Pray with Persistence

Pray with Persistence

In this Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa encouraged us to pray with persistence. At times, we face situations so heavy they seem beyond hope. Doubt creeps in, and prayer feels ineffective. Yet, we are challenged today to hold on—to keep praying, not occasionally, but consistently, as a daily habit grounded in faith. In fact, the Gospel speaks directly to our hearts: pray always and never lose heart. As beloved children of God, we are not forgotten. He sees our struggles. He hears every word. Unlike the unjust judge in the parable, our God is a just and loving Father. When we pray with persistence, we don’t convince God to act; rather, we allow Him to transform us. Prayer humbles us, sharpens our dependence, and reveals the truth: apart from God, we can do nothing. Certainly, persevering in prayer involves struggle. It’s a spiritual fight—not against God, but with Him. Through that battle, He reshapes our hearts, preparing us to take part in His work of transformation. Therefore, don’t lose heart. Even when heaven seems silent or the waiting feels endless, keep pressing on in prayer. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Keep believing. In the end, praying persistently not only opens doors but deepens our relationship with the One who holds our lives in His hands. So, pray with persistence. God hears. God acts. And through it all, He changes us. 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time - October 19, 2025 First Proclamation: Genesis 32:22-30 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121 Second Proclamation: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8 Homily by +Bp. Romie- Jun Peñalosa Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/pray-with-persistence/?feed_id=592&_unique_id=68f45a9568c9c

Gratitude is a Commitment

Gratitude is a Commitment

In today’s Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us of a powerful truth: Gratitude is a commitment. The Gospel speaks of the ten lepers—isolated, rejected, and stripped of dignity. They cried out to Jesus from a distance, desperate for healing. Like them, we sometimes keep our distance from God, ashamed of our sins and mistakes. Yet even then, God hears us. His mercy reaches beyond our shame and invites us to come closer. But healing is not the end—it’s the beginning. Only one leper returned to thank Jesus. The rest forgot. Isn’t that often the case with us too? When life is hard, we cry out. But when blessings come, we move on without a word. Gratitude isn’t just saying “thank you” when it’s convenient. Gratitude is a commitment—a daily decision to recognize God’s goodness and stay connected to Him. True gratitude involves faith. It requires us to walk with Jesus, to grow in relationship with Him, and to offer our lives in return. It asks us to see beyond our needs and recognize the grace already given. Rather than complaining about what we lack, we are called to count what we have—and praise God for it. When we choose gratitude, we choose commitment. And that commitment deepens our faith, shapes our hearts, and draws us nearer to Christ. So today, let’s not only ask God for blessings. Let’s also return to Him with thanks—and live each day as a response to His mercy. 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time - October 12, 2025 First Proclamation: 2 Kings 5:8-15 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111 Second Proclamation: 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19 Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/gratitude-is-a-commitment/?feed_id=583&_unique_id=68eb24a583fb8

Faith Leads to Service

Faith Leads to Service

In his Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Parish in Kalibo, Bishop Romie-Jun Peñalosa emphasized a powerful message: faith leads to service. Drawing from today’s Gospel, he reflected on how these two values—faith and service—are deeply connected. Faith begins with believing that God is always with us, in both joy and hardship. A life of faith acknowledges God in all things—not just in words, but in daily actions. True faith is not hidden or passive; it actively shapes how we live and how we treat others. Bishop Peñalosa reminded the faithful that faith is good, but it finds its fullest expression through service. When we serve others with love, humility, and no expectation of reward, we reflect the very heart of the Gospel. Service becomes more than a duty—it becomes a natural overflow of a life rooted in faith. Faith should never remain private or stagnant. Instead, it calls us to step out, reach others, and be instruments of God’s grace. A faith that moves us to serve is a faith that transforms lives—both our own and those around us. In the end, Bishop Peñalosa challenged everyone to live out their faith not just by believing, but by doing—by serving. Because when faith is real, service will follow. 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time- October 5, 2025 Theme: Go & Proclaim: "Doing our Duty Faithfully and Willingly” First Proclamation: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:1-3,4-6,7-9 Second Proclamation: 2 Tim.1:1-10 Gospel Proclamation: Luke 17:5-10 Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless!     https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/faith-leads-to-service/?feed_id=574&_unique_id=68e1edcd22100

Help the Poor

Help the Poor

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa emphasized the Christian call to Help the Poor. Today’s readings invite us to shape our character—especially by growing in generosity.

God gives us the wisdom to gain wealth, but we must not let it consume us. Instead, we are called to share what we have, particularly with those in need. When handled unwisely, wealth can harden our hearts and draw us away from God. It can blind us to the needs of others.

Generosity begins with empathy—feeling what others feel. That empathy should lead to compassion, moving us to act. To Help the Poor is not just a suggestion; it is a command rooted in love.

The Church teaches three core missions: worship, evangelism, and caring for the poor. Among these, caring for the poor is vital. It goes beyond financial support—it includes helping anyone in need, whether emotionally, spiritually, or physically.

Let us not be trapped by earthly riches. Instead, let us use them as a way to serve. When we give, we free our hearts from materialism and open them to God.

So when should we start? The answer is simple: Help the Poor—start now.

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time- September 28, 2025

First Reading: Amos 6:1-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:1-3,4-6,7-9

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31

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God Uses the Little Things

God Uses the Little Things

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa powerfully reminds us that God uses the little things to help us grow in faith, wisdom, and responsibility.

The Gospel focuses on the parable of the unrighteous steward. From this story, we draw two powerful lessons—both grounded in the truth that God often works through the small and ordinary.

Be Wise and Purposeful
We are called to be wiser than those who don’t walk with God. That wisdom should show in how we handle money and relationships. Use what you have—no matter how small—to bless others and build friendships that matter in eternity. Even simple choices carry spiritual weight.

Faithfulness Leads to Growth
God pays attention to how we manage the little things. When we act with faith and integrity in small matters, God entrusts us with more. But if we neglect them, we hinder our own growth. Each step of faith, no matter how small, prepares us for greater responsibility.

True Riches Come from God
There are two kinds of wealth: material and spiritual. Earthly riches fade, but spiritual ones last. When we steward our material blessings well, we show God we’re ready for deeper, lasting gifts.

Invest with God’s Purpose
Don’t let fear make you hide your resources. Invest wisely. Spend with purpose. Let every small act reflect God’s principles. God uses the little things—our time, money, words, and actions—to build His Kingdom in us and through us.

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 21, 2025

First Proclamation: Amos 8:4-12

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113

Second Proclamation: I Timothy 2:1-8

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-12

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Joy in Finding the Lost

Joy in Finding the Lost

In this Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Parish in Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa powerfully reminded us of a central Christian truth: there is great joy in finding the lost.

In his homily, he reflected on the Gospel parables—stories that may sound absurd from a human perspective. Who would leave 99 sheep just to find one that wandered off? Who would turn the house upside down to look for a single coin? And yet, Jesus used these examples to reveal how God values every person.

If you were the lost sheep or the misplaced coin, God wouldn’t hesitate to search for you. He would seek you out with love and rejoice the moment He found you. In the same way, God calls us to do the same for others. When we reach out to someone who has gone astray and help them return to Him, we don’t just fulfill a duty—we share in His joy.

One way we can do this is through mission work. When we step out of our comfort zones and meet people where they are—especially those who feel forgotten or far from faith—we participate in God's redemptive work.

We were once lost, too. We didn’t earn our way back; God pursued us with mercy and brought us home. Because of that, we now carry the mission to find others.

So, let’s seek out the least, the lost, and the lowly—not out of obligation, but out of love. Let’s bring them back to the Father, who never stops searching.

The joy doesn’t lie in numbers or status. The joy is in finding the lost.

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 14, 2025 First Proclamation: Exodus 32:7-14 Second Proclamation: I Timothy 1:12-17 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51 Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10   Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/joy-in-finding-the-lost/?feed_id=547&_unique_id=68c64488aa2cf

Become a Disciple

In last Sunday’s Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, Fr. Erel Villanueva delivered a powerful message centered on the call to Become a Disciple of Jesus. Drawing from the Gospel reading, he highlighted the radical demands Jesus places on those who desire to follow Him—not to discourage, but to inspire genuine commitment.

To begin with, Fr. Villanueva explained that to Become a Disciple, we must be willing to let go, even of those closest to us. Jesus teaches that we must prioritize God above all else, including our families. This doesn’t mean abandoning them, but rather placing God first in everything. At times, family ties can unintentionally hold us back from our true spiritual calling. Yet, when we place God at the center of our lives, He covers and cares for our families as well. Eventually, through our faith and witness, they may come to understand our calling.

In addition, Fr. Villanueva emphasized the importance of self-denial. To Become a Disciple means setting aside our own desires and trusting in God’s greater plan. While we may have our own dreams and goals, God’s purpose for our lives far exceeds anything we could imagine. This requires humility, trust, and a willingness to follow Him, even when the path is uncertain.

Moreover, becoming a disciple involves total surrender. We are called to trust in God alone, forsaking everything that holds us back. It is not a life of comfort or convenience, but one of deep faith and unwavering dedication.

In conclusion, to Become a Disciple in the biblical sense is to follow Jesus fully and faithfully, no matter the cost. It is a life marked by sacrifice, trust, and obedience. By putting God first, denying ourselves, and surrendering everything to Him, we take real steps toward true discipleship—never turning back, but pressing forward in faith and love.

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 7, 2025

First Proclamation: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20

Second Proclamation: Philemon 1: 4-16

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139

Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 26-33

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