Friday of week 17 in Ordinary Time, 1

The priest of God

Matthew 13:54-58 

Moses in the the book of Leviticus gave  prescriptions to Israel so that they could express liturgically their covenant with the Lord.  They are to celebrate regularly a feast, by recalling the saving works of God and render offerings that symbolize oblation, sacrifices, and libations to the Lord.  This is still celebrated by the Jews to this very day.

In the gospel, Jesus was rejected by Jews.  Questioning his roots, they belittled all the miracles he did and his powerful words.  He did not work miracles because of their lack of faith.

As we celebrate the memorial of St. John Marie Vianney, patron of parish priests, we also renew our commitment to the Holy Eucharist, celebrated by priests who are entrusted to offer sacrifices and convert bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.

They are the living signs of God's covenant.  Though fully human and are prone to sinfulness, they are still chosen from among many, to offer the Eucharist as Jesus instructed for the sanctification of the world.  The are entrusted to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, forever faithful to his teachings and transmit them to every generation.  And finally, they given the power to forgive sins and loving lead the children back to the heavenly Father.

To them, Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his name and by his power.

Let's pray for all priests this day that God would take care of them so they can fulfill the work entrusted to them, all for our sake.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso

Sinambit na ni Kristo ang ikalawang huling salita, "Ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso." Sinabi niya ito sa rurok ng kanyang paghihirap, sa panahong pati ang salaring nasa kanyang kaliwa'y tinutuya siya, "iligtas mo ang iyong sarili pati na kami." Sa krus, nakita pa rin ni Hesus ang dalisay na puso ng kanyang kapwa, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa iyong sinabi.  tayo ay nagkasala, ngunit wala siyang kasalanan." Handa na yung isang salarin na siya maparusahan.  Ang tanging kanyang nasambit na lamang ay, "Panginoon, alalahanin mo na lamang ako sa iyong kaharian." May dalawang uri ng pagtugon sa Panginoon.  Yung isa'y nanunuya, nang-iinsulto, sakim, makasarili, namimilit na siya'y iligtas at pagaanin ang buhay, Kahit ang iba'y naghihirap, siya'y hindi. Yaong isa nama'y humigingi ng tawad, mapagkumbaba.  Doon sasabihin ni Hesus, "Ngayon, isasama kita sa paraiso." Yaong isa, naniniwala sa paraisong nilikha ng Diyos noo
Read more

Beatitudes

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.
Read more