Rev. Fr. Benedicto De Guzman SJ as he delivered his homily on 4th Day of Novena Mass for the feast of NSDA.
SAN MATEO, Rizal – The fourth day of Novena Mass with the theme “Maria, Bilang Ina ng Mga Biyaya at Pagpapala,” was presided by Rev. Fr. Benny De Guzman last Tuesday. Before the Novena Mass, Sis. Fe Angel shared some thoughts relevant to the theme.
Because God truly loves us, He gave His only son, Jesus Christ. Mary, as an obedient servant of the Lord, responded to God’s call in which she became the Mother of Jesus and by that, she also became the Mother of the Church. Mary’s role didn’t end with her assumption into heaven, but today, she continues to do things for the Church and that is to help us reach the right path and be triumphant to enter the Lord’s promised perfect place of happiness which is heaven.
Mary introduced Jesus Christ to us through the grace of humility. Two hundred thousand years had past and yet, Mary still continues to spread the truth to anyone who desires to follow her Son, Jesus Christ. Luke 4: 31-37 talks about Jesus casting out demon. The demon means forgetting God. It is being focused into earthly things and it cuts our connection with God. Having the grace of humility enables us to battle hindrances against having an established relationship with God. It serves as a weapon to prevent the evil temptations of Satan in our lives. We ask for Mary’s intercession so that we can experience the hope we have as Christians and that is having eternal life with God.
Fr. Benny spoke about signs of showing true humility. According to him, a humble person admits, owns, repents, and confesses to the Lord all his sins and by that, he offers himself unto the Lord. These acts condemn the sins that are causing all evilness and darkness which are made to forget God in a person’s life. Another sign of humility accepting that we know, own, and admit that we have limits.
In addition, Fr. Benny talked about ways on how to show humility. The first one is to admit that you need God, you need forgiveness, you need to cleanse your conscience and you must do that through the sacrament of reconciliation.
Secondly, you need to evaluate yourself. Ask God, “Kakasya po ba ako sa pinto Ninyo? Ano po ang mga hadlang na ngayon ay dala dala ko sa aking buhay na kailangan ko magpungos? Ano ang mga bagay na kailangan tanggalin gaya ng pagmamataas, paghahambog, pagmamayabang, pagmamalaki ng mga materyal na bagay, panunukat ng kapwa tao, pang-iinsulto ng kapwa, panghuhusga, at pangmamaliit.” God wants us to enter the door of the heaven.
Through these Novena Masses, let us pray for a grace that continues to respond and a grace of humility as what Fr. Benny said, “Maging matapat sa ating Panginoon. Sundin ang anyaya ng Mahal na Birheng Maria na tayo’y maging tunay na alagad ng kaniyang anak na kung saan tayo ay luluhod at sasabihing, “Panginoon, marami po akong kasalanan, meron po ako limitasyon, may mga kahinaan po ako, may mga karupukan po ako, at meron din akong mga adiksyon sa buhay na siyang magiging hadlang sa’king pakikipag-ugnay sa Diyos na hindi kailangan ng Diyos kundi ang pagpapakumbaba na ‘wala kang dadalhin sa harapan ng Panginoon kundi ang pagniningas ng kaniyang pag-ibig… “
Fr. Benny also encouraged the people to live like the son of Mary so God will recognize us if the time comes that we will be facing Him and He will say unto us,” Pumasok ka, kilala kita.”
