Cathedral Homilies - August 25 (Fr. Viel)

Manila Cathedral

25 Aug 202410:05

Summary

TLDRIn this reflective discourse, the speaker explores the theme of faith amidst trials, drawing from biblical accounts of Joshua and the people of Israel, as well as the disciples in the Gospel of John. The narrative underscores the challenges faced by these figures, their steadfast belief in God, and the ultimate test of their loyalty. The speaker encourages the congregation to emulate this resilience, to persevere in faith despite life's hardships, and to find solace in the enduring presence of God.

Takeaways

🙏 The gathering is a moment to express gratitude and prayers to the Lord.
📖 The characters in the readings faced challenges in their faith and loyalty.
🗣️ Joshua's honesty and declaration to serve the Lord is highlighted.
🏆 The people were challenged to choose between the gods of their ancestors or the gods of the land they were living in.
🌊 The people chose to follow the Lord, believing He would protect and accompany them.
🤔 The challenge of understanding Jesus' teachings is discussed, with some finding it too difficult.
🚶‍♂️ Some disciples left Jesus after being challenged by His words.
😔 Jesus felt sadness over the disciples' inability to accept His teachings.
💪 The message encourages perseverance in faith despite life's challenges.
🌟 The tribes of Israel and the apostles are cited as examples of standing firm in faith.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the reading from the Book of Joshua?
-The central theme is the challenge of loyalty and faith, where Joshua declares his commitment to serve the Lord and challenges the people to choose between the gods of their ancestors and the gods of the Amorites.
How did the people respond to Joshua's challenge in the first reading?
-The people responded by affirming their choice to serve the Lord, the God who had been with them and supported them during their trials.
What does the term 'challenged' signify in the context of the script?
-In the context of the script, 'challenged' signifies the trials and tests of faith that individuals face, which are meant to strengthen their belief and commitment to God.
What was the reaction of some of Jesus' disciples after hearing his teachings in the Gospel of John?
-Some of Jesus' disciples were challenged by his teachings and found them hard to accept, leading them to return to their former way of life and no longer accompany Jesus.
How does the script describe Jesus' feelings towards his disciples after they expressed difficulty in accepting his words?
-The script suggests that Jesus felt sadness, as if he wanted to say to those he had fed and satisfied, that they were turning away from him and forgetting his teachings despite the challenges.
What is the significance of the question 'Why are you still here?' as posed by Jesus in the script?
-The question 'Why are you still here?' signifies a call for reflection on the disciples' and believers' commitment to Jesus and their faith, despite the challenges and trials they face.
What does the script encourage believers to do in the face of challenges to their faith?
-The script encourages believers to be inspired by the examples of the tribes of Israel and the apostles, to hold on to their faith in God, and to continue believing and trusting in Him despite the challenges.
How does the script relate the experiences of the people of Israel and the apostles to the challenges faced by believers today?
-The script relates the experiences by emphasizing that both the people of Israel and the apostles faced challenges to their faith, and it encourages modern believers to find strength in their faith, just as these historical figures did.
What is the message conveyed by the question 'Why are we still following, loving, Believing, and trusting in the Lord, despite everything?'
-The message is one of enduring faith and commitment to God, suggesting that despite the hardships and challenges, the true believers continue to love, believe, and trust in the Lord.
What does the script suggest as the reason for continuing to believe in God despite life's difficulties?
-The script suggests that the reason for continuing to believe in God is the presence and support of God in believers' lives, even when the circumstances are not always easy or pleasant.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Faith and Challenges

The first paragraph discusses the theme of faith and the challenges faced by individuals as presented in the Bible. It references the story of Joshua and his household's commitment to serve the Lord despite the challenges they faced. The people were tested with choices regarding their faith, specifically whether to follow the God of their fathers or the gods of the Amorites. The narrative highlights their decision to stick with the God who accompanied and supported them through trials. The paragraph also reflects on the teachings of Jesus from the sixth chapter of St. John, where the people were challenged by his words and some of his disciples left him. The speaker empathizes with Jesus' sadness over this, as he had fed them both physically and spiritually, yet they were swayed by the challenges and forgot Jesus quickly. The paragraph concludes by encouraging reflection on how we face our own trials and remain steadfast in faith.

05:00

💪 Trials and Trust in God

The second paragraph delves into the idea of enduring trials and maintaining trust in God. It poses questions about whether one would continue to love and pray to God despite feeling forsaken and facing numerous personal and societal problems. The paragraph draws inspiration from the tribes of Israel and the apostles, who despite being tested, chose to trust and follow God. It emphasizes the importance of holding onto faith even when life becomes difficult and when we are challenged by the words and examples of Jesus. The speaker encourages the congregation to find strength in the belief that God is with us, even if we do not always see or hear it. The paragraph concludes with a call to remain steadfast in faith, to continue believing in and trusting God, and to hold onto the promise of eternal life as stated by Jesus.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Challenged

In the context of the video, 'challenged' refers to facing difficulties or trials. It is a central theme as it describes how characters in the biblical readings were tested in their faith and loyalty. For example, Joshua and the Israelites were challenged to choose between the gods of their ancestors or the gods of the land they were inhabiting, symbolizing a test of their commitment to God.

💡Faithfulness

'Faithfulness' is the unwavering commitment to a belief or person. In the video, it is highlighted by Joshua's declaration to serve the Lord with his household, showcasing a model of loyalty and dedication. This concept is crucial as it contrasts the challenges faced and the choices made by individuals in the narrative.

💡Choices

The term 'choices' is used to describe the decisions individuals make that define their path. In the video, it is applied to the Israelites' decision between different gods, illustrating the weight of choice in the face of spiritual challenges. It underscores the theme of personal accountability and the consequences of one's decisions.

💡Loyalty

Loyalty, as discussed in the video, is the state of being faithful and supportive. It is exemplified by the people's response to Joshua's leadership and their commitment to the Lord. This keyword is integral to the narrative as it reflects the values upheld by the characters despite the challenges they face.

💡Disciples

In the video, 'disciples' refers to the followers of Jesus. The script mentions how some disciples were challenged by Jesus' teachings and chose to leave, indicating a lack of steadfastness in their faith. This keyword is significant as it highlights the varying responses to spiritual teachings and the考验 of commitment.

💡Reflection

'Reflection' in the video is a process of thoughtful consideration. The speaker encourages the audience to reflect on the sixth chapter of St. John, particularly the reactions of the people after Jesus fed them and spoke to them. This keyword is important as it invites viewers to introspect and apply the biblical lessons to their own lives.

💡Belief

Belief, as used in the video, represents the acceptance of something as true or the conviction in the existence of God. It is a central concept as it is tested through the challenges faced by the characters. For example, the people's belief in God is questioned when they are faced with hardships, yet they are encouraged to hold onto their faith.

💡Trust

Trust, in this context, is the firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of God. The video emphasizes the importance of trust as a response to life's challenges. It is exemplified by the people's decision to continue believing in God despite the trials they face, such as the hardships mentioned in the script.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice, as mentioned in the video, involves giving up something of value for the sake of something else. It is used to describe the commitment required from the believers, as seen in the Israelites' decision to serve the Lord exclusively. This keyword is significant as it illustrates the depth of devotion and the cost of maintaining faith.

💡Trials

'Trials' in the video denotes the difficulties or problems one faces. It is a recurring theme as it is used to describe the various challenges that test the characters' faith and resolve. The script mentions trials in the context of the Israelites' experiences and the disciples' reactions to Jesus' teachings.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude, as discussed in the video, is the quality of being thankful. It is highlighted at the beginning of the script as the speaker gathers with others to express gratitude to the Lord. This keyword sets a tone of appreciation and reverence, contrasting with the challenges that are discussed later in the narrative.

Highlights

Gathering in gratitude and prayer to face the challenges of the week.

The characters in the readings were challenged in their faith and integrity.

Joshua's declaration of serving the Lord with his household.

The people's challenge to choose between the gods of their ancestors or the gods of the Amorites.

The people's response to choose the God who has been with them through their experiences.

The challenge faced by the disciples after Jesus' teachings in John 6.

The disciples' struggle with Jesus' words, leading some to return to their former lives.

Jesus' sadness and the challenge of his teachings being hard to accept.

The challenge of faith despite the hardships and trials.

The question of whether to continue loving and trusting God amidst challenges.

The importance of prayer and faith even when it seems the heavens are silent.

The challenge of maintaining faith when life's burdens seem overwhelming.

The tribes of Israel and the apostles as examples of enduring faith despite challenges.

The reason for continuing to believe and trust in God despite trials.

The significance of the people of Israel's expression of faith in a God who is with them.

The challenge to hold on to faith and trust in God in the face of life's difficulties.

The reflection on why we continue to believe and trust in God despite the challenges.

The call to hold on to faith and trust in God's eternal words.