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

#SaintMichaelKalibo #COSMKalibo #CECvisayas

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

https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/become-a-disciple/?feed_id=538&_unique_id=68bd1968124de

Ascension: Calling of Christ's Witnesses

Ascension: Calling of Christ's Witnesses

In today's Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Church in Kalibo, Fr. Erel Villanueva shared that the significance of the Ascension is the beginning of the calling of Christ's witnesses . We are called to be His witnesses in the world. It was at the Ascension that the Church’s mission truly began, and with it, our personal mission to proclaim the goodness of God. People will always equate our lives in Christ based on our attitude. This calling challenges us to first believe and trust in Jesus ourselves. From there, our lives become a witness of His love. Through our actions, others see the truth of Christ’s resurrection and ascension. Whatever we are doing in life serves as the witness of Jesus' love so that other people may hear and see Him through us. The world mission starts at the Ascension- Christ's time has ended, and it is now our time to continue the footprints that He has started. It is now in our hands to continue the work of Jesus. We are not only called but also empowered and blessed to be His witnesses, carrying forward the mission He entrusted to us. Ascension Sunday- June 1, 2025 First Reading: Acts 1:1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:1-9 Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23 Gospel: Luke 24:45-53 Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/ascension-calling-of-christs-witnesses/?feed_id=412&_unique_id=683bf7d5323ca

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!

https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/walk-in-love/?feed_id=286&_unique_id=67bae1e21bf22

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

Baptism: A Privilege and Responsibility

Feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ- January 12, 2024 First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 29 Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38 Gospel Reading: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

Baptism is both a privilege and a responsibility.

In his Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael in Kalibo, Fr. Erel Villanueva reminded us that baptism is both a profound privilege and a sacred responsibility. Through baptism, we are accepted and adopted as God’s beloved children, receiving His forgiveness and the gift of new life. While baptism grants us the privileges of God’s grace and the promise of inheritance in His Kingdom, it also calls us to live in obedience to His Kingship and to embody the Christian life. Baptism is not only a gift; it is a covenant with the Lord. We are called to submit to His will, allowing His reign to govern our hearts. As baptized Christians, we are entrusted with the task of being living witnesses of God's love, spreading His hope and truth through our actions. Let us remember that we are, in a sense, "walking Bibles," called to reflect the teachings of Christ in everything we do. This is the essence of our covenant through baptism. But why do we renew our Baptismal Vows? Does the covenant expire? No the covenant does not expire. But it is our obedience and submission that sometimes expires which is why every year, we renew our baptismal vows. Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless! https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/baptism-a-privilege-and-responsibility/?feed_id=232&_unique_id=6783637542cab

Endure 'til The End

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time- November 17, 2024 Theme: "Go and Proclaim: Salvation is for those who endure" First Proclamation: Daniel 12:1-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 16:2-3,7-9,10-11 Second Proclamation: Hebrews 10:19-25 Gospel Proclamation: Mark 13:5-13 Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva In this Sunday’s Mass Homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, Fr. Erel Villanueva emphasized the importance of enduring 'til the end. For over 2,000 years, our ancestors have urged us to prepare for Jesus' return. Today, Church leaders continue to remind us of this crucial truth. Waiting for His return is not easy. We don’t know when it will happen, and this uncertainty often leads to stress and anxiety. The challenge of waiting tests our faith, but it is through this very waiting that we are called to remain steadfast. It’s essential to keep our faith alive during this time so we can endure the trials ahead. Only by maintaining patience and trust in God will we find the strength to persevere and endure 'til the end. Remember, waiting is a process. We must endure with hope, believing that Jesus will return to save us. As Scripture says, "The one who endures to the end will be saved" (Mark 24:13). Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless!   https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/endure-til-the-end/?feed_id=160&_unique_id=673991dc44363