Today, we close the Christmas season and we simultaneously begin our journey in the Sundays of the Ordinary Time. After Jesus was presented to the poor when the shepherds came and worship the Child, and how the Child Jesus was also presented to the Gentiles symbolized by the Magi, we come now to witness Jesus to be presented to the mostly Jewish crowd who came to be baptized by John in the Jordan. Therefore, the Baptism of the Lord is a form of epiphany (epiphaneia which means “to shine forth”). In the mystery of the Baptism of the Lord, Jesus is introduced as a new light for the world. It is because the baptism is the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry. The identity of Jesus and the actuality of His ministry are gradually introduced and experienced. What is baptism as introduced by Christ?

1. Servant. Baptism is the inaugurating rite and moment where one becomes a servant of God. Jesus demonstrated this by inaugurating His ministry after His baptism. He is the Son who becomes the Servant of God. The Prophet Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah will take the form of a servant. The word “to serve” is translated in Greek as “diakonia.” Jesus is the servant of the Father. He is the suffering servant whom Isaiah prophesied. The catechism of the Catholic Church no. 440 says “He unveiled the authentic content of his messianic kingship both in the transcendent identity of the Son of Man “who came down from heaven,” and in his redemptive mission as the suffering Servant: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  In the first reading today, the Prophet Isaiah describes this suffering servant who will come in the future. He will carry in himself 5 distinguishing marks. a) he is the servant whom God upholds; b) he is the servant whom God is pleased; c) he is the servant in whom His spirit rests; d) he is the servant who will bring justice to the nations; e) he is the servant whom the world waits.

2. Spirit. Baptism is the sacrament where one is introduced in the life of the Spirit. Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist is unique in the sense that Jesus combines the elements of water, which was the baptism of John, and the Spirit which was an important element introduced during His baptism. It was John the Baptist who said: “I have baptized you with water, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” There are two elements involved in these words of John: first, Jesus completes the baptism of John. Jesus now brings to the Church the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit. Second, the baptism of Jesus is superior to that of John’s as it is linked to His identity. John the Baptist declared: “One mightier than I is coming after me.”

3. Father. The voice of the Father reveals the communion of persons in the Blessed Trinity. In the event of the Baptism of Christ, “coming up out of the water” immediately John the Baptism saw the heavens being torn open.” A voice came from heaven saying was heard: “You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.” Jesus’ baptism revealed the relationship between the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus, in a baptism, the rite introduces us to a divine life of God. Baptism makes us part of the Kingdom of God.

As we begin to journey with the Sundays in the Ordinary Time, we will be following Jesus in His public ministry in Israel. The entire season of the Ordinary Time will focus on the ministry of Jesus which will introduce the Father, the Kingdom, the Church, the Apostles and disciples, the healing, preaching, and teaching of Jesus. Today’s readings focus on the three dimensions of God’s intention for each one of us which are illustrated in the concrete stories Samuel and Eli in the first reading, the Christian life of the Corinthians during the time of St. Paul, and the call of the first disciples by Jesus. Let us look into three-dimension of God’s intention of making us His disciples.

First, God calls us to a specific vocation. It is God who calls us for a specific task to do. He takes the initiative and He initiates freely to approach us in order for us to detect and experience His call. In the first reading, this is illustrated by God who called Samuel three times while he was asleep. Hearing the call, Samuel thought the it was Eli who was calling him and so he went each time he hears the call of his name: “Samuel, Samuel.” But Eli responded saying: “I did not call you, go back to sleep.” It was only on the third call of Samuel that Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling Him. This illustrates that it is God who calls.

Second, God calls us towards formation. After God calls us, He would draw us to Himself in order to form us. This formation He would do is directed to a life of renewed direction, a life of conversion, and a life of communion. In the first reading, we were told that Eli, upon knowing that it was the Lord calling Samuel, instructed Samuel that when he will hear the call of his name, he should say: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” And when the Lord called Samuel for the third time, Samuel told the Lord: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” To listen is the initial disposition of formation. Listening to the Lord provides a new direction, and a new disposition of life. Likewise, in the Gospel we see a similar instance. When the two disciples of John came to Jesus and asked the question: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” and Jesus replied: “come, and you will see!” This indicates that Jesus desires all those who desire to know Him and to follow Him would stay with Him. This meant formation. And we were told that they stayed with Him.

Third, God calls us to mission. Samuel was called, formed, and sent to mission. Samuel became a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20) and he became a “seer” (1 Chronicles 9:22). He was sent by God to be a counselor. People consulted him. (1 Samuel 9:6-10) And he became God’s representative (1 Samuel 12:18). In the same way, St. Paul in the second reading became a missionary to the Gentiles. In the second reading today, St. Paul was sent to teach the Corinthians the meaning of the human “body” in relation to God. He taught the three importance of the body in the Christian faith. First, the body is not made for immorality but for the Lord. Second, our bodies are members of Christ. Third, the body is the temple of the Spirit. While Samuel became a prophet, Paul became a teacher and preacher to the Gentiles. In the Gospel, Jesus instills the value of being a witness to others as an important form of mission. We were told that Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus. Jesus immediately changed his name from Simon to “Cephas” which means Peter. A change of name indicated a new mission and direction of life. John the Baptist also pointed to his disciples “the Lamb of God.” The mission of John the Baptist was not only to baptize with water and preach repentance but he brought his disciples to Jesus.

As we enter into the Gospel of Mark with a new lens, we also have to encounter Jesus with a new depth of faith. Today’s Gospel speaks of the beginning of the Jesus’ public ministry and we are brought down to Galilee as the context and the locus of Jesus’ initial ministry. Mark begins to record the first words of Jesus: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” These words contain the heart of the ministry of Jesus and the navigating direction of Mark’s Gospel. Let us look into the readings today and reflect on the 4 dispositions the Lord expects from us once we encounter Him.

1. Value of God’s Time- From the mouth of Jesus, we hear Him first saying: “this is the time of fulfillment.” This is to remind us that God is the author of time and He now works in order for us to consider His own time and not only our experience of time in the world. God’s time is illustrated in three ways: first, Christ wanted us to consider the experience of eternity. In the second reading today, St. Paul reminded the Corinthians that the time we experience in the world is temporary. He said: “I tell you, brothers and sisters, time is running out.” He invites the Corinthians to consider divine life. In the Gospel, Jesus draws us closer to the fulfillment of the promise of God to send the Messiah for us to experience His divinity. Second, time to reward those who repent. The Prophet Jonah in the first reading today was sent to Nineveh to announce a time of repentance for God was about to destroy the city. When the people gave time to listen to the prophet and when they believed in God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, God showed His mercy. God’s time is about His mercy. Third, the end of far distant God. Jesus’ announcement about the “time of fulfillment” reminds us that God comes closer to us and the time of man’s thought of a distant God has ended. Jesus is the God-with-us (Emmanuel).

2. Jesus is the Kingdom of God. The proclamation “the Kingdom of God is at hand” means that Jesus is the promised Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is translated as “basileia” and is repeated 14 times in the Gospel of Mark. The Kingdom of God is not a geographical location. It escapes geographical coordinates. It is rather referring God’s rule, God’s authority, God’s renewal of creation, it is a change of perspective from an evil one to God’s way of life, it is mutual service and self-denial and self-sacrifice rather than human and evil domination. Jesus’ words speak about the Kingdom refers to the closeness of God’s presence among us. It is not any more the dominating experience of Roman rule.

3. Capacity to go beyond. The word “repent” is from the Greek word “metanoia” which means a “change of heart.” “Metanoia” comes from two words: Meta which means beyond and noeo which means to know, to perceive, to understand or to think. The first words of Jesus which included the word “repent” invite us to a life of repentance which is directed towards a new way of perceiving, a new way of life, and a new vision of life that is according to God’s will. Therefore, we clearly understand from this standpoint that when Jesus called Andrew and Peter who were fishermen to follow Him, they “immediately abandoned their nets and followed Him.” Jesus’ invitation: “come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” was an invitation towards a new way of life.

4. Listening to God’s Words. The call of every Christian life or any follower of Jesus is to listen to God’s words. The Romans before were the champions of the experience of the law. Everyone who follows the Roman law experiences peace and order in their life yet Jesus offers one that is greater than the Roman Law, greater than the Roman Rule, and greater than the Roman Emperor and it is the Gospel. Jesus brings the ultimate thing that one should believe and it is the Gospel. It is the Gospel that brings us closer to the Kingdom of God or the closeness of God to us. Pope Francis said: “Those who hear God’s word are constantly reminded that life is not about shielding ourselves from others, but about encountering them in the name of God who is near. The word sown in the soil of our hearts, leads us in turn to sow hope through closeness to others. Even as God has done with us.” The word of God makes us tangibly experience the heart of God. Jesus, who spoke human words, expressed in Himself the very nature of God which is mercy. Pope Francis continued to say: “yet the word of God also has particular power, that is, it can touch each person directly. The disciples would never forget the words they heard that day on the shore of the lake, by their boats, in the company of their family members and fellow workers: words that marked their lives forever. Jesus said to them: “Follow me, I will make you become fishers of men” (v. 17). He did not appeal to them using lofty words and ideas, but spoke to their lives.”

Today, the readings focus on the value of the Word of God. The Word of God reminds us that we have a God who speaks. Before everything was created, God spoke saying: “Let there be light; and there was light” (Gen 1:3). This illustrates two important things: First, God speaks His first words. He is a God who speaks. Second, all creation emanated from the Word of God. We believe in the created Word of God. Every time we pray the rosary, we say: “Hail” Mary “Full of grace, the Lord is with you.” We repeat the words of greetings of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” We repeat the words of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Likewise, every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, we repeat the words of Christ during the Last Supper. We desire to repeat those words of God that creates and re-creates. One of the reasons why Jesus had to say “do this in memory of Me” is to make us value on the words that give blessings, power, enlightenment, renewal, forgiveness and life. Benedict XVI said: “God’s word is, so to speak, the purifying bath, the creative power which changes them and makes them belong to God.” (Verbum Domini 80). The Responsorial Psalm says: “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Let us reflect what this voice is all about. This is clarified in the readings today.

1. Prophetic voice- The first reading illustrates Moses as saying to the Israelites what he received from God. God desires to send a prophet and that they are called to listen to the prophet. Moses said: “A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kin; to him you shall listen.” A prophet is one who is the “mouthpiece” of God (nabi). He repeats the words spoken to him by God. God warns that whoever listens to the repeated word, will live while those who will not listen will die. He said: “Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it.” And if anyone who would listen to other words rather than the repeated word of the true prophet, he will also die. He said: “But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.”

2. Inner voice- In the second reading today, Paul reminds us about the importance of conscience as a source of joy and blessings. Listening to conscience is listening to God’s word. It is the voice of God which we hear in conscience. “In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience.” (GS 16). Paul says for a single man, he can be concerned all of the things of God while when he becomes a married man he may be concerned about the things of the world. He will indeed by concerned about his family, his future, his children, and his work. In the same way, a single woman may be concerned with the things of heaven it is because she does not need to be focus all her energies for God but when she will be married, she may be concerned about her family, her children and her husband. Both married man and woman may be divided in their undertakings each day. Paul said: “I should like you to be free of anxieties.” Therefore, one should listen to the inner voice which is once conscience. “Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths” (GS 16).

3. Shepherd’s voice. It is a common knowledge that a shepherd takes care of his own sheep and attends only to those who belongs to his own fold. Jesus on the sabbath, when he entered the synagogue and taught, was met by a man with an unclean spirit. He rebuked the man and said: “Quiet! Come out of him!” In Israel, all those who had predicaments, those who were sick, and those who were possessed by a demon were attributed to the effects of sin and usually they were marginalized. Jesus showed His authority over sin. His voice showed His concern for both sinners and saints, those who were well or those who were sick, those who were included and those who were excluded. The Shepherd’s voice is what makes one belong to the Kingdom of God and to be entitled with the blessings of God.

5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Jb 7:1-4, 6-7; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk 1:29-39 

Today’s readings focus on one of the most troubling human experiences which is human suffering. In spite of the inescapable reality of suffering in human life, man is not left alone in his predicaments. God is love (Deus Caritas Est) and He cannot leave man alone in painful experiences. His love is manifested in three manifestations: first, the mystery of the incarnation which God shows his solidarity with human conditions and life; second, the mystery of the Cross which shows God’s salvific way of the Cross of redeeming man from suffering; and third, the mystery of the resurrection which is God’s reward to man’s obedience to His will. In other words, there is a kind of suffering that is salvific and not only mere human suffering. Today’s reading however, focus on the reality of suffering and how will we understand suffering according to God’s desire to save us. Let us look into the readings the three important reminders regarding the Christian understanding of salvific suffering.

1. Suffering is essential to the human person. Through suffering, the human person realizes the importance of transcendence. Suffering enables the human person to transcend from suffering and that provides him the opportunity to call on God. John Paul II said: “what we express by the word “suffering” seems to be particularly essential to the nature of man. It is as deep as man himself, precisely because it manifests in its own way that depth which is proper to man, and in its own way surpasses it. Suffering seems to belong to man’s transcendence: it is one of those points in which man is in a certain sense “destined” to go beyond himself, and he is called to this in a mysterious way” (Salvifici Doloris 2). Though suffering is inseparable from human existence, yet there is always a way face suffering. He has the capacity to go beyond himself by realizing his condition. In the first reading Job became aware of his plight. He becomes aware of suffering: “I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.” He complains about life: “s not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages.” He reminisces: “Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.” Yet, he can go beyond himself by seeking for God to help him. The story of Job prepares us for Christ who was like him, innocent yet was being ostracized by those who were around him.

2. Suffering can be a form of recompense. St. Paul knew how he had transgressed the Lord for destroying the Church and to have Christians put to death. Yet, as he lives in a new life in Christ after his conversion, he now does his ministry in recompense to the abominable things he did before his conversion. He ardently proclaimed Christ to the Gentiles as what he was commissioned to do. In the second reading today, we witnessed St. Paul saying: “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” He was aware that as a recompense for destroying the Church, he has to obey and proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Besides, he further said: “What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” Thus, we suffer and in our pains and sacrifices we find our way of doing penance for the wrong we have done against the Lord. John Paul II said: “Suffering must serve for conversion, that is, for the rebuilding of goodness in the subject, who can recognize the divine mercy in this call to repentance. The purpose of penance is to overcome evil, which under different forms lies dormant in man. Its purpose is also to strengthen goodness both in man himself and in his relationships with others and especially with God.” (Salvifici Doloris 12).

3. Suffering is the opportunity where God meets us. The Gospel today reminds us of Jesus making His way towards the condition of those who suffer. The mother-in-law of Simon lay sick with fever, Jesus was informed about it. Mark specifically shows Jesus’ solidarity with the sick by these meaningful gestures: 1) he came to her; 2) he held her hand; 3) and raised her up. This is symbolic of Jesus’ solidarity and God’s way of meeting the person. Because of the sickness of the mother-in-law of Simon, the crowd encountered the healing power of Christ. Because of her sickness, the disciples of the Lord realized that in moments of pain and suffering, they have to call on the Lord, and because of her suffering, she encountered the Lord personally.

6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Job 7:1-4, 6-7; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk 1:29-39 

 Mark’s gospel on the healing ministry of Jesus illustrates not only the power of Jesus was revealed but to heal was manifesting also the mercy of God. Through healing, Jesus reveals the heart of God which is all about mercy. We all know that everything depends on God’s mercy. In the midst of life’s uncertainty and the mystery of suffering, it is mercy that is proper to every human being in the world. John Paul II said that: “Jesus makes mercy one of the principal themes of His preaching.” (Dives in Misercordia 3) Let us reflect on the value of the gift of mercy of God expressed in the readings today.

1. Mercy speaks of the heart of God- Jesus uses the occasion of healing the leper as an opportunity to reveal the heart of God which is mercy. Pope Francis said that “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.” His mission was to reveal the identity of the Father who “rich in mercy” (dives in misercordia). The Gospel of Mark does not have any infancy narratives of Jesus nor any genealogy of the forbears of Christ however, he begins to speak in his Gospel about John the Baptist and the ministry of Christ which was focused on the proclamation of the Kingdom through healing. It is in healing that the mercy of God becomes visible and tangible. Pope Francis continues to say that mercy sums up “the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him.”

2. Mercy is the power of God- St. Thomas Aquinas said that mercy is not a sign of weakness on the part of God but it is the strength of God to overcome evil. He said “It is proper to God to exercise mercy, and he manifests his omnipotence particularly in this way.” Pope Francis commented that “Saint Thomas Aquinas’ words show that God’s mercy, rather than a sign of weakness, is the mark of his omnipotence.” In the healing of the leper, Jesus demonstrated the power of God over punishment and sin. Power is not measured of physical strength but by the power and disposition to be a recipient of God’s grace. Pope Francis continued to say “His being merciful is concretely demonstrated in his many actions throughout the history of salvation where his goodness prevails over punishment and destruction.” Since goodness always triumphs over evil, all our undertaking should glorify God. St. Paul, in the second reading today reminded us “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

3. Mercy is at the foundation of the social life- the Gospel and the first reading speak of the tremendous suffering one has when he is infected by leprosy. In the first reading, a leprous person has to proclaim himself as “unclean” once the priest declares himself as unclean. The impact to on him and the society is horrible. The leprous person will be marginalized. He has to be isolated from the community. Besides, they always attribute before that any form of disease is an effect of sin either is emanated from a personal sin or the sin of the parents. In the Gospel today, Jesus has to heal the leprous person in order to bring down the point- personal sin leads to social sin. Because of leprosy, the society develops alienation and passes judgment over the leprous person. Thus, this has been the occasion that Jesus has to show to the people that mercy is greater than any form of disease or evil related activity. Jesus manifested the Father’s mercy by healing the leper to show that it is mercy that heals the society when one returns to the society restored back to health.

The readings today speak of the wonderful call of the Lord towards healing and reconciliation. The Book of Genesis records the origin of a wound that man experiences after sinning against the Lord. Man, now desires to heal the wounds that disturbs and destroys his relationship with God and his fellow human beings. John Paul II mentioned about man’s need and yearning for reconciliation as a result of a pain that he got from sin. He said that there is an “unmistakable desire among people of good will and true Christians to mend the divisions, to heal the wounds and to re-establish at all levels an essential unity.” (Reconciliatio et Paenitentia no.3). Let us reflect on the 4 important elements being revealed about God in our readings that will lead us to appreciate the gift of reconciliation and mercy.

1. God initiates- the readings today speak of God who makes the first move towards man in the midst of his helpless situation. It is God who approaches man in his predicament because sin brings loneliness, pain, anxiety, disturbance, and suffering. In the first reading today, we were told in the Book of Genesis that God begins to search for man. This search does not entail a geographic location but a status. God initiates to search for the lost humanity. It entails God’s initiative to bring forgiveness and reconciliation.

2. God reveals the reality of sin- God demonstrates to man the effects of sin. First, sin makes us afraid. Second, sin makes hide. Third, sin tends to blame others. Fourth, sin points to others rather than accepting one’s own fault.

3. God never condemns- In the Book of Genesis, we were told that God never condemned after He asked “why” they did eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. God instead condemned the serpent for all the mess in the garden. This illustrates that the ultimate gift God could give to man is His mercy. In the Second Reading today, St. Paul clarifies that our weakness and sinfulness cannot be hindrances to approach God but rather they are ways to solidify our faith with Him. He said: “Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

4. God is saddened against unforgivable sin- In the Gospel today, Jesus reveals the ultimate sin that man is capable of doing and that sin is unforgivable to God. Jesus said to His disciples: “Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” This means that when man ultimately rejects salvation even during the last moment of his life, his sin will not be forgiven.

Today’s readings are full of images and prophecies. They foreshadow the future events that will happen in Israel especially in Jerusalem. They all speak about the salvation that will happen in Judah. It will be the coming of the messianic reign. There are 4 images illustrated in the readings that point to the primacy of Jerusalem lead also to their importance of Christ.

1. Cedar- the cedar tree has been used as a figurative image of the God’s benevolence and His identity. It is used to describe important persons and foundation of buildings. It is known to be the first of all trees because it the tree planted by God (Ps 104:16). In the first reading today, we were told that: “I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot…” It is strong and durable (Is 9:10) and it graceful and beautiful (Ps 80:10; Ez 17:23). It is high and tall (Amos 2:9) and fragrant (Song of Songs 4:11) and it spread far and wide (Ps 80:10-11). The use of the cedar for spiritual meaning would allude to a servant of God who will be coming to Israel. He will radiate the goodness, fragrance, strength, encompassing and the gracefulness of God.

2. Mountain- The Prophet prophesized that the cedar tree’s location will be on a mountain. It was God who said that He will “plant it on a high and lofty mountain; on the mountain heights of Israel, I will plant it.” The cedar tree will be taken cared of by God and that tree would bear fruit and it will be attractive to all the peoples. The mountain of the Lord will be drawing peoples to itself because of the cedar tree. The wood of the cedar will be symbolic of healing. The cedar wood that was used to prepare the water of separation and to purify leprosy (Leviticus 14:4-7). In other words, it would be a source of salvation.

3. Tree- from the Cedar Tree, the mention of the importance of “tree” here catches our attention. The “tree” now will significantly refer to the Cross of Christ which will be planted on that special mountain in Israel. We were told that it will spread its branches and will bear fruit. Birds of the air will come to build their nests and find their rest. It was prophesied that all the trees of the field will know the “tree” of the Lord. The mention of the birds will be symbolic of the peoples who will be attracted with the tree of the Lord. In the Gospel today, Jesus mentioned the same imagery. He mentioned of the mustard seed as the smallest of all seeds but when full grown, it would be the largest of all bushes. It is a small seed, “but once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” It may appear insignificant, but it will be a powerful tree in a later time.

4. Farmer- The readings today speak of God as the farmer. He is the one who will plant the cedar tree on the mountain of Israel as well as he is the farmer referred to in the Gospel who sows the mustard seed. In other words, God is the source of life, of growth, of food, of attraction, of sturdiness and of the path towards the Kingdom of God. He is the farmer who sleeps as the seed grows.

Today readings invite us to grow deeper in our faith. It is not enough to know Jesus simply but to deepen our relationship with Him. Joy is always the fruit of one’s adherence to the Gospel. Pope Francis said: “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew.” (EG 1). We all know that we need God’s benevolence that we may be healed, guided, shaped, and transformed. We need God’s grace to feed us and to make us satisfied in many of our undertakings. There are 5 moments that our relationship with God deepens.

1. Develop more- Jesus desires that we develop more, spend time more, love Him more, stay with him more. This is illustrated in the Gospel last Sunday and today’s Gospel. In the previous Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus told His disciples about the Parable of the Mustard Seed. He said the farmer sowed seeds and the seed grows and he knows not. He does his daily undertaking and sleeps as the seed germinates, sprouts, and grows. The farmer sleeps as the seed grows. Today, the Gospel tells us that Jesus sleeps as there was a big squall and strong winds. The farmer and Jesus are just one person and Jesus wants us to insinuate more that it is in discovering and rediscovering, visiting and revisiting the depths and grace of the stories as well as discovering Jesus more that we deepen our faith and relationship with Him.

2. Accept Suffering- suffering is an ample occasion and opportunity to grow and deepen one’s faith. In the first reading today, God demonstrates that no any human being has the ultimate capacity to surpass the greatness of the Lord. Job was tried by faith and in the midst of all his complaints and problems, the Lord reveals who He is. God said to him: “Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands? When I set limits for it and fastened the bar of its door, and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stilled!” This is exactly what Benedict XVI said: “Instead of evil being unleashed within man, the light shines victorious: suffering—without ceasing to be suffering—becomes, despite everything, a hymn of praise.” (Spe Salvi 37)

3. Spread Charity- The second reading today, illustrates the value of charity in the deepening of one’s faith and relationship with God. St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians provides the core and depth of what a Christian is: 1) it is the love of Christ that impels us; 2) the importance of the works of the spirit over the flesh; 3) every person who lives in the love of Christ is a new creation. St. Paul emphasizes that it is the love of Christ that overwhelms us, or excite us or drives us to be. Caritas Christi urget nos.

4. Trust in the Word- As the boat was tossed by a big squall and blown by strong winds, Jesus was awakened by His disciples because they were concerned about drowning. This symbolizes life’s trials and problems: looking for Christ is the beginning of the journey of hope. Jesus immediately rebuked the wind and the waves: “Quiet! Be Still!” And the wind and waves died down and followed a great calm. This illustrates the primacy of the Word of God. God’s word is effective and true. There is always an effect in every God’s word. In the Eucharist we repeat the words of consecration which were from the mouth of the Lord and the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.

5. Value Silence- It is in silence that God works in us. It is in silence that we encounter God. In every moment of prayer, God takes the initiative to meet us and He provides the venue for our encounter with Him. In the Gospel today, after the great “calm” the disciples began their journey of knowing Jesus more. They asked themselves, “who is this that even the wind, and sea obey?” Jesus provides the disposition where His disciples would be able to encounter and love Jesus more. There is a wonderful saying of an Indian philosopher and poet by the name of Rabindranath Tagore, he said: “The water in the vessel is sparkling; the water in the sea is dark; the small truth has words that are clear; the great truth has great silence.”

We have an event in the ministry of Jesus which is amazingly placed by Mark that would give us a strong message of faith and hope. It is about the daughter of Jairus who was raised from death to life. Jesus raises only three persons to life. The first was the son of a widow in Nain (Lk 7:11-17). As Jesus was approaching the town of Nain, he met a funeral procession and it was a burial event of a young man. Jesus approached the coffin and touch it and said: “Young man, I say to you. Rise up!” (Lk 7:14). The young man got up and walked. Second, the daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:21-43). Jesus said: “Talitha Koum” Little girl, rise up!” The third is Lazarus of Bethany (Jn 11:1-44). He said: “Lazarus, come out!” Faith is indeed a key source of the raising from the dead. Pope Francis said: “The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus.” There are five sources of grace illustrated by the readings today.

1. The person who prays for another- The Gospel speaks of Jairus who bravely approached Jesus for the healing of his daughter who was at the brink of death. We have to take note that Jairus was a synagogue official but we find him as having the courage to approach Jesus for help. His neighbors and friends have just announced that his daughter is dead. But because of his faith, Jesus raised his daughter to life. Jesus said to Jairus: “do not be afraid; just have faith.” Jairus represents the power of prayer and faith of a person for the benefit of others. This is the power of intercession. Pope Francis said: “Courage in prayer: a prayer that is not courageous is not a true prayer.”

2. The prayer of faith of a person- The Gospel today has an inserted episode of a 12-year-old girl who suffered from hemorrhages. She desired to be cured by Jesus. Her faith prompted her to say: “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” She was able to touch Jesus’ clothes and her flow of blood dried up. Jesus noticed that power has just come of out of him. Pope Francis said that the power of prayer of one who has faith, attracts the power of God.

3. The faith of the community- Collective prayer is powerful. Jesus said: Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Mt 18:19). In the Gospel, this is illustrated by Jesus who called in to the room: James, John and Peter as well as the parents of the child who just died. This illustrates the prayer of faith, the witness of faith, and the gift of faith.

4. The power of silence- Jesus demonstrates the importance of silence for the power of God to precipitate. We were told that as Jesus approached the house of Jairus, he noticed the commotion with wailing and crying loudly. He wanted them to halt their wailings and be silenced for the power of Jesus will happen shortly. This was the reason that Jesus did not allow them to be witnesses of Jesus’ raising of the daughter of Jairus. In silence, God works in mysterious ways. Cardinal Sarah said: “The Holy Spirit has no face and no speech.  He is silent by His divine nature.  The Spirit asks in silence from all eternity.  God speaks, Christ speaks, but the Holy Spirit is always expressed through the prophets, saints and men of God.”

5. Humble vigilance of Heart- the spiritual grace to be strong and resilient in life can come through humility. When challenges come in life, the vigilance of the heart is needed because it disposes one to understand, reflect, act, and pray to God. Obstacles to prayer become a challenging moment for one who has tried to develop faith. One of the remedies to this is to understand things that are around us. In the first reading, God reminds us that he is not the source of death and destruction but it is the evil one who envies the goodness of God. St. Paul likewise speaks in the second reading today that it is pride that separates us from God and from one another. To be able to conquer pride is to revisit and rediscover the mystery of the incarnation. St. Paul said: “For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”

This Sunday’s readings focus on suffering. All of us experience the pain of undergoing suffering. John Paul II said that suffering is “almost inseparable from man's earthly existence” (Salvifici Doloris 3). In the second reading, St. Paul calls it as “the thorn in the flesh.” This means that it appears to be unbearable to human existence. He prayed to the Lord that suffering would leave him. He said: “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.” This means that suffering would not leave him, inasmuch as he would realize even that Jesus underwent suffering on the cross. Thus, this Sunday’s readings would make us reflect the value of suffering as Christians. There are four things we have to reflect on:

First, suffering is the gateway towards a meaningful Christian life. Many would say that without the Cross there would be no Christianity or Christianity without the Cross is not Christianity at all. Pope Francis likewise said: “Christianity without a Cross is a worldly Christianity, and shows itself to be sterile.” The grace we need flows freely to us from Christ if we learn how to suffer with Him. This means that we have to have our share of suffering in life and offer it to Christ to elicit the meaning behind such an experience. St. Paul reminds us that in the midst of one’s vulnerability in suffering, the power of Christ becomes discernible.

Second, suffering leads us to the virtue of hope. Christian suffering is unique in many ways. It is a suffering that is linked with the virtue of hope. Besides, Christian suffering finds its ultimate meaning in the gift of hope. Suffering in Christ meant the inseparability between suffering and hope. It was St. Paul who said: “"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Rom 5:3-5)

Third, suffering is a call to endurance. Jesus said: “those who will endure to the end, will be saved.” He shows the path towards blessings, graces, answers to our needs, and even salvation if one develops endurance. Thus, Jesus does not want that we run away from suffering. He wants us to develop the virtue of endurance that we may be saved. John Paul II would like to explain this further: “Suffering as it were, contains a special call to the virtue which man must exercise on his own part. And this is the virtue of perseverance in bearing whatever disturbs and causes harm. In doing this, the individual unleashes hope, which maintains in him the conviction that suffering will not get the better of him, that it will not deprive him of his dignity as a human being, a dignity linked to awareness of the meaning of life.” (Salvifici Doloris 23) Jesus showed this when He was not accepted in His own native place. Though it was hard for Him to proclaim about the Kingdom of God and perform mighty deeds there, He still continued to heal those who were infirmed and laid hands on them.

Fourth, suffering makes us know who we are and who they are. Suffering finds its roots from ourselves and from those outside and around us. It is inevitable to human existence yet it has its path towards us that identifies a direction of understanding our weaknesses, vulnerabilities, strengths, and even our capacity towards transcendence. It clarifies our identity. John Paul II said about suffering: “It is as deep as man himself, precisely because it manifests in its own way that depth which is proper to man, and in its own way surpasses it.” (Salvifici Doloris 2). The Prophet Ezekiel in the first reading today, realizes the nature of being a prophet: the inseparability of suffering with his ministry. Yet, the higher value it has was about God’s revelation of whom Ezekiel was sent for: “hard of face and obstinate of heart.” The Prophet Ezekiel now knows more about his identity as one who will suffer as a prophet in the midst of a people who are hard to deal with.

The readings this Sunday focus on one of our missions which is being a prophet. A prophet comes from the Hebrew word “nabi” which means the “mouthpiece” of the Lord. He is one who proclaims, who reminds, who speaks, and who announces. When one reminds a person the moral obligations he has to undertake, takes the role of a prophet. When husband and wife exhort their children about the prayers they have to say, live out the life of a prophet. When one has to live the virtues demanded of a Christian witness in the midst of an unbelieving society, he becomes a prophet in the name of Christ. How about ourselves? Where do we lead ourselves? We all are called to be prophets and this is our Christian vocation. Pope Francis understands the meaning of a prophet: “a prophet is a living sign who points God out to others, a prophet is a reflection of God’s light on the path of his brothers and sisters.” To take our vocation as prophets in our own situations and contexts entails a challenging work but it becomes a source of God’s grace. Let us look into the readings today which all remind us of what is to be a true prophet of the Lord. Let us look into these three things.

First, a true prophet of God will always receive authority and power. As God uses people as instruments of His love and healing, He also equips them with His divine power and authority. How is this manifested? Through their prayer and laying on of hands, they were able to heal the sick and drive out demons. In other words, they became instruments of miracles and the most important thing is that they became witnesses of God’s loving and healing hand. We were told in the Gospel today that: “So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons.” When we stand for God and be His agents of mercy and healing, then we would grow in faith. The surest source of God’s power and authority is the Word. Through the Word, we become agents of His divine life and love. Pope Francis warns us that if a “prophet” does not listen to God: “Yet if he does not take time to hear God’s word with an open heart, if he does not allow it to touch his life, to challenge him, to impel him, and if he does not devote time to pray with that word, then he will indeed be a false prophet, a fraud, a shallow impostor.”

Second, a true prophet undergoes suffering for the Lord. Rejection is one of the most disgusting experiences of a prophet. The opposition of people is one of the hardest things a prophet has to face in his life. He works, stands on behalf of the one who sent him, and he might generously answer God’s call to fraternal correction, the exhortations and advices, the call to repentance and moral uprightness but he is not accepted and welcome. The Prophet Amos was sent by God to the northern part of Israel. As one coming from the southern part, he was not recognized in the north. We were told that the Prophet Amos has to be sent back to Judah. He was sternly told by Amaziah, the priest of Bethel: ““Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!  There, earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos has to realize that to be rejected by the people would be a foreshadowing of a greater rejection in the future. Rejection became a “scandal” in their midst. Jesus was rejected by His own townsfolk. Pope Francis commented: “the Gospel tells us that Jesus was a cause of scandal to them (cf. Mk 6:3), but the word “scandal” does not refer to something obscene or indecent as we use it today; scandal means “a stumbling block,” that is, an obstacle, a hindrance, something that impedes you and prevents you from going further. Let us ask ourselves: What is the obstacle that prevents believing in Jesus?

Third, a true prophet performs the anointing of the sick for healing. Jesus commissioned His disciples to anoint those who are sick. As the disciples performed the anointing of the sick, it is actually Jesus who is anointing. The Church in turn anoints the sick in the name of the sacrament of the anointing to continue the ministry of Jesus. Paul VI said: “The Catholic Church professes and teaches that the Sacred Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven Sacraments of the New Testament, that it was instituted by Christ and that it is “alluded to” in Mark (Mk. 6:13) and recommended and promulgated to the faithful by James the apostle and brother of the Lord. If any one of you is ill, he says, he should send for the elders of the church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him.” Thus, the anointing of the sick is one of the marks of a true prophet because it is directed towards its link with Christ.

The readings today focus on leadership. Leadership does not refer to positions and structures but rather they point to values, principles of handling people and situations, inspirations regarding undertakings, and core beliefs that navigate people especially in facing challenges and difficult situations. One of the contemporary authors and pastors by the name of John Maxwell said that: “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Leadership is not the same as management. It is all about leading people. Mahatma Gandhi said: “I thought leadership was about muscles; it is all about being with people.” In this celebration of the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the readings focus on the value of leadership in relation to redemption and the blessing of God. Leadership was used by God as an instrument to reveal His identity. Let us look into the four forms of leadership God desires to reveal Himself.

First, the leadership of a shepherd. A shepherd is different from just a management strategy. A shepherd shows his leadership through 4 ways: 1) by his own heart. Jesus presents the heart of a shepherd. Upon looking at the vast crowd following them, we were told that His heart was moved with pity for “they were like sheep without as shepherd.” This phrase is found in the prayer of Moses in Numbers 27:16. 2) by green pastures. The responsorial psalm today speaks of God as the shepherd who leads His people to abundance or refreshing moments, 3) by his goodness. The leadership of the shepherd is all about goodness even to the point of death, he will always be at the side, 4) by his reconciliation. The shepherd has a heart of peace. The Psalmist says that instead of revenge and violence, he comes to “spread a table before me in the sight of all my foes.”

Second, the leadership of a King. God desires a kingship that is according to his plan. In the first reading today, we were told that God will raise a king from the “righteous shoot to David” and his leadership will be marked by what is 1) wise, 2) just, and 3) right.

Third, the leadership of the Lord. A leadership that has to do with the Lord is a leadership which has to do with prayer, trust, and love. The Prophet Jeremiah prophesies that the leadership of the Lord will bring salvation and security into the life of the people of Israel. The prophet affirms that “this is the name they give him: “The LORD our justice.”

Fourth, the leadership of a peacemaker. The leadership that the Lord will establish is a leadership that is not characterized with war, conflict, destruction but a leadership of peace. In the second reading today, St. Paul identifies the leadership of Christ as one that is willing to die and suffer for the people. He said: “for he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace.”