ay nadudulas palayo sa Kanya.

TANONG AT PAGSASABUHAY:
Hinahangad mo bang paglingkuran ang Diyos sa mga kaloob, talento, at biyayang ibinigay niya sa iyo? Nagtitiwala ka ba sa biyaya ng Diyos upang magamit nang mabuti ang mga regalo at talento na ibinigay niya sa iyo?

PANALANGIN:
"Panginoong Hesukristo, kung wala ka, wala ako; ngunit sa Iyo, tinatanggap ko ang lahat. Nawa'y lagi kong malaman at maunawaan ang aking pangangailangan sa Iyong biyaya. Amen."

May God bless you and your loved ones. (Fr. Enrico, crs).