OnwardDominicans

'Fight Hate With Love'

'Kapag gumawa ka ng maliit na bagay na kabutihan, it is something bigger in the eyes of God'
(If you do small good things, it is something bigger in the eyes of God)

'Huwag nating hangarin ang masama sa kapwa, hangarin natin ang hangad ng Diyos'
(Do not wish evil upon others, but instead, let us desire what God's will) .

On October 1, 2024, the fourth day of the Family Rosary Crusade (FRC) Rev. Fr. John Patrick Gumasing, the parochial vicar of the parish of St. Francis of Assisi, led the homily. He emphasized the gospel Luke 9:51-56. According to him, this gospel has two meanings and a purpose; first is Jesus' last destination at Jerusalem where he will save us all.

'Nais pa rin niyang yakapin ang paghihirap na ito dahil mahal niya ang taong ito.' (He still chooses to embrace this suffering because he loves us.)

In this sentence, Father Gumasing points out that we all have suffered so we should accept it like what Jesus did when he was about to sacrifice his own life just for us. He knew at first that something would happen to him, but he courageously accepted it just to redeem us all.

Muli niyang binigyang-diin ang mga katagang 'Keep Focus on Christ,' na nagpapahiwatig na kapag ang ating sarili ay nakatutok lamang sa Panginoon, ang lahat ng ating hangarin at pasanin ay tatanggapin natin ng buong puso, at dadalhin tayo sa tamang daan tungo sa isang buklod-buklod na samahan.

He also said that Jesus is willing to conquer everything even sacrificing his own life just to save us all. He will do everything out of his divine love for us, let this be a reminder that if the Lord is willing to sacrifice himself we should also embrace him and accept him in our lives.

'Itong maliit na kabutihan na ito, ay malaki sa mata ng Diyos,' (This minor act of goodness is immense in God's eyes)

Second, he said this because Jesus went to Safaria and the people did not welcome him there warmly, St. James and St. John wants the Samaritan to pay them back, but Jesus said,

'Naparito ang anak ng tao hindi para hamakin kundi iligtas ang lahat.' (The Son of Man came not to condemn, but to save everyone.)

The followers should show kindness, despite the expletive and disrespectful words thrown at them. Jesus empowers us to courageously face trials to be able to follow Him.

Some people will oppose us and reject us, but we should think like Christ. We still need to show them what is right and just. You and the sinful people have no difference if you repeat the actions they did just to get back at them. It's better if you know to yourself that you are doing what is in accordance with God's will. Do something good even if it's small because it is bigger in the eyes of the Lord; He knows you were good on that day. Like Jesus Christ, do not desire revenge; desire to show compassion to our neighbors. The results of the good deeds we do every day should lead us to join the Lord in the good things He is doing for mankind, allowing us to be with him in eternal life.

Lastly, Fr. Gumasing reminds us of the eternal love of the Lord for us and how Jesus Christ accepted us even though we didn't welcome Him and were willing to sacrifice His life for us. From being courageous in facing the battles and challenges in our life just like what he did to redeem us, to not taking revenge because it will just cause us harm and you are no different from the person who wronged you, like what he said to Santiago and Juan when Samaritan spoke badly to them. Let's all take Jesus Christ, accept him in our lives, and be like Him.