Shout-out

Some days ago, 10-year-old Martin Mendoza texted me to give him a “shout-out” in my 10 a.m. Sunday Mass which was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube (Divine Word Media). In my mind, I did not know how to go about this strange request as I have never shouted at anyone nor have I ever sent anyone out from Mass in my 40 years as a priest. I found out later that shout-out is a millennial word that means to greet or to acknowledge someone. Hayz, senior me!

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In today’s Gospel (Mt.10:37-42), Jesus teaches His apostles that discipleship is all about acknowledging, following, and making Him known to others. In other words, discipleship is giving a shout-out for the Lord, and making it as one’s mission and purpose in life.

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We are all called to be “shout-outers” for the Lord. Let us ask ourselves today: What have I done to make others know the Lord? What have I sacrificed, what have I given up to follow Him? What will I do the rest of my life so I can do my part in telling the world of His love?

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Two reminders: One, we shout out the Lord best if we know how to be silent before Him, and really listen to Him first; Two, we shout out the Lord loudest not so much by our words, as by our deeds and life example.

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Let the reason be love. Without love, we who claim to be shout-outers for the Lord could end up just shouting out ourselves, like noisy gongs or empty clanging cymbals (in the words of St. Paul in 1 Cor. 13). Let us pray in humility for the Holy Spirit to purify us of our personal agenda, vainglory, and vanity in our ministry.

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It’s a group shout-out for the Lord. We are all in this together. All of us have a role to play in our own way. We are all in, and we all win in our mission to tell the world of God’s love, be it in our home, or in some distant foreign land. Thank you to all the people who help our Mother Church and all her endeavors through prayers, moral and financial support.

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These are difficult times. There are many people who are jobless, and there are many people who are feeling hopeless, helpless, and are getting depressed. The path of true discipleship starts with koinonia (prayer), which leads to diakonia (service), and to kerygma (proclamation). Let us all continue to be disciples in thought, word, and deed.

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The Lord needs more shout-outers who are willing to walk the earth, and go the extra mile for Him, literally, as in going “to the whole world to preach the Gospel to all creation” (Mk. 16:15). For inquiries about the missionary and religious life, please get in touch with your parish priest, or with our vocation director, Fr. Ruper Solis, SVD (09162109871).

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Thank you to our friends who have helped upgrade our equipment in our Masses that are streamed live on social media: Geri Maiatico, Abbie Turingan, Rod and Marlene Silvestre, Lydia Tagle, Bert and Celi Sarabia, Abe and Sylvia Pascual, Archit and Nenne Bartolome, Robie and Pia Ang, Ella Sanchez, Malou Estrada, and the Moments with Fr. Jerry Foundation Inc.

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Think about this: When you wash or disinfect your hands, wash away, too, whatever hatred or negative vibes in your hearts, for these, too, are viruses that kill your person, your character, and your very soul.

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Join the XVD Family Rosary daily at 8 p.m. (XVD Facebook page) via Zoom to pray for the whole world, and for each other’s intentions in the spirit of Saint Arnold Janssen, SVD: “May the darkness of sin, and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace, and may the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all.”

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A moment with the Lord:Lord, may my life be a joyful shout-out for You. Amen.

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