St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest 

*** 1st Reading ***

Jeremiah 26:1-9

At the beginning of the reign of Judah’s king Je­ho­iakim son of Josiah,

The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah: Yahweh says this, “Stand in the courtyard of Yah­weh’s House and say to all who come from the towns of Judah to worship in Yahweh’s house – all that I command you to say; do not omit anything! Perhaps they will listen to you.

Perhaps each one will turn from his wicked ways. Then I will change my mind and forget the destruction that I have planned to in­flict on them because of their wicked deeds.  Tell them: This is what Yahweh says: “You have not obeyed me and you have failed to walk according to my Law which I have set before you. 

You have not heeded my servants, the prophets, whom I have persistently sent to you. If you stubbornly close your ears to them, I will treat this House of mine as I treated the sanc­tuary of Shiloh and let all the nations see that Jerusalem is a cursed city.”

 The priests, the prophets and all the people heard what Jeremiah said in Yahweh’s House. When Jeremiah finished saying all that Yahweh had commanded, he was besieged by the priests and proph­ets saying, “You are bound to die! 

How dare you speak in Yah­weh’s Name telling us that this House will be treated like Shiloh and this city is to become a deserted ruins.” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the House of Yahweh.

 

Ps 69:5, 8-10, 14

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

 

**** Gospel ****

Matthew 13:54-58

 He went to his hometown and taught the peo­ple in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, “Where did he get this wisdom and these special powers? Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t Mary his mother and aren’t James, Joseph, Simon and Judas his brothers? Aren’t all his sisters living here? How did he get all this?” And so they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “The only place where prophets are not welcome is their hometown and in their own family.” And he did not perform many mira­cles there because of their lack of faith.

  

Gospel Reflection

We love welcoming home a hero. When Manny Pacquial comes home victorious from a boxing fight, we give a grand parade. When our beauty queens win internatonal crowns, as if all our crises are swept away.

We are ecstatic when one of ours shows to the world the best we can give. However, when these heroes begin to speak of thins we need to improve in ourselves and country – we want them not to come back.

In 1990, Lea Salonga made waves in London and Broadway with her hit musical, Miss Saigon. Everyone was so proud of her until she started talking critically about us, Filipinos. Many told her to just stick ot singing.

We love talents, champions, and heroes but we hate prophets. We do not want to be told what can we improve as a people and country. It is then difficult, for us, to have social conscience.