Homily on Friday, 4th Week of Lent, 20 March 2026, FSpIF Chapel, Talamban
This morning as I sat on my desk to prepare this homily, I got distracted by the thought of our elderly confrere currently assigned in Mati, Davao. He has been battling against cancer since last year. And after undergoing two successive surgeries, he is still not well. The only remaining solution is to move him to Cebu where he can get better treatment and better care.
Then, I quickly checked my email for any positive news. And lo and behold, a kind donor is sending us a substantial amount to have Br Bert airlifted to Cebu, in addition to a few pledges we already received from other donors.
Instantly my worry turned into hope – an outburst of joy and hope. Br Bert can soon be transported to Cebu and be checked by oncologists and other specialists. Soon he can be given the appropriate intervention and professional care that he really needs.
Amazingly, at 86 years old, Br Bert still wants to get back on his feet and continue his teaching ministry in our training center, where he has been teaching drafting to students and trainees alike. Recently he has also been working hard to promote the Salesian Vocation among our young people. Despite the frailty of his body, his spirits continue to remain high and hopeful in this raging battle. We really hope and pray that his “hour” had not yet come.
The gospel today (Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30) presents to us Jesus, fighting a different kind of cancer – the cancer of rejection and opposition, coming from his very own people. Wherever he goes, and whatever good work he does, the local authorities who feel insecure begin to plot against him, intent at seeing his downfall and ultimately his death.
But Jesus does not seem to be shaken up, perturbed or affected. He continues to preach to the people and to proclaim the Kingdom of God, unmindful of the death threats he receives… because he knows his hour had not yet come. He continues the fight, not for his own life or his own benefit, but for the salvation of the whole world… because he knows that when his hour finally comes, his death will bring about the salvation of the whole world and the spiritual healing of all people battling against the cancer of sin.
May the Eucharist we celebrate today bring us new hope, new strength, and eventually our total healing and well-being as we continue to do battle – without giving up – against the most difficult cancer we might be facing today… all for the glory of God and for the salvation of the world. GiGsss!
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