Don't Cheat Yourself from the Rewards of Tithing

I have a confession to make.

When I was a kid, I didn’t like taking a bath.

It was my unique solution to the water shortage of the world. I felt that taking a bath was totally unnecessary—a vanity that modern people invented.

When I studied history, my hunch was confirmed.

For example, the monks of the middle ages felt it was vain to take a bath. St. Francis of Assisi believed that to be dirty was a sign of a holy person. Even St. Benedict recommended that those who are young and strong should seldom take a bath. It was said that St. Catherine of Siena avoided washing. And St. Agnes, who died at the age of 13, had never taken a bath.

Queen Isabella of Spain was proud to say that she only took two baths in her whole lifetime. 

And Queen Elizabeth of England was seen as a very vain woman during her time. Why? Because she bathed once a month.

       I argued that I was even more vain. I was willing to take a bath once a week.

But Mom told me, “Take a bath everyday or else!”

       So I had to take a bath. 

“Mom is so cruel,” I told myself. “Here I am, enjoying my favorite cartoon, and just when the 5 spaceships are about to “volt-in” and morph into a giant robot and slice the enemy with his saber sword—she calls me to take a bath!”

In the Sanchez household, it was a law that I take a bath—or else. The consequences of violating that Law were deadly: My five angry sisters will chase after me with a pail of water, soap, and panghilod. (I have no idea how to translate that word. It’s actually a rock that Filipinos use to remove their, uh, libag. Gee, this is getting more complex.)

From Law To Love

Thanks be to God, I outgrew that stage of my life.

In a blink of an eye, it just happened. All of a sudden, I loved taking a bath everyday.  

Why did I change?  

Because I had a crush on a pretty classmate named Mercedes, who had bewitching dimples and smelled of chocnut.

Taking a bath was no longer a Law for me. 

It was a Love.

       Of course, no matter what I did, Ms. Chocnut never looked twice at me. Because I was still ugly during those days. (Indeed, your past does not define your future.)

       Still, her dimples gave me a lovely reason to shower daily.

       Let me now bring you to my main message…

Tithing Was An Old Testament Law

       I’m a Catholic. (I love our Church—warts, sins, and blemishes. It makes me more convinced of God’s mercy.) 

In all the years as a Catholic, I’ve yet to hear a clear teaching on Tithing. Here’s why: Because Catholic Theology says we’re not bound by the Old Testament Law of Tithing, but by the New Testament Law of Generosity.

       I agree. But we’ve failed in generosity too!

       Catholics are known as having the noisiest offerings in the world. “Klang, kleng, kling, klong, klung…” Because everyone gives coins.

       One man said, “Catholics aren’t Tithers, they’re Tippers.”

Many Catholics don’t even know what Tithing is.

Thus, we’re missing out on the many blessings of Tithing. 

A Failure In Teaching

Here’s my personal opinion on this matter: I agree in our Catholic Theology that Tithing is no longer a Law. But from a “Execution” viewpoint, we’ve failed miserably in teaching generosity.

I’m a communicator. I’ve been one for 30+ years. And here’s a rule in communication: Always be specific, never vague. I’ve learned that whenever I teach people something vague, they’ll have a hard time doing it.

Yes, we’ve been teaching Catholics to be generous. But what does “generous” mean? The options are endless. And the more options you give, the more confused people are. And the more confused people are, the more inaction there’ll be.

What does generous mean?

Does generosity mean that Catholics pull out (at least) a paper bill? A friend told me that before he joined the Feast (our weekly prayer meeting on steroids), he felt very proud he gave P20 every Sunday, even if he was earning P100,000 a month.

Does generosity mean that Catholics give until it hurts? Until there’s pain? Well I know of a millionaire who felt pain when he couldn’t find P20 in his wallet, he was “forced” to give P50.

Here’s my point: Even if Tithing isn’t a Law anymore, we need to teach Tithing as a Love. Laws are about fear. Loves are about desire. Because it will bless their lives abundantly!

Instead of giving good but vague instructions like…

“Give whatever you can give cheerfully”

“Give as the Holy Spirit inspires you to…”

“Give what your heart dictates…”

Why not just teach: “Give 10% or more of your income.”

Period.

I’m worried. Catholics aren’t receiving the blessings of Tithing because we don’t teach it.

My Personal Experience

Here’s my main point: I see Tithing as the most practical way of teaching generosity to people.

I’ve been Tithing for the past 30+ years of my life. 

I started when I was 12. Why? My prayer group leader taught me how to tithe. So as a 12-year old kid, I tithed 10% of my daily allowance to God.

And I’ve never stopped Tithing ever since.

I tithe not because it’s a Law.

I tithe because it’s a Love.

I love to tithe! It gives me so much joy.

I can’t live without Tithing.

Because I see Tithing blessed my life in a profound way.

Don’t Curse Yourself

The most popular passage in the Bible about Tithing is found in Malachi 3:8ff. Yes, it’s the Old Testament Law of Tithing. But you can pick up powerful universal principles that you can apply today.

I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. ‘How?’ you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings. A curse is on all of you because the whole nation is cheating me.

This verse says that when you don’t tithe, you’re cheating God.  Tell me: Can you really cheat from God?

Not really. His CCTV cameras and anti-burglary alarms are much better than ours, believe me.

Here’s a universal truth: When you don’t give, you’re really cheating yourself. You’re cheating yourself from the rich blessings that you were supposed to receive because of giving. 

And believe me, God doesn’t curse us when we don’t give. (This was archaic Bible language.) Here’s the truth: When we don’t give, we curse ourselves. We curse ourselves with the curse of missed blessings.

Let me share with you the 5 incredible blessings of Tithing…

The 5 Blessings Of Tithing

·        Habit

·        Happiness

·        Holiness

·        Hunger

·        Harvest

1. Habit

Here’s a difference between giving and tithing.

Giving may be something that you do occasionally.

But Tithing is something that you do regularly.

Because Tithing means that every time you earn money, you give 10% or more to the Lord.

Let me ask you a big question: Do you want your rewards to come occasionally or regularly? 

You decide.

2. Happiness

Here’s a little exercise.

Name the 5 happiest people you know in your life.

Imagine their faces. Finished?

Here’s my bet: All of them are Givers.

Because Givers are happy people.

It really feels good to give!

When you tithe, you feel that happiness regularly because you give regularly. As the Bible said in Malachi above, Then the people of all nations will call you happy…

3.Holiness

Greed will destroy you by materialism.

But generosity will detach you from materialism.

By Tithing, you gain freedom. 

By Tithing, you gain a greater love for God.

The greek word of “Holy” is “Hagios”; which literally means “setting apart yourself for God”. Tithing is exactly that—setting apart a specific amount for God.

When I was a small boy, my father used an ancient, large, silver spoon. No one else could use that spoon.   It was Hagios for him and him alone.

It was so large, it could only fit in Dad’s mouth. More important, it was made of silver. Everyone else used cheap stainless steel spoons. But not Dad. He deserved the best.

Tithing is exactly like that.

Our Tithes are sacred. Our Tithes are Hagios. They’re set apart for God. No one can touch it. And we always offer the best for the Lord.

4.Hunger

How can hunger be a blessing?

Believe me, a person without hunger is a miserable person who lives a meaningless life.

Yes, hunger is a great blessing!

When you tithe, you stir up your hunger within you. 

Last week, someone asked me, “Bo, you’re a entrepreneur and a missionary. If you were only an entrepreneur, you’d probably be ten times richer!”

The answer is a resounding No! If I wasn’t a missionary, I’d be ten times poorer. Because if I wasn’t a missionary, I wouldn’t have had the great hunger I have today. 

Here’s my guess: After the initial success of my businesses, I would have remained complacent. I’d tell myself, “Why earn more? Why work harder?” There was no purpose.

But because my goal was to raise money for my ministry, this hunger drove me to earn more.

I’m truly rich now because I tithe—and give more than my tithe.

And I have so many dreams for God’s work. These dreams fuel my hunger.

I’ve met people who have earned a lot of money and have lost their passion for life. Because they have lost their hunger. Their dreams have been fulfilled and they have no new dreams.

But that’s because they only think of themselves.

       Two weeks ago, I told my audience, “I’ve got bad news, good news, and bad news. Bad news: My accountant says it’ll take lots of money to make our dream of building 1000 Feasts come true. Good news: We now have all the money we need to build 1000 Feasts. Praise God! And finally, here’s the Bad news: All that money is still in your pockets.”

       I believe that if Catholics start tithing, we’ll have all the money to do God’s work.

5.Harvest

Some people tell me, “I’m a bit hard up now. When my income increases, that’s when I’ll tithe.” 

This is scarcity thinking. And a person with a scarcity mindset cannot tithe.

Tithing is like planting seeds. You don’t wait for good times before you plant seeds. You sow in times of famine. Because that’s the only way to break the cycle of poverty.

Tithing is a declaration of abundance. You believe that God’s blessings will flow back to you.

Malachi said…

Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things.

       Let me now answer two of the most common questions I receive.

1. “Where Do I Bring My Tithe?”

       A lot of people ask me, “Bo, I help my poor relatives. Can I consider that Tithing?”

Let me speak as a Catholic here. Since Tithing for us isn’t a Law but a Love, there really are no black and white rules on this matter. 

          But let me give you a guideline. Malachi says to “bring your tithes to the Temple”. That means your first priority is to support the spiritual family that nourishes you in your spiritual growth. Support God’s work of sharing His love to the world.        
          I cannot impose my practice on you, but this is what I do: I give my Tithes to God’s work and I give my Alms to the poor. I set aside a separate amount for my charity work. I’m able to do that because of the way God has prospered me.

       I repeat: There are no black and white rules. At the end of the day, you have to decide where to give your Tithes.

       My 3 house helpers, like most house helpers, send a huge percentage of their salaries back home. But despite this, I still urged them to tithe to God’s work.

       Giving to poor relatives was a wonderful thing and I encouraged them to keep on doing that. But when they also gave to God’s work—that stretched their minds. A shift happened within them. They began to discard scarcity and take on abundance.

2. “Should I Give a Tithe Based On Net Or Gross?”

       Everywhere I go, people ask me this question.

And it’s a very valid question. 

If Bill earns P50,000 a month, and his tax is 30%–he actually takes home only P35,000. If a Tithe is 10%, should Bill give to God P5,000 or P3,500?

I answer in this way: How do you want to be blessed? Do you want your blessings to be based on the Net or on the Gross?

Again, since Tithing isn’t a Law but a Love, this is really up to you. 

And this question becomes a non-issue when you challenge yourself to increase your tithes as God prospers you.

Rick Warren, author of Purpose-Driven Life, gave a reverse tithe. Because of his big royalties from his bestselling books, he’s now able to give 90% of his income and keeps only 10%.

The Last Reward

Let me end with two stories.

My first is about a man who died and went to Heaven. 

He was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter who said, “Welcome!” And the Saint led the man down the golden streets.  As they walked along, he saw huge sprawling mansions one after another. Until they came to the end of the street where they stopped in front of a very small nipa hut. “This is your house,” said St. Peter.

The man was disappointed. He asked St. Peter, “Why am I getting a nipa hut?”

St. Peter replied, “I did the best with the money you sent us.”

The point?

Whatever you give is an eternal investment.

The only way to keep your wealth is by giving it away.

       Give it away and you’ll see it again in the Kingdom of Heaven.

My Personal Experience

My last story is about my experience with Tithing.

Once upon a time, I was poor. 

Twenty years ago, I was so poor, there were days when I didn’t have enough money for a haircut. There were days when I didn’t have money to eat in a fastfood. There were days when I didn’t even have enough money to ride the bus to preach in a prayer meeting.

Yet through my poverty, I kept Tithing whatever I received.

Today, God has blessed me with small businesses. After many failures, I’m now a successful entrepreneur.

Last month, I donated P1 million to the ministry. (I don’t like sharing that to you because I know I lose brownie points in Heaven. I share it not to brag. I share it to stress a very important point.) 

That was a dream come true for me. For years, I dreamt of writing a check of one million.

Last month, it happened.

I believe in Tithing. It works.

If you don’t believe me, just try.

In other words, experiment, and see what happens.

God says, Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things…

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Our Gospel for Feb 28. The Rich Man.

Mark 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him,
“Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
“You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
“How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.

So Jesus again said to them in reply,
“Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
“Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.”

Ang Mayamang Pinuno

Marcos 10:17-27

Nang papaalis na si Jesus, may isang lalaking patakbong lumapit sa kaniya. Ang lalaki ay lumuhod sa harapan niya at tinanong siya: Mabuting guro, ano ang gagawin ko upang magmana ng buhay na walang hanggan?
    
Ngunit sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya: Bakit mo ako tinawag na mabuti? 

Walang mabuti kundi isa lang, ang Diyos. Alam mo ang mga utos: Huwag kang mangalunya, huwag kang papatay, huwag kang magnakaw, huwag kang sumaksi sa kasinungalingan, huwag kang mandaya. Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina.
     
Sinabi ng lalaki sa kaniya: Guro, ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito ay aking sinunod mula sa aking kabataan.
     
Tiningnan siya ni Jesus at inibig siya. Sinabi niya sa kaniya: Isang bagay ang kulang sa iyo. Humayo ka at ipagbili mo ang lahat mong tinatangkilik. Ibigay mo ang salapi sa mga dukha at magkakaroon ka ng nakaimbak na kayamanan sa langit. Pagkatapos pumarito ka, pasanin mo ang krus at sumunod ka sa akin.
     
Ang lalaki ay nalungkot sa salitang ito at siya ay umalis na namimighati sapagkat marami siyang pag-aari.
    
Sa pagtingin sa palibot, sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniyang mga alagad: Napakahirap para sa mga mayroong kayamanan ang pumasok sa paghahari ng Diyos.
     
Namangha ang mga alagad sa kaniyang mga salita. Muling sumagot si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: Mga anak, napakahirap makapasok sa paghahari ng Diyos ang mga nagtitiwala sa kanilang kayamanan. 

Madali pang dumaan ang isang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa sa pumasok ang isang mayaman sa paghahari ng Diyos.
     
Sila ay lubhang nanggilalas at nagtanungan sa isa't isa: Sino kaya ang maaaring maligtas?
     
Ngunit tiningnan sila ni Jesus at sinabi: Ang mga ito ay hindi maaaring magawa ng mga tao subalit hindi gayon sa Diyos sapagkat ang lahat ng mga bagay ay maaaring magawa ng Diyos.

Our Gospel for Feb 27. Dependence on God.

Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky;
they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes?

Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field,
which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,
will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’
or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.
Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

Huwag Mabalisa

Mateo 6:24-34

Walang taong makapaglilingkod sa dalawang panginoon sapagkat maaaring kapootan niya ang isa at ibigin ang ikalawa. 

Maaaring maging tapat siya sa isa at pawalang-halaga ang ikalawa. Hindi kayo makapaglilingkod sa Diyos at sa kayamanan.

Dahil dito, sinasabi ko sa inyo: 

Huwag kayong mabalisa sa inyong buhay kung ano ang inyong kakainin, o iinumin, o kung ano ang inyong daramtin. Hindi ba ang buhay ay higit pa sa pagkain at ang katawan ay higit pa sa damit?

Tingnan ninyo ang mga ibon sa himpapawid. 

Hindi sila naghahasik, ni gumagapas, ni nag-iipon sa mga bangan, ngunit pinakakain sila ng inyong Ama na nasa langit. Hindi ba lalo kayong higit na mahalaga kaysa sa kanila? Sino sa inyo na sa pagkabalisa ay makapagdaragdag ng isang siko sa kaniyang tangkad?

Bakit kayo nababalisa patungkol sa damit? Masdan ninyo ang mga liryo sa parang kung paano sila lumalaki. Hindi sila gumagawa, ni humahabi man. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Kahit si Solomon, sa lahat ng kaniyang kaluwalhatian, ay hindi nakapaggayak katulad ng isa sa mga ito. Dinaramtan ng Diyos ang damo sa parang, na ngayon ay buhay at bukas ay susunugin. Kung dinaramtan niya ang damo sa ganoong paraan, hindi ba niya kayo daramtan, kayong maliliit ang pananampalataya? 
Kaya nga, huwag kayong mabalisa at inyong sasabihin: Ano ang aming kakainin, ano ang aming iinumin at ano ang aming daramtin? Ang mga bagay na ito ay mahigpit na hinahangad ng mga Gentil. Alam ng inyong Ama na nasa langit na kinakailangan ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito. 

Ngunit hanapin muna ninyo ang paghahari ng Diyos at ang kaniyang katuwiran, at ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito ay idaragdag sa inyo. Huwag nga kayong mabalisa patungkol sa kinabukasan sapagkat ang kinabukasan ang mababalisa sa kaniyang sarili. Sapat na sa bawat araw ang kasamaan nito.

Our Gospel for Feb 26. The Blessing of the Children.

Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.

Si Jesus at ang Maliliit na Bata

Marcos 10:13-16

Dinala nila kay Jesus ang maliliit na bata upang mahipo niya, ngunit sinaway ng mga alagad ang nagdala sa mga bata.

Subalit lubhang nagalit si Jesus nang makita ito. Sinabi niya sa kanila: Pahintulutan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata at huwag ninyo silang hadlangan, sapagkat sa mga katulad nila nauukol ang paghahari ng Diyos.

Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Ang sinumang hindi tumanggap sa paghahari ng Diyos nang tulad sa isang maliit na bata ay hindi makakapasok doon sa anumang paraan.

Nang makalong ni Jesus at maipatong ang kaniyang mga kamay sa mga bata, pinagpala niya sila.

Our Gospel for Feb 24. Temptations to Sin and the Simile of Salt and Light.

Mark 9: 41-50

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 

“Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”

Ang Sanhi ng Pagkakasala


Marcos 9:41-50

⁴¹Dahil kayo ay kay Cristo maaaring may magbigay sa inyo ng isang basong tubig sa pangalan ko. Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Tiyak na hindi mawawalan ng gantimpala ang taong iyon. 
⁴²Ang sinuman ay maaaring maging sanhi ng pagkatisod ng isa sa mga maliliit na ito na nananampalataya sa akin. Mabuti pa sa kaniya na talian ng gilingang-bato sa leeg at itapon siya sa dagat. 
⁴³Kapag ang kamay mo ang naging sanhi ng iyong pagkakatisod, putulin mo ito. Mabuti pa sa iyo na pumasok sa buhay na putol ang isang kamay kaysa may dalawang kamay na pumunta sa impiyerno. Ang apoy doon ay hindi namamatay.
⁴⁴Doon ay hindi namamatay ang kanilang uod at hindi namamatay ang apoy. ⁴⁵Gayundin kapag ang isang paa mo ang naging sanhi ng iyong pagkakatisod, putulin mo ito. Mabuti pa sa iyo ang pumasok sa buhay na putol ang isang paa kaysa may dalawang paa na itapon sa impiyerno, sa apoy na hindi namamatay. ⁴⁶Doon ay hindi namamatay ang kanilang uod at hindi namamatay ang apoy. ⁴⁷Kapag ang mata mo ang naging sanhi ng iyong pagkakatisod, dukitin mo ito. Mabuti pa sa iyo na pumasok sa paghahari ng Diyos na iisa ang mata kaysa may dalawang mata na itapon sa impiyerno ng apoy.
    ⁴⁸Doon ay hindi namamatay ang kanilang uod
      at hindi namamatay ang apoy.
   
 ⁴⁹Ito ay sapagkat ang bawat isa ay aasnan ng apoy at ang bawat hain ay aasnan ng asin.
   
 ⁵⁰Mabuti ang asin, ngunit kapag ito ay tumabang, paano pa ito muling aalat? Magkaroon kayo ng asin sa inyong sarili at magkaroon kayo ng kapayapaan sa isa't isa.

Our Gospel for Feb 23. Another Exorcist.

Mark 9:38-40

John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.”

Sinumang Hindi Laban sa Atin ay Panig sa Atin

Marcos 9:38-40

³⁸Sumagot sa kaniya si Juan: Guro, nakita namin ang isang taong nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng pangalan mo. Ngunit hindi siya sumusunod sa atin. Pinagbawalan namin siya sapagkat hindi siya sumusunod sa atin.    

 ³⁹Ngunit sinabi ni Jesus: Huwag ninyo siyang pagbawalan sapagkat walang taong gumagawa ng himala sa pangalan ko at makakapagsalita agad ng masama laban sa akin. ⁴⁰Ito ay sapagkat ang hindi laban sa inyo ay panig sa inyo.

Our Gospel for Feb 22. The Foundation of the Church.

Matthew 16:13-19


When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

Ang Pahayag ni Pedro Patungkol sa Mesiyas

Mateo 16:13-19

 ¹³Nang makarating si Jesus sa mga lupain ng Cesarea Filipo, tinanong niya ang kaniyang mga alagad. Sinabi niya: Ayon sa sinasabi ng mga tao, sino raw ba ako na Anak ng Tao?  
   
 ¹⁴Sinabi nila: Ang sabi ng iba: Si Juan na tagapagbawtismo. Ang sabi ng ilan: Si Elias. At ang iba ay nagsabing ikaw si Jeremias, o isa sa mga propeta.
   
 ¹⁵Sinabi niya sa kanila: Ngunit ayon sa inyo sino ako?
   
 ¹⁶Sumagot si Simon Pedro: Ikaw ang Mesiyas, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay.
   
 ¹⁷Sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya: Pinagpala ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas sapagkat hindi ito ipinahayag sa iyo ng laman at dugo kundi ng aking Ama na nasa langit. ¹⁸At sinasabi ko rin sa iyo: Ikaw ay Pedro. Sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking iglesiya. Hindi makakapanaig sa kaniya ang tarangkahan ng Hades. ¹⁹Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng paghahari ng langit. Anuman ang iyong tatalian sa lupa ay tatalian sa langit. Anuman ang iyong kalagan sa lupa ay kakalagan sa langit.

Our Gospel for Feb 21. The Boy who was possessed by a mute spirit.

Mk 9:14-29


As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John
and approached the other disciples,
they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Immediately on seeing him,
the whole crowd was utterly amazed.
They ran up to him and greeted him.
He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”
Someone from the crowd answered him,
“Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;
he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.
I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”
He said to them in reply,
“O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?
How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”
They brought the boy to him.
And when he saw him,
the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions.
As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around
and foam at the mouth.
Then he questioned his father,
“How long has this been happening to him?”
He replied, “Since childhood.
It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him.
But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus said to him,
“‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering,
rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it,
“Mute and deaf spirit, I command you:
come out of him and never enter him again!”
Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out.
He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!”
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private,
“Why could we not drive the spirit out?”
He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”




Pinagaling ni Jesus ang Batang Inaalihan ng Karumal-dumal na Espiritu


Marcos 9:14-29


 14Sa paglapit nila sa mga alagad, nakita niya ang napakaraming tao na nakapalibot sa kanila. Ang mga guro ng kautusan ay nakikipagtalo sa kanila. 15Kapagdaka nang makita siya ng lahat, sila ay lubhang nagtaka at naglapitan na bumabati sa kaniya.


 
 16Tinanong niya ang mga guro ng kautusan: Ano ang ipinakikipagtalo ninyo sa kanila?


 
 17Sumagot ang isa mula sa napakaraming tao: Guro, dinala ko sa iyo ang aking anak na may piping espiritu na siyang dahilan ng kaniyang pagkapipi. 18Tuwing siya ay sinusunggaban nito, siya ay ibinabalibag nito. Bumubula ang kaniyang bibig at nagngangalit ang kaniyang mga ngipin at siya ay nanunuyot. Sinabi ko sa iyong mga alagad na palabasin ang espiritu ngunit hindi nila kaya.


 
 19Sinabi ni Jesus: O lahing walang panananampalataya, hanggang kailan ako mananatiling kasama ninyo? Hanggang kailan ako magtitiis sa inyo? Dalhin ninyo siya sa akin.


 
 20Dinala nga nila siya kay Jesus. Pagkakita kay Jesus, kaagad na pinangisay ng espiritu ang bata. Bumagsak ito sa lupa at nagpagulong-gulong na bumubula ang bibig.


 
 21Tinanong ni Jesus ang ama ng bata: Kailan pa nangyari sa kaniya ang ganito?
    Sinabi ng ama: Mula pa sa pagkabata. 22Madalas siyang itapon sa apoy at tubig upang siya ay patayin nito. Ngunit kung may magagawa ka, tulungan mo kami, mahabag ka sa amin.


 
 23Sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya: Kung sumampalataya ka, ang lahat ay maaaring mangyari sa kaniya na sumasampalataya.


 
 24Kaagad na sumigaw na may luha ang ama ng bata: Sumasampalataya ako, Panginoon. Tulungan mo ako sa kawalan ko ng pananampalataya.


 
 25Nang makita ni Jesus na patakbong dumarating ang mga tao, sinaway niya ang karumal-dumal na espiritu: Sinabi niya: Espiritu ng pipi at bingi, inuutos ko sa iyo na lumabas ka sa kaniya at huwag ka nang papasok sa kaniya.


 
 26Ang espiritu ay sumigaw, pinangisay ang bata at lumabas sa kaniya. Nagmistulang patay ang bata na anupa't marami ang nagsabi na patay na ang bata. 27Ngunit nang hawakan siya ni Jesus sa kamay at ibangon, ang bata ay bumangon.


 
 28Nang makapasok si Jesus sa bahay, tinanong siya nang bukod ng kaniyang mga alagad: Bakit hindi namin siya mapalabas?


 
 29Sinabi niya sa kanila: Ang ganitong uri ay hindi mapapalabas maliban sa pamamagitan ng pananalangin at pag-aayuno.

Teaching about Retaliation.
 
Matthew 5:38-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
“You have heard that it was said,
 You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Mata sa Mata

Mateo 5:38-48

 ³⁸Narinig ninyong sinabi: Mata sa mata at ngipin sa ngipin. ³⁹Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Huwag ninyong kalabanin ang masamang tao. Ngunit ang sinumang sumampal sa iyo sa kanang pisngi, iharap mo rin sa kaniya ang kabila. ⁴⁰Kung may ibig magsakdal sa iyo at kunin ang iyong damit, payagan mo na rin siyang kunin ang iyong balabal. ⁴¹Sinumang pumilit sa iyo na lumakad ng higit sa isang kilometro, lumakad ka ng higit pa sa dalawang kilometro na kasama niya. ⁴²Bigyan mo ang humihingi sa iyo at huwag mong talikdan ang ibig humiram sa iyo.   
⁴³Narinig ninyong sinabi: Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa at kapootan mo ang iyong kaaway. ⁴⁴Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Ibigin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway. Pagpalain ninyo ang mga napopoot sa inyo. Gawan ninyo ng mabuti ang mga nagagalit sa inyo. Ipanalangin ninyo ang mga umaalipusta sa inyo at ang mga umuusig sa inyo. ⁴⁵Ito ay upang kayo ay magiging mga anak ng inyong Ama na nasa langit sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang kaniyang araw sa mga masama at sa mga mabuti. At binibigyan niya ng ulan ang mga matuwid at ang mga hindi matuwid. ⁴⁶Ito ay sapagkat kung ang iibigin lamang ninyo ay ang mga umiibig sa inyo, anong gantimpala ang inyong makakamit? Hindi ba ganyan din ang ginagawa ng mga maniningil ng buwis? ⁴⁷Kapag ang mga kapatid lamang ninyo ang inyong babatiin, ano ang kahigitan ninyo sa iba? Hindi ba ganyan din ang ginagawa ng mga maniningil ng buwis? ⁴⁸Kaya nga, kayo ay magpakasakdal tulad ng inyong Ama na nasa langit ay sakdal.

Our Gospel for Feb 19. The Transfiguration of Jesus.

Mark 9:2-13

Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
then from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Then they asked him,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things,
yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man
that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?
But I tell you that Elijah has come
and they did to him whatever they pleased,
as it is written of him.”


Ang Pagbabagong Anyo

Marcos 9:2-13

 ²Pagkaraan ng anim na araw, isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Santiago at Juan. Dinala niya silang bukod sa mataas na bundok na sila lang ang naroroon. Siya ay nagbagong anyo sa harap nila. ³Ang kaniyang kasuotan ay naging makinang, pumuti na gaya ng niyebe. Walang tagapagpaputi ng damit sa lupa ang makapagpapaputi ng ganoon. ⁴Si Elias, kasama ni Moises ay nagpakita sa kanila na nakikipag-usap kay Jesus.    
 ⁵Si Pedro ay nagsabi kay Jesus: Guro, mabuti para sa amin na kami ay naririto. Magtatayo kami ng tatlong kubol, isa para sa iyo, isa para kay Moises at isa para kay Elias. ⁶Hindi niya alam ang kaniyang sasabihin sapagkat sila ay takot na takot.
   
 ⁷At dumating ang isang ulap at nililiman sila. Narinig nila ang isang tinig mula sa ulap na nagsasabi: Ito ang minamahal kong Anak, pakinggan ninyo siya.
   
 ⁸Ngunit kapagdaka sa pagtingin nila sa paligid, wala na silang nakitang sinuman kundi si Jesus na lamang na kasama nila.
   
 ⁹Habang sila ay bumababa mula sa bundok, pinagbilinan sila ni Jesus na huwag nilang sabihin kaninuman ang kanilang nakita malibang mabuhay mula sa mga patay ang Anak ng Tao. ¹⁰Iningatan nila sa kanilang sarili ang pananalitang ito at nagtatanungan sila kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagkabuhay mula sa mga patay.
   
 ¹¹Tinanong nila si Jesus: Bakit sinasabi ng mga guro ng kautusan na dapat munang dumating si Elias?
   
 ¹²Sumagot si Jesus: Tunay na darating muna si Elias, at kaniyang pananauliin ang lahat ng mga bagay. Bakit isinulat ang patungkol sa Anak ng Tao na siya ay magdurusa ng maraming mga bagay at siya ay hahamakin? ¹³Subalit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Si Elias ay dumating na. Ginawa sa kaniya ang anumang inibig nila ayon sa nasusulat patungkol sa kaniya.

Our Gospel for Feb 18. The Conditions of Discipleship.

Mark 8:34-38, 9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the Gospel will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
What could one give in exchange for his life?
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words
in this faithless and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
He also said to them,
“Amen, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

Tanggihan ang Sarili at Sumunod sa Akin

Marcos 8:34-38, 9:1

 ³⁴Pinalapit ni Jesus ang mga tao kasama ang kaniyang mga alagad at sinabi sa kanila: Ang sinumang nagnanais sumunod sa akin, tanggihan niya ang kaniyang sarili, pasanin ang kaniyang krus at sumunod sa akin. 
³⁵Ito ay sapagkat ang sinumang nagnanais na magligtas ng kaniyang buhay ay mawawalan nito. Datapuwat ang sinumang mawalan ng buhay dahil sa akin at sa ebanghelyo ay maililigtas niya ito. ³⁶Ano ang mapapakinabangan ng isang tao kung makamtan man niya ang buong sanlibutan at mawala ang kaniyang kaluluwa? ³⁷Ano ang maibibigay ng tao bilang kapalit ng kaniyang kaluluwa? ³⁸Ito ay sapagkat ang sinumang magkakahiya sa akin at sa aking mga salita sa harapan ng lahing ito na mapangalunya at makasalanan ay ikakahiya rin ng Anak ng Tao pagdating niya sa kaluwalhatian ng kaniyang Ama na kasama ng mga banal na anghel. 

¹Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Mayroong ilang nakatayo rito na sa anumang paraan ay hindi makakaranas ng kamatayan hangga't hindi nila nakikita ang paghahari ng Diyos na dumating na may kapangyarihan. 

Our Gospel for Feb 17. You are the Christ.

Mark 8:27-23

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along
the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.”And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
 
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 

Ang Pahayag ni Pedro Patungkol sa Mesiyas

 Marcos 8:27-33

 ²⁷Si Jesus at ang kaniyang mga alagad ay umalis patungo sa mga nayon ng Cesarea Filipo. Habang sila ay nasa daan, tinanong sila ni Jesus: Ayon sa sinasabi ng mga tao, sino raw ako?    
 ²⁸Sumagot sila: Ang sabi ng iba: Si Juan na tagapagbawtismo. Ang sabi ng ilan: Si Elias. Ngunit ang iba ay nagsabing ikaw ay isa sa mga propeta.
   
 ²⁹Sinabi niya sa kanila: Ngunit ayon sa inyo, sino ako?
   Sumagot si Pedro at sinabi sa kaniya: Ikaw ang Mesiyas.
   
 ³⁰Kaya mahigpit na ipinagbilin ni Jesus sa kanila na huwag nilang sasabihin sa kaninuman ang patungkol sa kaniya.
 ³¹Sinimulan niyang magturo sa kanila: Kinakailangang ang Anak ng Tao ay maghirap ng maraming bagay at tanggihan ng mga matanda, mga pinunong-saserdote at mga guro ng kautusan at ipapapatay. At pagkalipas ng tatlong araw ay muling mabubuhay. ³²Hayagang sinabi ito ni Jesus sa kanila. Gayunman, isinama siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulang sawayin siya.    
 ³³Ngunit sa paglingon at pagkakita ni Jesus sa kaniyang mga alagad, sinaway niya si Pedro na sinasabi: Pumunta ka sa likuran ko, Satanas. Ito ay sapagkat hindi ukol sa Diyos ang iniisip mong mga bagay kundi ukol sa mga tao.

Our Gospel for Feb 16. Blind Person Cured.

Mark 8:22-26

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

Ang Pagpapagaling sa Lalaking Bulag na Taga-Betsaida

Marcos 8:22-26

Siya ay pumunta sa Betsaida at kanilang dinala sa kaniya ang isang lalaking bulag. Ipinamanhik nila sa kaniya na siya ay hipuin ni Jesus. 

Sa paghawak ni Jesus sa kamay ng lalaking bulag, kaniyang inakay siya na palabas sa nayon. Niluraan niya ang mga mata ng bulag at ipinatong ang kaniyang kamay sa kaniya. Tinanong siya ni Jesus: May nakita ka bang anuman?
   
Pagtingala niya ay kaniyang sinabi: Nakikita ko ang mga tao na parang mga punong-kahoy na lumalakad.
   
Muling ipinatong ni Jesus ang kamay niya sa kaniyang mga mata at muli siyang pinatingala. Siya ay napanauli at malinaw niyang nakikita ang lahat ng mga tao. Pinauwi siya ni Jesus sa kaniyang bahay na sinasabi: Huwag kang papasok sa anumang nayon at huwag mo itong sasabihin sa kaninuman.

Our Gospel for Feb 15. The Leaven of the Pharisees.

Mark 8:14-21


The disciples had forgotten to bring bread,
and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod.”
They concluded among themselves that
it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
“Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember,
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,
how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?”
They answered him, “Twelve.”
“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?”
They answered him, “Seven.”
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”


Mag-ingat sa Pampaalsa ng mga Fariseo at ni Herodes

Marcos 8:14-21

 ¹⁴Nalimutan ng mga alagad na magdala ng tinapay maliban sa iisang tinapay na dala nila sa bangka. ¹⁵Sila ay pinagbilinan ni Jesus na sinasabi: Narito, mag-ingat kayo sa pampaalsa ng mga Fariseo at sa pampaalsa ni Herodes.    
 ¹⁶Sila ay nangatwiranan sa isa't isa na nagsasabi: Ito ay sapagkat wala tayong tinapay.
   
 ¹⁷Sa pagkaalam nito sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: Bakit kayo nangangatwiran sa isa't isa? Ito ba ay dahil sa wala kayong tinapay? Hindi ba ninyo napag-iisipan at nauunawaan? Pinatigas na ba ninyo ang inyong puso? ¹⁸Mayroon kayong mga mata, hindi ba ninyo nakikita? Mayroon kayong mga tainga, hindi ba ninyo naririnig? Hindi ba ninyo maalaala? ¹⁹Noong putul-putulin ko ang limang tinapay para sa limang libo at inipon ninyo ang natirang tinapay, ilang bakol ang napuno?
   Sinabi nila sa kaniya: Labindalawa.
   
 ²⁰Nang putul-putulin ko ang pitong tinapay para sa apat na libo at ipunin ninyo ang natirang tinapay, ilang kaing ang napuno ninyo?
   Sinabi nila: Pito.
   
 ²¹Sinabing muli ni Jesus sa kanila: Paanong hindi ninyo nauunawaan?

Our Gospel for Feb 14. The Demand for a Sign.

Mk 8:11-13

 

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,

seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.

Hiningan si Jesus ng Tanda

Marcos 8:11-13

 ¹¹Lumabas ang mga Fariseo at nagsimulang makipagtalo sa kaniya. Hinahanapan siya ng isang tanda mula sa langit, upang subukin siya. ¹²Dumaing siya sa kaniyang espiritu na sinasabi: Bakit mahigpit na naghahangad ng tanda ang lahing ito? Tunay na sinasabi ko sa inyo: Hindi bibigyan ng isang tanda ang mga tao sa panahong ito. ¹³Pagkaiwan niya sa kanila at pagkasakay muli sa bangka, tumawid siya sa kabilang ibayo.

Our Gospel for Feb 13. The Fulfillment.

Mt 5:17-37 or 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a,37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you,
whoever is angry with brother
will be liable to judgment.

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
Anything more is from the evil one.”

Our Gospel for Feb 12. The miracle of the seven loaves and fishes.

 Mark 8:1-10

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat,Jesus summoned the disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.
If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way,and some of them have come a great distance.”
His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread
to satisfy them here in this deserted place?”
Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”
They replied, “Seven.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them,
and gave them to his disciples to distribute,
and they distributed them to the crowd.
They also had a few fish.
He said the blessing over them
and ordered them distributed also.
They ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets.
There were about four thousand people.
He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples
and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

Pinakain ni Jesus ang Apat na Libong Tao

 Marcos 8:1-10

 ¹Nang mga araw na iyon, ang mga tao ay napakarami. Walang makain ang mga ito kaya tinawag ni Jesus ang kaniyang mga alagad. Sinabi niya sa kanila: ²Ako ay nahahabag sa mga tao, sapagkat tatlong araw na silang sumasama sa akin at walang makain. ³Kung pauwin ko sila sa kanilang tirahan na hindi pa nakakakain, manlulupaypay sila sa daan sapagkat malayo pa ang pinanggalingan ng ilan sa kanila.    
 ⁴Sinabi ng mga alagad: Papaano mapapakain ng sinuman ang mga taong ito ng tinapay sa ilang na dakong ito?
   
 ⁵Tinanong niya sila: Ilan ang inyong tinapay diyan?
   Sumagot sila: Pito.
   
 ⁶Iniutos niya sa napakaraming tao na maupo sa lupa. Nang makuha niya ang pitong tinapay at makapagpasalamat, pinagpira-piraso niya ang mga ito. Ibinigay niya ang mga ito sa kaniyang mga alagad upang idulot sa mga tao. Idinulot nila ang mga ito sa mga tao. ⁷Mayroon din silang ilang maliliit na isda. Nang mapagpala niya ito ay ninais din niyang ito ay maidulot sa kanila. ⁸Kumain ang lahat at sila ay nabusog. Kanilang kinuha ang lumabis na pira-pirasong tinapay. Nakapuno sila ng pitong kaing. ⁹Iyong mga nakakain ay halos apat na libo. Nang magkagayon, pinauwi sila ni Jesus. ¹⁰Kapagdaka, nang siya ay sumakay sa bangka kasama ng kaniyang mga alagad. Nagtungo sila sa mga sakop ng Dalmanuta.

Our Gospel for Feb 11. The Healing of a Deaf Man.

Mark 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”)
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to,
the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
“He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Ang Pagpapagaling sa Lalaking Bingi at Pipi

Marcos 7:31-37


 ³¹Muling umalis si Jesus sa lupaing nasasakupan ng Tiro at Sidon, at dumating siya sa lawa ng Galilea hanggang sa sakop ng Decapolis. ³²Kanilang dinala sa kaniya ang isang lalaking bingi na nahihirapang magsalita. Ipinamanhik nila sa kaniya na ipatong niya sa lalaking ito ang kaniyang mga kamay.    
 ³³Nang mailayo siya ni Jesus mula sa napakaraming tao, isinuot niya ang kaniyang daliri sa mga tainga nito. Pagkatapos, lumura si Jesus at hinipo ang dila nito. ³⁴Sa pagtingala niya sa langit, siya ay dumaing at sinabi sa lalaki: Efata. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay: Mabuksan. ³⁵Kaagad na nabuksan ang mga tainga ng lalaki. Nakalag ang tali na pumipigil sa kaniyang dila at nagsalita na siya nang malinaw.
   
 ³⁶Iniutos sa kanila ni Jesus na huwag itong sasabihin kaninuman. Ngunit kung gaano silang pinagbawalan ay lalo naman nilang ipinamamalita ito. ³⁷Sila ay lubhang nanggilalas na nagsasabi: Ang lahat ng kaniyang ginawa ay napakabuti. Ginawa niyang ang bingi ay makarinig at ang pipi ay makapagsalita.