Cathedral Homilies - September 08 (Fr. Viel)

Manila Cathedral

7 Sept 202412:23

Summary

TLDRThe speaker addresses a gathering at Manila Cathedral, reflecting on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Filipino celebration of the Blessed Mother's Nativity. They discuss the human tendency to share good news, drawing parallels from the Bible, particularly Isaiah's prophecy and the Gospel accounts of healing. The message emphasizes God's presence in our lives, urging us to 'be opened' to His goodness and healing, despite a world that may seem to close us off. The sermon concludes by invoking the Blessed Mother's experience, encouraging the congregation to embrace hope and openness, allowing God to work wonders in their lives.

Takeaways

😀 The speaker acknowledges a large gathering and relates it to a significant religious celebration, expressing gratitude for the past week and prayers for the future.
🙏 The importance of sharing good news and sudden positive changes in life is emphasized, as many people naturally feel the urge to share their joy with others.
👂 The readings focus on stories of healing and transformation, where the blind can see, the deaf can hear, and the mute can speak, symbolizing hope and renewal.
📖 The speaker refers to the experience of a deaf man healed by Jesus, highlighting that such miracles should be shared, even if told not to, as a way to spread the goodness of God.
💡 The message encourages being open to God's blessings, healing, and hope, reminding everyone that God is present in moments of suffering as well as in times of triumph.
💔 The world often tries to close off hope and positivity, leading people to blindness, deafness, and hopelessness, but we must resist this negativity.
🕊️ The Blessed Mother's experience is shared, demonstrating how she embraced her role with humility and became a symbol of openness to God's will, despite challenges and gossip.
💬 The speaker encourages the audience to reject feelings of despair and promote hope, healing, and the goodness of God, even in a world that often discourages such beliefs.
🌟 The phrase 'be opened' is a central theme, urging everyone to be receptive to God's healing, blessings, and opportunities, just as the blind, deaf, and mute were healed.
❤️ The message concludes with a reminder that just as God opened the eyes, ears, and hearts of those in biblical stories, we too should allow ourselves to be open to hope, healing, and positivity.

Q & A

What is the significance of December 8th in the context of the script?
-December 8th is celebrated as the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, a day to express Thanksgiving and extend prayers to the Lord.
What is the message conveyed by the gathering at Manila Cathedral?
-The gathering at Manila Cathedral is a place of spiritual support and a reminder that it is not the last gathering, implying a sense of community and continuity.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Palakpakan sila' in the script?
-The phrase 'Palakpakan sila' is an encouragement to support and uplift each other, especially in times of receiving good news or facing life changes.
How does the script relate the experiences of healing to the readings for the Sunday?
-The script connects the experiences of healing to the Sunday readings by illustrating how individuals express their gratitude and healing after overcoming hardships, similar to the stories in the first reading and the gospel.
What is the meaning behind the prophet Isaiah's words mentioned in the script?
-The words of the prophet Isaiah signify hope and redemption, where the blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the lame will leap, symbolizing God's ability to heal and restore.
How does the deaf man's experience in the script exemplify the theme of opening oneself to God?
-The deaf man's ability to speak plainly after Jesus' intervention demonstrates the theme of opening oneself to God, as it shows the power of faith and the impact of divine intervention in one's life.
What does the script suggest about the world's attitude towards hope and healing?
-The script suggests that the world may sometimes want to close off hope and healing, encouraging people to be blind to the goodness and blessings of God.
How does the script challenge the idea of promoting hopelessness?
-The script challenges the idea of promoting hopelessness by emphasizing God's presence during suffering and the importance of acknowledging and confessing our own role in closing off hope.
What is the significance of the Blessed Mother's experience during her nativity?
-The Blessed Mother's experience during her nativity signifies the power of faith and the importance of being open to God's will, as she carried Jesus and faced societal challenges.
What is the message of the Blessed Mother to the people remembering her nativity?
-The Blessed Mother's message is one of hope and healing, encouraging people to be open to God's presence and to embrace the possibility of a bright future despite the world's attempts to close off hope.
How does the script encourage the congregation to respond to life's challenges?
-The script encourages the congregation to be inspired by the examples of divine intervention, to be open to new opportunities, and to proclaim the greatness of the Lord in all circumstances.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 A Call to Thanksgiving and Prayer

The speaker begins by addressing the congregation, acknowledging the unexpected large turnout and comparing the feeling to December 8th. The sermon focuses on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Filipino's love for the Blessed Mother, celebrating her nativity. The speaker invites the congregation to express gratitude for the past week and to extend prayers and desires to the Lord. The sermon also touches on the joy of seeing people's success and the importance of sharing and expressing experiences of healing. The scripture readings for the day are mentioned, highlighting the prophet Isaiah's words about the miraculous healings and the deaf man's experience, emphasizing the goodness and grace of God that cannot be silenced.

05:03

🌟 God's Presence in Suffering and Triumph

The second paragraph delves into the experience of the deaf and mute man, illustrating how God's presence is not only in the act of healing but also throughout the period of suffering. The speaker challenges the congregation to recognize that even in a world that may seem to want to close off hope and goodness, God is always present, offering healing and hope. The sermon also addresses the tendency of people to promote hopelessness and to close themselves off from God's blessings. The speaker uses the example of the Blessed Mother, Mary, to illustrate how she faced challenges and gossip but ultimately experienced a profound moment of divine favor, leading her to proclaim the greatness of the Lord.

10:03

🌈 Embracing God's Call to Openness and Healing

In the final paragraph, the speaker emphasizes the Blessed Mother's wish for everyone to be healed, to be well, and to be open, especially in a world that often seeks to close off opportunities and hope. The sermon encourages the congregation to be inspired by God's ability to open the eyes, ears, and hearts, as seen in the biblical stories. The speaker calls for a collective exclamation of gratitude and hope, urging everyone to proclaim the greatness of the Lord and to seek a bright future. The message concludes with a reminder that God's actions are not just about opening physical senses but also about opening hearts and lives to His grace and the possibilities of a beautiful tomorrow.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Nativity

Nativity refers to the birth of Jesus Christ, which is a central event in Christianity. In the context of the video, it is also used to refer to the birth of the Blessed Mother, Mary, which is celebrated as a separate feast day. The speaker connects the celebration of Mary's nativity to the theme of thanksgiving and the expression of gratitude for blessings received.

💡Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the act of expressing gratitude for what one has received. In the video, the speaker encourages the congregation to express their thanks to God for the blessings of the past week, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the good in one's life.

💡Healing

Healing in the video is used metaphorically to describe the restoration of health or well-being, both physical and spiritual. The speaker uses examples from the congregation's experiences, such as passing exams or recovering from illness, to illustrate how individuals have been 'healed' and how they have felt compelled to share their stories of healing with others.

💡Prophet Isaiah

Prophet Isaiah is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, and his writings are often referenced in Christian teachings. In the video, the speaker quotes Isaiah to emphasize the transformative power of God, where the blind can see, the deaf can hear, and the lame can leap, symbolizing the miraculous interventions of God in human lives.

💡Deaf Man

The deaf man mentioned in the video is a biblical reference to a man healed by Jesus, who was able to speak clearly after being healed. This story is used to illustrate the theme of God's ability to open the ears and hearts of people, allowing them to hear and understand the divine message.

💡Speech Impediment

A speech impediment refers to a disorder of speech that makes it difficult to communicate effectively. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the condition of a man who was unable to speak clearly but was healed by Jesus, emphasizing the theme of God's power to restore and heal.

💡Blessed Mother

The Blessed Mother refers to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is highly revered in Christianity, especially in Roman Catholicism. The speaker connects the celebration of Mary's nativity to the theme of hope and openness, encouraging the congregation to be open to God's blessings and interventions.

💡Hopelessness

Hopelessness is a state of despair where one feels there is no hope or possibility of a positive outcome. The speaker warns against promoting hopelessness, instead urging the congregation to remain hopeful and open to the possibilities that God offers, even in difficult times.

💡Blindness

Blindness in the video is used metaphorically to describe a lack of spiritual insight or understanding. The speaker contrasts this with the biblical examples of Jesus opening the eyes of the blind, symbolizing the ability to see and understand the divine truth.

💡God's Presence

God's presence in the video is a central theme, emphasizing that God is not only present in times of suffering but also in times of triumph. The speaker encourages the congregation to recognize and rely on God's presence for healing, hope, and guidance.

💡Be Opened

The phrase 'be opened' is a recurring motif in the video, urging the congregation to be open to God's will, blessings, and healing. It is used in the context of physical healing, spiritual enlightenment, and the acceptance of God's goodness in one's life.

Highlights

Celebrating the 23rd Sunday in ordinary time and the nativity of the Blessed Mother.

Expressing gratitude for the past week and extending prayers and desires to the Lord.

The joy of parents upon their children's success in exams and the importance of acknowledging such moments.

The healing experiences of individuals and the need to share these stories of recovery.

Readings from the prophet Isaiah and the significance of the deaf man's healing in the gospel.

The deaf man's newfound ability to speak clearly as a testament to God's goodness.

The deaf man's story as an example of the community's response to God's miracles.

The importance of being open to God's presence and His ability to heal and save.

The challenge of a world that may want to close off hope and the need to remain open to God's goodness.

The role of individuals in promoting hope and healing despite societal pressures to close off these possibilities.

The story of the Blessed Mother's nativity and her role as a symbol of hope and openness.

The call to be inspired by God's ability to open the eyes, ears, and hearts of people.

The collective exclamation of gratitude and hope in the face of life's challenges.

The importance of not allowing fear to close off opportunities and the need to remain hopeful.

The message of the Blessed Mother's nativity as a reminder of God's constant presence and support.

The final call to be open to God's healing and hope, echoing the words of the Blessed Mother.