Your word, O God, is indeed “living and effective” (Heb.4:12), very “useful for teaching” (2Tim.3:16) especially at this time our Church is in the midst of a sickening crisis not only of sexual abuse but also of intrigues and careerism among clergy and hierarchy.  As we continue to pray for the Church now in crisis, may we also learn from today’s first reading of how St. Paul tactfully and spiritually tackled the problem of divisions among the early Christians of Corinth by directing their attention solely into Jesus Christ your Son who offered Himself up on the Cross for us all.

             This is our folly, O God, when we focus more on people and personalities – even on our very selves – as the center and main attraction in the Church instead of your Son Jesus Christ.  We refuse to recognize your immense love for us expressed in the crucified Christ who have sanctified us all and restored us all to you and to one another.  So many times, we are like the five foolish virgins in today’s parable who were more concerned with their very selves than with their task of waiting for the coming of the groom.

              Awaken us, O God, from our “sleep” like those five foolish virgins when we spend more time seeking you in human thoughts of wisdom or some mathematical equation unmindful of your coming.  Most of all, bless Pope Francis, keep him strong and guide him in these times when many forces within are coming together against him, even using the modern means of communication to destroy him without realizing the many other souls they are misleading in their self-righteousness.  Let us learn anew St. Paul‘s teaching that “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger that human strength” as revealed in Christ crucified (1Cor.1: 25).  Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022. 

*Photo taken in 30 Nov. 2012 by Chester Ocampo of ICS Batch ’82:  Crucified Christ made of iron but hollow inside to depict kenosis or emptiness; one of the early works by the late National Artist Ed Castrillo hanging at the altar of the chapel of Immaculate Conception Seminary (ICS) in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

            Lord Jesus Christ, we come to you today deeply saddened with the many scandals and divisions rocking YOUR Church.  The new series of sexual abuses brought out in the open recently are not only scandalous but very sickening.  And what makes this so viciously evil is the claim by some from within that they are doing this for the good of the Church by attacking your Vicar, the Holy Father Pope Francis.

            May we imitate St. Paul in his manner of dealing with the “problematic” Corinthians as we start reading and hearing today his first letter to them.

             How wonderful it is to be filled with the Holy Spirit like St. Paul in greeting the Corinthians first with “grace and peace from the Father” (1Cor.1:3) despite the divisions and infighting that beset them at that time.  Give us that same grace of St. Paul in seeing first the Father’s wonderful work of calling us all to “sanctification and election as a holy people (1Cor.1:2).”  

              May we keep in mind like the “the faithful and prudent servant” (Mt. 24:45) in your parable today that we are mere stewards of the Church, keepers of your precious gift of communion which enables us all to feel and experience being welcomed and loved by God.  Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022.  (Photo by the author, 5:18AM of 01 August 2018 at the Parish.)