Homily by Fr. Danichi Hui on July 6, 2024 | Saturday
Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 9:1417

Biblical: Question about fasting is what our gospel is all about. Yesterday, Jesus and his disciples were seen eating with Matthew and other tax collectors. Actually, it was like a “despedida party” or farewell party for Matthew because he is leaving his work or old life to follow Jesus. As a tax collector, people see Matthew as corrupt and a traitor, so when Jesus saw him, he asked him to follow him, and Matthew took the chance.

Matthew decided to take a new life with Jesus and leave his old life as a tax collector. But the Pharisees took the event differently. They were questioning Jesus: Why is he is eating with tax collectors and sinners?

Ang nakita lang nila nakikisama si Hesus sa mga makasalanan. Pero ang hindi nila alam, sinasamahan at tinatawag ni Hesus ang makasalanan para magbago.

Today, a different issue is being questioned by the people about Jesus, and it is about fasting. As he was asked, “Why are his disciples not fasting? ”

Jesus gave two answers:

First, people do not fast when they are in the company of the bridegroom. It is a time for celebration. By saying this, Jesus is implying that he is the groom. So as long as they are with him, there is no reason to fast. But time will come when Jesus is not with them, and then there will be reasons to fast.

Secondly, to answer the question being thrown at him he used the image of an old wine skin and a new wine skin. (Sisidlan ng alak na gawa sa balat) Kapag ang lumang sisidlan ng alak ay nabutas, hindi puwedeng tagpian ng bagong balat ang luma. Masisira ito dahil malutong na ang luma. Ganun din kapag nasira ang bago, hindi puwedeng tagpian ito ng lumang balat. Dapat lumang balat sa lumang balat at bagong balat sa bagong balat.

Ito ang nais puntohin ni Hesus tungkol sa dami ng tanong sa kaniya sa mga ginagawa niya. Hindi nila mauunawaan si Hesus dahil nasa luma silang pagiisip. Iyong mga ginagawa ni Hesus ay bago niyang tinuturo, kaya nararapat lang na baguhin din nila ang kanilang kaisipan. Sapagkat hindi uumbra ang lumang pagiisip sa bagong turo. Ganun din ang bagong pagiisip sa lumang turo.

Kailangan luma sa luma at bago sa bago.


Contemporary: Parang yung bunso namin kapatid, dahil medyo malayo ang agwat namin sa kaniya tila nahihirapan unawain ng aking tatay ang paraan ng pagiisip ng bunso namin. Ganun nga siguro talaga dahil millennial, nahihirapan unawain ng mga oldies. Dahil millennial din naman ako, (umabot pa) ako na lang tagapaliwanag para maunawaan ng aking tatay ang paraan ng aking kapatid.

Ganun din naman, ang kapatid ko hirap unawain ang aking tatay dahil nga makabago na siya at luma ang paraan ng aking tatay.


Reflection: This gives us the realization that unless we get into the life of someone, only then we could understand.

Kung papasukin lang ng mga Pariseo ang buhay ni Hesus, mauunawaan nila si Hesus. Si Mateo, sa kaniyang pagsunod kay Hesus untiunti niyang naunawaan ang mga bagong pangaral ni Hesus na siyang kaniyang isinabuhay.


My dear brothers and sisters, unless we get into the life of someone, only then can we understand. To understand Jesus, we have to follow Jesus by entering into his life and learning from it.