Novena Day 2 – February 3, 2020

Excerpts from the homily of Rev. Fr. Jerome Cruz, Vicar General Diocese of Caloocan in English and Pilipino:

“We experience various sins and evil throughout our lives. This is why Our Lady teaches repentance. The demons that wrap around us have to be identified, then delivered before we ask for healing. Unfortunately, many are unaware which demons are with them. Having bad habits, not being open to constructive criticism, they do not understand the evil in them because they avoid the sacrament of reconciliation, there is no acceptance, no humility. This is how sin increases.”

“Small lies lead more lies. This is the root of corruption. With evil desires, we are unable to break away from the chains of sin. Some are stuck in immoral and disordered relationships, even if they know this to be wrong. Being tied to immoral relationships destroys families.”

“Indifference is a sin because it is not love. Obsessively caring for ourselves alone is not taught by the Lord, it is not how a Christian lives. Spreading the Word of God, always ready to sympathize, being full of compassion, generously shares with others, grieves with others, being one with others- this is what God desires from us.”

“Before long, getting accustomed to sinful behavior slowly becomes our “new normal”.  We become familiar and used to it, even if it is wrong.”

“Brothers and Sisters, God desires that we focus on Him, on His Love and on the light that makes darkness disappear. It is Our Lord who removes all sin and evil in our lives. That is why we are reborn and given new life when we receive Jesus Christ.”

“Tonight let us ask the Lord for the gift of faithfulness so we may receive healing in our bodies and minds.”

“Thank you Jesus for your love.”

ANG SANDATA SA TUKSO NG MUNDO- BUONG  KATAPATAN KAY KRISTO

by Aurora De Los Reyes

Sa ating buhay, marami tayong nararanasang iba’t-ibang uri ng kasalanan.

Kadalasan ay ayaw nating aminin ang kasalanan. Kapag may pumupuna sa ating kamalian, nagagalit o nagtatampo tayo. Wala tayong kababaang loob. Mula sa maliit na kasalanan, kapag nakalusot, inuulit pa itong kamalian hanggang sa lumaki na ito. Ito ang pinaguugatan ng corruption.

Ang turo ng mundo: pangalagaan ang sarili; magkaroon ng kawalan ng “paki” sa kapwa. Ang turo ni Hesus: palaganapin ang buhay ng Diyos sa lahat ng tao—pakikisalamuha, pakikidalamhati, pagibig. Sa ating buhay, kung minsan tayo ay nahihirati sa masamang ugali. Okay lang sa ating gumawa ng hindi mabuti. Nguni’t ang ninanais ng Panginoon ay tumuon tayo sa Kanya; humingi tayo ng kapatawaran sapagka’t siya ang nag-aalis ng kasalanan sa ating buhay. Tulad ng taong inalihan ng demonyo sa Gospel sa araw na ito, humiling siya kay Hesus na pagalingin siya. Tulad ng taong ito, alisin natin ang demonyo sa ating buhay.

Ang tema sa paghahanda para sa kapistahan dito sa Lourdes ay ang “OO” ni Maria. Dahil sa “OO” ni Maria, naganap ang lahat ng bagay. Buong-buo ang puso, kaluluwa, damdamin at ang pagbibigay ng sarili ni Maria sa Panginoon.

Ang ating hiling sa gabing ito: Maging buong-buo ang ating katapatan sa Panginoon upang matanggap natin ang kagalingan ng ating isipan, puso at kaluluwa tulad ng buong-buong “OO” ni Maria.  Ang pagiging tapat sa Panginoon ang tiyak nating sandata sa tukso ng mundo.

#NSOLLPH