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