September 24, 2012 – Proverbs 3:27-34 / Luke 8:16-18

No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attend to how you listen; for to those who have,  more will be given; and from those who do not  even what they seem to have will be taken away.

Father John Bertao talked about his personal experience about children’s confession when a parent joined in the confession. He said that there is nothing to be feared of nor there is a dark mystery about confession. He said that by doing so we obtain a life of peaceful communion with others. He added that Holy Scriptures or the bible is not outdated and applicable although it is written thousand years ago. We should go out of our comfort zone to demonstrate Gods commandments to everyone or set good example of morals. We should practice good faith especially to children who are in great need of values. We should encourage them to do good because doing good never go out of style. Let yourself shine and be a light to others.

September 22, 2012 – Luke 8:4-15 – The Parable of the Sower

When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: A sower went out to sow his see; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on the birds of the ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it a chalked it. Some fell into good sill, and when grew, it produced a hundredfold. As he said this, he called, Let anyone with ears to hear listen!

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The news on the path is those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who when they hear the word, receive with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the are the one ho hear but eye go on their way, they are choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of life and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good solid, these are the eons how when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bear fruit with patient endurance.

Father Darren Dias said that parables are stories of everyday life that draw involvement holy images to illustrate deeper truth. The gospel is about a man who sowed seeds and scattered these seeds on earth – the rock, thorns, and good soil. The seeds refer to the words of God. The seeds that were thrown on rocks refer to the words of God unable to stand the test of time. The seeds thrown on good soil yielded much and it produced hundredfold. The word is success, trustworthy. We should need to listen to become good soil. We should persevere in spite of rocks and thorns and grow in hundred fold in our daily living. 

September 21, 2012 – Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me” and he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Father Joe Gorman said that the gospel is about Jesus invitation, i.e. “Walk with me.” and his message of hope, healing, wholeness. The gospel is about a story of tax collector named Matthew who is a public sinner who cheated in tax and disliked by Jewish people. He also mentioned about outside oppression of foreign domination, interior events and journey of faith and healing. We should also reflect upon our opportunities.