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THE WORD

Rev 21,9-14 / Jn 1,45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”  Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the g tree? You will see greater things than this.”  And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Bartolomew who was known to be a doctor in the Jewis law, a dear friend of St. Philip the Apostle. Bartholomew and Nathanael in today’s gospel are the same person under different names. Because Bartholomew was a man “in whom there was no guile,” his mind was open to the truth. He went willingly with Philip to see Christ, and recognized In St. John’s Gospel, Bartholomew is known by the name Nathaniel though the liturgy does not always seem aware of this identity. He hailed from Cana in Galilee, was one of the first disciples called by the Lord. On that initial meeting Jesus uttered the glorious compliment: “Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile!” After the Resurrection he was favored by becoming one of the few apostles who witnessed the appearance of the risen Savior on the sea of Galilee (John 21:2).  Following the Ascension he is said to have preached in Greater Armenia and to have been martyred there. While still alive, his skin was torn from his body.

Today’s gospel and feast inspire and challenge us to cleanse our hearts from pride and prejudice and like Nathaniel see Jesus who satisfies the longing of our waiting and seeking heart. With Nathaniel we confess: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

  • Fr. Doms O. Ramos, SVD | Pindangan, San Fernando, La Union

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

 

THE WORD

2 Thes 2,1-3.14-16 / Mt 23, 23-26

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and delity. (But) these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

The importance of inner beauty, pure motivation and charity from the heart, more than an outward show, is central to today’s Gospel. Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law who “meticulously clean the outside of the cup and dish” but inwardly are full of “what they have gotten by violence and selfishness”. For Jesus, what really counts is love from the heart, manifested in the good works for one’s neighbor.

We have modern-day Pharisees too (myself included) like those told in the Gospel. Thanks be to God, we still have the chance to examine ourselves and amend our lives. On reflection, God made me what I am and gave me what I have. How is my gratitude to Him manifested? Do I faithfully use for Him and the mission his gifts to me? Is there an area in my life where I do not acknowledge his sovereignty? May I strive to be guided by what the Holy Scriptures say: “There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before His eyes.” Heb. 4:13; “…He will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people’s minds.”1 Cor. 4: 5; “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7.

The Church remembers today St. Rose of Lima, the patroness of Latin America and the secondary patroness of the Philippines. She did not glory in her physical beauty. Her inner beauty was exemplary: a life of charity especially to the poor and the sick, and she did acts of morti cation to please God. May St. Rose of Lima, pray for us.

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Bartolomew who was known to be a doctor in the Jewish law, a dear friend of St. Philip the Apostle. Bartholomew and Nathanael in today’s gospel are the same person under different names. Because Bartholomew was a man “in whom there was no guile,” his mind was open to the truth. He went willingly with Philip to see Christ, and recognized the Savior immediately as the Son of God.

  • Fr. Frances Grace Solis, S.Sp.S. | CHS, Tarlac

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

2 Thes 1,1-5.11-12 / Mt 23,13-22

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”

IN OTHER WORDS

 “And the new Miss (whatever title) is Miss…”

Most Filipinos are beauty pageant fans. A town fiesta is not complete without crowning a new queen. That is why more women are aspiring to become beauty queens someday.

Today, we celebrate the Queenship of the Blessed Mother. Yes, she has all the right to be called the “Queen.” First, Mary is a queen because of her humility and simplicity. Despite her status as the “Mother of the Savior,” she remains grounded. She is always there working silently and diligently for her son. Second is that she is grace under pressure. Remember the wedding in Cana, the finding of her son in the temple and the passion of Jesus? With her strong faith in the Father and her total surrender to His will, she overcame all the challenges in her life. She faced all these bravely. Lastly, she is the epitome of perfection every woman can aspire for: an obedient daughter to her parents, Joachim and Anne; an obedient child of the Father; a sensitive relative to those in need and ready to extend her helping hands; a loving wife to Joseph and a doting mother to Jesus. Every woman is a queen especially if she becomes an inspiration to others. Whatever status she  has in life, she can make a difference.

  • Fr. Jun D. Perez, SVD | Ansan City, South Korea

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

THE WORD

FIRST READING: Is 66,18-21

I am coming to gather all nations and tongues; they shall come and see my glory. I will place a sign among them; from them I will send survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands which have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your kin from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

SECOND READING: Heb 12,5-7.11-13

You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.”

Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

GOSPEL: Lk 13, 22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’

And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’

And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.

And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

 

IN OTHER WORDS

Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” This is Jesus’ answer to the question whether there will only be a few people who will be saved.

It is interesting to note that the original Greek word for which the English word “striving” stands is agōnia which literally means struggle or fight.  The noun agōnia—from which the English word agony is derived—comes from the root word agōn which denotes competition or contest in the isthmian games.

Thus, the striving which the Evangelist Luke refers to is similar to that kind of dogged striving that Manny Pacquiao does every time he prepares for his next boxing bout. For the word agōnia was primarily used by the Greeks in the context of sportive competition like wrestling match or discus throwing.

The verb agónizomai bears this out—meaning to compete or contend for a prize or trophy.  Only those athletes who are strong, skillful, and single-minded win the prize and deserve the laurel of glory.

To some extent, Christian life is comparable to a sports competition. It is also characterized by serious striving and struggle requiring one’s utmost concentration, eff ort, and sacri ce. To be honest, for example, demands a lot of constancy and practice. One does not become honest simply by being truthful in one instance; an honest person is one who mindfully practices honesty everyday in such a manner that it becomes second nature.

The same is true with the virtues of charity, patience, and forgiveness. They are acquired through determination and habit. Like the world of sports, therefore, Christian life is a commitment where excellence matters.  And that is what the phrase “striving to enter the narrow door” is meant to convey.

It was the practice of teachers in ancient times to shut the door on students who came late for classes and exclude them from the group for the whole week. This was to instill in them the lessons of respect, punctuality, and earnestness. Such morals are also demanded of us, followers of Jesus.

For commitment to Jesus is the fruit of one’s resolute striving and steadfastness.

  • Fr. Raymun J. Festin, SVD | Christ the King Seminary

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

 

 

More Articles ...

  1. August 20, 2016 Saturday
  2. August 19, 2016 Friday
  3. August 18, 2016 Thursday
  4. August 17, 2016 Wednesday
  5. August 16, 2016 Tuesday
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