Feast of the Archangels

John 1:47-51

Today, the Church honors the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. One would notice that each of these names ends with el, a Hebrew word for God. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael carry the name of God and remind us of His active, loving presence in our lives.

The name Michael in Hebrew means “Who is like God?” In the Book of Revelation, the archangel Michael leads a group of angels in a fierce battle against Satan and company (12:1-17). Michael’s army successfully expels the rebellious angels from heaven. In the Book of Daniel, Michael is acknowledged as the protector of the people of Israel. Hence, tradition honors him as the great defender of the Church against the forces of evil.

Gabriel’s name in Hebrew means “The Power of God.” Some theologians suggest that Gabriel is better translated as “God has shown himself mighty” to show the dynamic action of God through the angel. In the gospel, it is Gabriel who announces to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:19) and to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:35). According to tradition, the archangel Gabriel is the same angel sent by God to Gethsemane to strengthen Jesus in his agony (Lk 23:43).

In Hebrew, the name Raphael means “God's healing” or “God's medicine”. Again theologians suggest that the better translation is “God has healed.” Raphael is the angel who cures Tobit of blindness and frees Tobias’ wife from demonic possessions (Tob 3:17). Tradition would assign to Raphael the supreme task of providing medicine and healing to people’s afflictions.

In our Bible, only these three archangels are called by name. Other Hebrew writings, however, would mention the names of other archangels: Uriel means “God is my light”, Jeremiel means “May God show mercy”, Sariel means “God has reckoned”, Raguel means “Friend of God”, and Phanuel means “the Face of God.” All of these names express God’s active involvement in the life of His people.

The Jesuit priest, Joseph Galdon, suggests that from the manifestations of angels, we can construct a beautiful theology of God. “It’s a theology of concern. God watches over us with a Father’s love. God speaks to us when we are confused and in trouble. He fights on our behalf when sin and evil seem to surround us on every side. God heals us when we are hurt and in pain.” We, therefore, learn something of what God is all about because of the personalities of angels.

Today, the archangels remind us of our own vocation as ministers of God’s people. We are not angels because we are not pure spirits. Yet, we can be angels in the sense that we also are ministers of God. We can identify with Michael, Gabriel and Raphael because we, too, work for God and for the Church. Like Michael, let us honor God by opposing Satan and all evil spirits in the world. Like Gabriel, let us serve God by strengthening others in their weakness. And like Raphael, let us revere God by providing healing and comfort to people’s pain and suffering.

Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 9:43-45

After Jesus prophesied his coming passion and death, the apostles were deeply troubled. Yet, despite their confusion, they did not try to clarify the thing with Jesus because, as the gospel says, they were afraid. Afraid of what? Commentators suggest that the apostles feared to know the consequences of the Lord's inevitable sacrifice to their life as disciples. They asked no question because they didn't want to know the painful truth – that they, too, would soon suffer the same fate with their Master.

Indeed, it is true that one of the fears of people is to know the truth. For example, we are afraid to know the real status of our health, and for this, we sometimes would refuse to go to the doctor for a medical check up. We are also afraid to know the truth about ourselves, and so, we would not ask feedbacks from people. Psychologists would even tell us that one of the reasons why people are afraid to be alone, to pray and to reflect deeply is the subconscious fear of knowing their real selves, their insecurities and wounds.

Today, we are called to possess the virtue of courage to face the truth. Jesus categorically declared: “The truth will set us free.” It is only in facing the truth that we could see the things in us that need improvement. It is likewise in knowing the truth that we could face death with courage and prepare for that inevitable meeting with the loving and merciful Lord.

Sabado sa Ika-25 nga Semana sa Ordinaryong Panahon

Lucas 9:43-45

Human ipanagna ni Jesus ang iyang umaabut nga pag-antos ug kamatayon, ang mga apostoles giabut og kalibog. Apan wala sila mangutana kang Jesus bisan unsa mahitungod niini tungod kay gibati na sila og kahalok. Nahadlok sila nga mahibalo unsay mahitabo kanila kon ugaling ang ilang Magtutudlo pagasakiton ug patyon sa kamot sa mga tawo. Wala na sila mangutana tungod kay dili sila buot muatubang aning sakit nga kamatuoran.

Tinuod gayud ang giingon nga usa sa kahadlokan sa tawo mao ang pagkasayod sa kamatuoran. Mahadlok kita mahibalo sa tinuod natong sakit ug, tungod niini, dili kita ganahan magpadoktor o magpatan-aw sa mananambal. Mahadlok usab kita mahibalo sa tinuod natong dungog ug, tungod niini, dili kita mangayo og “feedback” gikan sa mga tawo. Bisan ang mga sikolohista mag-ingon nga usa ka hinungdan ngano nga daghang mga tawo ang mahadlok mag-inusara, maghilom ug mamalandong mao ang nagpaluyong kahadlok nga masayod sa tinuod nilang mga kakulangon ug kahuyang.

Karong adlawa, gihagit kita nga maghupot sa hiyas sa kaisog sa pag-atubang sa kamatuoran. Sayran nato ang giingon ni Jesus: “Ang kamatuoran maoy maghatag sa tawo og kaluwasan.” Pinaagi sa kamatuoran, kita makakita og unsay maayo nga buhaton o usbon sa atong kinabuhi. Pinaagi usab sa kamatuoran, kita makapangandam sa atong kamatayon ug sa kinabuhing dayon.

Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 9:7-9

The Church teaches that there is what we call “conscience” in every human person. “For man has in his heart a law written by God. To obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged” (Gaudium et Spes, 16). The existence of conscience is also affirmed by Saint Paul when he said that even those who have no faith can do what is required by the Law because the demands of the Law are written in their hearts (Romans 2:14).

The person who does evil would not find peace because his conscience will constantly bother him. This is the experience of Herod as narrated by today's gospel. Upon hearing about Jesus, he remembers John the baptist whom he ordered killed and beheaded. He is bothered and perplexed because people are saying that Jesus is John raised from the dead. In contrast, the Church teaches that a good and clear conscience would bring peace and joy to a person. This, of course, is easily proven by experience.

Today's gospel inspires us to possess the virtue of integrity of conscience. We are challenged to nourish and educate our conscience by studying Catholic teachings or the demands of the Law. The traditional practice of daily examination of conscience remains highly recommended for Christians. Regularly, we try to check how we have failed or fulfilled the dictates of a good conscience. Such is the secret of a righteous and meaningful life.

Hwebes sa Ika-25 nga Semana sa Ordinaryong Panahon

Lucas 9:7-9

Ang atong Simbahan nagtudlo kanato nga matag tawo adunay konsensya. “Diha sa kasingkasing sa tawo adunay balaod nga gisulat sa Ginoo. Ang pagtuman niini maoy usa ka pagmatuod sa tawhanong dignidad; gikan niini ang tawo pagahukman” (Gaudium et Spes, 16). Ang pagkaanaa sa konsensya gipamatud-an usab ni San Pablo sa dihang siya miingon nga bisan ang mga walay pagtoo makabuhat sa gisugo sa Balaod tungod kay ang mga sugo sa Balaod napatik sa ilang salabutan (Roma 2:14).

Ang tawo nga magbuhat og daotan dili magmalinawon tungod kay pagahasolon man siya sa iyang tanlag. Mao kini ang gibati ni Herodes diha sa ebanghelyo karon. Sa dihang nakadungog siya mahitungod sa mga gipangtudlo ug gipangbuhat ni Jesus, nahinumdum siya ni Juan nga iyang gipapunggutan sa ulo. Nahasol ug nalibog siya tungod kay ang mga tawo nag-ingon nga si Jesus mao si Juan nga nabuhi gikan sa kamatayon. Sa laing bahin, ang Simbahan nagtudlo nga ang limpyo nga konsyensa maoy magdala og kalinaw ug kalipay sa tawo. Ato kining mapatud-an diha sa atong mga kasinatian.

Karong adlawa kita gihagit nga maghupot sa hiyas sa matarong nga konsyensa. Amomahon ug edukaron nato ang atong tagsatagsa ka konsensya pinaagi sa pagbasa ug pagpaminaw sa mga pagtulun-an sa Simbahan. Ang naandan nga pamaagi sa inadlaw-adlaw nga pagsusi sa konsensya angay nga buhaton sa matag Kristiyano. Kada adlaw, subayon nato kon sa unsang paagi kita napakyas o nakatuman sa mga sugo sa maayong konsensya. Kini mao ang sekreto sa kinabuhi nga matarong ug makahulaganon.

Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 9:1-6

Jesus gives his first disciples the power and authority to cast out evil spirits, to heal the sick and to proclaim the good news of God's love. Quite remarkably, Jesus has associated power and authority with service and humility. For Christians, power has to be used to heal and give life, not to destroy and harm. This would serve as a good reminder for many of us who use power in an abusive and self-serving manner.

Furthermore, Jesus admonishes his evangelizers to bring little or nothing on their journey. Material things, though helpful, may cause a lot of troubles in their preaching ministry. The disciples need to free themselves from worldly attachments and put their trust primarily in the kindness and generosity of God. This warning remains relevant for us today because often our strong desire for material things makes us neglect our time for God, family and neighbors.

The challenge for us now is to possess the virtues of simplicity and deep trust in God's providence. Let us be grateful to God for the many gifts and blessings we received such as things, knowledge and talents. Let us learn to use them not only for our personal benefits but more so for the good of others.

Mierkoles sa Ika-25 nga Semana sa Ordinaryong Panahon

Lucas 9:1-6

Diha sa ebanghelyo karon, gihatagan ni Jesus og kusog ug gahum ang mga apostoles sa pagsumpo sa mga daotang espiritu, pag-ayo sa mga masakiton ug pagsangyaw sa Gingharian sa Dios. Talagsaon ug nindot kaayo kining gihimo ni Jesus nga paghiusa sa ideya kabahin sa “gahum” ug sa “mahigugmaong pagpangalad”. Para sa Dios, ang gahum ug kusog angay gamiton dili sa pagpanaogdaog ug pagpangaway kondili sa pag-ayo ug paghatag og kinabuhi. Usa kini ka maayong pahimangno tungod kay daghan kanato karon mogamit sa gahum sa daotang paagi ug para sa personal nga kaayohan lamang.

Gipahimangnoan ni Jesus ang mga apostoles nga dili magdala og daghang mga butang sa ilang pagsangyaw sa Maayong Balita. Ang materyal nga mga butang, bisan tuod makatabang, mahimo usab nga sagabal sa ilang pagpangalagad. Ang mga apostoles angay nga mobutang sa ilang dakong pagsalig ngadto sa kaayo ug panabang sa Dios. Maayo usab kini nga pahinumdum kanato tungod kay sa daghang panahon mopatigbabaw ang atong dakong kaibog sa mga kalibutanong butang. Gani, tungod sa atong pagpaningkamot nga makab-ot ang mga butang nga atong gipangandoy, mogamay na ang atong panahon para sa Ginoo ug para sa atong mga mahal sa kinabuhi.

Ang hagit para kanato karong adlawa mao ang paghupot sa mga hiyas sa pagkayano ug pagkamasaligon sa Dios. Pasalamatan nato ang Ginoo sa mga grasya nga atong nadawat gikan kaniya – butang, kahibalo ug talento. Ato silang gamiton dili lang para sa atong kaugalingong kalipay kondili para usab sa kaayohan sa uban.