When I was still in the Philippines
discerning and weighing my decision to come here to the US , this gospel reading in Feb. 4,
2007 caught my attention, confirmed and
gave me confidence in what I was planning to do and eventually did. It was
specifically the bible passage in Luke 5:4-6 "Jesus said to Peter,
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said
in reply, "Master we have worked hard all night and caught nothing but at
your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this they caught a
great number of fish their nets were tearing." Just like Peter who was
skeptical at that time I was also feeling so unsure about my decisions then and
this phrase really had a great impact on me back then coupled with the priest's
homily that went with it. That was like more than 6 years ago now. Just like
Peter I made a decision and in my own personal way is a response to God's call.
The place where Jesus chose His Apostles and also where the apostles
immediately left everything and followed Jesus was by the water in the Sea of
Galilee (Luke 5:10-11). The lyrics of the song entitled, "Lord, you have
come" has a background setting which is biblically based on the gospel
stories of the call of Jesus to Peter and the apostles at the Sea of Galilee. I
can still remember very well the first time I heard this song last January 18,
2009 during Holy Communion, at St. Christopher Church. It really made me cry for it again reminded
me of that bible passage which I have earlier quoted and said to be very
significant to me. It has become one of my favorite songs that we regularly
sing in the Church. In fact I have been constantly sharing how this song has
tremendously touched me when I first heard and knew about it here in the US . Though, I haven't exactly or fully known or
understood everything yet during that time. All I knew was that it held a
special and deep meaning that touched my heart in an unexplainable way owing to
the occasions and incidences that were connected and related to it. But I
believe God in His awesome and almighty wisdom, intelligence and knowledge
reveals things in stages for the benefit of our limited capacities and
understanding. The series of events and daily readings became an eye opener and
has given me a better understanding of all the things that have happened since.
Sometimes I come to a point when I also ask myself the same question that was
asked by the 1st christians in Acts 2: 37 "Now when they heard this, they
were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are
we to do, my brothers?” ..." I
realized it is always good to look back, recall and never forget those times in
our lives when Jesus was calling us for a certain task or encouraging us to go
on and decided to follow and obey. We can always be confident and full of hope
that whatever is the outcome of our decision for as long as we know that we
have consulted it to God in prayer and have acted with our best ability then we
are always safe and secure. This message which I have associated with the water
by the Sea of Galilee has been very persistent
which I am again being reminded of in today's 1st reading. Amen. Hallelujah!
Exodus 2:1-15a
... called him Moses; for she said, “I drew him out of the
water.”...
The mention of the watery depths in today's psalm reading
should remind us of our own personal experiences. We are never alone. It is
undeniable that God is good. We must realize that He is present in each and
every person we meet. The earth is really full of the goodness of the
Lord. God always send us the right
people at the right time and the right situation. Although there are also some
setbacks and we are still experiencing the ups and downs of our faith we just
have to consider everything as a part of our daily walk in the shore of the Sea of Galilee with Christ at our side. Here are some
pointers for review to strengthen our faith in God
I. Man needs to be saved because of his fallen nature. (Rom
7:21-24 & CCC 1949)
-Man is dominated by
greed, pride and lust (CCC 407 & 1 Jn 5:19 ) The devil has acquired a
certain domination (Gal 5:19) and we are engaged in a battle that has been won
but does not stop there since we have to always put on our guard for the enemy
does not rest. He called the whole process of being saved as
"justification" .
II. "Man is
saved by God's grace alone based on CCC 1996.
-The question is how does the grace of God become an active
part of our life or "by what are we justified?" The example he gave
here was a newborn baby who is baptized. A baby has not merited anything yet
but is saved by the mere act of being baptized. He mentioned about Martin
Luther's despair about his salvation which led him to formulate the doctrine of
justification by "Faith alone"
He misunderstood the Bible passage Rom 3:28 which mentioned faith alone apart
from works of the law. Paul in this letter to the Romans was pertaining to the
Jewish Law which is being practiced during their time like circumcision,
washing of the hands and the like which are practices that can not really
justify a person. Faith alone doctrine states that justification simply means being
"declared righteous" We can not just be declared righteous but be
made righteous by not continuing to sin.
III. Justification actually means being "made
righteous" i.e. it entails the sanctification of his whole being (CCC
1989, 1990, &1995) We are justified not by faith alone nor by works alone.
Justification has its stages i.e. initial and progressive. Initial
justification takes place at our baptism. We still have a tendency to backslide
and during the hour of death is the period of intense spiritual battle over our
soul. That is why we need to mature in our faith.
IV. Certainty of Salvation
"Once saved, always saved?" If we believe in this it tends to put off our
guard. (1 Jn 5:13-14) We should say instead "I know I am saved, still
being saved and will continue to be saved." Justification is a life long process as
stated by Paul in 1 Cor. 4:3-5, 9:27. In Phil 2:12 Paul also encouraged us to
work out our salvation with fear and trembling. For the enemy is waging war on
us and we need to be very aware of this and claim God's protection over us at
all times. (Eph.6:11-12)
V. Epistles against works?
I guess there have been some misunderstanding here of the
following bible verses:
Rom. 3:28 (Obedience of faith) Martin Luther based his
belief on faith alone on this specific verse he failed to see that Paul in
addition to what was mentioned earlier was attacking the Jews with regards to
their ceremonial laws and that it not enough to just hear the law but to
observe it. (Rom 4:5 Total adherence) An example he gave was attending the mass
not just as an obligation but with the heart. Consider it a privilege and do it
for the love of God. He said we are saved by grace not by works but we obtain
the grace of God by good works and the motive is mercy (Eph. 2:8-9 and Titus
3:5)
VI. Epistles supporting "Works"
Here are several bible passages cited to us by Atty Moya
that support the need for us to cooperate and work with God. James 2: 14-22
& 24 say that faith without action is dead. From the gospel of Matthew:
What must I do to be saved? (Mt. 19:16-21) When the rich man asked this
question he was told to keep the commandments and he said he already did so
Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor for he is very
attached to his possessions that he has to let go of all attachments. We are
also called to keep our fire burning for the Lord so that we don't end up like
the 5 virgins in the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Mt 25:1-13. The same
principle applies with the Parable of the Talents or Silver pieces that we have
to cultivate the goodness in ourselves and let it grow. It is also very clear
from Mt. 25 31-46 which mentions about the last judgment that we can not just
accept the Grace of salvation but needs to do our part, too since it
specifically stated here that whatever we have failed to do will go to eternal
punishment. Also it is stated in Mt 7:21-27 that we need to live His words
because not everybody who says "Lord" will enter the kingdom of
heaven for there is a need to turn away from our wrongdoings. He said that
there is no dichotomy between Christ and His doctrine. If we really believe in
God then we also need to do what He teaches. The will of God will never take us
to where the grace of God will not protect us. God knows exactly and with
perfection what is being allowed to happen to us in our lives at this precise
moment. God's purpose for us is simply perfect. He wants to show us things that
only we can understand by living what we are living and by being in the place
we are now. In the midst of all these unsightly things there should always be a
burning flame of hope that God will never forsake nor abandon. We should always
maintain our confidence in God and never lose hope and courage in the great
love that God has for us. The ignorance of our faith is ignorance about Jesus.
We may sometimes think that evangelization is just work for the priests and the
religious. It is not limited to them but anyone who is baptized should take on
this responsibility. JFK said, "Here on earth, God's work must truly be
our own." Nothing should ever stop us from being part of the work of God.
God made man in His own image and likeness. (Gen 1:26) In this context we need
to define personhood well and know the perils of limited definition. It could
be classified into 2 definitions, nominal and real. Nominal definition of
personhood is decided by man. It is approaching something that we don't know
but we already have the answer. We make decisions and play God. The dangers of
this definition of a person are:
1. nominal- when we deny to identify a person as a real person. Example is
abortion, when doctors deny the fact that at the moment of conception a person
already exists. 2. real but limited - We do not deny but identify them as persons but with lesser worth like the sick and terminally ill. Just because they are old, weak and sick they deserve to die as in the case of euthanasia.
3. full and real but limited - Kills people as in the Holocaust.
The whole principle involved here is discovery and deciding. When our approach is discovery then we are being lead to the events in our life with a sense of total surrender, trust and faith in the Lord's
We should ascribe to the real definition of personhood. It answers the question what, how and what is it meant to be. Our approach in life to achieve faith and righteousness is by discovery and through an authentic Christian life. It is discovery in the sense that we are open to the intention and purpose of God for us. With a seeking and expectant faith we should allow God to lead us in discovering what is ahead of us and prepared by God. The approach should be in a manner of discovering what God's intention is and respecting it. Checklist of Evangelization.
1. Do we see God as the Primary agent?
God is the Primary Agent of Evangelization. It is not about us but about God.
2. Do we see Evangelization as everyone's responsibility?
We must not end up like the
3. Do we communicate God's love?
4. Is total human betterment part of the ministry?
5. Do we respect other traditions?
God does not take sides. There is an equal opportunity for all but we have to make sure that we are on God's side. We need to rid ourselves of any triumphant or arrogant attitude towards people of other faith. The Abrahamic religion has a common denominator which is belief in God. We are not the sole professor of truth. We need to listen for God's revelation from others, too not only from us.
6. Does our love go beyond Catholic borders?
The
7. Is our approach ecumenical?
We do not have the monopoly of God because the Good News has no border and dealt with a common faith.
8. Do we use all available media?
The best media is our own life, no need for TV. The example of how we live our life is the best means to evangelize. Walk the talk.
9. Do we fully utilize existing groups?
Ministries that renew and energize members.
10. What is our total image?
We've got to maintain a wholesome image unlike the Crusaders, though they were able to convert many to the faith, the spread of the Good News was carried out using the sword.
We must take extra care in projecting the right image as
Good Messengers of the Good News. We should not have any fear or hesitation in carrying out
the task that the Lord has given us. In our commitment to follow the
Lord there are times when we encounter disappointments. We can say that serving
God is not lying on a bed of roses, though God rewards those who obey Him we
have to realize that we too must share in the passion of Christ if we truly are
His followers. For
we know that the Lord in His great love, is always there for us. What
matters most is that we always call on God and allow His saving power to rescue
us. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 69:3. 14. 30-31. 33-34
R: Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
2 [3] I am sunk in the abysmal swamp where there is no
foothold; I have reached the watery depths; the flood overwhelms me. (R) 13
[14] But I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! In your
great kindness answer me with your constant help. R I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. R. “See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his
own who are in bonds he spurns not.” R.
We can not deny it! God has done a lot of great and
marvelous things for us. The problem is, the people of our generation has
become insensitive, oblivious and simply stubborn to God's call. Let's choose
the right course of action before it's too late. Let us not disappoint Jesus by
always striving to recall, remember and be driven to the right course of action
whenever God reveals to us the mighty deeds He has done in our lives. If we are
to really examine our life, we'll find that there have been many instances in
our life when God has undeniably shown His mighty deeds and power. In fact we
need not look long and far and just look at ourselves right here and now. Every
single day that we are gifted with is already a great blessing in itself and
not many people realize this all the time. The very moment that we were able to
wake up this morning already meant that we were able to go through the night
and still rise up to face a new day. We should always be alert, sober and not
oblivious of these divine truths. We wouldn't want to hear these words of Jesus
in today's gospel being addressed to us when our time comes. We would rather be
full of joy rather than woe when we enter life in eternity. Everything in this
world passes away, not a single one holds a permanent and lasting effect. We
could be enjoying a delicious meal at this moment but it would be over soon. It
could be a nice movie or whatever we enjoy doing. Nothing lasts forever and all
is bound to end. It would be nice to know that if we commit a life dedicated to
God by turning away from sin then we can look forward to a life of eternal
happiness and joy. In fact, it's not just looking forward but to enjoy right
now. If we read with care the beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke
6:20-23 we will notice that all the beatitudes that were enumerated are stated
in the future tense except for the first which is "Blessed are you who are
poor, for the kingdom
of God
Matthew 11:20-24
20 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his
mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. 21 “Woe to you,
Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida !
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre
and Sidon , they
would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will
be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23
And as for you, Capernaum :
‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ For if
the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom , it would have remained until this day.
24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom
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