Benilde - Center for Lasallian Ministry

22/08/2026

Who Do You Say That I Am?

In today’s gospel from Matthew (16:13-20), Jesus asks His disciples a simple but deeply personal question: “But who do you say that I am?” At first, Jesus asks what other people are saying about Him. The disciples give different answers: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. But Jesus does not stop there. He makes the question personal: “Who do YOU say that I am?” This is also the question Jesus asks each of us today, especially as members of the Benildean community. Not simply, “Who is Jesus according to what I have learned?” or “Who is Jesus according to my family or my Church?” but “Who is Jesus in my life?”

Peter responds with a profound profession of faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter reminds us that faith is more than knowing facts about Jesus. Faith is knowing Christ, trusting Christ, and allowing Christ to shape the way we live. It is easy to speak about Jesus when everything is going well. But the deeper question is: Can I still trust Jesus when life becomes difficult? When our plans fail, when we experience disappointment, when we face uncertainty, or when we do not understand why something is happening, who is Jesus for us then?

The Second Reading from Romans (11:33-36) gives us an important answer. Saint Paul exclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” There are moments when we simply cannot understand God's ways. We see only a small part of the story, while God sees the whole picture. We see one chapter; God sees the entire story. Faith, therefore, does not mean that we understand everything. Faith means that even when we do not understand, we continue to trust the One who does.

After Peter professes his faith, Jesus entrusts him with a mission: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The image of the key connects beautifully with our first reading, where Eliakim is entrusted with the key of the house of David. In Scripture, the key represents authority, but more importantly, it represents responsibility and stewardship. The key is not given simply as a privilege. It is given so that someone can open doors and serve others.

This is especially meaningful for us as a Benildean community. God has entrusted each of us with different “keys.” For a student, it may be the key to talents, education, and opportunities, not only for personal achievement but for making a difference in the lives of others. For a teacher, it may be the key to knowledge and influence to open minds, form character, and inspire young people. For a leader, it may be the key to service to create opportunities for others to grow. For a friend, it may simply be the key to presence to listen, encourage, and accompany someone who is struggling.

Every gift is a key. Every responsibility is a mission.

And so the question is not only, “What has God given me?” The deeper question is: “What am I doing with what God has given me?” Are we using our gifts to open doors to hope, compassion, forgiveness, truth, and faith? Or, through our pride, judgment, selfishness, or indifference, are we becoming the reason why someone finds it difficult to approach God?

As Benildeans, we are called to form a community where excellence is never separated from compassion, where knowledge leads to service, and where success is measured not only by what we achieve but also by how many lives we can touch and uplift. Our education, talents, profession, and opportunities become truly meaningful when they become instruments of service.

So, dear Benildeans, let us bring two questions with us this week: “Who is Jesus to me?” and “What key has God entrusted to me?” The first question reminds us of our identity as disciples; the second reminds us of our mission. May our answer to the first become the foundation of our life, and may our answer to the second become the way we serve others.

Let us know Christ, trust Christ, and become instruments through whom others can encounter Christ. And may we never forget: God does not give us keys merely to open doors for ourselves. He gives us keys so that, through our lives, someone else may find the door leading to hope, healing, and ultimately to Him.

Let us pray…

Lord Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Guide our Benildean community to use our gifts with humility, our knowledge with wisdom, and our freedom with responsibility. May we open doors of hope, compassion, and service wherever You send us. Make us faithful witnesses of Your love. Amen.

_____________________________________
Reflection from Rev. Fr. Tedley Villanueva, SSS
Benilde Chaplain

21/08/2026

Crowned with Love, Called to Serve

Today is the memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the year 1954, Pope Pius XII issued a papal encyclical entitled Ad Caeli Reginam, or “To the Queen of Heaven”, which officially proclaimed the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and today, we celebrate and honor her for all that she is and for all that she has done for every one of us.

Pope Pius XII states that Mary deserves the title of Queen because she is the Mother of Jesus Christ, the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”, and as His mother, she shares in his royal dignity and power. Events in the Old Testament help this claim as well, with angel Gabriel announcing that Mother Mary’s Son would rule forever on the throne of David at the Annunciation, and with Elizabeth calling Mary “mother of my Lord”. Through God’s ever-guiding hands, it is of utmost intention that her queenship take part through Jesus’ kingship. Above all, however, even with this divine association and relation to Christ, her status comes from reigning with love and solicitude for her son, for humanity, and for all of creation.

Rather than worldly power, her governance and power stem from being an instrument in God’s mission of championing goodness through His Only Son. Entrusted with the grace of God, she willingly shared in Jesus Christ’s work, was present in His struggles and triumphs against evil and injustice, and like her Son, her loyalty to the cause never faltered. Like Jesus, she was both a servant and a leader, as she led by example, being the Queen Mother of the King of Heaven and Earth, yet despite possessing a dignity that transcends all other creatures, she serves God with humility, obedience, and utmost belief.

She shares her love for Jesus with every one of us, and we must recognize that the Queen of Heaven is our Mother too. We can truly celebrate the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s queenship by trusting in her power and love; that it would serve as stepping stones toward the path of salvation, goodness, and our own sense of love for our brothers and sisters, and that it would ultimately point us to the right direction of serving God better.

Let us pray…

Dear God, thank you for the gift of today and every day. Thank you for blessing us with the opportunity to celebrate the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Help us to lead and serve others with utmost faith and compassion, just as she did. May the Queen Mother guide us whenever we stray further away from following Your will, so that we may truly become instruments of goodness and love, and in the end, unite altogether in Your Holy Kingdom. Amen.

__________________________
Reflection from Nicolas Tiongson
ID 122, AB Music Production

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

Are You Filipino Enough?

Did you know that aside from Saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, there is another saint who learned to speak Filipino?

He was a Spanish friar, Saint Ezekiel Moreno y Díaz, whose feast we celebrate every August 19th. He spent many years of his priesthood in the Philippines, serving communities in Cavite, Palawan, Manila, and other places. He ministered to people during the cholera epidemic in Cavite and devoted himself to the needs of the communities entrusted to his care. His love for the Filipino people was not merely expressed in words; it was demonstrated through his presence, his pastoral ministry, and his willingness to serve.

It is striking to think that a foreign-born saint became so deeply connected with the Filipino people. He came to our country not as one who belonged here by birth, but as one who chose to give himself in service. This makes us ask: Are we Filipino enough? Not merely by birth or by citizenship, but by the way we care for our fellow countrymen.

This question becomes especially meaningful as we commemorate “Ninoy Aquino” day. Today, we remember the final moments of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in 1983; an event that awakened many Filipinos to the desire for change, freedom, and a better future for our nation, eventually contributing to the movement that led to People Power. Years later, the question remains: What are we willing to do for our country?

Saint Ezekiel Moreno reminds us that love becomes meaningful when it is translated into service. His being a foreigner did not prevent him from loving the Filipino people. Perhaps, in his own way, he became Filipino enough, not by blood, but by the love he gave to the people he was called to serve. May we learn from his example. May our love for our country become a commitment to the common good, a concern for the marginalized, and a desire to build a nation where every Filipino may live with dignity, peace, and hope.

Saint Ezekiel Moreno, pray for us so that we may learn to love our country by faithfully serving each other.

Let us pray…

O God, in Saint Ezekiel Moreno, You have given us a model of fidelity to the gospel and of a pastor according to the Sacred Heart of Your Son. Grant us, through his intercession, that we might give ourselves fully to him by joyfully living our Christian witness and consecrating ourselves to the service of Your Church. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

__________________________________
Reflection from Clarenz Dumalo Penequito
Faculty, Benilde Senior High School

20/08/2026

On August 13, 2026, the Benildean community gathered in gratitude and joy to celebrate the feast day of our beloved patron, St. Benilde Romançon.

The celebration began with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Most Reverend Antonio Tobias, D.D. - Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches, together with our College Chaplains, Rev. Fr. Tedley Villanueva, SSS, and Rev. Fr. Victor Clemence Posadas, SSS, of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.

During the Holy Mass, we also recognized and expressed our gratitude to our Benildean Prayer Reflection Writers and Vocation Ministry Team for their dedication in nurturing the community’s life of prayer and vocation awareness.

We likewise blessed and prayed over our Benilde delegates to the Inter-La Salle Sportsfest 2026, sending them forth with faith, courage, and the spirit of sportsmanship.

May Saint Benilde Romançon continue to inspire us to live with humility, simplicity, perseverance, and joyful service—doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

Saint Benilde Romançon, pray for us💚

📸Benilde CLR - Br. Fidelis Leddy Center for Learning Resources

19/08/2026

Keep Your Thread Attached to Jesus

There will be days when we feel like we are barely holding on: when our strength is fading, our prayers feel tired, and life feels heavier than we can carry. In the Gospel of Mark (5:25-34), the woman who had suffered for twelve years reached the end of herself. She had tried everything, but when she heard about Jesus, she reached for Him. Her hope was not in the garment she touched, but in the One wearing it.

The lesson is simple:
Our strength will eventually run out,
Our circumstances and people cannot be the foundation of our hope, and
Jesus remains our hope even when our faith is only a trembling reach.
Our salvation and strength do not depend on how tightly we can hold on, but on how securely we are held by our Savior.

So, if today you feel like you are hanging by a thread, make sure you know where that thread is attached. Reach for Jesus when you are afraid, exhausted, uncertain, or discouraged. Even if all you can offer is a whisper, a trembling hand, or one more step, let it be toward Him.

You may be hanging by a thread, but if that thread is attached to Christ, there is still hope.

Let us pray…

Lord Jesus, when our strength is fading and we feel like we are barely holding on, remind us that our hope is not found in ourselves, our circumstances, or the approval of others, but in You. Help us to reach for You even when our faith feels weak. Give us strength for today, peace in our uncertainties, and courage to take the next step with You. Hold us securely when we cannot hold ourselves together. May our hearts always know where our hope is attached. These I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

________________________
Reflection from Rodel Poblete
Program Lead, Information Systems and Technology Office

18/08/2026

Called to the Vineyard

Like the workers in the vineyard, there were times I waited to be called instead of stepping forward on my own. Looking back, I realize how much time I spent expecting instructions when I could have simply started. Today’s gospel from Matthew (20:1-6) reminds me to be more proactive, not just in my career, but in the personal circumstances and decisions I face every day.

It also invites me to stay open to bigger opportunities, just as the landowner said, "You too go into my vineyard." Growth often begins with saying yes before we fully understand what we are being called to, and I want to carry that same willingness into the choices ahead of me.

At the same time, I do not want to be like the workers who grumbled over what others received. The parable challenges me to practice generosity rather than resentment when someone else is blessed, even when it does not seem fair by our own measure. But there is a difference between begrudging another's blessing and standing up for what rightfully belongs to all of us. That distinction feels close to home these days, especially with what is happening in our government and where our taxes go. Personal grace does not mean staying silent about public accountability; we can hold both at once.

"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Humility and generosity, even and especially in a season like this, are what I want to carry forward. Not passive acceptance, but a willingness to serve without demanding recognition, and to speak up when it truly matters.

Let us pray…

Dear Jesus, give us the courage to step forward when You call, the generosity to rejoice in the blessings of others, and the humility to serve without seeking recognition. Grant us wisdom to know when to act, and courage to speak up for what is right. May we always trust Your timing and follow where You lead. Amen.

___________________________
Reflection from Tim Danielle Pena
Learning & Development Specialist,
People and Organization Development Office

17/08/2026

The Freedom to Let Go

Today’s gospel from Matthew (19:23-30) confronts us with one of the most uncomfortable questions of discipleship: What is it that we cannot let go of? Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven.” The disciples are stunned. But perhaps Jesus is not simply speaking about money. He is speaking about whatever we possess that eventually begins to possess us: our comfort, reputation, achievements, control, security, recognition, even our carefully constructed image of success.

We can be materially poor and still possess much. We can possess our titles, our accomplishments, our influence, our plans, our need to be appreciated, and our certainty that we know what is best. And sometimes, even in ministry, we can possess the mission instead of allowing the mission to possess us. Perhaps the question of today’s gospel is therefore not, “How much do I have?” but: “What has become so important to me that I can no longer freely give it back to God?”

Discipleship always means letting go of a position, a plan, an expectation, a recognition, or even something we have built with great love. Letting go can feel like losing. But in the gospel, surrender is not emptiness; it is freedom.

May we learn to hold the mission with open hands: faithful enough to give ourselves completely, humble enough to know that it belongs to God, and free enough to let God lead us where love is needed most.

Let us pray…

Lord Jesus, teach us to let go of whatever keeps us from You. Free us from the need to possess, control, and be recognized. Give us the faith to trust, the zeal to serve, and the humility to remember that the mission is Yours. May we discover that in letting go, we do not lose ourselves; we finally become free to love more. Amen.

_____________________________
Reflection from Edwardson Juta
Director, Center for Lasallian Ministry

16/08/2026

Beyond Self: The Key to Eternal Life

Every time I ask my students, “Why do you study hard?” or “Why do you want to finish your studies?”, their answers usually center on personal dreams: to land a high-paying job, buy a car and a house and lot, travel, and give their family a good life. Rarely do we hear answers focused on others: helping the needy, working in a charitable institution, donating generously to a parish, or sponsoring a scholar. It is common to find young people driven primarily by personal gain and success. Yet at some point in our lives, each of us is confronted by the same question: Why do we work hard?

For the young, it is typical to hear self-serving motives as reasons for working hard. However, as we grow older, we begin to realize the true essence of our existence. We start to shift our attention not so much to ourselves, but to others: not only our family members or relatives, but even strangers.

Today, the gospel from Matthew (19:16–22) brings us back to the very core of discipleship. Following Jesus calls us to let go of selfish motives and to develop a genuine concern for the plight of others, especially the poor and the marginalized. When Jesus said to the young man, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me,” He was not necessarily demanding that we literally give up our homes and possessions. Jesus understands our temporal needs, and God, in His generosity, desires to bless us abundantly. Jesus desires that we become the best version of ourselves with the talents and abilities that God endowed us. What Jesus asks of us is freedom from attachments that hinder wholehearted obedience to God: positions, titles, wealth, material possessions, and the like.

I remember one of the teachings of my late father: not to be attached to material things in this world; be content with what you have; and trust that God will never forsake you. I am grateful to my dear father for teaching me, early in life, to detach myself from material things.

In solitude, let us recall the moments and people in our lives who taught us not to cling to the things of this world, which will one day perish. They helped us focus on what truly matters: our desire to be united with our Creator. This becomes possible only when we surrender our selfish and mundane desires to God.

Let us pray…

Father in heaven, You created me not for this world, but for You. In times when I become self-centered and intoxicated by worldly achievements and success, remind me that the deepest desire of my heart is to be with You, together with all the angels and saints in heaven. Direct me to the people You want me to bless as You have blessed me. All this I pray through the intercessions of the Blessed Mother and Saint Francis of Assisi, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

__________________________
Reflection from Gladys Lazo
Faculty, Social Science Area
School of Multidisciplinary Studies

16/08/2026

The Center for Lasallian Ministry joyfully welcomes Br. Antolin “Butch” Alcudia FSC to the Benildean community as part of the Adult Accompaniment Unit.

Br. Butch joins us not simply to take on a role, but to share with us in the beautiful and unfinished work of the Lasallian Formation. His presence among us is a reminder that vocation is always a response to a God who continues to call, send, and entrust people to one another.

In the Benilde Ministry of Adult Accompaniment, we are reminded that formation begins with presence: walking with, listening deeply, discerning together, and making space for God to reveal Himself in the stories of our lives. It is not about having all the answers, but having the courage to journey with others amid their questions, hopes, struggles, and dreams.

As Br. Butch becomes part of the Adult Accompaniment Unit, may his presence enrich our shared journey of becoming more deeply human, more attentive to God’s presence, and more generous in the service of others.

And may we, as a Benildean community, welcome him with the spirit that makes us truly Lasallian: faith that grounds us, zeal that moves us, and communion that reminds us that the mission is never carried alone.

Welcome to Benilde, Br. Butch!

May your presence among us be a blessing, and may together we continue to walk with one another toward a mission made more alive through communion, compassion, and service.

Live, Jesus, in our hearts forever!