Linggo, Pebrero 23, 2025

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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Linggo, Pebrero 16, 2025

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!

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

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Linggo, Pebrero 9, 2025

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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Linggo, Pebrero 2, 2025

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