Walk in the Path of God

Walk in the Path of God

1st Sunday in Lent - March 9, 2025 First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 91:1-3; 4-5; 14-16 Second Reading: Romans 10:6b-13 Gospel Reading: Luke 4:1-13 Homily by +Bp. Romie- Jun Peñalosa In his Sunday Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun reminded us to walk in the path that God has prepared for each of us. The season of Lent calls us to refocus our hearts on God, inviting us to leave behind old habits and devote ourselves more fully to Him. God leads us into our own wilderness to teach and transform us. Yet, along the way, we face temptations that can draw us away from the path He has set for us—the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. To overcome these temptations, Jesus has given us the commands to fast, give, and pray. We are called to spend extra time in prayer to humble our hearts, to fast from the desires of the flesh, and to give to others in order to overcome the lust of the eyes. Through these acts, we grow closer to God and stronger in our faith.

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Shine the Light of Jesus

Shine the Light of Jesus

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Transfiguration Sunday First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 99:1-2, 3&5, 6-7, 8-9 Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36 Homily by +Romie- Jun Peñalosa

In his homily at Sunday Mass in Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa encouraged us to shine the light of Jesus. On this Transfiguration Sunday, we celebrate how God reveals the glory we are destined to inherit. When we choose to follow Jesus, He transforms us into His image and likeness.

However, our walk with the Lord is often hindered by sin, which can dim our light. Like a dirty mirror, we cannot fully reflect the brilliance of God’s love. To truly shine the light of Jesus, we must embrace His love and live it out. Although this is not always easy, Jesus calls us not only to love those who love us but also to love our enemies. True love means ordering our lives for the good of others, and it serves as the foundation of our spiritual growth. To love authentically, we must spend time with God—through prayer and by listening to His Word.

Let us shine the light of Jesus every day through our actions and love. As we press forward toward our ultimate goal, let us remember that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." If God can love us unconditionally, surely we too can love others in the same way.

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Walk in Love

Walk in Love

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time- February 23, 2025 First Reading: Genesis 45: 3- 15 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:19- 20, 21- 22, 23-24, 25- 26 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 42- 49 Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 27: 38 Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva During the Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, Fr. Erel Villanueva reminded us to walk in love. Walking in love is the highest form of being blessed, as anything done without love is meaningless. Yet, loving others can be difficult. We are called to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:27-28). Forgiveness, which is a true reflection of God’s love, is also not easy— it requires deep faith. But if we fail to forgive those who wrong us, it can have a negative impact on our lives. Unforgiveness is equivalent to disobeying God. This unforgiveness also blocks blessings from coming to our lives. Our work and life will be affected. Forgiving my be difficult, but it is not impossible. That is why we need the power of God and the fruits of the Holy Spirit to do this. If we choose to love one another, the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen us. Let us surrender ourselves to God and grow together in love.

Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless!

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Trust God, Have Hope, Be Blessed!

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time- February 16, 2025 First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1:1-2;3;4-6 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Gospel Reading: Luke 6:19-26 Homily by +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa

Trust God, Have Hope, Be Blessed! Understanding the True Meaning of 'Blessed'

In his homily at Sunday Mass in Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa shared a powerful message that can be summarized in six words: Trust God, Have Hope, Be Blessed! These words offer us a profound spiritual guide. This will lead us toward a life filled with joy, peace, and purpose.

The word "blessed" in Greek is makarios, which means "joyful." This joy doesn’t depend on our circumstances but rather comes from the deep trust we place in God. By trusting God, we make Him the center of our lives and recognize that our salvation, as well as every aspect of our lives, is entrusted to His care.

Trusting God Brings Hope

When we trust God, we establish the foundation for hope. Without trust in the Lord, hope has no place. As a result, trusting in God removes fear and panic. Trusting in Him fills our hearts with hope, and this hope naturally flows from fully relying on God’s plan for our lives.

Trust, Hope, and Joyful Blessings

As we continue trusting in the Lord and embracing the hope He provides, we experience true joy — the blessings that Jesus designed for our lives. A blessed person overflows with joy, peace, and love, becoming a blessing to others. Moreover, a blessed life is not about perfect circumstances; instead, it’s about the joy that arises from knowing that God is in control.

In conclusion, always remember: Trust God, Have Hope, Be Blessed!

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God Blesses those Who Seek the Truth

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time- February 9, 2025 First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

God Blesses Those Who Seek the Truth

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa shared a powerful reminder that God blesses those who seek the Truth. When God enters our lives, He does not wait for permission—He pours out His grace abundantly, calling us into a deeper relationship with Him. His blessings are not given sparingly but in great measure, overflowing into every aspect of our lives. As our Primate, +Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz, once said, "If God uses you, He will always bless you." This means that when we surrender to His will and allow Him to work through us, we become vessels of His divine purpose. But to fully receive and steward His blessings, we must be obedient to His Word. True blessings come not just in material abundance but in the peace, wisdom, and spiritual growth that arise from walking in His Truth. An encounter with God reveals the Truth, and it is only through knowing the Truth that we are set free. Jesus Himself declared, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Though we are sinners, we are saved by grace, not by our own merits, but through the boundless love and mercy of God. This truth calls us to live out His mission—to love, to serve, and to share His Gospel with the world. When we seek the Truth, we find God. And in finding Him, we receive the greatest blessing of all: a life transformed by His grace. God blesses those who seek the Truth, and in Him, we find our purpose and eternal hope.

Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless!

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We Are An Offering to God

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 84:1-12 Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18 Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-35 We Are an Offering to God: A Reflection on the Sunday Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo In his Sunday Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, Fr. Erel Villanueva emphasized the powerful message that we are an offering to God. Just as Jesus Christ came to earth to be a living sacrifice for all of humanity, Fr. Erel reminded us that we, too, are called to offer our lives to the Lord. Everything we do for the Lord must be done with sincerity, with pure hearts, and without hidden motives. God sees through us when we serve with a selfish agenda. The Bible teaches us that what we offer to God should be without blemish or defect. Blemish can manifest as hatred, unforgiveness, or any other impurity in our hearts. Fr. Erel urged us to examine our hearts before offering anything to the Lord. This will ensure that we are not carrying any hidden faults or unclean intentions. Our efforts to serve God will only be meaningful and acceptable if we present ourselves with clean hands and pure hearts. The beauty of this offering is that it brings joy not only to the Lord but also to us. As we strive to offer ourselves fully to God, remember that the sacrifices we make in His name should be done from the heart. This will create a sweet-smelling aroma that is pleasing to the Lord. Let us all take this to heart and live out the call to be an offering to God each and every day. Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/we-are-an-offering-to-god/?feed_id=259&_unique_id=679f3a4408379

The Power of God's Word

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time- January 26, 2025 First Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:1-3; 4-6; 12-13 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-21

The Power of God's Word

Bishop Romie-Jun Peñalosa's Sunday’s Mass Homily at Saint Michael in Kalibo focused on the profound power of God's Word. He reminded us that hearing God’s Word moves our hearts, and reading it every day fills us with joy. We should embrace this truth not only on Sundays but every day. When we listen to God’s Word, it changes our perspective, renews our spirit, and guides us toward greater faith. Hope and Deliverance Through God's Word In the Gospel Reading, we see that God’s Word brings hope to the poor, oppressed, and suffering. It comforts us in our times of need and strengthens us to face life’s challenges. God’s Word also delivers us, for only the truth of His Word can set us free. True freedom comes when we understand and live according to His promises. Seeking and Knowing God's Word As believers, we must seek and understand this truth. God reveals His Word to us, but we must take the time to build a deeper relationship with it. We are called not just to hear it, but to know it. When we do, we experience the full power of God’s Word in our lives. Living and Sharing God's Word The journey doesn’t end with our personal transformation. We must live by the truths we learn and share them with others. The Word that heals, blesses, and uplifts us is meant to heal and bless those around us. The power of God’s Word isn’t for us alone—it’s meant to shine as a light in the world. When we trust in God’s promises, His Word transforms not only us but everyone we meet, spreading healing and hope to all. Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/the-power-of-gods-word/?feed_id=250&_unique_id=6795e40f30f62