Holy Week: Focus on Inward Reality.

Holy Week: Focus on Inward Reality.

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us that this Holy Week: Focus on the Inner Reality. Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday. In ancient times, processions with branches symbolized a king returning home victorious from battle. Similarly, as Jesus approached Jerusalem, people welcomed Him with palm branches. As we commemorate this day, many of us observe rituals with blessed palms—placing them on windows, doors, or altars to ward off harm. However, this Holy Week: Focus on the Inner Reality calls us to go beyond rituals and symbols. Instead, we must allow Jesus to enter our hearts, remembering that He brings love, justice, and peace. In today’s Passion Gospel, two significant moments appear three times. First, Jesus prays, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Though He prays repeatedly, the Father does not take away His suffering. Likewise, there are moments when God seems silent in our prayers. Therefore, we must reevaluate how we pray and learn to depend more deeply on His grace each day. Second, Peter denies Jesus three times. Indeed, none of us can claim to love perfectly as Jesus did, for in many ways, we also deny Him. While we may not deny Him in words, our actions often do—especially when we refuse to forgive. When we reject a neighbor who has wronged us, we also turn away from Christ. Thus, this Holy Week: Focus on the Inner Reality invites us to look within—to renew our prayer, to trust in God’s will, and to stop denying Jesus. Instead, may we repent and sincerely lament our sins. Theme: “We are committed to encourage people to pray because our Lord Jesus Christ never gives up on us. First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 Psalm 31:9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:1-17   Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless!   https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/holy-week-focus-on-inward-reality/?feed_id=790&_unique_id=69c8a1d86567f

Stay Focused, Stay Together, Think Twice!

Stay Focused, Stay Together, Think Twice!

2nd Sunday of Easter - April 27, 2025 First Proclamation: Acts 5: 27-32 Second Proclamation: Revelation 1: 4-8 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118: 2-4,13-15,21-23 Gospel Proclamation: John 20: 19-31 Homily by +Bp. Romie- Jun Peñalosa In his homily this Sunday, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us of three important things this Easter season: stay focused on Jesus, stay together with our community, and think twice before we act. God is always focused on us. Like a loving father, He knows what we need and cares deeply for us. Whatever we’re going through, we can bring it to Jesus—He will provide and take care of us. But the question is: How do we respond to God’s love? Stay Focused on Jesus Even when life is hard, don’t lose sight of Jesus. He rose from the dead to give us hope. His love never changes, and His promises still stand. Stay with the Community We are not meant to go through life alone. We grow stronger when we support each other. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. And if you want to get to the right place, walk with the right people.” Think Twice Before We Act Our words and actions matter. They stay in people’s hearts. Before doing or saying anything, pause and ask if it brings love and peace.   Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/stay-focused-stay-together-think-twice/?feed_id=367&_unique_id=680df2d62d716

Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate

Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate

2nd Sunday in Lent - March 16, 2025 First Reading: Genesis 15:4-18 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:2-3; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14 Second Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1 Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-30 Homily by +Bp. Romie- Jun Peñalosa In his Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us to strive to enter the narrow gate. The Old Testament reading reveals that God is faithful in fulfilling His promises. However, it is not a one-sided covenant; we must also do our part by obeying Him every day of our lives. In the New Testament reading, Saint Paul teaches that following God comes with a cross. We must embrace the challenges we face, for it is in the darkness that we often witness God’s work in our lives. The central message of today’s Gospel is to let go of anything that hinders our journey to follow Jesus. During this Lenten season, it is an opportunity to purify our hearts and reflect His light in our lives each day. Let go of the things that do not glorify God and choose the narrow path—a path that leads to eternal joy. The philosopher Baruch Spinoza once said, “All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.” Excellence, in all aspects of life, is not easily attained. If something is easy to achieve, it becomes commonplace. We must endure struggle and hardship before we can attain greatness. God desires us to be great, but are we willing to release the things that do not please Him—such as our anger, wealth, and desire for power?

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

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