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

Sta. Maria Goretti Parish

28 Sept 202417:52

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 John's Inquiry About an Outsider Performing Miracles

John informs Jesus about someone casting out demons in His name, despite not being part of their group. Jesus responds by encouraging inclusivity, explaining that anyone not against them is for them. Jesus emphasizes that small acts of kindness done in His name will be rewarded. He warns against leading others into sin, advocating for drastic measures to avoid sinning, such as cutting off parts of the body that cause sin. The passage highlights the severity of sin and the eternal consequences of being cast into hell, referred to as 'Jen' with unquenchable fire.

05:01

❤️ Embracing Others and Sharing God’s Gifts

Jesus teaches not to view others as rivals, but as friends and allies in the mission. He encourages expanding one's heart to include others, recognizing that God's gifts are not exclusive to one group. The message urges people to celebrate and share God’s blessings, rather than hoarding them for personal gain. Santiago’s reading also warns against the greed of hoarding wealth while neglecting the fair treatment of workers. The theme emphasizes community, generosity, and viewing others as partners rather than threats or competitors.

10:02

🤝 Rivalry Among Siblings and The Need for Unity

The third part focuses on the dangers of sibling rivalry and competition within families, workplaces, and society at large. It critiques how people often view each other as rivals for resources or success, leading to conflict. The anecdote of a basketball game turning violent illustrates this point. The pastor also recounts an instance where he witnessed evangelicals feeding the poor but simultaneously criticizing Catholics. The pastor emphasizes the need for unity, tolerance, and cooperation among all, regardless of differences in religion or status, for the common good.

15:02

🌍 Celebrating Unity and Preparing for Pilgrimage

In the final part, the speaker prays for humility and the ability to recognize and celebrate God’s gifts in others. There is a call to unity, love, and service, reminding everyone to see each other as family, not rivals. The message is reinforced with a prayer for restoration through the grace of Christ. Additionally, the pastor announces his upcoming Marian pilgrimage, inviting the congregation to submit their prayer intentions, which he will bring to various holy sites, including Lourdes, France, and Rome. The segment ends with blessings and the conclusion of the Mass.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Rivalry

Rivalry refers to the competition or conflict between people who view each other as threats to their goals, power, or status. In the script, it appears as a central theme, particularly in the context of sibling rivalry and rivalry within communities. The homily reflects on how people often see others as competitors rather than collaborators, especially in spiritual and daily life.

💡Prophecy

Prophecy refers to a divine message or the ability to speak on behalf of God, often involving future events or spiritual insights. In the first reading, Moses shares the gift of prophecy with 70 elders, but even those who were not present, Eldad and Medad, received the gift. The message emphasizes that the gift of prophecy is not restricted to a select few, reflecting God's generosity and the call to recognize others' gifts.

💡Jealousy

Jealousy is the feeling of envy or resentment toward someone else’s advantages or achievements. In the script, jealousy arises when Joshua and John express insecurity about others possessing spiritual gifts. The priest warns against this mentality, encouraging people to celebrate the gifts others have rather than viewing them with jealousy or insecurity.

💡Humility

Humility is the quality of being humble, marked by an awareness of one’s own limitations and a respect for others. The homily calls for humility in recognizing that everyone possesses different gifts from God. The priest urges the congregation to avoid pride or selfishness, emphasizing that humility allows people to appreciate the contributions of others rather than feel threatened.

💡Gift

A gift refers to a natural talent or ability granted by God. Throughout the homily, the priest emphasizes that God bestows different gifts upon everyone, and that no one has a monopoly on them. This theme serves as a reminder to recognize and celebrate the unique gifts in others, rather than being envious or competitive.

💡Sin

Sin is the act of going against divine law or moral principles. In the Gospel, Jesus warns against actions that lead others to sin, saying it would be better to lose a part of the body than allow it to cause sin. The homily uses this idea to discuss how our actions can harm others, and how we must be cautious not to lead others astray through rivalry, jealousy, or selfishness.

💡Service

Service refers to helping others out of love and compassion, often seen as a reflection of one’s faith. In the homily, the priest highlights the importance of serving others without selfish motives. He encourages the congregation to be united in service, helping those in need regardless of their religious background or differences, as exemplified by the feeding program for the poor.

💡Competition

Competition is the act of striving against others to achieve a goal or win something. The homily critiques how people often turn relationships into competitions, whether over material goods, status, or recognition. This mindset of constant competition is contrasted with the Christian ideal of seeing others as brothers and sisters, rather than as threats or enemies.

💡Angels

Angels are spiritual beings believed to act as messengers or protectors of humans. Although the homily acknowledges that the Feast of the Archangels is not celebrated because it falls on a Sunday, it reminds the congregation that angels, such as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, guide and protect them. The theme of angelic protection ties into the larger message of spiritual guidance and humility.

💡Unity

Unity is the state of being joined together in harmony and agreement. The homily stresses the importance of unity in the Christian community, encouraging the faithful to see others not as rivals but as partners in service and love. Unity is portrayed as the opposite of competition and rivalry, calling for collaboration and mutual support among individuals and groups.

Highlights

The gospel recounts John telling Jesus about someone driving out demons in His name, and Jesus advising not to prevent him, as whoever is not against them is for them.

Jesus emphasizes that performing good deeds in His name, even by those outside their immediate circle, should not be hindered, as they are working for the greater good.

The message of generosity and acceptance is highlighted when Jesus says anyone who offers a cup of water in His name will not lose their reward.

A severe warning is given against causing believers, especially children, to sin, stressing it would be better for such a person to have a millstone tied around their neck and be thrown into the sea.

Radical advice about sin follows, with Jesus urging that if one’s hand, foot, or eye causes them to sin, it is better to lose them than to be cast into hell.

The homily reflects on the themes of rivalry and jealousy, using the story of Moses and Joshua, where Moses encourages Joshua not to be jealous of others who also received the gift of prophecy.

The homily advises against insecurity and rivalry, drawing parallels between Moses' time and the situation described in the gospel where John expresses jealousy of others doing good deeds.

Jesus' teaching to embrace those doing good, even if they are not directly part of one's group, is interpreted as a call for inclusivity and humility.

The homily encourages sharing gifts from God with others and avoiding selfishness, noting that no one holds a monopoly on God's blessings.

James’ teaching in the second reading is emphasized, cautioning against hoarding wealth and neglecting the well-being of others.

An example is given of rivalry within families, such as sibling disputes over inheritance, used to illustrate how competition can destroy relationships.

The homily references the divisive nature of human competition, including an anecdote about a fight at a local basketball game escalating into violence, symbolizing the dangers of unchecked rivalry.

The story of a feeding program highlights the need for unity among different religious groups, despite doctrinal differences, as all are working toward a common good.

The priest’s personal encounter with an evangelical pastor leads to a reflection on the importance of focusing on shared missions rather than differences in religious beliefs.

The homily concludes by calling for gratitude and celebration of others’ gifts, urging people to stop viewing others as rivals and instead embrace them as family and fellow children of God.