Trinity Sunday – June 4, 2023

First Reading: Genesis 1:26-31, 1-4

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 8

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:5-13

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Today, the Church celebrates Trinity Sunday. However, how many of us truly know or understand what the Trinity is? As Catholics, we need to learn this well because this is the foundation of our faith.

The Trinity is our faith that we worship one God Who exists in Three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although they are not the same, they are inseparable and united. This revelation of God of Himself is difficult for us to comprehend, and it will always remain a mystery beyond human understanding.

To illustrate the Trinity, Father Jun shared a story about St. Augustine’s dream of a child who tried to collect the vastness of the sea in a small hole. It represents the impossibility of fully grasping the Trinity, as God is incomprehensible. However, while God is not someone to be analyzed, we can develop a personal relationship with Him and communicate with Him to begin to understand Him.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus commissioned us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” So, how do we fulfill this mission? We should start within our own homes and families. We must establish a relationship with God together with our loved ones. Once we have done so, we can extend this relationship to our wider community by baptizing others in the name of the Trinity. It is important for the Church to understand that baptism is not merely a symbolic act of sprinkling water but a profound immersion of our lives in the life of the Holy Trinity. Thus, baptism marks the beginning of an ongoing journey with God.

We must be mindful of how we live our lives, for we are like living Bibles that our family, friends, and community read each day. In baptism, Father Jun reminds us of three key points to consider:

1. Communion: Our God is One in Three Persons, undivided and inseparable. Their union is so perfect that we cannot find nor see where they differ or separate from each other. It is the deepest longing for each other that they cannot be separated.
2. Prayer is the key to communion with God. We need to learn to listen to God. Communication is responding to communion.
3. Trinity is unity. As people of God, we share a common understanding of God’s love. Therefore, we work together as one for God, even amidst our diversity in character, attitude, and principles of life.

Father Jun encourages us to cultivate a deep appreciation of our life in God. Although we may never fully comprehend God, let us open ourselves to experiencing Him in our lives through constant communion, communication, and living out our faith within the community.

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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Feast of Pentecost- May 28,2023

“Go and proclaim: The Heart of JESUS is the River of Living Water”

First Proclamation: Acts 2:1-7; 12-21

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104

Second Proclamation: 1 Corinthians 12:3-13

Gospel Reading: John 7:37-39

GO AND PROCLAIM: THE HEART OF JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE

(A RECAPITULATION BASED ON THE HOMILY OF +FR. ROMIE JUN PENALOSA)

The heart of Jesus is to bless everyone.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the culmination of the Easter season. As we commemorate the Feast of the Holy Spirit and celebrate the birth of the Church, we recognize that this does not signify the end, but a profound new beginning in our journey of faith. It is a time to celebrate with utmost joy, deep gratitude, and heartfelt thanksgiving to our Almighty God.

The Gospel reading today reminds us that we will not always have a comfortable life here on Earth. In fact, Jesus said that while we are in this world, we have trials and tribulations (John 16:33). Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4) and indeed, the Christian life is not an easy one. Amidst our overwhelming tasks and limited time to fulfill it all, the Holy Spirit graciously steps in. He helps, rescues, and fortifies us in our endeavors. We all have our share of problems and inconveniences in life but praise God, Jesus encourages us not to fear or be troubled because He has already overcome the world. The character of Christ exceeds human understanding and He can triumph over the trials of the world. Through the Holy Spirit’s presence within us, He forges the Christ-like character in us by giving us the same power and strength to overcome this world’s tribulations. Quietly and consistently, the Holy Spirit is working daily in our lives. Though the fruits may not be immediately evident, He is bringing out that Jesus character in us, and we become witnesses of Christ, proclaiming that He indeed is Lord!

Today, Jesus invites us to come and drink from Him. For unbelievers, He is inviting them to believe; but for us believers, He invites us to receive the drink. For in drinking from Him, the Living Water will begin to flow in us (John 7:37-39). We will not just be filled but we will have also the ability to fill others. We need only to put our trust and confidence in the life of Jesus. The coming of the Holy Spirit like a mighty rushing wind and as tongues of fire is a picture of great power (Acts 2). Church, we need to understand that the same power working in our life is much greater than the power against us. God wants us to see that power. No matter what your problems or situations are right now, rest them in the palm of God. Do not run nor hide, but face it with the realization and understanding that God’s power within you is much greater than that of the world.

Let us allow then the Holy Spirit within us to operate in our life so that we will be filled by His power and that our mere presence in someone’s life becomes a blessing.

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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7th Sunday of Easter – May 21,2023

“Go and proclaim: JESUS is the source of eternal life”

First Proclamation: Acts 1: 6-14

Responsorial Psalm: Ps.68:4-5,9-11,18,19-20

Second Proclamation: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Gospel Reading: John 17:1-11

GO AND PROCLAIM: JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE

(A RECAPITULATION BASED ON THE HOMILY OF +FR. ROMIE JUN PENALOSA)

The first reading in Acts  talks about Jesus’ ascension to heaven. Catholic churches usually commemorate it today but CEC celebrated it last Thursday, May 18, 2023. Father Jun, before starting his homily, gave us an overview of the different seasons we celebrate in our church calendar to remind us also of the unchanged cycle or pattern of time where we can continually nurture our relationship to God.

The event of Jesus’ ascension should not remain an overwhelming feeling or experience to us. The apostles who witnessed Him ascending to heaven was so joyful that even if He was no longer in sight they didn’t want to leave; yet the angel of God told them to go for it was the right thing to do, to go and live out the things He taught us to do. The same Jesus who ascends in heaven is the same Jesus who will come down again. Knowing this gives us joy, and like the apostles also, we should gather as family and pray together for if we really believe in Jesus’ ascension, our hearts will always be filled with joy. Joyous hearts will always gather to fellowship; for joy is the mark of coming together; it creates hunger to pray together, and as a church, this must be seen in us.

Joy in our hearts enable us to live peacefully. Living peacefully doesn’t mean the absence of troubles; in fact, St. Peter said that once the Holy Spirit comes in us, there will be persecution in our life. The world doesn’t like the changes that the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives, that’s why it persecutes us. But again, St Peter told us not to worry, instead we should overcome it through prayers and the joy of the Holy Spirit in us. Let us pray for strength to endure the persecutions for it is the best way we can overcome it.

The essence of eternal life is to know God and to know Jesus Christ, the One He sent for us. It is not just blessings for blessings, but it should be a relationship with Him, for knowing God is having a relationship with Him.

The Feast of Ascension also means letting go of our old self, our own understanding of God. It is receiving Jesus into our lives, which entails so much responsibility. Understand that when we receive Jesus in our life, we need to obey Him, we need to let go of certain things we as humans uphold; things we think are good for us, but are against His will. We will let go of those wrong notions we have about God and let us allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.

We all have a touch of hypocrisy and stupidity in us. But praise God, He loves us despite these shortcomings and imperfections we have. Let us allow then the light of Christ to illuminate our mind so that we can let go of these, and live peacefully and joyfully in His presence.

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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5th Sunday of Easter – May 7,2023

“Go and Proclaim : Believe that JESUS is the Only Way, the Truth and the Life to the FATHER”

First Reading: Acts 7:55-60

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Gospel Reading: John 14:1-12

GO AND PROCLAIM: BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE TO THE FATHER

(A RECAPITULATION BASED ON THE HOMILY OF +FR. ROMIE JUN PENALOSA)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Jesus reminds us of this everyday yet it does not get into our heads. Why? Because we allow so many things to occupy our mind.

“The thoughts we entertain and keep in our minds become our words; and the words we speak become the action of our lives; and the actions we do every day become a habit, and the habits we formed determines our character and our character determines our destiny in life.” (Fr. Jun)

If we want to be in heaven, we need have a character like Jesus.

When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” He wasn’t referring to the process, or the concepts or of the principles in getting there. He simply means Him, a human-God. We need to know Christ to learn the way, and we can know Him only when we build a relationship with Him. The way to Him doesn’t refer to a geographic area – but a Person. We follow the Person when we know Him.

Speaking the truth will always bring persecution. St. Stephen’s life is an evidence of this. Understand that when we are in a relationship with Christ, we begin to see the truth, and we will only speak of truth about Him. We start to have a pure heart because we can now see Jesus clearly; we are no longer afraid of the truth. We learn to embrace the truth about ourselves that we make mistakes, we commit sin; but at the same time, we learn that we have a forgiving Father, a loving God who will never leave us nor forsake us.

He is the life. The second reading told us that we are living stones, and He is the chief cornerstone, the main component in building a house. This means that “we cannot live alone” because we were designed from the beginning to live together – with Jesus.  We need to live as a community, not just liking each other – but loving each other! God is building us together in the Church, nurturing our relationships with our brothers and sisters, our family, and our community. So it is important that we need to be connected with each other, living that resurrected life – because the blessing of God is poured out on the fellowshipping that happens when we go together.

So church, let us walk in the way of Jesus, embracing the truth and living the life with each other.

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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4th Sunday of Easter – April 30,2023

“Go and proclaim: JESUS is the Good Shepherd”

First Reading: Nehemiah 9:6-15

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-3,4-5,6

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10

Sheep need a shepherd because sheep are vulnerable. We humans are like sheep who are vulnerable and are prone to wander. Hence, we need a shepherd that would lead us into the right path. God is the Shepherd of our soul.

As Pope Francis said, “People have personal stupidity,” making us vulnerable to make mistakes. Sometimes, we deny it because we want to become wise. But God did not choose you because of your skills and capabilities, He chose you because of your vulnerability. God is a good Shepherd, but let’s ask ourselves, “Are we the type of sheep that belongs to God?” As Christ resurrected, we are taught how to live a new life and we need to listen. Then, we need to follow Him and obey Him, which allows us to have a relationship with Him.

But have we grown closer to God today than yesterday? It is God who invites us, but we are the one who must come closer to Him. We cannot hear God when we are going far away from Him. Allow ourselves to take time and read the scriptures and to focus on Him. Listen with our eyes, with our ears, and with our heart. Watch, meditate, and do what God has told us to do. There are hindrances that may prevent us from doing what God says- it could be ourselves because we tend not to obey, or our loved ones that say something negative about our calling. But we are to trust God because He brings us to still waters and green pastures- which is, the abundance of life. God can bring us to a peaceful life. God restores our soul. We must embrace that we are sheep- vulnerable and prone to committing mistakes. Because of this God chooses to take care of us. Take time and take effort to listen to the good Shepherd.

Homily Recap by Riana Chelle Montero

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3rd Sunday of Easter April 23, 2023

“Go and Proclaim: JESUS is the Fulfilment of the Holy Scriptures”

First Reading: Acts 2:29-36

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116:2-4,5-7,8-10,15-16

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35

GO AND PROCLAIM: JESUS IS THE FULFILMENT OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

(A RECAPITULATION BASED ON THE HOMILY OF +FR. ROMIE JUN PENALOSA)

Jesus, when He rose up from the dead appeared to the three Mary’s in the Bible; the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the wife of Cleopas. All of these women were close to Him, yet they were unable to recognize Him right away. It is the same with us, often Jesus is already talking to us but we don’t hear Him nor recognize His voice.

Do we recognize God in our life?  What prevents us in recognizing Him? Often, we don’t recognize Him because we are bent on running away from Him.

In the gospel today, Cleopas with another disciple was told to meet Jesus in Galilee. But he went to Emmaus, the other way. Yet Jesus in His glorified body, went with them and even ministered to them until they reached their destination. And throughout their travel, they didn’t recognize Him. It was only when they invited Him to eat with them that they recognize Him when He broke the bread. See, God will always walk with us, even when we are walking in the wrong direction. But God will never intervene unless we invite Him. It warms our heart when God talks to us but often we don’t listen because we can’t recognize Him. And it is so sad to think that sometimes, we can’t recognize someone close to us because we’ve been too busy running with life.

So how can we recognize God in our life? By having an intimate relationship with Him. Immersing ourselves in the Eucharist, coming together in the table, eating the bread together and building intimacy – is the essence of the Eucharist. We can pray to God, read the Bible and go to church but still we cannot recognize Him. Knowledge of God is not enough. We should exert effort to establish an intimate relationship with Him. We need to stay connected with God.

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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2nd Sunday of Easter – April 16, 2023

Theme: “Go and Proclaim: Have Faith in the Risen LORD”

First Reading: Acts 2:22-28

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

“Easter is not just a season of rejoicing, or of being happy. Easter is about having a renewed perspective in life.”

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a happy event in our life. It is not just about evoking happy feelings; it is a renewing, a transformation of life, and living every day in that transformed life. A new perspective in life will really bring change. You begin to see yourself as victorious knowing that Jesus is in you. You no longer see yourself as defeated, but one who conquers the odds of life. You will realize and understand that there is nothing bad or evil that comes from God. He never hurts us, he doesn’t give sufferings, nor punish us for our sins and makes us miserable. He never and will never do that. But God can turn those bad things into good things. This is what Easter teaches us – that life is not always about fun but about having a new perspective about life and living a renewed spirit.

Key points about resurrection that Father Jun emphasizes:

1. Reconciliation. To have a new perspective in life, we need to reconcile first to God. We need to acknowledge and confirm to ourselves that Jesus is  Saviour and Lord of our life. A man who never reconciles with God will never have peace.
2. Value of community. Community enhances our faith in God. Being part of a community is a way of strengthening our relationship with God. Where the people gather in the name of Jesus is a community. This is how church started. A community of believers who loves Jesus and gathers together doesn’t demand a sign to believe, just faith.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ entails  that we have a mission; we have a purpose. As He declared “Peace be with you: as my Father has sent me, so I sent you” (John 20:21). He tells us that He wanted us to take part of that great purpose that God has established long ago before the world was created. When we learn to focus on Christ, and listen to Him, and do the things He teaches us, we begin to change our perspective in life, for He will renew our spirit and change the way we see life. We learn and begin to walk in the power that God has given to us.

The reason why Jesus rose from the dead is so that He might bring us to where He is, to live with Him as a community, a community of Christians. Though living as a family can be very difficult, very confronting, and entailing so much responsibility, Jesus wants us to see a different perspective of community – a community that enhances faith, teaches us to be patient, enhances our ability to forgive. There is a tangible force of grace once a family is gathered together. It is much greater than any mistakes we can commit. That is why Judas, though Jesus knew He would betray Him, still partook in the dinner. Jesus still considered him as family.

Community has a way of strengthening our faith; it has the ability to remove our minds from ourselves and focuses on Jesus. As a church, Father Jun encourages us to go home with a new perspective, and live a renewed life, full of hope in God.

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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Easter Sunday – April 9, 2023

Epistle Reading: Romans 6: 3-11

Psalm Reading: Psalm 118

Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9

In today’s Easter Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, Fr. Jun reminds us that time and time again, God will always come to the aid of His people. As we celebrate Easter, let us realize that Jesus, our Lord, went down to the very depths of our humanity. He did not see equality with God as something to cling to, instead He took the form of a servant and even died on the cross for mankind.

Because sin broke humanity, Jesus took upon Himself our humanity. He partook of our humanity and now we can partake of His divinity. The death He died on the cross is a picture of our brokenness. Our death became His death. And in rising to life again, He destroyed death forever.

Now, Jesus’ death and resurrection gives us leverage in life. Sin and death no longer controls your life because Jesus already paid the price. The nails cannot hold the hands of Jesus on the cross, it will be ready to help you. The nails on the feet of Jesus cannot stop Him from coming to you. The tomb could not hold Jesus in death forever.

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5th Sunday in Lent March 26, 2023

Theme: Go and Proclaim: “Jesus, the only Resurrection and the Life”

First Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130: 1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8

Second Reading: Romans 8:8-11

Gospel Reading: John 11:18-2

In today’s Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, Fr. Jun reminds us that God always answers our prayers. However sometimes, we want to know everything, like how God would answer our prayers. But God is teaching us to listen to Him and have faith first. God will do everything, but before God will do something in our lives, He will talk to us through His Word. The Word of God goes first before the miracles happen. He can do beyond what we ask. He will do miracles and it is our responsibility to believe. In the Gospel, Jesus spoke or prophesied to Lazarus before he came to back to life, just as how God spoke to Ezekiel before the dry bones came into flesh. It reminds us that everyone is listening- from the angels in heaven up to the dead bodies, so we also must listen to God.

Lent is the season for us to listen to God and be silent, taking away the things that hinder us from hearing Him. God is about to do something great to us, a greater glory that will happen in our lives. We must continue to affirm it, that the problem that we have right now will be gone tomorrow. No matter how great the problem is, God will do something great.

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4th Sunday in Lent

March 19, 2023

Theme: Go and proclaim: “In His light, we received true sight”

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-7

Responsorial Psalm 23:1-2, 3-4,5-6

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:1-10

Gospel Reading: John 9:1-11

Do you know that God has a plan in your life?

Do you know God’s plan and purpose for your life?

Two significant questions that often strike us and make us confused when we try to find the answers. We then tend to worry, get scared, stressed and anxious of the many things in our life. But in reality, we are just spiritually blind. We do not see life the way God sees it. We can see because of the light that comes in to our eyes. And we often judge by what we see physically. But not God. He always sees our heart. A heart is something no one can see, yet it is what God is always looking at.

In the time of Jesus, when a man is born blind it is considered a curse. But the Gospel reading today teaches us more about spiritual blindness. We are all born spiritually blind; blind to see the purposes of God in our lives. To be spiritually blind means not being able to see and understand the things of God. As humans, we judge by what we see; but with God, He sees the heart. As God’s children, we are supposed to see the things that God can see; see His plans and purposes in our lives. But sometimes, we cannot because we refuse to let the light of Christ come in to our spiritual eyes and to our heart.

Spiritual blindness is not about sight, but rather vision. Sight is for our eyes; vision is for our soul. Vision is the ability to see things according to how God sees it. And we all have this ability. But unless we let Christ’s light come in to us, we will remain blind. So how can we free ourselves from this kind of blindness? Let us just focus our eyes and minds on Jesus. Scripture tells us that it was Jesus who came to the blind man. It was His will to heal him. Remember, it is always God’s will and desire for us to see, to be healed and restored.

Saint Paul encourages us to walk as Children in the Light. We were once in darkness, but through Christ, we now have light. Let us walk then with vision, seeing things as God wants us to see. Let us open that spiritual vision in us and focus on the truth that God loves us. And when we do, we start to remove the plank that is in our own eyes and begin to see the goodness of the people around us, making our life better, happier, and joyfully enjoying the beauty and grandeur of the earth.

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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