Sunday, February 19, 2006

Mother and I arrived again early this morning to hear the only Sunday mass in the chapel near where we live. I lighted 3 candles and offered sincere prayers for the souls of all victims from the recent Sourthern Leyte landslides and also, for the faster recovery of all survivors. I had two personal intentions which I rather keep between God and myself.

Today is the seventh Sunday in ordinary time and today's homily is about A Little Help From Our Friends. An Italian Xaverian priest, FR. Rocco Viviano, said again the mass using Tagalog missalette: Kaunting Tulong Mula Sa Mga Kaibigan. He explained three important ideas today: God, Community, and our Duties & Responsibilities as followers of God. He said God can heal us but we need community's assistance to bring us closer to God and once we are healed and stronger to help others, we should encourage those weak to have faith in God and also be healed.

Today's LITURGY OF THE WORD:

• First Reading [Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25] (Sit): Because of their sins, the people of Israel suffer the pain and humiliation of exile. But the Lord is forgiving and brings healing to his people. He will bring them back to their own land.
• Second Reading (2 Cor 1:18-22): Jesus Christ was never anything but "yes." He gave himself totally to the Father and us. We, too, should strive to be faithful to the Lord and to one another.*