Dear sisters and brothers, We must be pleasing in God's eyes. We must rid ourselves of foolishness.  Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible Study
33rdrd
SundaSundayy of Lent Cof Lent C
28 February 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
Reading: Exodus 3,1-8a.13-15
• 1 Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of
Midian. Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the
mountain of God. 2 There an angel of the LORD appeared to him in fire
flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the
bush, though on fire, was not consumed. 3 So Moses decided, "I must go
over to look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned."
4 When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God
called out to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Here I am."
5 God said, "Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the
place where you stand is holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father," he
continued, "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob."
Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 But the LORD said,
"I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their
cry of complaint against their slave drivers, so I know well what they are
suffering. 8 Therefore I have come down to rescue them from the hands of
the Egyptians and lead them out of that land into a good and spacious land,
a land flowing with milk and honey.
• 13 "But," said Moses to God, "when I go to the Israelites and say to them,
'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' if they ask me, 'What is his
name?' what am I to tell them?" 14 God replied, "I am who am." Then he
added, "This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you." 15
God spoke further to Moses, "Thus shall you say to the Israelites: The
LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the
God of Jacob, has sent me to you. "This is my name forever; this is my title
for all generations.
The focus is on the liberation of Israel.

3. 1st
Reading: Exodus 3,1-8a.13-15
Moses and The burning bush
• 1 Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-
law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the
flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the
mountain of God. 2 There an angel of the LORD
appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As
he looked on, he was surprised to see that the
bush, though on fire, was not consumed. 3 So
Moses decided, "I must go over to look at this
remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not
burned."
A simple outline!

4. 1st
Reading: Exodus 3,1-8a.13-15
God calls Moses
• 4 When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it
more closely, God called out to him from the bush,
"Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Here I am." 5 God said,
"Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet,
for the place where you stand is holy ground. 6 I am the
God of your father," he continued, "the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face,
for he was afraid to look at God. 7 But the LORD said, "I
have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and
have heard their cry of complaint against their slave
drivers, so I know well what they are suffering. 8
Therefore I have come down to rescue them from the
hands of the Egyptians and lead them out of that land
into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk
and honey.
A simple outline!

5. Moses asks for the Name of God
• 13 "But," said Moses to God, "when I go to the
Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your
fathers has sent me to you,' if they ask me,
'What is his name?' what am I to tell them?" 14
God replied, "I am who am." Then he added,
"This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM
sent me to you." 15 God spoke further to
Moses, "Thus shall you say to the Israelites: The
LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob,
has sent me to you. "This is my name forever;
this is my title for all generations.

6. Textual Context of Exodus 3,1-8a.13-15
• Part I 1,1—15,21 The Exodus from Egypt
• Part II 15,22—18,27 Israel in the Desert
• Part III 19,1—24,11 The Making of the Covenant
• Part IV 24,12—31,18 Instructions for the Building of
the Sanctuary

7. Horeb=Sinai Midian

8. 1st
Reading: Ex 3,1-8a.13-15
Moses and The burning bush
• 1 Moses was tending the flock
of his father-in-law Jethro, the
priest of Midian. Leading the
flock across the desert, he
came to Horeb, the mountain
of God. 2 There an angel of
the LORD appeared to him in
fire flaming out of a bush. As
he looked on, he was
surprised to see that the bush,
though on fire, was not
consumed. 3 So Moses
decided, "I must go over to
look at this remarkable sight,
and see why the bush is not
burned."
Commentary
• Background: Moses ran away from
the Pharaoh in Egypt because he
killed an Egyptian.
• In Midian, Moses finds a wife.
• In v.1, Moses tends the flock of
Jethro, his father-in-law. He comes
to Mt. Horeb (=Mt. Sinai).
• “Mountain of God” = big mountain,
great mountain.
• In v.2, an angel appears to Moses,
in the form of a fire in a bush.
• Moses is curious why the bush is
not consumed by the fire.
• In v.3, Moses wants to find out
why.

9. 1st
Reading: Ex 3,1-8a.13-15
God and Moses
• 4 When the LORD saw him coming
over to look at it more closely, God
called out to him from the bush,
"Moses! Moses!" He answered,
"Here I am." 5 God said, "Come no
nearer! Remove the sandals from
your feet, for the place where you
stand is holy ground. 6 I am the God
of your father," he continued, "the
God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,
the God of Jacob." Moses hid his
face, for he was afraid to look at
God. 7 But the LORD said, "I have
witnessed the affliction of my people
in Egypt and have heard their cry of
complaint against their slave drivers,
so I know well what they are
suffering. 8 Therefore I have come
down to rescue them from the hands
of the Egyptians and lead them out
of that land into a good and spacious
land, a land flowing with milk and
honey.
• In v.4, God calls Moses and
Moses responds, “Here I am.”
• In v.5, God warns Moses not to
come closer.
• God asks him to remove his
sandals. He is standing on a holy
ground. (sign of respect)
• In v.6, God introduces himself as
the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob (the God of his fathers).
• Moses is afraid to look at God.
• In vv.7-8, God expresses to
Moses his concern: the suffering
of his people and his plan to
liberate them and bring them
back to the Promised Land
(Canaan).

10. The Name of God
• 13 "But," said Moses to God,
"when I go to the Israelites and
say to them, 'The God of your
fathers has sent me to you,' if
they ask me, 'What is his
name?' what am I to tell
them?" 14 God replied, "I am
who am." Then he added,
"This is what you shall tell the
Israelites: I AM sent me to
you." 15 God spoke further to
Moses, "Thus shall you say to
the Israelites: The LORD, the
God of your fathers, the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac,
the God of Jacob, has sent me
to you. "This is my name
forever; this is my title for all
generations.
• In v.13, Moses anticipates the
need of the Israelites to know
God’s name.
• To know the name is equivalent to
have some control over the named
person or object.
• In v.14, God avoids giving his
name.
• God’s answer is elusive. God does
not tell his name. God does not
want to be controlled. He is in
control of everything.
• Yet in v.15, God must be known as
the God of their fathers: Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob.

11. Reflections on the 1st
reading
• God reveals himself to us in unexpected ways.
• He reveals himself to us in the desert (in the
dryness of our lives).
• He reveals himself to us in our work places.
• When we encounter God, we remove our shoes
(stance of reverence, humility and vulnerability).
• If God appears to you (inspires you), know that you
have a big task ahead of you (to liberate and to
shepherd his people).
• Let God control us, not the other way around.

12. Resp. Ps 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11
• (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
• 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
• 3 He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills,
4 He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
• 6 The LORD secures justice
and the rights of all the oppressed.
7 He has made known his ways to Moses,
and his deeds to the children of Israel.
• 8 Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.

13. Resp. Ps 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11
• (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
• 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
• 3 He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills,
4 He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and
compassion.
• 6 The LORD secures justice
and the rights of all the oppressed.
7 He has made known his ways to
Moses,
and his deeds to the children of Israel.
• 8 Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in
kindness.
11 For as the heavens are high above
the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward
those who fear him.
Commentary
• The Jews believe that we should
bless the Lord.
• We, Christians, believe that the Lord
should bless us.
• Vv.1-2 exhort us to bless the Lord.
– To bless means to praise God, to
glorify his name.
• Vv.3-4 tell the reasons why we should
bless the Lord:
– He pardons our sins
– He heals our illness
– He redeems us
– He awards us with kindness..
• Vv.6-7 continue the reasons why:
– He secures justice and rights
– He makes known his ways and deeds.
• Vv.8 and 11 also give reasons:
– He is merciful and gracious
– His kindness is great.

14. Reflections on the Psalm
• The psalm gives us many reasons to go back to
God.
• Belief in God’s goodness and mercy must lead
us back to him.
• Unlike humans, who can harbor a lot of grudge
and hatred, God can easily forgive.
• In this season of Lent, the psalm encourages us
to be reconciled with God.
• It also encourages us, who are victimized by
injustice and violence, to take refuge in him. He
will give us justice.

15. 2nd
Reading: 1 Cor 10,1-6.10-12
• 1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our
ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed
through the sea, 2 and all of them were baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same
spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink,
for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them,
and the rock was the Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased
with most of them, for they were struck down in the
desert. 6 These things happened as examples for us, so
that we might not desire evil things, as they did.
• 10 Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered
death by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to
them as an example, and they have been written down
as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has
come. 12 Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing
secure should take care not to fall.

16. 2nd
Reading: 1 Cor 10,1-6.10-12
• 1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our
ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed
through the sea, 2 and all of them were baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same
spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink,
for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them,
and the rock was the Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased
with most of them, for they were struck down in the
desert. 6 These things happened as examples for us, so
that we might not desire evil things, as they did.
• 10 Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered
death by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to
them as an example, and they have been written down
as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has
come. 12 Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing
secure should take care not to fall.
The focus is on being pleasing to God.

17. 2nd
Reading: 1 Cor 10,1-6.10-12
Exodus People:
• 1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our
ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed
through the sea, 2 and all of them were baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same
spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink,
for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them,
and the rock was the Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased
with most of them, for they were struck down in the
desert. 6 These things happened as examples for us, so
that we might not desire evil things, as they did.
Corinthians, warned not to grumble
• 10 Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered
death by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to
them as an example, and they have been written down
as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has
come. 12 Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing
secure should take care not to fall.
A simple outline!

18. Textual Context of 1 Cor 10,1-6.10-12
• Part III (7:1-14:40): Paul's reply to the Corinthians' letter
• (1) 7:1-40: Celibacy and the Christian life
• A (7:1-16): Marriage, celibacy, and divorced Christians
• B (7:17-24): A general rule for all
• A' (7:25-40): Practical advice concerning celibacy
• (2) 8:1-11:1: Freedom, conscience, and meat sacrificed to idols
• A (8:1-13): The problem: eating food sacrificed to idols.
• B (9:1--10:22): Apparent digression
• A' (10:23-11:1): Practical solution to the idol food problem
• (3) 11:2-16: Men's and women's hairstyles
• (4) 11:17-34: Community and the Eucharist
• A (11:17-22): The Lord's supper is ignored.
• B (11:23-26): The supper is "in remembrance" of Jesus' death.
• A' (11:27-34): The solution of the problem
• (5) 12:1-14:40: Charismatic gifts and the community
• A (12:1-31): Criteria for evaluating the gifts
• B (13:1-13): Apparent digression: Love is the fundamental criterion
• A' (14:1-40): Practical advice for charismatics
• Part IV (15:1-53): The resurrection and the resurrection body
• Part V (16:1-24): The collection, travel plans, farewell greetings.

19. 2nd
Reading: 1 Cor 10,1-6.10-12
Exodus People:
• 1 I do not want you to be unaware,
brothers, that our ancestors were all
under the cloud and all passed through
the sea, 2 and all of them were
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in
the sea. 3 All ate the same spiritual
food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual
drink, for they drank from a spiritual
rock that followed them, and the rock
was the Christ. 5 Yet God was not
pleased with most of them, for they
were struck down in the desert. 6
These things happened as examples
for us, so that we might not desire evil
things, as they did.
Corinthians, warned not to grumble
• 10 Do not grumble as some of them
did, and suffered death by the
destroyer. 11 These things happened
to them as an example, and they have
been written down as a warning to us,
upon whom the end of the ages has
come. 12 Therefore, whoever thinks he
is standing secure should take care not
to fall.
Commentary
• St. Paul reminds the Corinthians what
happened to the Israelites during the
Exodus.
• Vv.1-2 talk about the Israelites’ journey
in the desert and in the divided sea.
• Vv.3-4 talk about the manna and water
from the rock.
• Paul interprets them as spiritual food
and water; the rock was Christ.
• V.5 indicates God’s disappointment
over the Israelites in the desert for
desiring what is evil (v.6) and their
punishment (bitten by fiery serpents).
• In v.6, Paul suggests that the
Corinthians must learn from the
experience of the Israelites.
• In v.10, Paul warns them not to
grumble, they may suffer the same
fate.
• V.11 is similar to v.6.
• In v.12, Paul encourages those who
think they are doing right not to go
astray.

20. Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
• In our journey to God, as Christians, we should
not expect comfort.
• We should not repeat the mistake of the
Israelites, while they were journeying in the
desert.
• They grumbled, they sinned and so they were
punished by God.
• We should not grumble over discomforts.
• Let us be patient as we march on till we reach
our destiny, when we will find rest, comfort and
freedom.

21. Gospel Reading: Luke 13,1-9Gospel Reading: Luke 13,1-9
• 1 At that time some people who were present there told him about the
Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their
sacrifices. 2 He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because
these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all
other Galileans? 3 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did! 4 Or those eighteen people who were
killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them-- do you think they were
more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? 5 By no
means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they
did!"
• 6 And he told them this parable: "There once was a person who had
a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit
on it but found none, 7 he said to the gardener, 'For three years now
I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none.
(So) cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' 8 He said to him in
reply, 'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground
around it and fertilize it; 9 it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can
cut it down.'"
The focus is on repentance.

22. Textual Context of Luke 13,1-9
• 12,49-53 Jesus the Cause of Division
• 12,54-56 Interpreting the Time
• 12,57-59 Settling with your Opponent
• 13,1-5 Repent or Perish
• 13,6-9 The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
• 13,10-17 Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman
• 13,18-19 The Parable of the Mustard
Seed
• 13,20-21 The Parable of the Yeast

23. Gospel Reading: Luke 13,1-9
Galileans
• 1 At that time some people who were present there told him about the
Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
2 He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans
suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? 3 By
no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!
18 People at Siloam
• 4 Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on
them-- do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in
Jerusalem? 5 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all
perish as they did!"
The Parable of the Fig Tree
• 6 And he told them this parable: "There once was a person who had a fig
tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but
found none, 7 he said to the gardener, 'For three years now I have come in
search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. (So) cut it down. Why
should it exhaust the soil?' 8 He said to him in reply, 'Sir, leave it for this
year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; 9 it may
bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'"
A simple outline!

24. Gospel Reading: Luke 13,1-9
Galileans
• 1 At that time some people who were present
there told him about the Galileans whose
blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of
their sacrifices. 2 He said to them in reply,
"Do you think that because these Galileans
suffered in this way they were greater sinners
than all other Galileans? 3 By no means! But
I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all
perish as they did!
18 People at Siloam
• 4 Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them-- do
you think they were more guilty than
everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? 5 By
no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!"
The Parable of the Fig Tree
• 6 And he told them this parable: "There once
was a person who had a fig tree planted in
his orchard, and when he came in search of
fruit on it but found none, 7 he said to the
gardener, 'For three years now I have come
in search of fruit on this fig tree but have
found none. (So) cut it down. Why should it
exhaust the soil?' 8 He said to him in reply,
'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall
cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
9 it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can
cut it down.'"
Commentary
• Some people discuss about the
historicity of the two events:
– What happened to the Galileans
– What happened to the 18 men at Siloam
• The main point of the two stories with
their own interpretations is to warnwarn us.
• Repentance is the name of the game. If
we don’t repent (change, convert), the
same thing will happen to us. We will
not be better off than those who
experienced catastrophe. We, too, will
perish.
• The parable of the fig tree is an
example of how God can be so
determined to destroy an unproductive
tree. But with the intervention of a
determined gardener / caretaker, God
can give chances.
• After having done everything (soil
prepared, etc), and still the tree does
not bear fruit, then, it has no reason to
exist.

25. Reflections on the gospel reading
• The gospel reading is quite frightening.
• In catechizing, the catechist is told not to
“terrorize” his/her pupils, to evoke response of
love, not fear.
• But here in the reading, somehow it evokes fear.
It is a strong warning to those who refuse to
repent. They will end in a catastrophe.
• What is the use of being Christians, if we are not
converted to Christ?
• Conversion means bearing fruits (kapaki-pakinabang).
• In this season of Lent, conversion means
listening to the word of God, praying, fasting and
doing charitable works, not acting like Pilate.

26. Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• We should take care not to anger God, but be thankful
for his salvific and liberative deeds, in order to be
pleasing, although we don’t understand yet why we
suffer. (1st reading)
• God is merciful and kind. Therefore, we must go back to
him. (psalm)
• God wants us to be pleasing in his sight. We should not
speak against God. (2nd reading)
• God wants us to repent (to be pleasing) or else… (gospel
reading)
We may adopt the word “pleasing” (seldom developed in homilies) which will
bind / tie together the focuses of the readings.

27. How to develop your homily and sharing
• Begin by relating your experience on displeasing
or pleasing people / God. (It is hard to please
people. It is impossible to please everyone. We can
displease people unknowingly.)
• Is it difficult to please God? No.
– We please God by being appreciative of his actions /
interventions to us. (1st
reading)
– We please God by learning from the experience of
the Israelites journeying in the desert, by not
repeating their mistakes. (2nd
reading)
– We please God by repentance, by being productive.
(gospel reading)

28. • The goal of our lives must be to please God.
• We cannot be pleasing to God, if we are always
complaining (reklamador). (1st
reading)
• We can never be pleasing to God, if we have not
learned anything from the past, from the Israelites
in the desert. (2nd
reading)
• We can never please God if we are obstinate in
our sinfulness, if we refuse to change, if we prefer
to live in sin. (gospel)
• In sin, we court disaster.

29. • Sin here means:
– ungratefulness, wanting to return to
slavery (1st
reading)
– refusal to learn from experience,
forgetfulness, ignoring warnings (2nd
reading)
– Being unrepentant, refusal to change,
unable to bear fruit (gospel)
• We cannot engage in the transmission of
Christian faith in this Year of Faith if we are not
renewed.

30. • In our churches, conflicts occur when we do what
is not pleasing to our priests or leaders.
• Well-motivated church people see to it that they
do not displease anyone.
• They disagree without being disagreeable.
• In our communities, churches and congregations,
each member must be careful not to displease
(anger) anyone.
• They are not our properties; when dealing with
each member, we must remove our shoes.
• If you displease, soon you will be rejected.
The LORD was displeased with what David had done… Now, therefore,
the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised
me (2Sa 11,27 and12,10 NAB)

31. • In this eucharist, we thank God for giving us
Jesus Christ, who is most pleasing in his eyes.
• When we receive the eucharist, we are doing
what is pleasing in God’s eyes.
• The eucharist strengthens us in our struggle to
please God.
You may also develop the alternative theme of repentance, by
reformulating the contents of this proposed homily.

32. Our Context of Sin and Grace
• Pleaser
• Unrepentant sinner
• Never learns from the
past
• Unreflective
• No conscience
• Tactless
• Pleasing in the eyes
of God and people
• Healthy conscience
• Repentant sinner -
goes to confession
• Prudent

33. Suggested Songs
Please click the underlined words.
• Paano namin masasabi
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ICZUOf_jNo
• Lord, I Know (communion)
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulqjOjYZOns
• You are so good
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spj_5sTiF5Y

34. • Dear sisters and brothers,
• We must be pleasing in God's eyes. We
must rid ourselves of foolishness.
•
• Fr. Cielo