Cathedral Homilies - September 08 (Fr. Viel)

Summary

The 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.