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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Humble Yourself

Humble Yourself

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa delivered a powerful reminder for all of us to humble ourselves. Among the seven deadly sins, pride stands out as the most dangerous. Therefore, it is crucial that we remain vigilant against it. Pride is often an expression of self-interest, and if left unchecked, it can lead us to reject others, ultimately fostering greed. When we continue down this path, pride threatens to destroy our most valuable relationships—our families, our friends, and even our church community. So, instead of feeding your pride, choose to humble yourself. Humility can be elusive and requires constant effort. We must be mindful and regularly examine our hearts to ensure that pride does not take root. Thankfully, God grants us the grace to cultivate humility within us. Let us all commit to checking our hearts daily, so that we may walk in humility and avoid being driven by pride. 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time - August 31, 2025 First Proclamation- Proverbs 25: 6-12 Second Proclamation- Hebrews 13:1-8 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112 Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14 Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/humble-yourself/?feed_id=529&_unique_id=68b3bd3c74cdb

Strive with God's Grace

Strive with God's Grace

In this Sunday’s Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, Fr. Erel Villanueva delivered a powerful reminder: to strive with God's grace.

Life constantly challenges us—whether in our work, studies, or relationships. Yet despite these struggles, we’re called to live out the gift of salvation in our daily lives.

To strive means making a firm decision to follow Christ even when it’s hard. It means sharing His Word, choosing truth, and living with integrity even when the path feels uphill. Becoming part of God’s family brings immense privilege, but it also carries great responsibility. Living in God's grace each day demands effort and surrender. But we don’t rely on our strength—we rely on God’s grace, which sustains us through every trial.

The enemy constantly looks for ways to distract and destroy us. It tries to steal the joy of salvation, leading us away from God through lies, temptations, and doubt. That’s why we must choose daily to resist. We die to ourselves—not once, but again and again—by letting go of pride, selfishness, and sin. As we do this, we begin to walk boldly in the salvation that Jesus already won for us.

Now is the time to strive with God's grace. Salvation isn't just a future promise—it’s a present reality. Jesus has already declared victory, and He equips us with every spiritual weapon we need. When we walk closely with God each day, trials won’t shake us. Instead, we will stand firm—unshaken and rooted in His grace.

So let us keep moving forward. Let us strive with God’s grace—fully, faithfully, and fearlessly—trusting that He who called us will finish the good work He began.

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time - August 24, 2025 First Proclamation- Isaiah 66:18-21 Second Proclamation- Hebrew 12:25-29 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 46 Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-30 Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless!       https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/strive-with-gods-grace/?feed_id=520&_unique_id=68aa864480136

Accept the Hard Truth

Accept the Hard Truth

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us of a vital lesson: we must accept the hard truth and courageously speak it. Often, we tend to accept the Word of God only when it is pleasing to our ears, conveniently rejecting the painful truths that Jesus teaches us. However, it is essential to learn to accept even those truths that hurt, for such hurts are part of God’s plan to mold us into His intended image. In today’s world, we face a gloomy reality that often rejects the truth. Many shy away from accepting the hard truth because it may lead to persecution or discomfort. Yet, true transformation requires an act of God — a change that must happen within us and be spoken aloud. Following Jesus is not easy; in fact, it is far from simple. We may lose many things we hold dear — our money, power, and possessions. But one thing remains certain: we will never lose our souls. Jesus promises to destroy and transform our lives. We must invite Him into our hearts to remove everything that does not come from Him. By choosing to accept the hard truth, we allow ourselves to be cleansed, burning away ungodly principles and replacing them with His perfect goodness.   20th Sunday in Ordinary Time- August 17, 2025 First Proclamation- Jeremiah 23:23-29 Second Proclamation- Hebrews 12:1-6 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 82 Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56 Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/accept-the-hard-truth/?feed_id=511&_unique_id=68a15569ec3ef