SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (A)
Jn. 20: 19-31
In the age when faith is becoming more difficult and mystery is on the way out, the church puts before us the deeply moving encounter between Christ and Thomas, his doubting disciple. We make a big mistake if we dismiss Thomas as a man of little faith. Who could really blame him or not accepting the disciples’ story about the risen Christ without a single shred of evidence? After what happened on Good Friday, it was asking too much of his type of personality. Thomas had seen the Lord, whom he loved deeply, die the death of a criminal, crucified between two thieves and a few hours earlier he had witnessed Peter promise fidelity to Jesus and then deny him three times. He was hardhearted in his questioning and unwilling to accept the word of others. The episode paints, in dramatic fashion, the journey of many people from a position of total disbelief to one of absolute faith. Having doubts in our search for truth is nothing to be ashamed of and can actually turn out to be a growing point in the life of faith. Thomas was doubtful about the key issues of whether Jesus had risen from the dead and was actually alive. Therein lies the heart of our whole believing. Thomas with his intelligent questioning and his need for satisfactory answers is a good type of person to have in any community, and acts as a defense against the excesses of pious belief. In many ways he echoes moments of our own uncertainty, when we question the religious values handed down to us.
During life, faith is an on-going struggle and there are moments of crisis when our minds are darkened and our vision of God is blurred by clouds of doubt. There is nothing comfortable about believing as it challenges us to change our lives as a result of our encounter with Jesus. The risen Christ is present in our midst as much as he was with the early Christians and we are called to live our lives in his name. it is through believing that we enter into a relationship with Christ and enjoy the new life which he offers us.
Faith is our meeting with God and there will come moments in life when all else fails and we have nothing to fall back on except our faith: Lord, help us all. ‘I believe, help thou my unbelief.’
Friday, March 28, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
New Life by Dying
Fifth Sunday of Lent (A)
Jn 11: 1-45
Those who have stood at the grave of parents or beloved ones know all too well the pain and hurt Martha and Mary felt at the loss of their brother. Even Martha’s reproach to Jesus for not being present echoes the anger, bitterness and resentment which many of us feel against God on the occasion of an untimely death. The death of those we love brings into sharp focus what is important. Deep mourning and the pain of separation force us to question the goodness of God, the nature of the hereafter and the meaning of life. They make us realize how frail our grasp of this world is. To people who have no faith, life is just a process from birth to dust and death comes along as the ultimate humiliation to make a mockery of their living, their hopes, plans and dreams. However, we must not allow the darkness of its shadow to cloud all our days because death for the Christian is the great moment life. Our faith is rooted in the central truth of Christ’s resurrection.
This gospel speaks to all of us and gives us hope. It tells us that God is stronger than death and he will bring all who are his friends into eternal life. The raising of Lazarus points out that the life we are searching for is not an extension of physical life but eternal life with God. Real death is not physical death but spiritual death which is the destruction of the loving purpose God made us for.
While the iron law of nature dictates that we must all die and go to the grave, the life we share with God is not something which begins after death. It began on the day of our baptism when the seed of God’s life was planted in us for the first time. At that moment we were given the power to start seeing as Jesus sees, to love as he loves and to follow him to the right hand of the Father. Once baptized there should be no going back on that relationship. Unfortunately, many of us fail to hear God’s daily call to intimacy because we are not fully convinced of being worthwhile objects of his love. Part of our trouble may come from being caught up in the ways of the world and so enticed by its passing pleasures that we refuse to come out of our tombs and be free. We hold on to ‘selfishness’ cling to the past grudges and stand on our dignity because pride will not permit us to make up past differences. As a result, the life we receive at baptism weakens and we become dead to the voice of Christ calling us to himself and wanting to make his home in us. The story of Lazarus tells us that in DYING TO SIN we are BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE. These last days of lent are about joining ourselves to the passion and death of Christ by deepening our response to his way of life; prayer, penance, acts of charity and personal conversation are the soil in which this life grows. Joining with Christ in his death is a sure guarantee of sharing in his resurrection. It is only when we experience ‘dying’ to our selfishness, pride, and greed that we could truly experience the resurrection of Jesus working in us!
Jn 11: 1-45
Those who have stood at the grave of parents or beloved ones know all too well the pain and hurt Martha and Mary felt at the loss of their brother. Even Martha’s reproach to Jesus for not being present echoes the anger, bitterness and resentment which many of us feel against God on the occasion of an untimely death. The death of those we love brings into sharp focus what is important. Deep mourning and the pain of separation force us to question the goodness of God, the nature of the hereafter and the meaning of life. They make us realize how frail our grasp of this world is. To people who have no faith, life is just a process from birth to dust and death comes along as the ultimate humiliation to make a mockery of their living, their hopes, plans and dreams. However, we must not allow the darkness of its shadow to cloud all our days because death for the Christian is the great moment life. Our faith is rooted in the central truth of Christ’s resurrection.
This gospel speaks to all of us and gives us hope. It tells us that God is stronger than death and he will bring all who are his friends into eternal life. The raising of Lazarus points out that the life we are searching for is not an extension of physical life but eternal life with God. Real death is not physical death but spiritual death which is the destruction of the loving purpose God made us for.
While the iron law of nature dictates that we must all die and go to the grave, the life we share with God is not something which begins after death. It began on the day of our baptism when the seed of God’s life was planted in us for the first time. At that moment we were given the power to start seeing as Jesus sees, to love as he loves and to follow him to the right hand of the Father. Once baptized there should be no going back on that relationship. Unfortunately, many of us fail to hear God’s daily call to intimacy because we are not fully convinced of being worthwhile objects of his love. Part of our trouble may come from being caught up in the ways of the world and so enticed by its passing pleasures that we refuse to come out of our tombs and be free. We hold on to ‘selfishness’ cling to the past grudges and stand on our dignity because pride will not permit us to make up past differences. As a result, the life we receive at baptism weakens and we become dead to the voice of Christ calling us to himself and wanting to make his home in us. The story of Lazarus tells us that in DYING TO SIN we are BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE. These last days of lent are about joining ourselves to the passion and death of Christ by deepening our response to his way of life; prayer, penance, acts of charity and personal conversation are the soil in which this life grows. Joining with Christ in his death is a sure guarantee of sharing in his resurrection. It is only when we experience ‘dying’ to our selfishness, pride, and greed that we could truly experience the resurrection of Jesus working in us!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Blindness
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT ( A )
Jn 9: 1-41
Blindness is one of life’s biggest burdens. It’s a dead-end deprivation, with a sting of sadness. Life for the blind person is an endless dark night in solitary confinement. Having stated clearly that the man’s disability had nothing to do with sin, Jesus mixed a paste, rubbed it on his eyes and restored his sight. His healing was instantaneous and he returned home to experience the world in a distinctively new way. All his life he had recognized people by their voices. Now, for the first time, he saw what human faces and hands looked like. It must have come as a surprise to him to realize that some of his neighbors his not wish him well of his cure. When the Pharisees brow-beat him and tried to force him into a denial that his sight had been restored, he quickly learned that there was more to sight than seeing the light of day. There is a deeper malady, a spiritual blindness which comes from closing the windows of the soul and putting up the shutters in order to keep out of Jesus who is the light of the world.
This gospel is for all time and every day. At a deeper level it reminds us that we were all born blind and groping in spiritual darkness until at baptism we began a journey of faith in the likeness of Christ. The life we received at baptism gives us the power to bring Christ to everything we do and to every person we meet. Light is symbol of life with Christ and darkness is the religious image for sinfulness, shameful deeds and unbelief. Each of us is meant to be a beacon of light showing others how to live and giving direction to their lives by our good example. It is an opportune time to reflect on how we are living out our baptismal commitment and see if Christ really counts and influences our behavior. If we are courteous and friendly in our dealings with our neighbors we can be certain that the light of Christ is being reflected through us.
Christ is asking us to look at our blind-spots because coming from darkness into light is not an easy journey. It takes time and requires patience because of the many pitfalls on the road. In spite of our best resolutions the light of Christ is inclined to grow dim within us. Jesus knows our weaknesses and is willing to help us provided we come to Him for healing. Having been called to walk as children of the light we must keep praying: “Lord, that I may see.”
Jn 9: 1-41
Blindness is one of life’s biggest burdens. It’s a dead-end deprivation, with a sting of sadness. Life for the blind person is an endless dark night in solitary confinement. Having stated clearly that the man’s disability had nothing to do with sin, Jesus mixed a paste, rubbed it on his eyes and restored his sight. His healing was instantaneous and he returned home to experience the world in a distinctively new way. All his life he had recognized people by their voices. Now, for the first time, he saw what human faces and hands looked like. It must have come as a surprise to him to realize that some of his neighbors his not wish him well of his cure. When the Pharisees brow-beat him and tried to force him into a denial that his sight had been restored, he quickly learned that there was more to sight than seeing the light of day. There is a deeper malady, a spiritual blindness which comes from closing the windows of the soul and putting up the shutters in order to keep out of Jesus who is the light of the world.
This gospel is for all time and every day. At a deeper level it reminds us that we were all born blind and groping in spiritual darkness until at baptism we began a journey of faith in the likeness of Christ. The life we received at baptism gives us the power to bring Christ to everything we do and to every person we meet. Light is symbol of life with Christ and darkness is the religious image for sinfulness, shameful deeds and unbelief. Each of us is meant to be a beacon of light showing others how to live and giving direction to their lives by our good example. It is an opportune time to reflect on how we are living out our baptismal commitment and see if Christ really counts and influences our behavior. If we are courteous and friendly in our dealings with our neighbors we can be certain that the light of Christ is being reflected through us.
Christ is asking us to look at our blind-spots because coming from darkness into light is not an easy journey. It takes time and requires patience because of the many pitfalls on the road. In spite of our best resolutions the light of Christ is inclined to grow dim within us. Jesus knows our weaknesses and is willing to help us provided we come to Him for healing. Having been called to walk as children of the light we must keep praying: “Lord, that I may see.”
Saturday, February 23, 2008
3rd Sunday of Lent (A)
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
(Jn. 4:5-15,19-26,39, 40-42)
Exhausted from a long walk into the hot sun, Jesus sat wearily down and dismissed Jewish tradition by asking the Samaritan woman for a drink of water to quench his thirst. No Jew ever spoke to a Samaritan because a century-old feud kept alive in each generation had embittered relationships. Thirst knows no boundaries so they struck up a conversation, and the woman, taking Jesus literally, was astonished to hear that he could provide her with water that would last forever. She had always wanted to be spared from the embarrassment of being snubbed at the well by her neighbors who despised her because of her chequered lifestyle. As the conversation deepened the woman came to realize that her problem was not the lack of water but an inner thirst that no earthly water could satisfy – a thirst caused by the absence of God in her life. The Samaritan woman had a story to tell because five husbands failed to bring her happiness. Jesus lead her to look at her deeply troubled life and helped her to unburden her soul. Without a note of condemnation he accepted her, and coming to terms with everything she ever did wrong, she was released from her guilt. He gave her hope and offered her nothing less than the living waters of friendship and the Spirit of God which leads to eternal life.
Today’s readings focus on water and thirst, but what exactly do water and thirst mean in the gospel context? It’s not just water as we know it that Jesus is talking about, but the saving love of God poured out into the hearts enabling us to find life and peace. Thirst stands for the absence of God in our lives- that unsatisfied longing within every human heart. St. Augustine talks about ‘Out hearts being restless until they find rest in God.’ Since the pleasures of life fail to satisfy the thirsting human spirit, the only remedy is a relationship with Jesus who provides a mysterious type of water producing a well-spring of life within us.
What it took five husbands to teach the Samaritan woman, we learn from the mistakes of over-indulgence, drugs, promiscuity and gambling. Her conversation gives us great hope because in human terms a worthwhile life was beyond her. Yet her past did not hinder her from coming close to Christ. Jesus won her over by gently leading her out of herself and raising her mind and heart to higher things. At Jacob’s well a man, by asking her for a drink of water, restored a woman’s dignity and changed her life. When we were baptized we received this saving water of life for the first time. It was mere beginning which planted us, seed-like, in the garden of God. As life goes on we need to be constantly in touch with this fountain of living water which Jesus gave us- otherwise we wither and the miracle of growth in godliness does not take place. Today Jesus asks us to have a look at how we are living out our baptism. If we are suffering from thirst his spirit is always at hand to refresh us and lead us in our search for the unending, the unchanging and the eternal.
(Jn. 4:5-15,19-26,39, 40-42)
Exhausted from a long walk into the hot sun, Jesus sat wearily down and dismissed Jewish tradition by asking the Samaritan woman for a drink of water to quench his thirst. No Jew ever spoke to a Samaritan because a century-old feud kept alive in each generation had embittered relationships. Thirst knows no boundaries so they struck up a conversation, and the woman, taking Jesus literally, was astonished to hear that he could provide her with water that would last forever. She had always wanted to be spared from the embarrassment of being snubbed at the well by her neighbors who despised her because of her chequered lifestyle. As the conversation deepened the woman came to realize that her problem was not the lack of water but an inner thirst that no earthly water could satisfy – a thirst caused by the absence of God in her life. The Samaritan woman had a story to tell because five husbands failed to bring her happiness. Jesus lead her to look at her deeply troubled life and helped her to unburden her soul. Without a note of condemnation he accepted her, and coming to terms with everything she ever did wrong, she was released from her guilt. He gave her hope and offered her nothing less than the living waters of friendship and the Spirit of God which leads to eternal life.
Today’s readings focus on water and thirst, but what exactly do water and thirst mean in the gospel context? It’s not just water as we know it that Jesus is talking about, but the saving love of God poured out into the hearts enabling us to find life and peace. Thirst stands for the absence of God in our lives- that unsatisfied longing within every human heart. St. Augustine talks about ‘Out hearts being restless until they find rest in God.’ Since the pleasures of life fail to satisfy the thirsting human spirit, the only remedy is a relationship with Jesus who provides a mysterious type of water producing a well-spring of life within us.
What it took five husbands to teach the Samaritan woman, we learn from the mistakes of over-indulgence, drugs, promiscuity and gambling. Her conversation gives us great hope because in human terms a worthwhile life was beyond her. Yet her past did not hinder her from coming close to Christ. Jesus won her over by gently leading her out of herself and raising her mind and heart to higher things. At Jacob’s well a man, by asking her for a drink of water, restored a woman’s dignity and changed her life. When we were baptized we received this saving water of life for the first time. It was mere beginning which planted us, seed-like, in the garden of God. As life goes on we need to be constantly in touch with this fountain of living water which Jesus gave us- otherwise we wither and the miracle of growth in godliness does not take place. Today Jesus asks us to have a look at how we are living out our baptism. If we are suffering from thirst his spirit is always at hand to refresh us and lead us in our search for the unending, the unchanging and the eternal.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The temptations of Jesus
1st Sunday of Lent (A)
Mt. 4: 1-11
The Temptations of Jesus
To begin Lent with the story of the fall of our first parents who disobeyed the word of God by eating the forbidden fruit, should make us aware of our own sinfulness. Before Adam set out on the road of disobedience man and woman knew perfect happiness, and lived in harmony with God. In subtle form the serpent made his presence felt by tempting Adam and Eve to make themselves equal to God. The consequence of their action has cast a long shadow over humanity ever since and created a wall of division between God and ourselves. Their fall cheated humanity of its birthright and burdened it with a sinful heritage. It brought about the kind of world we know so well – a world broken by sin – and it does not take much soul-searching to find evidence of our own sinfulness. There is sin in our lives and will be until the end of our days. We could hardly be true to ourselves if we did not admit this. However, all is not lost because out of the desert comes Jesus to begin his mission of saving people.
Greater than anything lost by Adam’s disobedience is the new life won by the obedience of Christ who shared in our weakness so that we might live off his strength. The aimless wanderings of previous ages are given a definite direction in Jesus Christ who is a light shining in the darkness exposing sin for the evil that it is. The story of the temptation of Jesus, where he is enticed to misuse his God-given powers for selfish purposes is well known. When he was tired and hungry it would have been so easy to turn stones into bread and away hunger. Likewise, throwing himself off the parapet of the temple would have been a spectacular display of his closeness to God. To bow down and worship the tempter would drive a wedge of dis-obedience between the Father and himself. In permitting himself to experience temptation he sets the example we must all follow to when we come face to face with the human dilemma of choosing between good and evil. We draw comfort from the fact that the Savior knew what it felt like to be tempted and as a result can sympathize with us in our weakness.
Lent is a time for new life in Christ. By joining Jesus in the desert of our hearts we focus our attention upon the things which really matter in life. The voice of God is calling us home and we should make a conscious decision to serve the Lord and do what is pleasing to Him. What are our temptations and how do we face them in the day to day basis? Have a fruitful season of Lent.
Mt. 4: 1-11
The Temptations of Jesus
To begin Lent with the story of the fall of our first parents who disobeyed the word of God by eating the forbidden fruit, should make us aware of our own sinfulness. Before Adam set out on the road of disobedience man and woman knew perfect happiness, and lived in harmony with God. In subtle form the serpent made his presence felt by tempting Adam and Eve to make themselves equal to God. The consequence of their action has cast a long shadow over humanity ever since and created a wall of division between God and ourselves. Their fall cheated humanity of its birthright and burdened it with a sinful heritage. It brought about the kind of world we know so well – a world broken by sin – and it does not take much soul-searching to find evidence of our own sinfulness. There is sin in our lives and will be until the end of our days. We could hardly be true to ourselves if we did not admit this. However, all is not lost because out of the desert comes Jesus to begin his mission of saving people.
Greater than anything lost by Adam’s disobedience is the new life won by the obedience of Christ who shared in our weakness so that we might live off his strength. The aimless wanderings of previous ages are given a definite direction in Jesus Christ who is a light shining in the darkness exposing sin for the evil that it is. The story of the temptation of Jesus, where he is enticed to misuse his God-given powers for selfish purposes is well known. When he was tired and hungry it would have been so easy to turn stones into bread and away hunger. Likewise, throwing himself off the parapet of the temple would have been a spectacular display of his closeness to God. To bow down and worship the tempter would drive a wedge of dis-obedience between the Father and himself. In permitting himself to experience temptation he sets the example we must all follow to when we come face to face with the human dilemma of choosing between good and evil. We draw comfort from the fact that the Savior knew what it felt like to be tempted and as a result can sympathize with us in our weakness.
Lent is a time for new life in Christ. By joining Jesus in the desert of our hearts we focus our attention upon the things which really matter in life. The voice of God is calling us home and we should make a conscious decision to serve the Lord and do what is pleasing to Him. What are our temptations and how do we face them in the day to day basis? Have a fruitful season of Lent.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Beatitudes
FOURTH SUNDAY (A)
Mt. 5: 1-12
THE BEATITUDES
The Gospel today comes as a very big disappointment to ambitious-minded people that God does not look for success gauged and measured in human terms. Nowhere do we hear this message more clearly than in the gospel we have just read, which is the opening passage of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount – generally known as the beatitudes. In poetic language they tell us what a true Christian should be and spell out the CORRECT relationship of man to God. We might feel uncomfortable as we listen to Christ’s perspective on what brings happiness right now in this life and not just in the future. In a startling reversal of earthly standards he puts a high value on mercy, forgiveness and gentleness. He rejects out of hand wealth, rank and freedom to do what we choose, because they give us the impression that we can manage our affairs without taking God into consideration. Every thing the world values as a blessing is absent from what Jesus teaches in the beatitudes and everything the world counts a failure Jesus proposes as a blessing. Human success and power count for nothing in God’s eyes. Holiness and wealth do not fit comfortably together.
The beatitudes give us cause for reflection as they turn our normal value system upside down, forcing us to confront whether we are guided by the gospel or by the pattern set by society.
The life of a follower of Christ is not meant to be easy as it calls on us to do things that don’t come NATURALLY to us. Remember Jesus is still speaking to us today and wanting to know: “Are we kind, considerate and helpful, or are we selfish and lazy? He offers us a joy which shines trough sorrow and suffering and which nothing in life or death can take away.
What is the basis of our happiness? Are we in the same pattern with Jesus?
Mt. 5: 1-12
THE BEATITUDES
The Gospel today comes as a very big disappointment to ambitious-minded people that God does not look for success gauged and measured in human terms. Nowhere do we hear this message more clearly than in the gospel we have just read, which is the opening passage of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount – generally known as the beatitudes. In poetic language they tell us what a true Christian should be and spell out the CORRECT relationship of man to God. We might feel uncomfortable as we listen to Christ’s perspective on what brings happiness right now in this life and not just in the future. In a startling reversal of earthly standards he puts a high value on mercy, forgiveness and gentleness. He rejects out of hand wealth, rank and freedom to do what we choose, because they give us the impression that we can manage our affairs without taking God into consideration. Every thing the world values as a blessing is absent from what Jesus teaches in the beatitudes and everything the world counts a failure Jesus proposes as a blessing. Human success and power count for nothing in God’s eyes. Holiness and wealth do not fit comfortably together.
The beatitudes give us cause for reflection as they turn our normal value system upside down, forcing us to confront whether we are guided by the gospel or by the pattern set by society.
The life of a follower of Christ is not meant to be easy as it calls on us to do things that don’t come NATURALLY to us. Remember Jesus is still speaking to us today and wanting to know: “Are we kind, considerate and helpful, or are we selfish and lazy? He offers us a joy which shines trough sorrow and suffering and which nothing in life or death can take away.
What is the basis of our happiness? Are we in the same pattern with Jesus?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Sto. Nino (A)
FEAST OF THE STO. NINO (A)
(Jan. 20, 2008)
Mt. 18: 1-5; 10
In a century that gave us computers and nuclear power, the SIMPLICITY of a child may be dismissed as human stupidity. But isn’t it that we have been acting like stupid grown-ups because we have lost the wisdom of a child?
Remember our childhood days and how we loved and believed those fairy tales- those “once upon a time… there was a kingdom…” – that our parents read for us. Perhaps, we had outgrown them; we thought we could now distinguish fiction from facts. That is logical. But are we moving from fact to belief, from what is logical to what is beyond reason, which believers call faith? Or are we walking towards unbelief of God to belief of ourselves as gods who can build our own kingdom on earth?
What we expediently accept are those truths that are rationally preached by humans- world leaders, media and business people. We may shrug off Gospel truths as invalidated truths or simply pink elephants resulting from a childish imagination. Like Pilate we ask, “What is truth?”. Yet truth is not at the mercy of verification; what is irrational does not always mean it is not true: it is true because it is true. And we thought we knew better!
Perhaps this is the reason for living amidst contradictions. We want to be secure but we submit ourselves to things that make us even more insecure; we want to be happy but we cannot consent that happiness has no price on it; we want to live in peace but every country is gearing for war to achieve it; we want to live in freedom but we relinquish the same to the opinions of the world; we want to act with reason but professionals and business people are knocking at the doors of fortune-tellers.
How can we capture again the ending in a child’s storybook, “And they lived happily ever after…?” Left with our own powers, can we honestly say that we can live in a peaceful and humane world? Can we have the ability to clean out the enormous emotional rubbish and pragmatic games we have played that clutter our lives? How can we not live in fear when we are told by media, experts, and zealots to fear everything?
The disciples asked Jesus, “Who, then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child and made him stand in the middle of them…” The child is the greatest because he can believe, trust, and obey God while living with hope for the kingdom to come.
Albert Einstein once said, “Either everything is a miracle, or nothing is a miracle.” We can never entertain the possibility of a miracle unless we become children again. It is only then that even miracles are superfluous. Every day miracles are nothing more but facts of God’s love. VIVA SENOR SANTO NINO, teach us to believe, trust, and obey our Father in heaven as You did in all simplicity!
(Jan. 20, 2008)
Mt. 18: 1-5; 10
In a century that gave us computers and nuclear power, the SIMPLICITY of a child may be dismissed as human stupidity. But isn’t it that we have been acting like stupid grown-ups because we have lost the wisdom of a child?
Remember our childhood days and how we loved and believed those fairy tales- those “once upon a time… there was a kingdom…” – that our parents read for us. Perhaps, we had outgrown them; we thought we could now distinguish fiction from facts. That is logical. But are we moving from fact to belief, from what is logical to what is beyond reason, which believers call faith? Or are we walking towards unbelief of God to belief of ourselves as gods who can build our own kingdom on earth?
What we expediently accept are those truths that are rationally preached by humans- world leaders, media and business people. We may shrug off Gospel truths as invalidated truths or simply pink elephants resulting from a childish imagination. Like Pilate we ask, “What is truth?”. Yet truth is not at the mercy of verification; what is irrational does not always mean it is not true: it is true because it is true. And we thought we knew better!
Perhaps this is the reason for living amidst contradictions. We want to be secure but we submit ourselves to things that make us even more insecure; we want to be happy but we cannot consent that happiness has no price on it; we want to live in peace but every country is gearing for war to achieve it; we want to live in freedom but we relinquish the same to the opinions of the world; we want to act with reason but professionals and business people are knocking at the doors of fortune-tellers.
How can we capture again the ending in a child’s storybook, “And they lived happily ever after…?” Left with our own powers, can we honestly say that we can live in a peaceful and humane world? Can we have the ability to clean out the enormous emotional rubbish and pragmatic games we have played that clutter our lives? How can we not live in fear when we are told by media, experts, and zealots to fear everything?
The disciples asked Jesus, “Who, then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child and made him stand in the middle of them…” The child is the greatest because he can believe, trust, and obey God while living with hope for the kingdom to come.
Albert Einstein once said, “Either everything is a miracle, or nothing is a miracle.” We can never entertain the possibility of a miracle unless we become children again. It is only then that even miracles are superfluous. Every day miracles are nothing more but facts of God’s love. VIVA SENOR SANTO NINO, teach us to believe, trust, and obey our Father in heaven as You did in all simplicity!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
January 6, 2008
Jn 1:1-18
The story of the Epiphany captures the imagination with its rich mixture of mystery and intrigue. Into the Holy Family’s impoverished and temporary shelter come three wise men from the East dressed in majestic robes and bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They had traveled from the unknown lands following a star and had experienced the deviousness of King Herod before they were filled with delight in finding the new-born child. After praying homage they left for home by a different route.
The story of the Magi is so colorful we may overlook its significance and fail to see its deeper meaning. The wise men represent ALL of us. They journey through desert and mountain following a STAR reflects our search for purpose and meaning in life, which is not possible unless we are guided by faith which enables us to see beneath the surface of appearances. At the center of it all is the innocence of the new-born child, surrounded by adoration, wonder and mystery, who is able to stir the emotions, imagination and wills of all those drawn into its presence. The story is always relevant because God sees to it that people who really search will find him. He will shed light into our darkness and make us new.
As the Christmas season draws to a close with faded holly and sagging decorations, the Epiphany reminds us of our journey into another year following the individual path which we alone are to tread. Life is a pilgrimage, along journey, but we need not necessarily travel alone, fumbling in darkness in search of our destination. The Epiphany story concerns the wider world and the may varying circumstances of joy and sorrow in which we encounter Christ. It calls for us to look around and search for the Lord who is in our midst, in situations where previously we were unaware of His presence. He comes in people and places we least expect and at times when we are most unprepared for His company. God stands in our midst revealing Himself and inviting us to enter His company. Nothing is ever the same again for those who have discovered His light. The responsibility we bear is to let the divine light within us shine through to others. The gospel of love, forgiveness and redemption is not something to keep quiet about, but Good News to announce to the world.
Let the LIGHT of Christ shine through YOU and let us defeat darkness and evil by not ceasing to do GOOD. Then and only then that Epiphany becomes real!
January 6, 2008
Jn 1:1-18
The story of the Epiphany captures the imagination with its rich mixture of mystery and intrigue. Into the Holy Family’s impoverished and temporary shelter come three wise men from the East dressed in majestic robes and bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They had traveled from the unknown lands following a star and had experienced the deviousness of King Herod before they were filled with delight in finding the new-born child. After praying homage they left for home by a different route.
The story of the Magi is so colorful we may overlook its significance and fail to see its deeper meaning. The wise men represent ALL of us. They journey through desert and mountain following a STAR reflects our search for purpose and meaning in life, which is not possible unless we are guided by faith which enables us to see beneath the surface of appearances. At the center of it all is the innocence of the new-born child, surrounded by adoration, wonder and mystery, who is able to stir the emotions, imagination and wills of all those drawn into its presence. The story is always relevant because God sees to it that people who really search will find him. He will shed light into our darkness and make us new.
As the Christmas season draws to a close with faded holly and sagging decorations, the Epiphany reminds us of our journey into another year following the individual path which we alone are to tread. Life is a pilgrimage, along journey, but we need not necessarily travel alone, fumbling in darkness in search of our destination. The Epiphany story concerns the wider world and the may varying circumstances of joy and sorrow in which we encounter Christ. It calls for us to look around and search for the Lord who is in our midst, in situations where previously we were unaware of His presence. He comes in people and places we least expect and at times when we are most unprepared for His company. God stands in our midst revealing Himself and inviting us to enter His company. Nothing is ever the same again for those who have discovered His light. The responsibility we bear is to let the divine light within us shine through to others. The gospel of love, forgiveness and redemption is not something to keep quiet about, but Good News to announce to the world.
Let the LIGHT of Christ shine through YOU and let us defeat darkness and evil by not ceasing to do GOOD. Then and only then that Epiphany becomes real!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
STRENGTH OF THE FAMILY
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY (A)
(Mt. 2:13-15; 19-23)
Dec. 30, 2008
In this festive mood of the Christmas season, we are reminded that the child who was God grew up as a member of a human family. Anyone who reads the gospel carefully will see that the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph had their share of troubles and difficulties which caused them great worry. Joseph showed a father’s courageous and protective instinct as he did his best to shield the Holy Family from hostility and from the forces of evil. When he learned in a dream of Herod’s plot to kill the baby Jesus, he quickly uprooted Mary and the Child and left that night for Egypt where they lived in exile.
The most elementary Christian community of our lives is the family into which we are born. The purpose of this feast is to show the importance and sacredness of the family as the basic unit of church life. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the quality of our home and family life, in so far as they imitate the values of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Family life is a full-time job which is not so much about parents and children living under one roof as about their hearts beating together in harmony and love. This will happen if the message of Christ in all its richness is found within its walls. Parents teach their children by word and by example and those who avoid signs of mutual affection and do not show tenderness can scarcely complain if their homes turn out to be empty of love. Such household are not families but a group of people sharing living accommodation. Almost inevitably, conflicts, tensions and misunderstanding emerge when people live in such close confines, so patience and forgiveness are virtues which need to be stressed. Neither can happiness in the home be bought by accommodating creature comforts.
No matter what age young people are, home is the place where they feel free to talk about their troubles and difficulties. Time should be spent with them not only listening to their problems but sharing their visions and dreams for the future. The present age leaves no room for complacency regarding matters of faith. Religion begins at home and parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith. Handing on the faith means handing on a WAY OF LIFE. Its no use parents urging their children to pray if prayer is not part of their own adult lives. One of the great challenges facing couples is to make time and space for PRAYER in the modern family. This feast is a reminder that Jesus came on earth to make a place for each one of us in God’s family.
May our families be strong in the bonds of love and prayer and may the Holy Family guide us through in our journey of facing life’s realities.
(Mt. 2:13-15; 19-23)
Dec. 30, 2008
In this festive mood of the Christmas season, we are reminded that the child who was God grew up as a member of a human family. Anyone who reads the gospel carefully will see that the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph had their share of troubles and difficulties which caused them great worry. Joseph showed a father’s courageous and protective instinct as he did his best to shield the Holy Family from hostility and from the forces of evil. When he learned in a dream of Herod’s plot to kill the baby Jesus, he quickly uprooted Mary and the Child and left that night for Egypt where they lived in exile.
The most elementary Christian community of our lives is the family into which we are born. The purpose of this feast is to show the importance and sacredness of the family as the basic unit of church life. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the quality of our home and family life, in so far as they imitate the values of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Family life is a full-time job which is not so much about parents and children living under one roof as about their hearts beating together in harmony and love. This will happen if the message of Christ in all its richness is found within its walls. Parents teach their children by word and by example and those who avoid signs of mutual affection and do not show tenderness can scarcely complain if their homes turn out to be empty of love. Such household are not families but a group of people sharing living accommodation. Almost inevitably, conflicts, tensions and misunderstanding emerge when people live in such close confines, so patience and forgiveness are virtues which need to be stressed. Neither can happiness in the home be bought by accommodating creature comforts.
No matter what age young people are, home is the place where they feel free to talk about their troubles and difficulties. Time should be spent with them not only listening to their problems but sharing their visions and dreams for the future. The present age leaves no room for complacency regarding matters of faith. Religion begins at home and parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith. Handing on the faith means handing on a WAY OF LIFE. Its no use parents urging their children to pray if prayer is not part of their own adult lives. One of the great challenges facing couples is to make time and space for PRAYER in the modern family. This feast is a reminder that Jesus came on earth to make a place for each one of us in God’s family.
May our families be strong in the bonds of love and prayer and may the Holy Family guide us through in our journey of facing life’s realities.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
3rd Sunday of Advent (A)
3rd Sunday of Advent (A)
Dec. 16, 2007
CHRIST IS INDEED THE ONE!
During Advent, we wait expectantly for the coming of Christ at Christmas. We wait expectantly because we are aware of our poverty and emptiness, conditions described in the first reading from the prophet Isaiah. In a sense, the landscape of our life is sometimes like a desert when we feel terribly lonely, or like parched land when our activity is barren of the fruit of good works.
At times our eyes are blind when we fail to see the opportunities we have in our present situation. Our ears are deaf when we do not listen to God’s word or to the cry of the poor. Our hands are feeble and our knees weak when we lack the courage to meet our commitments. Sometimes we become lame and a burden on society when we can carry our own load and don’t. We become dumb when we can protest against injustice and don’t!
But we must not allow our weaknesses and failures to discourage us. Rather, they should make us desire Christ’s coming all the more. At least this is the attitude of the liturgy, and it should be ours too.
In the first reading, we are told by Isaiah: “Things are going bad, but you will see the glory of the Lord. So, be strong and fear not.” In the gospel Jesus says: “Go back and report what you hear and see. The blind recover their sight and the deaf hear. Cripples walk and dead men rise to life.”
In other words, we don’t have to stay the way we are- weak, blind or crippled. Our Savior is coming at Christmas to bring us strength, light and healing. We don’t have to look for one another. Jesus is the one who is to come. We need no other. He is our way, our truth, and our life.
Moreover, our question becomes a MISSION. Once we’ve experienced His presence and power in our lives, we are sent to share these with others. “Go back to your homes and neighborhoods and places of work,” our Lord says, “and REPORT what you have seen and heard. Tell them too that I am indeed the one who was to come, and that they need look for no other.”
Jesus came to bring the good news of the Father. When we go to our fellow, do we bring God’s good news with us?
Dec. 16, 2007
CHRIST IS INDEED THE ONE!
During Advent, we wait expectantly for the coming of Christ at Christmas. We wait expectantly because we are aware of our poverty and emptiness, conditions described in the first reading from the prophet Isaiah. In a sense, the landscape of our life is sometimes like a desert when we feel terribly lonely, or like parched land when our activity is barren of the fruit of good works.
At times our eyes are blind when we fail to see the opportunities we have in our present situation. Our ears are deaf when we do not listen to God’s word or to the cry of the poor. Our hands are feeble and our knees weak when we lack the courage to meet our commitments. Sometimes we become lame and a burden on society when we can carry our own load and don’t. We become dumb when we can protest against injustice and don’t!
But we must not allow our weaknesses and failures to discourage us. Rather, they should make us desire Christ’s coming all the more. At least this is the attitude of the liturgy, and it should be ours too.
In the first reading, we are told by Isaiah: “Things are going bad, but you will see the glory of the Lord. So, be strong and fear not.” In the gospel Jesus says: “Go back and report what you hear and see. The blind recover their sight and the deaf hear. Cripples walk and dead men rise to life.”
In other words, we don’t have to stay the way we are- weak, blind or crippled. Our Savior is coming at Christmas to bring us strength, light and healing. We don’t have to look for one another. Jesus is the one who is to come. We need no other. He is our way, our truth, and our life.
Moreover, our question becomes a MISSION. Once we’ve experienced His presence and power in our lives, we are sent to share these with others. “Go back to your homes and neighborhoods and places of work,” our Lord says, “and REPORT what you have seen and heard. Tell them too that I am indeed the one who was to come, and that they need look for no other.”
Jesus came to bring the good news of the Father. When we go to our fellow, do we bring God’s good news with us?
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
2nd Sunday of Advent (A)
2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
(Mt 3: 1-12)
December 9, 2007
PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR JESUS
Despite the looks of John the Baptist who is like a first century hippie with his long hair, rough coat and open sandals, the crowds flocked to hear him preach in stern uncompromising language as he fearlessly denounced evil whenever he found it. His words were clear and clear-cut in their simplicity. He came with a definite mission- TO ANNOUNCE TO THE PEOPLE that God’s kingdom was at their doorstep and if they wanted to enter it their present approach to life needed to be changed.
John challenged people to reform their lives, to repent of their sins and undergo a baptism of purification in the Jordan. When a group of Pharisees and Sadducees approached, he confronted their complacency and warned them not to depend upon the good name of past generations. Being a descendant of Abraham would count for nothing if good deeds were not evident in their lives. As a preacher, teacher and prophet, John pointed beyond himself and was a signpost to the coming of Christ into the world.
The call of John to repentance is an urgent invitation for us to prepare a way for the Lord to come into our hearts. And when we come right down to it, that is what Advent is all about. Preparing to celebrate Christmas means RENEWING our lives by acknowledging our need for Christ who is constantly calling us to higher things. John warns us that the greatest obstacle to the coming of Christ into our souls is SIN.
Each Advent is an opportunity for us to come closer to Christ and deepen our relationship with him through prayer and repentance. His power is at work in our lives when we make peace with the family member we have rejected, the relations we don’t speak to, the neighbors we have fallen out with, the poor we have no time for and whose plight we don’t want to know about. Breaking down these barriers will open the way for Christ to come to us and be born in our hearts this Christmas!
May we worthily celebrate Christmas no matter how humble it might be by reaching at higher things that matter most… OUR RENEWAL!
(Mt 3: 1-12)
December 9, 2007
PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR JESUS
Despite the looks of John the Baptist who is like a first century hippie with his long hair, rough coat and open sandals, the crowds flocked to hear him preach in stern uncompromising language as he fearlessly denounced evil whenever he found it. His words were clear and clear-cut in their simplicity. He came with a definite mission- TO ANNOUNCE TO THE PEOPLE that God’s kingdom was at their doorstep and if they wanted to enter it their present approach to life needed to be changed.
John challenged people to reform their lives, to repent of their sins and undergo a baptism of purification in the Jordan. When a group of Pharisees and Sadducees approached, he confronted their complacency and warned them not to depend upon the good name of past generations. Being a descendant of Abraham would count for nothing if good deeds were not evident in their lives. As a preacher, teacher and prophet, John pointed beyond himself and was a signpost to the coming of Christ into the world.
The call of John to repentance is an urgent invitation for us to prepare a way for the Lord to come into our hearts. And when we come right down to it, that is what Advent is all about. Preparing to celebrate Christmas means RENEWING our lives by acknowledging our need for Christ who is constantly calling us to higher things. John warns us that the greatest obstacle to the coming of Christ into our souls is SIN.
Each Advent is an opportunity for us to come closer to Christ and deepen our relationship with him through prayer and repentance. His power is at work in our lives when we make peace with the family member we have rejected, the relations we don’t speak to, the neighbors we have fallen out with, the poor we have no time for and whose plight we don’t want to know about. Breaking down these barriers will open the way for Christ to come to us and be born in our hearts this Christmas!
May we worthily celebrate Christmas no matter how humble it might be by reaching at higher things that matter most… OUR RENEWAL!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
1st Sunday of Advent (A)
1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
Dec. 2, 2007
(Mt 24:37-44)
A NEW BEGINNING
The new church year is ushered in with the season of Advent. It is primarily a time of spiritual preparation for Christmas- the feast which celebrates the birth of Christ and the beginning of our salvation. This is a time especially blessed by God which summons us to STAY AWAKE AND TO PREPARE in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Advent is an invitation to RENEW our Christian commitment and to start living the life that Christ’s first coming, more than 2,000 years ago, made possible in order to prepare for his final coming at the end of time. The reality of life in this world is that everything will eventually end.
If the real meaning of Christmas is to kept in the forefront of our minds, a CONSCIOUS decision must be made to enter into the proper spirit of ADVENT. At the beginning of this season a call to conversion is addressed to all of us because God wants us to grow closer to Him and to experience the warmth of his love more deeply. We do this by opening our hearts to receive his Son Jesus Christ into our lives. His presence can be experienced in the people we meet and in the situations that come our way each day.
Unfortunately since human nature will always choose the way of least resistance, many of us pass through Advent without grasping what God wants to do in our lives through Jesus. Our thoughts are all too often centered on the earthly material aspects of Christmas because our senses are bombarded by the glitter and shine of commercial advertisements encouraging us to greed and selfishness. The eternal Son of God seeks an ENTRY into our innermost being so that he may share his life with us. He stands at the door and knocks but will not come in uninvited. This is our opportunity to WELCOME him and advance on our spiritual journey by walking in the light of the Lord.
Let’s move on by starting RIGHT! A new beginning indeed!
Dec. 2, 2007
(Mt 24:37-44)
A NEW BEGINNING
The new church year is ushered in with the season of Advent. It is primarily a time of spiritual preparation for Christmas- the feast which celebrates the birth of Christ and the beginning of our salvation. This is a time especially blessed by God which summons us to STAY AWAKE AND TO PREPARE in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Advent is an invitation to RENEW our Christian commitment and to start living the life that Christ’s first coming, more than 2,000 years ago, made possible in order to prepare for his final coming at the end of time. The reality of life in this world is that everything will eventually end.
If the real meaning of Christmas is to kept in the forefront of our minds, a CONSCIOUS decision must be made to enter into the proper spirit of ADVENT. At the beginning of this season a call to conversion is addressed to all of us because God wants us to grow closer to Him and to experience the warmth of his love more deeply. We do this by opening our hearts to receive his Son Jesus Christ into our lives. His presence can be experienced in the people we meet and in the situations that come our way each day.
Unfortunately since human nature will always choose the way of least resistance, many of us pass through Advent without grasping what God wants to do in our lives through Jesus. Our thoughts are all too often centered on the earthly material aspects of Christmas because our senses are bombarded by the glitter and shine of commercial advertisements encouraging us to greed and selfishness. The eternal Son of God seeks an ENTRY into our innermost being so that he may share his life with us. He stands at the door and knocks but will not come in uninvited. This is our opportunity to WELCOME him and advance on our spiritual journey by walking in the light of the Lord.
Let’s move on by starting RIGHT! A new beginning indeed!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
CHRIST THE KING
CHRIST THE KING (C)
Lk 23:35-45
WHAT KIND OF KINGSHIP HE HAS?
To discover the kingship of Christ, to have us experience its richness, the Church proposes to us the Gospel passage which, we must admit, is very strange.
In the conflict opposing Him to the leaders of the people, Jesus appears defeated; the former had the upper hand over Him, and we witness the spectacle of His “downfall”. For everybody, especially for His disciples, it is the collapse of a great hope. Such is the situation of Jesus when the scene narrated in this passage takes place. The King could hardly be said to have prestige. And yet, towards the middle of the narrative, we have really heard that there was an inscription above him stating: “This is the King of the Jews.” What kind of kingship could ever be stated in such humiliating conditions?
This King, when He is challenged to show His power, a power He had always claimed to have until now, does not react. He could use it to get rid of the nails in His hands and feet, to come down from the cross and impose on all the overwhelmed spectators an uncontested authority: He does nothing of the sort!
This enables us to understand that His kingship entails no personal benefit. His universal dominion is not aimed at fulfilling Himself. If He exercises His kingship one last time before dying, it is only so that the “good” thief will obtain entrance into His Kingdom. This He does without any deployment of power, through a mere promise: His word is His sole power, and He needs none other.
This kingship of Jesus is therefore not made of domination by force; it is made of SERVICE BY LOVE. The annihilation brought by death is only an incident which in no way impedes His freedom of movement, a temporary episode in an eternal life.
The crucified Jesus of the Gospel reveals in His behavior what is the nature of His mysterious kingship: it does not want to dominate men, it is vulnerable in their attacks, and yet it enables those who do so desire to pass through death victoriously.
There are those who say: If Christ has a royal power, let Him fashion for us a better society, and then we shall believe in Him. Jesus does not answer this with miracles and wonders. He is content with setting an example of ABSOLUTE FORGIVENESS. This example, along with His grace in our hearts, will always be enough for men of good will to hasten in this world the coming of His Kingdom.
We are celebrating Christ’s kingship today. Is He really our King in the day to day basis of our lives? When was the last time we rendered our unselfish service of love to our fellowman? Have we forgiven one another? Have we loved the way Jesus did?
Lk 23:35-45
WHAT KIND OF KINGSHIP HE HAS?
To discover the kingship of Christ, to have us experience its richness, the Church proposes to us the Gospel passage which, we must admit, is very strange.
In the conflict opposing Him to the leaders of the people, Jesus appears defeated; the former had the upper hand over Him, and we witness the spectacle of His “downfall”. For everybody, especially for His disciples, it is the collapse of a great hope. Such is the situation of Jesus when the scene narrated in this passage takes place. The King could hardly be said to have prestige. And yet, towards the middle of the narrative, we have really heard that there was an inscription above him stating: “This is the King of the Jews.” What kind of kingship could ever be stated in such humiliating conditions?
This King, when He is challenged to show His power, a power He had always claimed to have until now, does not react. He could use it to get rid of the nails in His hands and feet, to come down from the cross and impose on all the overwhelmed spectators an uncontested authority: He does nothing of the sort!
This enables us to understand that His kingship entails no personal benefit. His universal dominion is not aimed at fulfilling Himself. If He exercises His kingship one last time before dying, it is only so that the “good” thief will obtain entrance into His Kingdom. This He does without any deployment of power, through a mere promise: His word is His sole power, and He needs none other.
This kingship of Jesus is therefore not made of domination by force; it is made of SERVICE BY LOVE. The annihilation brought by death is only an incident which in no way impedes His freedom of movement, a temporary episode in an eternal life.
The crucified Jesus of the Gospel reveals in His behavior what is the nature of His mysterious kingship: it does not want to dominate men, it is vulnerable in their attacks, and yet it enables those who do so desire to pass through death victoriously.
There are those who say: If Christ has a royal power, let Him fashion for us a better society, and then we shall believe in Him. Jesus does not answer this with miracles and wonders. He is content with setting an example of ABSOLUTE FORGIVENESS. This example, along with His grace in our hearts, will always be enough for men of good will to hasten in this world the coming of His Kingdom.
We are celebrating Christ’s kingship today. Is He really our King in the day to day basis of our lives? When was the last time we rendered our unselfish service of love to our fellowman? Have we forgiven one another? Have we loved the way Jesus did?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
10 Steps to Success in Work
TEN STEPS TO SUCCESS IN WORK
First: Don’t get the idea that you are Atlas, carrying the world on your shoulder. The world would go on even without you. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
Second: Tell yourself that you like your work. Then it will become a pleasure, not drudgery. Perhaps you do not need to change your job. Change yourself, and your work will seem different.
Third: Plan your work- work your plan. Lack of system produces that “I’m swamped” feeling.
Fourth: Don’t try to do everything at once. That is why time is spread out. Operate on that wise advice from the Bible, “This, one thing I do.”
Fifth: Get a correct mental attitude. Think a job at hard, and you will make it hard. Think it is easy, and you will tend to become so.
Sixth: Become an expert in your work. It is always easier to do a thing right.
Seventh: Practice being relaxed. Easy always does it. Don’t press or strain.
Eighth: Do not putt off until tomorrow what you can do today. It only makes tomorrow’s job harder. It piles up on you. Keep your work on schedules.
Ninth: At the start of every day. Pray about your work. You will get some of your best ideas that way.
Tenth: Take along your “unseen Partner”. It is surprising the load he will take off you. God is much at home in offices and shops as in churches. He knows more about your business than you do!
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST… THE GUIDE TO SUCCESS IS WITHIN YOU!
First: Don’t get the idea that you are Atlas, carrying the world on your shoulder. The world would go on even without you. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
Second: Tell yourself that you like your work. Then it will become a pleasure, not drudgery. Perhaps you do not need to change your job. Change yourself, and your work will seem different.
Third: Plan your work- work your plan. Lack of system produces that “I’m swamped” feeling.
Fourth: Don’t try to do everything at once. That is why time is spread out. Operate on that wise advice from the Bible, “This, one thing I do.”
Fifth: Get a correct mental attitude. Think a job at hard, and you will make it hard. Think it is easy, and you will tend to become so.
Sixth: Become an expert in your work. It is always easier to do a thing right.
Seventh: Practice being relaxed. Easy always does it. Don’t press or strain.
Eighth: Do not putt off until tomorrow what you can do today. It only makes tomorrow’s job harder. It piles up on you. Keep your work on schedules.
Ninth: At the start of every day. Pray about your work. You will get some of your best ideas that way.
Tenth: Take along your “unseen Partner”. It is surprising the load he will take off you. God is much at home in offices and shops as in churches. He knows more about your business than you do!
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST… THE GUIDE TO SUCCESS IS WITHIN YOU!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
33rd Sunday in Ord. Time(C) Nov.18, 2007
33rd Sunday in Ord. Time (C)
Lk 21:5-19
Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, amassed a fortune manufacturing weapons of destruction, found himself dead one morning in1888. He read his own obituary in the newspaper. Actually, it was his brother who died, but a reporter mistakenly wrote Alfred’s obituary.
For the first time Alfred Nobel saw himself as the world saw him, “the dynamite king” and nothing more. He was simply described as a merchant of death, and he would be remembered for that alone.
Alfred was horrified. He reflected the true purpose of his life, of what living a life is all about. Alfred wrote his last will and left a fortune to establish the most valued of all prizes: The Nobel Peace Prize. This prize is awarded to individuals who made historic contributions in the promotion of peace, and those whose achievements benefited humanity.
The reality of death stuns us and even paralyzes many of us. The uncertainty of the future many times disturbs us. Like the people in the Gospel today. We are anxious to know what lies beyond tomorrow. The many fears that we keep, troubles us. We then ask: “what happens when we die”.
Death is a reality that we have to face. It will come to us sooner or later. But for a Christian, death gives us the awareness of our limitations… of how fragile life is! It leads us to a conclusion that we are not the owners of our existence. This has to be retuned to our sole Creator – to our God and Father.
The Gospel doesn’t want to make us morbid neither it intends to scare us, but it is presented that somehow and somewhere we have to confront the reality of death as we are ending the season of our church calendar. We too must be prepared for many times, death comes when we LEAST expect it. We must plan things, not to show us the future, but rather to uncover the things we must do today in order to have a better future.
When our time comes to answer the reality of death, how do we want to be remembered? Tomorrow bespeaks postponement. Good intentions must be translated to concrete actions TODAY. Today well-lived makes every tomorrow a vision of hope! Look well, therefore, to this day, for today only happens ONCE in our lifetime!
Lk 21:5-19
Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, amassed a fortune manufacturing weapons of destruction, found himself dead one morning in1888. He read his own obituary in the newspaper. Actually, it was his brother who died, but a reporter mistakenly wrote Alfred’s obituary.
For the first time Alfred Nobel saw himself as the world saw him, “the dynamite king” and nothing more. He was simply described as a merchant of death, and he would be remembered for that alone.
Alfred was horrified. He reflected the true purpose of his life, of what living a life is all about. Alfred wrote his last will and left a fortune to establish the most valued of all prizes: The Nobel Peace Prize. This prize is awarded to individuals who made historic contributions in the promotion of peace, and those whose achievements benefited humanity.
The reality of death stuns us and even paralyzes many of us. The uncertainty of the future many times disturbs us. Like the people in the Gospel today. We are anxious to know what lies beyond tomorrow. The many fears that we keep, troubles us. We then ask: “what happens when we die”.
Death is a reality that we have to face. It will come to us sooner or later. But for a Christian, death gives us the awareness of our limitations… of how fragile life is! It leads us to a conclusion that we are not the owners of our existence. This has to be retuned to our sole Creator – to our God and Father.
The Gospel doesn’t want to make us morbid neither it intends to scare us, but it is presented that somehow and somewhere we have to confront the reality of death as we are ending the season of our church calendar. We too must be prepared for many times, death comes when we LEAST expect it. We must plan things, not to show us the future, but rather to uncover the things we must do today in order to have a better future.
When our time comes to answer the reality of death, how do we want to be remembered? Tomorrow bespeaks postponement. Good intentions must be translated to concrete actions TODAY. Today well-lived makes every tomorrow a vision of hope! Look well, therefore, to this day, for today only happens ONCE in our lifetime!
WHO SEES BEST?
WHO SEES BEST?
A man, who was drunk, was walking on the street one night. It was a full moon. As he was on his way, another man joined him in the same in just the same situation (he was also drunk). They exchanged a lively conversation but their conversation turned into a heated argument when they reached the topic about the moon.
The first man said: “The color of the moon is yellow!” at which the second man countered that: “It is not yellow, but orange!”. They both insisted their way and they reached the point that they already quarreled in such a discussion.
As they were proving who was right between them, another man joined them and listened to their argument. The first drunkard noticed the man who joined, and so he remarked to the second drunkard: “For our discussion to be over, why should we not ask this “friend” who joined us?” The second drunkard agreed to the suggestion of the first. So, they both ask the man who joined them: “What is the color of the moon? Yellow or orange?” The third man looked at the moon and opened wide his eyes, and said: “Which moon are you referring to? The one on the left or the one on the right?” (He is even more drunk than the two!}
Moral:
People see things in varied perspectives, with different opinions and ideas yet the truth remains. No matter how we see and what we see in the moon, the reality is, the existence of the moon is real. We tend to judge people according to our own measures, by our own standards, by the way they impress or depress us, by the way we look at our ideals, yet the truth remain that every person is made in the IMAGE AND LIKENESS of God… that no matter how “lowly” the person is, in our own standards, he/she is INVALUABLE in the eyes of God since each one of us is God’s MASTERPIECE! Let us stop judging one another instead let us look at one another as God’s gift. Persons are gifts… they only pass through our life but once! How about giving people a hug? As you embrace them… you embrace God too!
A man, who was drunk, was walking on the street one night. It was a full moon. As he was on his way, another man joined him in the same in just the same situation (he was also drunk). They exchanged a lively conversation but their conversation turned into a heated argument when they reached the topic about the moon.
The first man said: “The color of the moon is yellow!” at which the second man countered that: “It is not yellow, but orange!”. They both insisted their way and they reached the point that they already quarreled in such a discussion.
As they were proving who was right between them, another man joined them and listened to their argument. The first drunkard noticed the man who joined, and so he remarked to the second drunkard: “For our discussion to be over, why should we not ask this “friend” who joined us?” The second drunkard agreed to the suggestion of the first. So, they both ask the man who joined them: “What is the color of the moon? Yellow or orange?” The third man looked at the moon and opened wide his eyes, and said: “Which moon are you referring to? The one on the left or the one on the right?” (He is even more drunk than the two!}
Moral:
People see things in varied perspectives, with different opinions and ideas yet the truth remains. No matter how we see and what we see in the moon, the reality is, the existence of the moon is real. We tend to judge people according to our own measures, by our own standards, by the way they impress or depress us, by the way we look at our ideals, yet the truth remain that every person is made in the IMAGE AND LIKENESS of God… that no matter how “lowly” the person is, in our own standards, he/she is INVALUABLE in the eyes of God since each one of us is God’s MASTERPIECE! Let us stop judging one another instead let us look at one another as God’s gift. Persons are gifts… they only pass through our life but once! How about giving people a hug? As you embrace them… you embrace God too!
Friday, November 9, 2007
32nd Sunday in Ord. Time(Nov. 11, 2007)
REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
(November 11, 2007)
The Sadducees are people who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, that is why they posed a “trap” to Jesus on how to justify the case of the woman with seven husbands. Jesus knew their thoughts, and answered their “curiosity” by going to a deeper aspect of married life. Making it clear to them that they themselves invoke the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who happen to be LIVING in the bosom of God, then it just goes to show that there is life after death. As such the God we believe in, is the God of the living and not the God of the dead. We could always look with hope to the glory prepared for the just as GLORIFIED children of God. There are no more marriages in heaven since we already share the eternal bliss with our Father in heaven.
By believing in the resurrection, we on earth, become hopeful, that despite of the hardships we encounter in our worldly life, there is always a shining radiant of a happy and full-filled life.
The life of husband and wife is never easy in this world. All the more, they should fix their eyes on the reality of the resurrection, as this will provide them the strength to go on despite of the trials they encounter everyday. They could always HOPE for a better tomorrow through the power of the resurrection! Amen!
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
(November 11, 2007)
The Sadducees are people who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, that is why they posed a “trap” to Jesus on how to justify the case of the woman with seven husbands. Jesus knew their thoughts, and answered their “curiosity” by going to a deeper aspect of married life. Making it clear to them that they themselves invoke the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who happen to be LIVING in the bosom of God, then it just goes to show that there is life after death. As such the God we believe in, is the God of the living and not the God of the dead. We could always look with hope to the glory prepared for the just as GLORIFIED children of God. There are no more marriages in heaven since we already share the eternal bliss with our Father in heaven.
By believing in the resurrection, we on earth, become hopeful, that despite of the hardships we encounter in our worldly life, there is always a shining radiant of a happy and full-filled life.
The life of husband and wife is never easy in this world. All the more, they should fix their eyes on the reality of the resurrection, as this will provide them the strength to go on despite of the trials they encounter everyday. They could always HOPE for a better tomorrow through the power of the resurrection! Amen!
Homily for the Baptism of the Lord (Jan.13, 2008)
“ Ang hinigugma nga Anak yara sa Eukaristiya bilang Kabuhi sang Kalibutan”
“INI AMO ANG AKON HINIGUGMA NGA ANAK; PAMATII NINYO SIYA”
(Mt 3: 13-17)
“PAGBUNYAG SA GINUO”
By: FR. JOSE RONNIE T. BANIAS
Parish Priest, St. Joseph P.U.C.
Dulangan, Pilar, Capiz
May isa ka Obispo sa Latin America, si Bishop Herder Camara, nga nagtugda sang subong sini: “ Sang nagahatag ako sang pagka-on sa mga imol, ginasiling nila nga ako, Kristiyano. Sang nag-abut ang tion nga ginpamangkut ko ang akon mga ginhatagan sang pagkaon kon ngaaman nga “gutum” sila, ginbansagan nila ako nga isa ka KOMUNISTA!
Daw halos isa na ka ginabaton nga sitwasyon ang kaimulon kag gutum, indi lamang sa aton pungsud kundi sa bug-os nga kalibutan. Daw sa upod na sa nesisidad sang aton pangabuhi ang pagkakulabos kag pagkagutum. Ang aton katilingban daw sa indi sang kumpleto kon wala ang presensya sang mga imol! Kon sa bagay, may isa ka manunulat nga nagsiling: “Ang Diyos naghigugma sing kapin sa mga imol sa bagay nga nagtuga Sya sang sobra kadamu sa ila!”
Amo gid bala ini ang luyag sang Diyos ukon ini tanan nagaluntad tungud sa aton kahimuan? Naupud bala sa plano sang Diyos nga ang Paskwa ukon ang New Year para lang sa mga manggaranon kag mga may ikasarang, samtang ang kadamuan nagakamusmus sa kapigaduhon? Yara bala sa tinutuyo sang Diyos nga magluntad ang daku nga gil-at sang mga may ara kag mga wala-wala?
Ginasiling subong sang aton Santos nga Ebanghelyo nga ang aton Amay sa langit nahamu-ut gid sa Iyang Anak, tungud kay paagi sa Iya pagbaton sang bunyag ni Juan, nga indi man gani Niya kinahanglanon, natuman ang plano sang Amay. Sang pagtusmug sa aton Ginuo sa suba sang Jordan, Iya man gintusmug ang Iyang kaugalingon sa pagpakig- angut sa kabuhi sang katawohan. Ginasiling gani nga sa pagbunyag sa aton Ginuo, Iya ginsuklub ang aton pagkatawo kag pagkamakasasala… nangin isa Sya sa aton pagkatawo agud kita mangin isa sa Iya pagka-Diyos! Upud sa Iya pagsalum sa aton kahuyangon, Siya nagbutwa agud kita man maka-upod sa Iya sa Iyang kabuhi nga Diyosnon! Sa sini, nahamu-ut ang aton Amay!... Nahamu-ut Siya tungud nga sa liwat ang bug-os nga katawhan nangin isigkamanunubli sang Iya Ginharian nga Iya gintigana sa tagsa-tagsa sugud pa sang ginsuguran!
Ang plano sang aton Amay amo nga kita magkabuhi sang may kabuganaan tungud Siya isa ka bugana nga Amay. Indi Siya sang imol nga Diyos kag nagakaigo lang nga ang Iyang mga anak indi man mag-mangin-imol! Isa ka daku nga insulto sa aton Amay sa langit ang kaimulon tungud gani Siya amo ang kapupun-an sang tanan!
Apang, ngaman may mga imol? May mga ginakulabus? May mga ginakulang? Kon indi ini kahimu-an kag upud sa plano sang Diyos, ayhan wala kita sang iban nga balikdon kundi ang aton kaugalingon, kag usisa-on ang aton mga kakulangan kag kapaltahan. Samtang nagasaulog kita sining Santos nga Eukaristiya, aton usisa-on ang aton kaugalingon kon bala nangin matutum kita sa pagsunud kag paghatag sang katumanan sa sining selebrasyon nga ginbilin sa aton sang aton Ginuong Jesus.
Suno sa aton Santo Papa, Benedicto XVI, ang Santos nga Eukaristiya may mga kaundan nga dili naton sarang mabale-wala ukon mapabulag-bulagan. Sa iya ginsulat nga libro “ Sacramentum Caritatis” siya nagpamalandung sang mga masunud sa “paragraphs 88-95”: “Nga ang Santos nga Eukaristiya nagabuyuk sa aton, nga personal nga makig-angut sa isa kag isa nga nagadala sang paghiusa, agud mabag-o ang mga estruktura nga nagapakanubo sa tawo, sa diin ang tagsa-tagsa magkatalupangud sang ila pagka-alalangay, kag sa sini, paga-pakig-ambitan sang tanan ang bunga sang duta kag ginpangabudlayan sang tawo sa pagpahayag sang matahum nga mga gintuga sang Diyos para sa bug-os nga katawhan.”
Mga utod, ang mga pulong sang aton Santo Papa isa ka daku nga paghangkat nga ginapa-atubang sa aton! Sa kadugayon na nga kita nagasa-ulog kag nagapasakup sa Santos nga Misa ukon sa Santos nga Eukaristiya, aton bala napahayag sa aton kabuhi ang pangkabilugan ukon “social” nga bahin sang Santos nga Misa? Pila ayhan sa aton ang nagasiling sa pagkatapus naton simba sa adlaw sang Domingo: “Ah… ok na ako kay naobra ko na ya ang akon obligasyon… bahala da ya ang iban nga wala pa ka simba!” Pila ayhan sa aton nga sa pag-abut sang paghinatagay sang paghidait, matam-is nga yuhum ang aton ginahuptan, apang pag gwa sa simbahan, nagasilabo ang aton dugo sa aton pagkakita sa aton kaaway? Pila ayhan sa aton nga kon yara kita sa sulud sang Santos nga Misa daw mas mabuot pa kita sa mga imahen sang mga Santos nga yara sa sulud sang Simbahan apang pagpa-uli naton sa aton panimalay, nagatuhaw ang aton kapintas sa aton mga kabataan kag mga kabulig? Pila ayhan sa aton nga yari diri subong sa sulud sang Simbahan, nga sa aton pag gwa, naga-gwa man ang aton minatu-od nga pagkatawo… sa gihapon naluyag kita magpanglibak, magpinangbantay sang hulag kag sala sang iban, mag-inimut sa mga nagakinahanglan, magpanumdum lang sang aton kaugalingon nga kaayohan bisan ginalapak na naton ang deretso sang aton isigkapareho? Pila ayhan sa aton ang yari diri subong nga sa gihapon nagapabilin nga hakugan kag sungak-sungak sa mga pagkabutang sining kalibutan, bisan pa nga nakita naton ang aton mga kautoran nga mga wala-wala kag mas kapin nga nagakinahanglan?
Mga kautoran, Kapiestahan subong sang Pagbunyag sa aton Ginuong Jesukristo, kag Iya nga ginapabatyag sa aton, sa aton nga selebrasyon nga Siya, amo ang matuod nga kabuhi sang kalibutan. Apang maangkon lamang naton ining kabuhi nga Iya ginatan-ay sa sining Santos nga Misa kon ang tagsa-tagsa sa aton maghimud-os nga mag-angut sang iyang kabuhi sa KAUNDAN sang Santos nga Eukaristiya. Ang Santos nga Eukaristiya indi sang isa ka sarswela o palagwa-on, ukon drama, nga sa pagkatapos hambal sang pari “maglakat kamo sa paghida-it”, tapos naman dayon ang tanan! Ang Santos nga Misa isa ka ganhaan nga nagalapad ang iya nga pagbukas paagi sa aton pagpahi-ambit sini sang Iya mga bunga sa aton mga kautoran… ini nagapabilin nga bukas agud kita makalab-ut sa aton mga isigkapareho ilabi na gid sa mga kubos sang aton katilingban!
Ang Santos nga Misa isa ka selebrasyon nga nagatudlo sa aton nga aton kabuhi dapat igapa-ambit sa aton isigkatawo… ang kaalwan sang Diyos nga aton ginabaton sa tagsa naton ka pagsaulog sini nagabuyok sa aton nga mangin maalwan sa isa kag isa… ang pagpatawad sang aton Amay nga aton ginabaton dapat man aton dalhon sa aton mga kautoran nga may mga kakulangan sa aton… ang pagtubos nga ginahatag sang aton Ginuong Jesukristo paagi sa Iya paghalad sang Iyang kabuhi sa aton, amo man ang pagtubos nga aton pagadalhon sa aton mga isigkatawo nga nagakalumos-lumos tungud sang ila kaimulon.
Hinigugma ko nga mga kautoran, ang aton selebrasyon sang Santos nga Misa isa ka selebrasyon sa PAGPA-AMBIT sang kabuhi. Ginapahanumdum kita diri nga kita mga engkargado lamang sang aton nga Amay sa langit, kag kon ginhatagan kita sang mas kapin sang sa iban naton nga kautoran, indi ini agud kabigon naton nga mangin aton lamang, kundi agud aton man ini ipa-ambit sa aton mga kautoran nga nakulangan, agud nga paagi sa aton, mabatyagan sang tagsa-tagsa ang wala’y tupong nga kaalwan sang aton Amay sa langit. Sa sini nga paagi, aton matuman ang binu-buot sang aton Amay… mapadayon naton ang pagpanubos sang aton Ginuong Jesukristo, kag mapabakud naton ang ginahikut sang Espiritu Santo agud kita maghili-usa bilang isa ka katilingban nga may pag-alalangay bilang mga matuod nga mga anak sang aton Diyos.
Mga utod, kon nagapamangkut kita ngaman may mga ginagutum o may mga imol, ini indi tungud kay komunista kita, kundi, ini tungud nga luyag naton mahibalu-an kag matukiban ang sistema nga nagpaluntad sini sa aton katilingban. Ini nga mga sistema amo ang mga pagpa-iya-iya, pagpamintaha, kag pagkahakug! Tungud sang indi mapuno nga kaluyagon sang tawo, siya nagapatuyang sa iya luyag nga maangkon bisan pa ini nagakahulugan nga ang iban mawad-an! Kita ang naghimo sini nga sistema, kag nagakabagay lang nga kita man ang magtadlong kag maghimo sang isa ka sistema nga nasanto sa aton selebrasyon sang Santos nga Eukaristiya sa diin aton mabatyagan nga matuod kita nga makaangkon sang dignidad sang isa ka anak sang Maalwan nga Amay.
Mientras may mga imol sa aton palibut, ayhan masiling naton nga kita man may salabton sa ila nga sitwasyon, apang sa aton pagpasakup sa Santos nga Eukaristiya, kita man nagahuput sang solusyon sa paghaw-as sa ila gikan sa ila kaimulon. Suno sa dinalan sang Santos nga Kasulatan, sang paghimo sang aton Ginuo sang milagro sa pagpamuad sang tinapay kag isda, Siya nagsiling sa Iya mga gintutun-an: “Kamo mismo ang maghatag sa ila sang pagka-on”, kita man Iya ginamandu-an subong nga indi lamang magkalu-oy sa mga imol, kundi nga kita maghimo sang mga LIHUK agud kita mangin bahin sang pagpinabag-o sang sistema nga nagalugmuk sa mga tawo sa kaimulon. Kita Iya ginamandu-an nga MAGHULAG agud maglab-ut sa aton mga kautoran nga ginakulabos, kag Iya kita ginamanduan sa paghimo sang mga TIKANG sa pagpalapit kag paghaw-as sa aton mga kautoran nga wala-wala.
Nasa-ulog na naton ang bag-ong tuig. Isa naman ka bag-o sang kalendaryo kag sa pagdugang sang edad sang kalibutan. Kabay pa nga ini nga tuig magpahamtong man sang aton nga pagtuo, nga paagi kay Kristo, kag upod kay Kristo, kag dira kay Kristo aton malab-ut ang mga handum sang aton Amay sa langit, nga kita tanan magkabuhi bilang Iya mga alalangay nga mga Anak kag utod sang aton Ginuong Jesukristo. Sa sining aton nga hilikuton kabay pa nga ang aton Amay sa langit makasiling man sa aton: “Ini amo ang akon mga pinalangga nga mga anak… nahamu-ot gid ako sa ila!”.
“INI AMO ANG AKON HINIGUGMA NGA ANAK; PAMATII NINYO SIYA”
(Mt 3: 13-17)
“PAGBUNYAG SA GINUO”
By: FR. JOSE RONNIE T. BANIAS
Parish Priest, St. Joseph P.U.C.
Dulangan, Pilar, Capiz
May isa ka Obispo sa Latin America, si Bishop Herder Camara, nga nagtugda sang subong sini: “ Sang nagahatag ako sang pagka-on sa mga imol, ginasiling nila nga ako, Kristiyano. Sang nag-abut ang tion nga ginpamangkut ko ang akon mga ginhatagan sang pagkaon kon ngaaman nga “gutum” sila, ginbansagan nila ako nga isa ka KOMUNISTA!
Daw halos isa na ka ginabaton nga sitwasyon ang kaimulon kag gutum, indi lamang sa aton pungsud kundi sa bug-os nga kalibutan. Daw sa upod na sa nesisidad sang aton pangabuhi ang pagkakulabos kag pagkagutum. Ang aton katilingban daw sa indi sang kumpleto kon wala ang presensya sang mga imol! Kon sa bagay, may isa ka manunulat nga nagsiling: “Ang Diyos naghigugma sing kapin sa mga imol sa bagay nga nagtuga Sya sang sobra kadamu sa ila!”
Amo gid bala ini ang luyag sang Diyos ukon ini tanan nagaluntad tungud sa aton kahimuan? Naupud bala sa plano sang Diyos nga ang Paskwa ukon ang New Year para lang sa mga manggaranon kag mga may ikasarang, samtang ang kadamuan nagakamusmus sa kapigaduhon? Yara bala sa tinutuyo sang Diyos nga magluntad ang daku nga gil-at sang mga may ara kag mga wala-wala?
Ginasiling subong sang aton Santos nga Ebanghelyo nga ang aton Amay sa langit nahamu-ut gid sa Iyang Anak, tungud kay paagi sa Iya pagbaton sang bunyag ni Juan, nga indi man gani Niya kinahanglanon, natuman ang plano sang Amay. Sang pagtusmug sa aton Ginuo sa suba sang Jordan, Iya man gintusmug ang Iyang kaugalingon sa pagpakig- angut sa kabuhi sang katawohan. Ginasiling gani nga sa pagbunyag sa aton Ginuo, Iya ginsuklub ang aton pagkatawo kag pagkamakasasala… nangin isa Sya sa aton pagkatawo agud kita mangin isa sa Iya pagka-Diyos! Upud sa Iya pagsalum sa aton kahuyangon, Siya nagbutwa agud kita man maka-upod sa Iya sa Iyang kabuhi nga Diyosnon! Sa sini, nahamu-ut ang aton Amay!... Nahamu-ut Siya tungud nga sa liwat ang bug-os nga katawhan nangin isigkamanunubli sang Iya Ginharian nga Iya gintigana sa tagsa-tagsa sugud pa sang ginsuguran!
Ang plano sang aton Amay amo nga kita magkabuhi sang may kabuganaan tungud Siya isa ka bugana nga Amay. Indi Siya sang imol nga Diyos kag nagakaigo lang nga ang Iyang mga anak indi man mag-mangin-imol! Isa ka daku nga insulto sa aton Amay sa langit ang kaimulon tungud gani Siya amo ang kapupun-an sang tanan!
Apang, ngaman may mga imol? May mga ginakulabus? May mga ginakulang? Kon indi ini kahimu-an kag upud sa plano sang Diyos, ayhan wala kita sang iban nga balikdon kundi ang aton kaugalingon, kag usisa-on ang aton mga kakulangan kag kapaltahan. Samtang nagasaulog kita sining Santos nga Eukaristiya, aton usisa-on ang aton kaugalingon kon bala nangin matutum kita sa pagsunud kag paghatag sang katumanan sa sining selebrasyon nga ginbilin sa aton sang aton Ginuong Jesus.
Suno sa aton Santo Papa, Benedicto XVI, ang Santos nga Eukaristiya may mga kaundan nga dili naton sarang mabale-wala ukon mapabulag-bulagan. Sa iya ginsulat nga libro “ Sacramentum Caritatis” siya nagpamalandung sang mga masunud sa “paragraphs 88-95”: “Nga ang Santos nga Eukaristiya nagabuyuk sa aton, nga personal nga makig-angut sa isa kag isa nga nagadala sang paghiusa, agud mabag-o ang mga estruktura nga nagapakanubo sa tawo, sa diin ang tagsa-tagsa magkatalupangud sang ila pagka-alalangay, kag sa sini, paga-pakig-ambitan sang tanan ang bunga sang duta kag ginpangabudlayan sang tawo sa pagpahayag sang matahum nga mga gintuga sang Diyos para sa bug-os nga katawhan.”
Mga utod, ang mga pulong sang aton Santo Papa isa ka daku nga paghangkat nga ginapa-atubang sa aton! Sa kadugayon na nga kita nagasa-ulog kag nagapasakup sa Santos nga Misa ukon sa Santos nga Eukaristiya, aton bala napahayag sa aton kabuhi ang pangkabilugan ukon “social” nga bahin sang Santos nga Misa? Pila ayhan sa aton ang nagasiling sa pagkatapus naton simba sa adlaw sang Domingo: “Ah… ok na ako kay naobra ko na ya ang akon obligasyon… bahala da ya ang iban nga wala pa ka simba!” Pila ayhan sa aton nga sa pag-abut sang paghinatagay sang paghidait, matam-is nga yuhum ang aton ginahuptan, apang pag gwa sa simbahan, nagasilabo ang aton dugo sa aton pagkakita sa aton kaaway? Pila ayhan sa aton nga kon yara kita sa sulud sang Santos nga Misa daw mas mabuot pa kita sa mga imahen sang mga Santos nga yara sa sulud sang Simbahan apang pagpa-uli naton sa aton panimalay, nagatuhaw ang aton kapintas sa aton mga kabataan kag mga kabulig? Pila ayhan sa aton nga yari diri subong sa sulud sang Simbahan, nga sa aton pag gwa, naga-gwa man ang aton minatu-od nga pagkatawo… sa gihapon naluyag kita magpanglibak, magpinangbantay sang hulag kag sala sang iban, mag-inimut sa mga nagakinahanglan, magpanumdum lang sang aton kaugalingon nga kaayohan bisan ginalapak na naton ang deretso sang aton isigkapareho? Pila ayhan sa aton ang yari diri subong nga sa gihapon nagapabilin nga hakugan kag sungak-sungak sa mga pagkabutang sining kalibutan, bisan pa nga nakita naton ang aton mga kautoran nga mga wala-wala kag mas kapin nga nagakinahanglan?
Mga kautoran, Kapiestahan subong sang Pagbunyag sa aton Ginuong Jesukristo, kag Iya nga ginapabatyag sa aton, sa aton nga selebrasyon nga Siya, amo ang matuod nga kabuhi sang kalibutan. Apang maangkon lamang naton ining kabuhi nga Iya ginatan-ay sa sining Santos nga Misa kon ang tagsa-tagsa sa aton maghimud-os nga mag-angut sang iyang kabuhi sa KAUNDAN sang Santos nga Eukaristiya. Ang Santos nga Eukaristiya indi sang isa ka sarswela o palagwa-on, ukon drama, nga sa pagkatapos hambal sang pari “maglakat kamo sa paghida-it”, tapos naman dayon ang tanan! Ang Santos nga Misa isa ka ganhaan nga nagalapad ang iya nga pagbukas paagi sa aton pagpahi-ambit sini sang Iya mga bunga sa aton mga kautoran… ini nagapabilin nga bukas agud kita makalab-ut sa aton mga isigkapareho ilabi na gid sa mga kubos sang aton katilingban!
Ang Santos nga Misa isa ka selebrasyon nga nagatudlo sa aton nga aton kabuhi dapat igapa-ambit sa aton isigkatawo… ang kaalwan sang Diyos nga aton ginabaton sa tagsa naton ka pagsaulog sini nagabuyok sa aton nga mangin maalwan sa isa kag isa… ang pagpatawad sang aton Amay nga aton ginabaton dapat man aton dalhon sa aton mga kautoran nga may mga kakulangan sa aton… ang pagtubos nga ginahatag sang aton Ginuong Jesukristo paagi sa Iya paghalad sang Iyang kabuhi sa aton, amo man ang pagtubos nga aton pagadalhon sa aton mga isigkatawo nga nagakalumos-lumos tungud sang ila kaimulon.
Hinigugma ko nga mga kautoran, ang aton selebrasyon sang Santos nga Misa isa ka selebrasyon sa PAGPA-AMBIT sang kabuhi. Ginapahanumdum kita diri nga kita mga engkargado lamang sang aton nga Amay sa langit, kag kon ginhatagan kita sang mas kapin sang sa iban naton nga kautoran, indi ini agud kabigon naton nga mangin aton lamang, kundi agud aton man ini ipa-ambit sa aton mga kautoran nga nakulangan, agud nga paagi sa aton, mabatyagan sang tagsa-tagsa ang wala’y tupong nga kaalwan sang aton Amay sa langit. Sa sini nga paagi, aton matuman ang binu-buot sang aton Amay… mapadayon naton ang pagpanubos sang aton Ginuong Jesukristo, kag mapabakud naton ang ginahikut sang Espiritu Santo agud kita maghili-usa bilang isa ka katilingban nga may pag-alalangay bilang mga matuod nga mga anak sang aton Diyos.
Mga utod, kon nagapamangkut kita ngaman may mga ginagutum o may mga imol, ini indi tungud kay komunista kita, kundi, ini tungud nga luyag naton mahibalu-an kag matukiban ang sistema nga nagpaluntad sini sa aton katilingban. Ini nga mga sistema amo ang mga pagpa-iya-iya, pagpamintaha, kag pagkahakug! Tungud sang indi mapuno nga kaluyagon sang tawo, siya nagapatuyang sa iya luyag nga maangkon bisan pa ini nagakahulugan nga ang iban mawad-an! Kita ang naghimo sini nga sistema, kag nagakabagay lang nga kita man ang magtadlong kag maghimo sang isa ka sistema nga nasanto sa aton selebrasyon sang Santos nga Eukaristiya sa diin aton mabatyagan nga matuod kita nga makaangkon sang dignidad sang isa ka anak sang Maalwan nga Amay.
Mientras may mga imol sa aton palibut, ayhan masiling naton nga kita man may salabton sa ila nga sitwasyon, apang sa aton pagpasakup sa Santos nga Eukaristiya, kita man nagahuput sang solusyon sa paghaw-as sa ila gikan sa ila kaimulon. Suno sa dinalan sang Santos nga Kasulatan, sang paghimo sang aton Ginuo sang milagro sa pagpamuad sang tinapay kag isda, Siya nagsiling sa Iya mga gintutun-an: “Kamo mismo ang maghatag sa ila sang pagka-on”, kita man Iya ginamandu-an subong nga indi lamang magkalu-oy sa mga imol, kundi nga kita maghimo sang mga LIHUK agud kita mangin bahin sang pagpinabag-o sang sistema nga nagalugmuk sa mga tawo sa kaimulon. Kita Iya ginamandu-an nga MAGHULAG agud maglab-ut sa aton mga kautoran nga ginakulabos, kag Iya kita ginamanduan sa paghimo sang mga TIKANG sa pagpalapit kag paghaw-as sa aton mga kautoran nga wala-wala.
Nasa-ulog na naton ang bag-ong tuig. Isa naman ka bag-o sang kalendaryo kag sa pagdugang sang edad sang kalibutan. Kabay pa nga ini nga tuig magpahamtong man sang aton nga pagtuo, nga paagi kay Kristo, kag upod kay Kristo, kag dira kay Kristo aton malab-ut ang mga handum sang aton Amay sa langit, nga kita tanan magkabuhi bilang Iya mga alalangay nga mga Anak kag utod sang aton Ginuong Jesukristo. Sa sining aton nga hilikuton kabay pa nga ang aton Amay sa langit makasiling man sa aton: “Ini amo ang akon mga pinalangga nga mga anak… nahamu-ot gid ako sa ila!”.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
A Reflection
In this crucial moment of our history, where everything seems to be going tupsy-turvy... when we seem to be groping in the dark, the words of the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta echo in our ears! WE HAVE TO GIVE JESUS... ONLY JESUS... ALWAYS JESUS... to the world. Let's try it and see God's miracles happen right in our very own eyes! We just have to try even just little by little... everyday!
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