News—“To serve and not to be served: ito ang hamon sa atin bilang mga Kristiyano,” says Fr. Karl Cabanalan, SVD, in homily during Lumen Class’ SVD Farm reunion
Tagaytay City—Last February 28, 2024, the five priests of the Lumen Class returned to the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm, the site of many significant moments in their formation as part of the SVD Tagaytay Community, to concelebrate the Holy Mass at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor.
During the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Karl Cabanalan, SVD, delivered an inspiring homily, urging the SVD Farm family to “embrace the path without shortcuts” in their lives of faith.
Fr. Karl began his homily by asking the attendees who among them desired to go to heaven, which he related to a profound reflection about navigating ourselves towards heaven in a world often fixated on speed and efficiency. According to him, societal expectations of convenience and instant gratification have made shortcuts even more appealing.
The core message, for Fr. Karl, was that the desire for shortcuts extends to the faith journey. Drawing insights from Gospel readings, he highlighted the challenge of serving and not merely being served—a crucial aspect of Christian life. “Wala pong shortcut sa pagsunod kay Kristo. Ano po ang daan? Ano po ang mga paalala ni Hesus sa atin na mga sumusunod sa Kanya?” said Fr. Karl.
Fr. Karl emphasized the importance of enduring challenges and not seeking the easy way out, encouraging them to embrace the Lenten season as a time of preparation and reflection, free from shortcuts.
"To serve and not to be served: ito ang hamon sa atin bilang mga Kristiyano," said Fr. Karl, reminding the attendees of the fundamental principle of selflessness and humility that lies at the core of the Christian faith.
Fr. Karl urged the attendees to embrace the challenging path of service, echoing the teachings of Jesus. This call to prioritize serving others over seeking personal gain resonates as a timeless reminder for Christians to embody the essence of Christ's teachings in their daily lives, fostering a spirit of compassion, generosity, and love for one another.
Closing his homily, Fr. Karl appealed to the congregation's commitment to their faith journey, urging them to resist the allure of shortcuts. "Kaya po sa ating pagpapatuloy, sa ating paglalakbay, sana ay huwag tayong mawalan o maubusan ng lakas na palaging mag-focus sa ating goal—walang iba kundi ang Panginoon," he declared.
At the end of the Holy Mass, Fr. Karl and his concelebrants conferred special blessings on the attendees.
***
For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org