DOP Biblical Apostolate

22/05/2026

Study of the Sunday Gospel w/ Fr. Ulrich Gacayan, RCJ - Solemnity of Pentecost (John 20: 19-23)

22/05/2026

19/05/2026

People who only go by the Bible and forget the church are not going by the biblical model of Christianity. Nowhere does Scripture tell us to only go by the Bible but it does say to listen to the authority of the church. We need both scripture and the church to interpret it. Christ specifically gave the apostles the authority to interpret Scripture authoritatively. He didn't leave it to every individual human as they see fit.

17/05/2026

Gospel Reflection Guide: Pentecost Sunday 05.24.26
“Peace Be With You!”
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-23

In this Gospel, the disciples were gathered in fear behind locked doors after the death of Jesus. Yet the risen Jesus came into their midst and greeted them with the words, “Peace be with you.” He showed them His hands and side, assuring them that it was truly Him—the same Jesus who suffered, died, and rose again. When Jesus “breathed on them,” this action recalls God breathing life into Adam in Genesis and symbolizes the giving of the Holy Spirit, a new creation and new life for the Church (NABRE footnotes). Through this, Jesus prepares and strengthens the apostles for their mission.
This Gospel reveals the loving presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit among the apostles despite their fear and weakness. Jesus comforts them by showing His wounds and giving them peace. By breathing on them, He shares the Holy Spirit and commissions them for ministry. This passage is especially important because it shows Jesus instituting the Sacrament of Reconciliation when He says, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” The authority to forgive sins was entrusted to the apostles and continues today through the priests of the Church. Through this sacrament, Christ brings healing, mercy, reconciliation, peace of conscience, restoration of grace, and spiritual strength (CCC 1496–1498).

This Gospel reminds us that Jesus meets us even in our fears, failures, and closed doors. He offers us His peace and healing through the Holy Spirit and the sacraments, especially Confession. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not meant to frighten us, but to bring us back to God with mercy and love. In every confession, we encounter the healing presence of Christ who forgives, restores, and strengthens us to begin again.

“Is there something locked in your heart that you find difficult to open and surrender to Jesus?”

Click the link below to access a printable copy of the Gospel Reflection Guide (GRG) both in English and Tagalog version:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xCybzPVQ7XcTZ5wmFiJSuY_LY4T0uxyE/view?usp=drive_link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19CcA5dlHqHEBopKiCYVK4Hl63WFNQsH5RHUQNcduU_Q/edit?usp=sharing

16/05/2026

✝️ THE DAY PROTESTANTS SAID: “THE BIBLE ALONE IS ENOUGH”… BUT HISTORY HAD ALREADY SPOKEN 😳
_____________________
Imagine walking into a Christian church in the year 100 AD.

No complete New Testament exists yet.

No leather Bible.

No “66 books.”

No table of contents.

No printing press.

No Bible app.

In fact, many churches were still debating:

Hebrews

Revelation

Jude

2 Peter

and several other writings.

Now stop and think carefully…

If the first Christians believed in:

“Bible Alone”

👉🏾 WHICH Bible were they using?

Because for almost 400 years after ascended into heaven, Christians did not even have an officially finalized New Testament canon.

That fact alone shocks many people.

✝️ So how did Christianity survive before the Bible was fully compiled?

The early Christians depended on:

the teachings of the Apostles

Sacred Tradition

bishops appointed by the Apostles

and the authority of the Church Christ established

Christianity was spreading across the world BEFORE Christians owned complete Bibles.

The Church existed before the New Testament was completed.

And this changes everything.

✝️ Then comes one of the biggest turning points in Christian history.

The 1500s.

A German monk named begins protesting abuses within the Church.

At first, many agreed reforms were needed.

But then Luther introduced a revolutionary idea called:

✝️ Sola Scriptura (“Scripture Alone”)

The belief that the Bible alone is the supreme authority for Christian faith.

It sounded convincing.

It sounded spiritual.

But there was one enormous historical problem.

✝️ The Bible NEVER teaches “Bible Alone.”

Not once.

In fact, the Bible says the opposite.

Saint Paul writes:

“Stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” - 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Did you catch that?

👉🏾 “By word of mouth OR by letter.”

The Apostles taught BOTH orally and in writing.

Not Scripture alone.

✝️ Even more shocking…

The Bible itself says:

“The Church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of truth.” - 1 Timothy 3:15

Notice carefully:

The Bible does NOT call Scripture alone the pillar of truth.

It calls THE CHURCH the pillar and foundation of truth.

That verse makes many people uncomfortable.

✝️ But history becomes even more dramatic.

When Luther promoted “Bible Alone,” he also began questioning books of the Bible itself.

He rejected:

Tobit

Wisdom

Sirach

Baruch

1 & 2 Maccabees

Judith

and parts of Daniel and Esther

Books Christians had used for over 1,500 years.

He even questioned:

James

Hebrews

Jude

and Revelation

Why?

Because some passages contradicted parts of his theology.

Especially the Letter of James, which says:

“A man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” - James 2:24

Ironically…

👉🏾 the ONLY place the phrase “faith alone” appears in the Bible is when the Bible rejects it.

✝️ But here is the question few people ask:

Who decided which books belong in the Bible in the first place?

The answer is history itself.

The canon of Scripture was officially recognized through councils of the Catholic Church such as:

Rome (382)

Hippo (393)

and Carthage (397)

Long before Protestantism existed.

So the same Church some reject today is the very Church that preserved, copied, defended, and canonized the Bible they preach from.

✝️ And another problem appeared after “Bible Alone.”

If every Protestant becomes his own final interpreter…

Who settles disagreements?

That is why thousands of denominations now exist:

all reading the same Bible

yet teaching different doctrines

while all claiming:

“The Bible alone.”

✝️ The early Christians never practiced:

“Me, my Bible, and my private interpretation.”

They belonged to a living Church:

guided by apostolic authority

united in worship

centered on the Eucharist

preserving both Scripture and Tradition

Exactly as the Apostles handed it down.

✝️ Final thought

Catholics do not reject the Bible.

Catholics gave their lives preserving it.

The real historical truth is this:

👉🏾 The Bible did not create the Church.

✝️ The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, preserved and recognized the Bible.

And that is why Christianity survived long before the New Testament was ever bound into one book.

God bless you 🙏

15/05/2026

Study of the Sunday Gospel w/ Fr. Ulrich Gacayan, RCJ - Solemnity of the Ascencion (Mt 28: 16-20)

10/05/2026

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord 05.17.26
Gospel Reading Matthew 28: 16-20.

“Empowered to Go”

REFLECTION:

Matthew 28:16-20 begins with the “Eleven” disciples, already showing the loss of Judas due to his betrayal—a reminder of human weakness even among Jesus’ followers. Despite this and their own doubts, the disciples still obey Jesus and go to the mountain, a place of encounter with God. When they see Him, they worship, though some hesitate in faith. Instead of rejecting them, Jesus entrusts them with a mission. He declares His authority over heaven and earth and sends them to make disciples of all nations through teaching and baptism. The passage ends with a consoling promise: even if He is no longer visibly present, Jesus remains truly with them always.

This Gospel passage is foundational for Catholic teaching in several ways. First, it is the basis of the Church’s missionary identity. The “Great Commission” calls the Church not to remain inward-looking but to actively evangelize all nations. Second, it affirms the sacramental life of the Church, especially Baptism, given “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” reflecting the Trinitarian faith at the heart of Catholic doctrine. Third, it highlights apostolic authority: Jesus entrusted His mission to the Eleven, who became the foundation of apostolic succession, continued today through the bishops in communion with the Pope. Finally, the promise of Jesus’ abiding presence is understood in Catholic theology as fulfilled in multiple ways—through the Holy Spirit, in the Word, in the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), and in the life of the Church. Even in His physical absence, Christ remains truly present and active.

This Gospel reminds us that even in our doubts and imperfections, we are still called and sent. Like the Eleven, we may struggle in faith, yet Jesus entrusts us with the mission to share His message through our words and actions. Evangelization begins in our daily lives—through how we treat others, how we remain faithful, and how we witness Christ in simple ways. Above all, we are encouraged to move forward with confidence, knowing that we do not carry this mission alone. Jesus’ promise to be with us always gives us strength and assurance as we live out our calling.


Click the link below to access a printable copy of the Gospel Reflection Guide (GRG):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1okidscRiIr6AoA0xMNiSLqIwUj5QC7JKazo1yOym2kc/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/153Ywc7rzc5nED2qwlt4dpqe88ZyQvm6C/view?usp=sharing

08/05/2026

Study of the Sunday Gospel w/ Fr. Ulrich Gacayan, RCJ - 6th Sunday of Easter (John 14: 15-21)

06/05/2026

Jeff Cavins sharing his experience.

04/05/2026

Sharing the link to the Gospel Reflection Guide (GRG): Sixth Sunday of Easter 05.10.26 with the theme: ““Never Alone: In Spirit and Love” from John 14: 15-21.

Feel free to share with your respective parishes, ministries, commissions or church groups as an optional guide for their Bible Sharing or Gospel Reflection. Thank you and God bless you.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YGpDHizWWKUucJKan0RZcrevL6HTGffa/view?usp=drive_link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1isyOXThyqaq1FWjTPD9EEmBMR4tboz2hnNLgHH-Z1H4/edit?usp=sharing