Sept. 29 : "Welcoming the Gifts of the Others" Homily of Rev. Fr. Jason Laguerta

Summary

The homily emphasizes the importance of humility and recognizing the gifts of others without jealousy. Both the Old Testament story of Moses and the New Testament account of Jesus show that we should not view others as rivals but rather celebrate their abilities. The speaker also shares personal experiences to highlight the value of unity over competition, even within families, religious communities, and daily interactions. The message encourages listeners to live in harmony, respect others' gifts, and foster a spirit of cooperation rather than rivalry.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Jesus teaches that those performing good deeds in His name, even if not part of the same group, should not be stopped, as 'whoever is not against us is for us.'
• 💧 Anyone who gives a cup of water because you belong to Christ will not lose their reward.
• ⚠️ Jesus warns against leading others into sin, stating that it would be better to face extreme punishment than to cause others to stumble.
• ✋ Jesus emphasizes self-discipline, advising people to 'cut off' anything (symbolized by hands, feet, or eyes) that leads them to sin to avoid eternal suffering.
• 😇 The homily highlights that this Sunday is the 26th in Ordinary Time, overlapping with the feast of Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
• 🤝 Moses and Jesus both teach about inclusivity, urging people not to be insecure or jealous of others' gifts but instead celebrate and share them.
• 💼 The second reading speaks against amassing wealth at the expense of others, reminding us to treat workers justly.
• 👪 Sibling rivalry, competition, and jealousy are highlighted as common human struggles, but the homily encourages seeing each other as family, not rivals.
• 🛑 The priest recounts a personal story where division between different religious groups hindered the spirit of cooperation, emphasizing the need for unity.
• ✈️ The priest will be going on a pilgrimage from October 1 to 19, and parishioners can submit prayer intentions to be included during his journey.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the Gospel reading in the transcript?

The main theme is about inclusion and humility. Jesus teaches that those who do good in His name should not be prevented, even if they are not part of the group. Whoever is not against Him is for Him.

What lesson does Jesus teach John when he asks if they should stop someone casting out demons in His name?

Jesus teaches John not to be insecure and to allow others to do good in His name. He emphasizes that anyone who is not against them is for them.

How does the priest compare the actions of Moses and Jesus in terms of recognizing others’ gifts?

Both Moses and Jesus encourage the recognition of others' gifts. Moses tells Joshua not to be envious of Eldad and Medad, while Jesus tells John not to prevent others from performing good deeds in His name.

What example does the priest give to illustrate sibling rivalry?

The priest talks about how siblings often fight over inheritance, property, or resources, seeing each other as rivals rather than family members who should share with one another.

What is the priest's message regarding how we should view others who have different gifts or achievements?

The priest emphasizes that we should celebrate the gifts of others instead of feeling threatened or envious. He encourages recognizing that others also receive blessings from God and we should be thankful for their gifts.

What does the priest mention about a personal experience involving a feeding program?

The priest shares an experience where he joined a feeding program for street dwellers. He was initially happy to see another group feeding the poor, but became upset when the pastor of that group started criticizing the Catholic faith.

What moral does the priest draw from his experience with the evangelical pastor?

The priest concludes that we should not engage in religious rivalry or criticism, but instead focus on working together for the common good, such as feeding the hungry.

How does the priest describe common human behavior in competitive situations, such as a basketball game or parking lot dispute?

The priest describes how people often see each other as competitors in trivial situations, such as fighting over a parking space or during a basketball game. He stresses that this behavior stems from a mentality of rivalry instead of cooperation.

What does the priest say about how we should respond when others receive blessings from God?

The priest advises that when others receive blessings, we should not be jealous or envious. Instead, we should be grateful for what we have and thankful that others are also blessed.

What does the priest announce regarding his upcoming absence?

The priest announces that he will be away on a Marian pilgrimage from October 1 to October 19, and offers to take prayer intentions from parishioners to the holy sites he will visit, including Lourdes, France, and Rome.