Youth Online Evangelization

I Make All Things New! : The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary

2011-10-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21: 3-5)

The last set of mysteries of the Holy Rosary deals not only with the past events but it is also about the realities we are facing today and the eschatological truth that we are longing. The mysteries give us hope for our time and at the same time giving us a glimpse of the glory that we will receive later. This set of mysteries shows us the glory of Christ given to him by the Father after his kenosis or self-emptying and oblation to the Father. God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name above other names. (Philippians 2:9)

The first glorious mystery is the Resurrection of the Lord (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-2, John 20:1-10). It was dawn on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and some women with her went to the tomb to anoint his body since Jesus died on Friday afternoon and they cannot do it on Sabbath. But they were surprised that the large, heavy stone sealing the entrance to his tomb has been rolled away, the guards left and his body was nowhere to be found. They met angels who announced that he has been risen. However, they cannot fully understand this. Even those who heard the report wondered and even doubted. It takes the appearance of the risen Christ for them to believe and have faith in him.

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is our faith (1 Corinthians 15: 14) If the resurrection of Jesus will be proven false, Christianity will fall into ruins. The resurrection of Jesus gives guarantee to what we believe in and puts hope in strife and struggles in life. I can say that this event has transformed the pagan world into a journeying community towards the fulfillment of God's kingdom on earth.

Let us ask Jesus to bless the catechumens and those preparing themselves to be baptized. May they be able to find Christ as the fountain of life and joy. May there be more conversion and reception of this sacrament by which all are given new life for God in Christ. Let us ask Mary for the gift of faith that we may always see the world in the perspective of Christ.

The second glorious mystery is the Ascension of our Lord (Mark 16:19-21, Luke 50-53, Acts 1:3-11). Within forty days after his resurrection, Jesus continually appears to his disciples, showing them proofs that he is alive. When the time came, Jesus took them to a high mountain and commanded them to preach the gospel to the whole world and for them to do this, he promised them the coming of the Holy Spirit that will guide them in the work that they will be doing. After saying these things, he ascended into heaven and there he is seated at the right hand of the Father. Two men dressed in white said to the disciples that Jesus will come again in the same way that they had seen him ascended into heaven.

The ascension of Jesus is the reward of the Father to his Son for his fidelity while on earth. He obtained his glory that he actually had from the very beginning. There Jesus reigns while his kingdom is being propagated on earth. From the Apostolic age until now, the mission of evangelization continues and the gift of faith has been multiplied to many parts of the world.

Let us pray for those people in mass media and social communications that they may heed Jesus' commission to evangelize the world. May they use the modern technology and mass media to reach out more people to hear the message of Christ. May they never pollute the minds of the masses especially the young. Let us ask Mary to obtain for us the gift of hope that in our plight and sufferings, we may always look forward to our glory.

The third glorious mystery is the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles (Acts 2:1-11). Within nine days after the ascension of Christ, the apostles together with the women disciples, Jesus' relatives and Mary, the mother of Jesus, pray in the upper room in Jerusalem. It was Penetecost, that is the fiftieth day after the Passover when on the room where they stay, a sound of a strong wind was heard and tongues of fire appeared and rested on their heads. They speak in foreign tongues according to the inspiration of the Spirit. Many wondered about what was happening to them but Peter began preaching the Gospel and his discourse converted about 3,000 people and were baptized in the name of Jesus.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as he promised. That day was considered the birthday of the Church since it was the time when the apostles did not continue hiding and they proclaimed the Gospel beginning in Jerusalem until they went to the Gentiles. Until now, the Holy Spirit continues to perform wonders to the Church. thus, we can say that our generation is but a perpetual Pentecost since the Holy Spirit continues to descend upon us.

Let us ask Jesus to bless the lay leaders of the Church that they may be invigorated and strengthened as they help the clergy and the religious in building the Church. Let us also ask Mary for the gift of charity that our hearts may always be set ablaze on fire with Divine Love for Him and to our brothers and sisters.

The fourth glorious mystery is the Assumption of Mary. This mystery is not explicitly stated in the Scripture but is found in the Sacred Tradition of the Church. It is proclaimed as truth by the Magisterium of the Church. It is stated that Mary, after his earthly life was taken up to heaven. The Assumption of Mary is likened to the Old Testament heroes like Enoch, who was taken by God; Moses, whose tomb cannot be found and Elijah who was taken to heaven in the chariot of fire. It is the reward of Mary's close union with Jesus in the history of salvation and her perpetual obedience to the will of God.

Mary's assumption is also our assumption because one day, if we also unite ourselves to Christ in his redemption and if we remain obedient to God's will in our lives, we will also be taken up into heaven. Mary is just the first to obtain God's promise of salvation from Christ. Mary remains as our inspiration as we look forward to obtain God's promise.

Let us pray to Jesus for all the migrants in foreign land that the Lord may be their strength as they live and work far from their loved ones. May God bless them in their journeys and keep them safe. May Mary obtain for us the grace of the desire for heaven as our ultimate goal and final glory.

The last glorious mystery and of the whole rosary is the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. Mary was crowned by God as queen since Jesus is King of the universe. Mary reigns beside her Son. She is the crowning glory of human race since because of her, redemption was brought forth for man. In glory, she begs for us there as we journey towards our heavenly Home.

Let us ask Jesus for the peace to reign in our country and of the whole world. Like Mary, may everyone have childlike hearts for them to gain intimacy with God and find joy in simple and ordinary events of their lives. May they live as brothers and sisters of the same Father. Because true peace can be obtained through these. Let us ask Mary for the grace of closer relationship to her as our Mother with Christ, our brother; her as our Sister in being one with her in faith and her as our Queen with Christ as our King as we await the total fulfillment of his kingdom.

May the rosary be truly a part of our Christian life. May in the mysteries we found learning and this devotion make us be absorbed in the life of Christ which he dedicated for our salvation. The rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is truly a treasure chest of Christianity. An indispensable devotion to Christ in the hands of Mary, his Mother and Cooperator in his act of redemption.

By His Wounds We are Healed: The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

2011-10-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

In life, we oftentimes accept only the happy moments but we fail to accept pain and sorrow. In the rosary, we have sorrowful mysteries. We are reminded here that in life, we have our own ups and downs. We must also accept wholeheartedly those moments which we are asked to sacrifice. Suffering is also a mystery. We humans, do not fully know why there is. But in the light of these mysteries, we see that the glory is already revealed in them. We are asked by Christ to carry our own crosses and follow him in order to find True life.

I have reflected that the term "sorrowful" does not only apply to the feeling we feel for Jesus in these mysteries. Rather, we are asked to feel "sorrowful" for our sins that made Jesus accept his cross.

The first sorrowful mystery is the agony in the garden (Matthew 26:36-46) Jesus, after the Passover meal, went to Getsemane like what he always do, to pray to his Father and with him are Peter, James and John. He went a little father and he said to his Father that if he only willed it, he requests that his cup of suffering be taken away from him but let God's will be done. In fear, he sweated blood and an angel appeared in heaven in order to console him in his agony. He prayed longer in preparation for his Passion while his disciples slept not knowing the great events that will happen beginning at that moment. There, Judas accompanied the temple guards who arrested Jesus. His disciples left and Jesus was taken to the house of the high priest, Caiphas.

Let us ask Jesus to grant us a greater hatred for sin which separates us from our heavenly Father and from our brothers and sisters. May we also obtain the habit of prayer like Jesus. Because prayer makes Jesus ready to face the Ultimate Sacrifice of Man. That is why Peter and other disciples felt weak and left Jesus because they were not disposed by prayer. Let us ask the special intercession of Mary in this mystery, for those who are answering God's call in Holy Orders or in religious life. Like Jesus, may they be able to heed the call of Christ and embrace the life of the Cross.

The second sorrowful mystery is the Scourging at the pillar (John 18:36-19:1). The high priests Annas and Caiphas,after an unjust trial, decided that Jesus is to be killed saying that Jesus claimed to be God. However, they cannot carry the sentence due to the restriction of the Roman authorities in the area. They brought him to Pilate accusing him of subversion to Caesar and inciting a revolt to the Roman empire. Pilate knew he was innocent and tried his best to release him. But seeing how the chief priests, Pharisees and the people with them hate Jesus and wanted to get rid of him, he commanded Jesus to be scourged foolishly thinking that this would satisfy the blood-thirsty mob.

Jesus suffered obtaining wounds in his Most Sacred Body in reparation for our sins against our bodies. He suffered for those people living impure and unchaste lives. Let us ask him for the grace of chastity and purity that we may be able to respect our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Let us also ask him to pardon us from our sins of negligence of taking care of our bodies and for consenting to vices that give them harm. Let us ask Mary to help those people committing sins against chastity that they may be able to be converted and find greater strength as they decide to reform their lives.

The third sorrowful mystery is the Crowning with thorns (Matthew 27:29-31, Mark 16:16-18, John 19:2-5). After being scourged, the Roman brutal soldiers, who seems to be not yet satisfied with Jesus full of wounds all over his body, mocked him as the King of the Jews by placing a crown of thorns in his head, a reed in his hand and a dirty purple robe in his back. They pretend to kneel before him, then they hit him with the reed he was holding. When Pilate brought Jesus before the crowd, the mob even shouted that he should be crucified. They even preferred a hardened criminal to be released instead of him. Seeing how the authorities wanted Jesus to be crucified, Pilate gave Jesus to them and washed his hands, a symbol of him not accepting the guilt of his death.

In this mystery, Jesus showed the great example of humility. He suffered for our sins of pride. He who is God decided to empty himself. He is like a lamb who gently accepts death and never said a word while being falsely accused. Lets us Jesus for us to be humble like him. And let us ask Mary for those who have positions in the government. May they imitate Jesus "who does not came to be served but to serve". May their service to the people not be tainted with ambition and selfish motives.

The fourth sorrowful mystery is the carrying of the cross (Luke 23:25-31). Jesus bore the cross as he is lead to his place of execution. A Cirenean named Simon was forced to help him carry the cross since he is already tired and exhausted. Jesus also met some women who cried for him. Jesus said to them that they should rather weep not for him but for the sufferings that they will be experiencing later. And according to a tradition, Mary followed him bearing the same pain as he is undergoing.

Jesus shows us the example of human courage. He shows us not to give up even though the cross seems too hard to bear. He is there with us and helping us, saying to us that we are never alone. Jesus also invites us to be like Simons of Cyrene to one another and like what he said to the women, we should also weep for the sufferings of the world and do something about it. Let us ask Mary to help those who are sick, the poor, the sorrowing and burdened by various trials, that they may be strong and understand the benefits of the oneness of their suffering with Christ.

The last sorrowful mystery is the crucifixion and death of Christ (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19). When Jesus reached Golgotha, meaning a place of skull, he was stripped and was nailed to the cross. Jesus forgave his executioners for according to him, they do not know what they were doing. Above his head, they was a sign that says:Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews written in the three most popular language of his time--- Greek, Latin and Hebrew. Executed with him are two thieves. One challenged him to prove he is the Messiah but the other one repented of his sins and asked Jesus to remember him in his Kingdom. Jesus promised Paradise to the repentant thief. Jesus entrusted his mother to John, his beloved disciple. And when time came, Jesus surrendered his spirit to God and he died.

This mystery is perhaps the center of the whole rosary because the rosary is but the contemplation of the mysteries of our salvation. Adam and Eve brought chaos to the world through their disobedience by eating the fruit from a tree. Now, in a "tree" without branches, leaves or fruits, Jesus together with Mary obeyed God and gave us the "fruit" of salvation. The life of a true Christian is actually centered on the Truth that God has so loved us that he gave his only Son and whoever believes in him will have eternal life. (John 3:16)

May we imitate Jesus' self-emptying and sacrifice by the continuous meditation of this mystery. Let us ask Mary to help those who dedicated themselves in the service of others that they may remain faithful and accept sacrifices for others especially for the poor of this world.

The Light of all Nations: The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary

2011-10-12T01:44:00.000-07:00

Thus says the LORD, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you the light of the nations, to carry my salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6)

The next thing that comes after joy is light. The mysteries of light expresses that the joy that we have in our hearts must shine for the world to see. The joy must be shared and be a guiding light to the world and a glory for God the Father.

It was in October 13, 2003 when the late pope, Blessed John Paul the Great, in his apostolic exhortation, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary), introduced the new set of mysteries which he calls as Mysteria Lucis (mysteries of light). This set of mysteries focuses on the main events in Chris'ts public life. They were called as mysteries of light since the life on Jesus is primarily a "Mystery of Light". He says: "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12) This new set provides a bridge for the mysteries of his coming and of his passion.

The new set of mysteries is assigned every Thursday especially for those who pray the rosary once a day. But, it can be prayed on any day of the week and also recommended as a preparation before Gospel meditations and before the celebration of the Eucharist since this set of mysteries focuses on Jesus' preaching of the Word and as himself as the Bread of Life.

The first mystery is the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the river Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-33). It happened eighteen years after the loss and the finding of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem. So, both Jesus and John the Baptist were about thirty years old. Jesus is known to be a carpenter from Nazareth and John as a nazirite, that is a consecrated Israelite from birth. John gained popularity among the people as the Messiah but John dismissed thje idea and instead points out to the "one who is greater than him and is coming soon." John was preaching about the coming of the Messiah when Jesus came to him to be baptized. He protested since he according to John, he should be the one to baptize him. But Jesus urged John to do it since it is according to the plan of God. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father proclaimed Jesus as his beloved Son and where his favor rests.

In this mystery of light, the Father proclaimed to the world that Jesus is his Son. And he also revealed in a special way the mystery of one God in three persons, the Father (the Voice), the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit (the Dove). He revealed it at the inauguration of Jesus' ministry so as to show that the time has come for his light to be revealed on earth.

Let us pray to Jesus in this mystery to bless the Gentiles and those who are not yet baptized that they may be lead into the light of Christ. Let us also ask Mary's intercession for us that we may be faithful to our baptismal promises.

The second luminous mystery is the Self-manifestation of Jesus in the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11). When he together with Mary and some of his first disciples attended the wedding, the wine runs out. Being a relative of perhaps the bridegroom (since it is in the Jewish custom that the groom's family prepares for the feast), Mary noticed the problem. She approached Jesus whom she believes can do all things. Jesus replied that it is not yet the time. But Mary said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Jesus asked the servants to fill the six ceremonial jars used for ritual washing with water and to serve it to the feast. And the steward (the person in charge for the party) saw the water is now wine yet he doesn't know that it was Jesus who did it. The bridegroom's family was even praised for serving the best wine until the last.

Why is this miracle holding a special place in the rosary. First, because it is Jesus' first miracle. Jesus hesitated to do it. Perhaps he wanted to begin performing miracles during his public ministry. But through the special intercession of his mother, he did it. So secondly, this miracle is special because it shows the special role Mary performs in the history of salvation. She becomes an instrument by which God's light is revealed to the world. Third, because this miracle opened the eyes of Jesus' disciples and they believed in him.

Let us ask Jesus to bless our celebrations and the special occasions in our lives. May we see Jesus celebrating with us. May these celebrations lead us closer to one another together with him. We ask Mary to grant us the grace of patience and persistence as we await the right time for God to answer our prayers.

The third luminous mystery is the Jesus' proclamation of the coming of the kingdom of God and his call to conversion (Matthew 4:12-25, Mark 1:14-39). This episode happened after John's arrest. When the precursor or the one assigned to prepare the way for Christ was not in public, Jesus started to preach the kingdom. He began in Galilee, where a large number of Gentiles and non-pious Jews lived. He calls his disciples and his disciples left everything and followed him. The main topics of his sermons are the coming of God's reign, the need to reform lives and to believe in the Good News of Salvation. What is this Good News? That is God loves the world so much that he sent his Son to save it and grant them eternal life. The Pharisees, scribes and other learned men in his time failed to understand Jesus' message since they were pre-occupied with doing what the law of Moses requires. For them Jesus is a false Messiah even though they see his signs since he is not doing literally what the Law says. But for Jesus, the Law is indeed important but what is more important is the love of God and neighbor which is its essence. Jesus therefore says that the sinners will go ahead of the learned men since they repent their sins and followed Christ unlike the latter ones.

Let us ask Jesus to bless those who are sinners especially the stubborn ones that the Word of God may soften their hearts and lead then back to God. Let us also ask Mary for the grace of the Love of God's Word. like her, may we contemplate his word and fulfill what God requires.

The forth mystery of light is the Transfiguration of Jesus in Mount Tabor Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36,1 Peter 1:16-18). Because of Jesus' closeness to the poor, his continual proclamation of the Truth and him being a threat to the Romans, a group of Pharisees and scribes plotted to get rid of him. Jesus knew all this so he announced the coming of his passion. The disciples failed to understand this. They do not understand why he should suffer. So, Jesus took the inner circle of his twelve apostles: Peter, James and John to a high mountain. As Jesus prayed, his appearance changed. His face shone and his garments become luminous white. Two Old Testament figures, Moses, the bearer of God's law and Elijah, a great prophet of God appeared and talked to him. Peter after seeing this desired that this beautiful scenery not fade away but a Voice from a Shining Cloud says: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. Jesus went back to his normal form and instructed them not to tell anyone until he rose from the dead.

The mysteries of light can perhaps be summarized into this mystery. Jesus allows us to pray in silence as himself on the top of the mountain. Jesus is seen as the light that gives us understanding. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law of Moses and of the word of the prophets. Jesus allows us to contemplate himself so that we can understand more. And after praying, we must come down and share what we have learned into our ordinary duties.

Let us ask Jesus in this mystery to bless the skeptics, those who do not believe in his Church, in him and in God that they may be lead into the light of Truth. Let us ask Mary's intercession to allow us to contemplate Christ's face in concentration and with open hearts.

The last mystery of light is the Institution of the Eucharist (Matthew 26: 16-18, Mark 14:11-13, Luke 22:6-8). Jesus knew that the time has come for him to leave this world and return to the Father. He also knew that Judas, his treasurer is now one with the chief priests and Pharisees in their plot against him, Peter will deny him and other disciples will leave him. Yet, he love them to the end. So the night before he suffered, on the celebration of the Passover meal, he washed their feet to show them how he emptied himself and took the form of a slave in order to serve them even though they were his Master. Then, Jesus took a bread, said a blessing and broke it, gave it to his disciples and ask them to partake it for it is his Body to be offered for their salvation. Jesus also took a cup filled with wine, in the same way he said a blessing and gave them to his disciples in order for them to drink from one cup. Jesus said that it is his blood that will be shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus celebrates the Passover meal in remembrance of the New Covenant, when God delivered Israel from their slavery to Egypt through the blood of a lamb. Jesus made it new. He made it as a remembrance of him who was slain and offered for the salvation of the world. He is now the lamb of God who lead God's people out of their slavery to sin into freedom as children of God. He is now remembered every time we celebrate the Eucharist, which is actually a memorial of his suffering, death and resurrection. Every time we receive him in Holy Communion, we participate in his salvation and we become one with him.

Let us pray in this mystery for the sanctification of priests that in their frail humanity, may they become worthy of the sacrament they proclaim each time they celebrate mass. May they become living signs of God's presence in the world. Let us also ask Mary to grant us the grace of greater love for Jesus in the Eucharist. And that may we see in our lives the fruits God's saving work.

And the Word was Made Flesh: The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

2011-10-11T02:41:00.000-07:00

The month of October is dedicated to the propagation of the Holy Rosary. In this month, the Church highly encourages everyone to pray the rosary and for everyone to understand its importance in the Society, in the Church, in the families and in the personal life of every Christian.

What is the rosary? Literally it means: bouquet of roses. Rosary is initially thought to be a Marian prayer. It is true, but more importantly it is a Christ-centered devotion. in the rosary, we meditate on the mysteries of Christ regarding on how he accomplishes our redemption. The mysteries of the life of Christ are classified into four: his coming as man, his public life, his passion and glory. The rosary without the meditation of the mysteries of Christ is likened to a body without a soul. As we meditate on the mysteries of Christ, we join Mary who according to the Scripture, put all things in her heart. (Luke 2:19) She is the perfect model of Christian meditation and contemplation. We are asking her help that we might be able to know and understand Christ more and more and be closer to him.

The rosary is not a liturgy, that is the official worship of the Church. But, it allows us to participate more in the liturgical life of the Church through the mediation of Christ's mysteries. The rosary is not a Bible, but it helps us to mediate on the truths uttered by God in the Holy Scriptures. The rosary is not a Creed, that is the summary of our faith, but it contains the basic truths of our faith. The rosary is not a Constitution of Morals, but in these mysteries lies the challenge for us to live in the virtues practiced by Christ and Mary.

The rosary is a prayer of meditation and contemplation of the life Jesus with and through Mary. We must never forget this as we pray the rosary.

The first series of the mysteries are called joyful since they speak of the coming of Christ. "Joy" is different from "happiness". Happiness is a feeling but joy is a deep realization in one's being that the situation is happy although the situation may not be considered so.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

The first joyful mystery is the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel to Mary that she will conceive and bear a Son whom she will name Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). The Lord surprised Mary that as a virgin, she will bring forth a son. Mary was initially disturbed when an angel appeared to her and greeted her. The angel wants to show Mary that she is chosen by God by which his Son will be brought into the world. Mary doesn't know how will this happen so she asked. Unlike Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, she did not doubt, she just wanted to know how will this happen. The angel replied that it is through the Holy Spirit. It is a new idea for the Israelites. And being an ordinary Jewish girl, she doesn't have the knowledge of the scribes. Yet she trusted in God's plan for her in spite of difficulties. She might be misunderstood or be condemned. She replied in faith: Let it be done unto me according to your word. Then, a miracle happened, God became man in her womb. After nine months, God will dwell in the world he created.

This is a joyful mystery since Mary, although there is fear, felt joy knowing that she is a part of God's plan. She doesn't know where doing God's will will lead her but it is enough for her to be happy. She trusts in faith that God will take care of her.

In this mystery, let us pray to Jesus for the awareness of the sanctity of life in this world wherein contraception, abortion, euthanasia and the like thrive. Let us ask Mary for the virtue of purity because it is only in the bodies and hearts pure where God dwells.

The second joyful mystery is the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1;39-56). After receiving graces, Mary did not remain in the house, she wanted to share the joy with her cousin Elizabeth who like her is in the period of grace. Elizabeth conceived in her old age. Truly, God has been gracious to both of them. Her Son, Jesus and Elizabeth's son. John the Baptist will be God's chosen men to lead Israel back to God. Mary was acknowledged by Elizabeth as "blessed among women" and as the "mother of her Lord". Yet Mary, offered them all to God. She acknowledges herself as nothing without God's favor. And she continually thanked him for all the wonders he has done to her and to her nation, Israel.

In this mystery, let us pray to Jesus for the religious men and women that like Mary, may they be effective evangelizers through their word and the example of their lives. And let us ask Mary for the virtue of genuine love and service like what she offered to Elizabeth.

The third joyful mystery is the Birth of Jesus in a stable at Bethlehem (Matthew 2: 1-12, Luke 2:1-20). The emperor Augustus ordered a census that everyone must go back to their own respective towns. Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth but their place of origin was at Bethlehem since they were descendants of David. Having no place to stay, they were forced to stay in a stable. There were no room for them in the inns. There, Mary gave birth to Christ. And the first ones to know his birth were the shepherds who keep watch over their flocks by night. Angels appeared to them announcing that the long awaited Savior is born and a sign of an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and layed in a manger. The shepherds after finding the baby praised God and became evangelizers. The baby was also found by the astrologers in the East after seeing and studying an unusual star. They initially thought that the baby is King Herod's son but the same star lead them to the place where the baby was. They offered their gifts of gold, fankincense and myrrh. They never went back to Herod after learning from an angel that Herod actually wanted to kill the child thinking that it would be the end of his kingdom.

Let us pray to Jesus in this mystery to safeguard the children and the youth of today from the evils that threaten them. May they be signs of God's goodness to the world. May they never be looked upon as burdens but as blessings. And let us ask Mary for the virtue of poverty and simplicity. As God manifested his power in poor and simple ways, may we see him in the same paths.

The fourth joyful mystery is the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2: 22- 40). According to the Jewish law, a woman is ritually unclean within forty days after giving birth. So, she needs to perform a ritual of purification by offering a lamb or two young pigeons to be sacrificed in the temple. Mary with Joseph went to the Temple in Jerusalem, there they met Simeon, a just man awaiting Israel's redemption. He knows that he will never die until he sees the long -awaited Messiah. When he saw Jesus, in joy he carried him in his arms and blessed God thanking him and saying that he is now ready to die since he has seen the Savior. Her prophesied the redemption of Jesus through his persecution and the sorrow of Mary. Anna, a prophetess also seen Jesus and like Simeon, she rejoiced seeing the Savior. Then they went back to Nazareth and there the child grew in grace and wisdom.

Let us ask Jesus in this mystery to help those who are poor who are awaiting help from God to see Jesus in the simplicity and ordinariness of their lives. May they feel and recognize the presence of the Holy One who is always with them. Let us ask Mary for the virtue of contemplation so that we can see Christ and feel his presence in our daily lives.

The fifth joyful mystery is the loss and the finding of the child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2: 41-52). When Jesus was twelve years old, when it was his first time to join the caravan from Nazareth in pilgrimage to the Temple for the feat of the Passover, he did not join his parents when they were returning to Jerusalem. Noticing that Jesus was not with them, Joseph and Mary looked for him for three days. They found him in the temple among the teachers, who were amazed at his wisdom in listening and asking them questions. Mary asked him why did he do this to them. But Jesus replied that he is just doing what his Father asked him to do. His parents did not understand him but Mary contemplated these things in her heart. Jesus obeyed his parents when they returned to Nazareth and became a good example to the young and was pleasing to God and men.

Let us ask Jesus in this mystery to help the families to be aware of their responsibility to the Society and to the Church. Like the Holy family, may they be effective in looking for the lost and to let god be known to the world. Let us ask Mary for the virtue of diligence in our duties. That like Jesus, may we always be industrious in doing what God wants us to do in our home, in our studies, in our work and in our ministry.

Sa Hapag ng Panginoon

2011-10-11T01:11:00.000-07:00

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Muling sumagot si Jesus sa pamamagitan ng mga talinghaga. ²Sinabi niya: Ang paghahari ng langit ay katulad sa isang hari na nagbigay ng isang piging para sa kasal ng kaniyang anak na lalaki. ³Isinugo niya ang kaniyang mga alipin upang tawagin ang mga inanyayahan sa piging ngunit ayaw nilang dumalo. ⁴Muli siyang nagsugo ng ibang mga alipin na sinasabi: Sabihin ninyo sa mga inanyayahan: Narito, naghanda ako ng hapunan. Kinatay na ang aking mga baka at ang lahat ng mga bagay ay nakahanda na. Halina kayo sa piging.

⁵Ngunit hindi nila ito binigyang pansin at sila ay umalis. Ang isa ay pumunta sa kaniyang bukid, at ang isa ay sa kaniyang kalakal. ⁶Ang iba ay sinunggaban ang kaniyang mga alipin, kanilang nilait ang mga ito at pinatay. ⁷Nang marinig ito ng hari, siya ay nagalit. Sinugo niya ang kaniyang hukbo at pinuksa ang mga mamamatay taong iyon. Sinunog niya ang kanilang lungsod.

⁸Pagkatapos, sinabi niya sa kaniyang mga alipin: Nakahanda na ang piging ngunit ang mga inanyayahan ay hindi karapat-dapat. ⁹Pumunta nga kayo sa mga lansangan at sinuman ang inyong matagpuan ay anyayahan ninyo sa piging. ¹⁰Lumabas nga ang mga alipin sa mga lansangan at dinala ang lahat ng kanilang mga natagpuan. Dinala nila kapwa ang masama at mabuti. Ang piging ay napuno ng mga panauhin.
¹¹Ngunit nang pumasok ang hari upang tingnan ang mga panauhin, may nakita siya roong isang lalaking hindi nakasuot ng damit na pampiging. ¹²Sinabi niya sa kaniya: Kaibigan, papaano ka nakapasok dito nang hindi nakasuot ng damit na pampiging? Ngunit wala siyang masabi.
¹³Sinabi ng hari sa mga tagapaglingkod: Igapos ninyo ang kaniyang mga paa at mga kamay. Dalhin ninyo siya at itapon sa kadiliman sa labas. Doon ay magkakaroon ng pananangis at pagngangalit ng mga ngipin.

¹⁴Ito ay sapagkat marami ang tinawag ngunit kakaunti ang pinili. Mateo 22

Sa bansang Israel at kahit maging sa kasalukuyan, masasabing ang kasalan na yata ang pinakaengrandeng selebrasyon sa isang karaniwang tao. Noon, halos umaabot sa dalwang taon ang preparasyon para sa kasalan. Sa kultura ng mga Judio, hindi lang basata-basata ang mga pagkaing ihahanda, kundi ang pinakakamatabang baka ang kakatayin at pinakamasarap na putahe ang lulutuin. Pinakamahal din ang damit na sususutin at ang alak ang pinakamasarap. Isang malaking kahihiyan kapag kulang ang alak o pagkaing naihanda o hindi gaanong nasiyahan ang mga bisita.

Sa Ebanghelyo natin sa linggong ito, ang Hari mismo ang nag-imbita. At ang ikinasal ay ang Prinsipe na magmamamana sa kanyang korona. Subalit, wala man lang nagpaunlak sa kanyang imbitasyon. Lahat ay may mga gagawin. At hindi lamang iyan. Sinaktan nila ang mga nag-imbita kung kaya sila ay pinarusahan. At ang handaan ay binuksan para sa lahat. Subalit, may isa ring hindi handa na pinarusahan din dahil sa di tamang kasuotan sa kasal.

Linggo-linggo ay inniimbitahan tayo ng Hari upang makiisa sa "kasal" ni Hesus at ng Santa Iglesia. Subalit, katulad ng mga nasa parabula, hindi tayo tumutugon. Ang mga dahilan natin ay maaaring mahati sa dalawa: trabaho ("Hindi muna ako magsisimba kasi may trabaho ako ngayon." "Hindi muna ako magsisimba kasi may gagawin akong project". Hindi muna ako magsisimba kasi magrereview ako sa exams".), pamilya o relationships ("Hindi muna ako magsisimba kasi kailangan kong tumulong sa mga gawaing bahay." "Hindi muna ako magsisimba kasi kailanagan kong alagaan ang aking nakababatang kapatid". "May outing kami ng barkada".) Pero kung iyon ang mga dahilan, sino pa ang tutugon sa panawagan ng Diyos? Sino ba sa atin ang walang trabaho o walang pamilya?

Totoo ang kasabihan: Ang may gusto, maraming paraan, ang ayaw maraming dahilan. Mabuting suriin natin ang ating mga sarili, may dahilan nga ba tayo sa di pagtugon sa tawag ng Diyos? Hindi lamang sa pagsisimba kundi sa patuloy niyang panawagan sa ting pang-araw-araw na buhay ukol sa kabanalan. May dahilan nga ba tayo o simply ayaw lang natin? Ano ba ang isa o dalawang oras na iaaalay natin sa Diyos? Ano ba ang tira-tirang oras na ibibigay natin sa kanya sa kabila ng mga busyness natin sa ating buhay? Kung sususriin natin, kapag ibang tao nag-imbita, madali tayong tumugon. Subalit kapag ang Diyos, hindi. At hindi iniintindi ng Diyos ang mga panahong tira-tira lamng na binibigay natin sa kanya gayong siya naman talaga ang nagbigay ng lahat ng bagay sa atin. Malugod pa rin niyang tinatanggap kahit tila ba ibinibigay lang natin sa kanya ang ating mga bakanteng oras.

Ang panawagan ng Diyos upang makisalo sa kanyang piging ay panawagan din ng maayos na relasyon sa kanya. Sa ating mga Pilipino, normal ang umalok ng makakain sa isang tao kung may pag-uusapan. Meal is not all about food, it is about relationship. Ibig sabihin, sa pag-aalok saiyo sa isang piging, nais ng Diyos na makipag-close o magkaroon kayo ng intimacy. Sa patuloy nating pagtugon sa Diyos, nagiging masa malapit tayo sa kanya.

Subalit sa Ebanaghelyo, may isang hindi nakadamit na nababagay sa okasyon, kung kaya't siya ay pinarusahan. Ibig sabihin, hindi guarantee na naging close tayo sa Diyos kapag tumugon tayo sa pagsisimba o ligtas na tayo kapag tayo ay nabinyagan. Kailangan ang kahandaan, kailangan na nababagay ang suot nating damit para sa "piging" ng Diyos. Noong tayo ay bininyagan, sinuotan tayo ng puting damit, tanda na hinuhubad na natin ang lumang damit ng ating pagkamakasalanan at sinusuot natin ang damit ng kalinisan at grasya ng Diyos. Kumusta ang puti nating damit? Marumi na ba o gula-gulanit? Kung gayon, isuot muli natin ang puting damit na tanda ni Hesus upang maging maayos tayong humarap at kumain sa hapag ng Panginoon.

Stewardship

2011-10-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

Listen to another parable, Jesus said. There was once a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to tenants and left home on a trip.When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent his slaves to the tenants to receive his share of the harvest. The tenants grabbed his slaves, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.Again the man sent other slaves, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all he sent his son to them. Surely they will respect my son, he said.But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, This is the owner's son. Come on, let's kill him, and we will get his property! So they grabbed him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? Jesus asked. He will certainly kill those evil men, they answered, and rent the vineyard out to other tenants, who will give him his share of the harvest at the right time. Jesus said to them, Haven't you ever read what the Scriptures say? The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all. This was done by the Lord; what a wonderful sight it is! And so I tell you, added Jesus, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the proper fruits. (Matthew 21:33-43)

The gospel for this Sunday effectively tells us how much God trusts us. If God entrusted his vineyard to the tenants, God is entrusting "his life" to us, how do we take good care of "his life"?

We are called to be stewards, which means, we are not the owner but we are just paid to take good care of the thing which we do not own. The tenants in the gospel, did not behave that way. They behaved as if they were the owners. They killed the servants and even the son of the owner in order for them to fully acquire the vineyard. Yet they failed.

Everything that we own is from God. Our life is from God. It is not our own life that is why we cannot simply do what we wish with it. We must take care of our life according to the will of its Owner. That is why we must be contented with what we have. We must not complain about the things Life gave us. And everything must be thanked for.

If we have this attitude, we will not be distressed or fear much. Instead we take good care of our life and of our relationships and treasures, so that God can be pleased and glorified. If God owns what we have, we will be thankful and we will not wish to acquire more. There will be no corruption, no fights, no wars. We will not be too selfish to offer what we have in service of others. We will see the world in a new way. We see it as belonging to Christ and to God.

When we serve in our ministry, we will not be too ambitious to gain power or authority. Instead we will be happy that God gave a position and a role to us so that we can use this function to serve others. And we will be strong a midst of the trials and challenges since we do all these things for God's glory. When we speak or instruct others, we will not force them to much to be what we want them to be. But we take into consideration what God would want them to be or what would please God for them to be.

There is one story of a priest who asked his sacristan to plant a seed on a vacant part of the garden. The boy said "yes". The priest waited after a week, and every time he wakes up, he always look at that part of the garden but he sees no sprout. He put fertilizer on it and watered it everyday. After another week, he sees no improvement. Then he asked the sacristan, "What happened to the seed that you planted? Maybe it died?" The sacristan replied: "I am sorry Father. I forgot to plant the seed."

Like the boy, we are called to be stewards. Do we forget this basic idea?

Dalawang Pagtugon sa Pagkakataong Ibinigay ng Ama

2011-10-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

Ngunit ano sa palagay ninyo? May isang tao na may dalawang anak na lalaki. Lumapit siya sa una at sinabi: Anak, pumunta ka ngayon sa ubasan at gumawa ka roon. ²⁹Sumagot siya: Ayaw ko. Ngunit nagsisi siya at pumunta rin pagkatapos. ³⁰Lumapit siya sa pangalawang anak at gayundin ang sinabi. Sumagot siya: Pupunta ako. Ngunit hindi siya pumunta. ³¹Sino sa kanilang dalawa ang gumanap ng kalooban ng ama? Sinabi nila sa kaniya: Ang una. Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila: Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo: Ang mga maniningil ng buwis at mga patutot ay mauuna sa inyo sa pagpasok sa paghahari ng Diyos. ³²Ito ay sapagkat dumating sa inyo si Juan sa daan ng katuwiran at hindi ninyo siya pinaniwalaan. Ngunit pinaniwalaan siya ng mga maniningil ng buwis at ng mga patutot. Samantalang kayo, nakita ninyo ito ngunit hindi pa rin kayo nagsisi at naniwala sa kaniya. (Mateo 21)

Napakasimple lamang ng Ebanghelyo natin ngayon. Dalawang anak na sinugo ng kanilang ama. Ang isa ay ayaw subalit nagbago ang isip at tumugon. Ang bunso ay nagsabing gusto subalit hindi tumupad. Ang kuwento ay nagtapos sa tanong na: Sino ka ba sa dalwang anak?

Ang sagot ko ay pareho silang kumakatawan sa akin. May mga pagkakataon na nagsasabi akong sususndin ko ang Diyos subalit hindi ko naman siya sinusunod at may mga pagkakataon naman na kabaligtaran. Kaya sabi nga ni San Agustin sa librong The City of God, naroroon ang pagkahati ng puso ng bawat tao sa dalawa--- sa pagmamahal sa sarili at pagmamahal sa Diyos. Karaniwan na hindi balanse ang dalawang ito sapagkat sa sobrang pagmamahal natin sa ating sarili ay nababawasan natin ang ating pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa pagmamahal naman sa Diyos kinakailangan na limutin at "kamuhian' natin ang ating sarili. Makikita natin ang pagkakahati ng ating puso sa dalawa, halimbawa, ang mas pagpaprioritize natin sa ibang bagay o libangan kaysa sa pananalangin at pagsisimba. O mas inuuna natin ang barkada sa ating ministries kesa sa ibang tao na di natin close subalit kinakailangan nating pakitunguhan.

Kung kaya't dapat naroroon ang ating pagpapasya sa dalawang pagmamahal na ito. Hindi dapat palaging manatiling neutral. Hindi tayo dapat maging maligamgam. Gusto ng Diyos na maging mainit o kaya malamig tayo sa kanya. But the choice should be clear. We must chose the good of course.

Karaniwang beses kasi, naririnig na natin ang tinig ng Diyos subalit dahil sa ating pagkamakasarili, hindi tayo tumutugon. O kaya naman, dahil nahihirapan na tayong lumaban sa tukso, nagpapaubaya na lamang tayo. O kaya mas nagiging mas madali sa ating bumalik sa ating lumang kasalanan kesa sa patuloy na gumawa ng mabuti.

Ang dalawang anak ay binigyan ng pagkakataong gumawa ng mabuti. Ang isa ay tumugon, ang isa ay hindi. We should not let opportunities pass as by. Malay natin na huling pagkakataon na iyon o kaya may merito tayong makukuha roon. Bawat kabutihan ay may merito. Pero kung sakaling matagal pa bago makuha ito, ang pagiging matapat at pagkakaalam na ginagawa natin ang kalooban ng Ama ay isa nang malaking merito.

Sa linggong ito ay tinatawagan tayo ng Diyos na magtrabaho sa ubasan. Hindi bilang utusan kundi anak na nagtatrabaho doon alang-alang sa pagmamahal sa Ama. Huwag na tayong mag-atubili. Dali na at sundin natin ang kagustuhan ng Ama!

The Workers in the Vineyard

2011-10-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

¹ “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
   ³ “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴ He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ ⁵ So they went.
   “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. ⁶ About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
   ⁷ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
   “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
   ⁸ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
   ⁹ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰ So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹ When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹² ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
   ¹³ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵ Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
   ¹⁶ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20)

I remembered that this gospel was used during our discernment retreat during our aspirancy days . We were told that as aspirants to priesthood, we will be working in the Lord's vineyard and we were challenged to be ready in facing the realities of the vocation we are aspiring for.

The first reality is that you might not be able to get what you are initially expecting. And as days and years go by, I realized how true it is. I expected a serene and silent environment but it was not what I got. I also expected that I will not be living the seminary until I become a priest but I did not get what i expected. I left after five years. When I left and I got a good job as a call center agent, I considered not going back since I am also serving in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish Youth Council as the Youth Formation Head. I considered that it will now be my way of serving God. But after four years, I went back to the seminary. Now, I can say that my experiences show that God's ways are different from our ways. His plans are always mysterious. It is good that we plan but we must also surrender ourselves to his will. We should say to God that no matter what happens, everything will be for the better.

The second is that God's concept of justice is different from man's. In the gospel, those who work throughout the day thought that they would be payed higher. But the proprietor gave them the same pay as those who worked for an hour. In the world, justice is limited to the definition, giving away what is due. If a person has done something wrong, we punish that person otherwise, if he has done something good, we are rewarded. It is true. But in God, it is not true at all times. Sometimes, we demand to God blessings if we do good things and we do not accept sufferings. That is why, we do not know God much. We just treat him as Santa Claus who gives gifts just to those who are "nice". We do not see the real meaning of suffering because we limit ourselves to the narrow definition of justice. Plato once defined justice as "harmony". According to him, justice is not always giving to man what is due to him. For it is not just to return a sword to its owner who is a madman. Rather, if there is a harmony between wisdom, courage and moderation, there will be justice. So I can also say that in God, there is real justice because he holds omniscient Wisdom, omnipotent Courage and he can do what he wills. We must put ourselves to him if we want to do or attain true justice.

Lastly, God is very patient. In God, there will be no lates. There will never be a time in the life of a man when he will be too late to repent. As in the gospel, the owner of the vineyard still hires few men to work in less than an hour and still gave them the wage for a full day. As in case of Dimas, he gained salvation with the long time saints though he repented just shortly before he died. He gained paradise than the chief priests and scribes. And he still became one of the most popular saints in the Gospel.

His Mother Stood at the Cross

2011-09-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27)

Mary at the foot of the cross stood as mother, servant and the "number one fan" of Christ.

In pain, Mary sees everything that happened to her Son. Can a human pain endure this suffering--- a mother seeing her Son dragged without mercy, chained, ridiculed, insulted, condemned, scourged, accused falsely, made to carry the cross where he stumbled under it, and being crucified and left to die? Who would endure it seeing your beloved with wounds all over, looking less than a man, suffering in great agony while having a bad reputation and shame around him? Indeed, Mary is a strong woman with a heart stronger than a man, bravely suffering with and for Christ.

If the motherly instinct is to feel pain on her breast when a child of hers is sick or suffering, how much more will be the suffering of Mary when her Son is dying before her? Surely, this pain will mean a lot as Simeon foretold, it is a sharp sword that pierces her heart.

Mary stood as if telling Christ: "I am with you." She willingly joined with Christ out of love of him and also out of obedience to the Father's will. Her fiat continued at the foot of the cross. She surrendered herself to the will of God and for her Son.

She is also a servant when he joined Christ who" came to serve and not to be served". She is one with Christ's service to all men. She participates in Christ's redemption. She also wills that all men be saved. And in the Lord's Passion, she is also there with Jesus--- redeeming with him , for him and in him. I have reflected also that Mary also suffered for me in oneness with Christ. I was also a part of her pains. My sins caused her to suffer a lot. She is a servant of love for me.

She is a "number one fan" of Jesus. If a child graduated, or received an award or won in a contest, the mother is the "number one fan". She will be there even though she will be the only one standing. She will be the first one to clap her hands.

At the foot of the cross, though the rest of the disciples left except John and Mary Magdalene, Mary stood. She must be proud how her Son made all things new through his death. If Christ is victor on the cross, Mary shares and celebrates his victory.

As I imitate Christ and follow on the footsteps of Christ, Mary is there as my mother, servant and my "number one fan". She stood by me in joy and in pain. Since Christ entrusted her to me as my mother. In my sorrows, sufferings, continuous bearing of the cross, she is with me, following Christ with me and also saying to me: "I am here!" In the process of death to myself, in times of pain, Mary stays with me, enduring the pain with me.

If I have God as my father, I have Mary as my mother. She always sings her oyayi, her lullaby as I continue to follow Christ.

The Death of the Lord in Our Hearts

2011-09-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:14-17)

The death of the Lord tells me that this is the price of my sins. I cannot atone for my sins. No matter what I do, I cannot hope for forgiveness for a single sin has infinite value and I have committed a lot including grave ones.

Christ has put an end to my sins through his death.. Christ though innocent has put an end to my slavery to sin and gave strength to my frail human nature. Christ allowed me to partake in his suffering through my own sufferings. As St. Paul says: I fill up in my own flesh what is still lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. (Collossians 1:24)

In the sacrament of reconciliation, I receive the forgiveness of God through Christ. I receive the fruits of Christ's suffering. As I approach this sacrament and receive the absolution, Christ once again "renew" his atonement on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins. In the Eucharist, I receive the same Body and Blood of Christ which he offered on the cross. I also receive his salvation. Since Christ lives in me now, he will take care of me. He will make me into a new creation, heal me and supply me with every good thing much more than I expect.

In baptism, I experience his death and resurrection. I died with him and rose with him. Baptism is a sign of uniting myself with him. In baptism, I am cleansed in my life of sin through Christ's Paschal Mystery. So there is a need for me to back on the dignity of my baptism so that I may again become a new creation in Christ.

The death of the Lord tells me that all is done. My sins are gone. My pasts are healed. My old life is being lead to new. Because the death of Jesus is a passage for his glory and the cross of Christ is a bridge to grace.

The death of the Lord invites me to love myself the way God loves me as expressed in his death. If God loves me so much, I must also love myself boundlessly. It is not love of self which is self centered and by which the Lord forbids. Rather, it is a humble love. I love myself out of humility because in my unworthiness, Christ has chosen to love me to the point of dying for me. I must love myself according to the will of God. Because love of self leads to the love of neighbor. Christ says that I must love my neighbor as myself. Without this true love of self, I can never love others.

Refusal to love myself means an insult to God who loves me. All my discouragements, sins, weaknesses and failures are redeemed by Christ. Christ took them all and now he is with me to carry this things. Why can I refuse myself forgiveness when God has already forgiven me? Why will I resort to self-pity when God has shown mercy?

The death of the Lord also means death to all the things that enslaves me--- the obstacles in living to my consecration. His death means death to the world, death to the flesh, death to my myself. Christ's passion has infinite value, if I unite myself to it, I attain it's richness although I am nothing. Christ can do wonders for me if I just hold fast to him.

To unite myself to Christ means suffering like him--- taking up his cross and following him. Dying on my own cross like him. It is painful but it becomes sweeter when I keep on thinking that I am with Christ and through all of this, I make things new for Christ. Like him, I become a source of strength for the Church , for sufferings have great power if it is united with Christ. It is only through the cross where he could transform my painful wounds into glorious wounds.

As I observe the crucifix and paintings of the Lord's passion, it is commonly depicted that Jesus is not a person to be pitied. Rather, they express Christ as victorious. In the Gospels, Jesus is not seen as a "man of sorrows". He is seen as victorious on the account of soldiers falling on the ground when they asked if he is Jesus, on talking to Pilate as an equal, speaking to the High Priest with similar authority, on never complaing of any suffering he endured. This is what must change in my attitude towards the cross--- as I take it up, I am already victorious, in my death with Christ on the cross, I am assured of victory.

You are My Mother

2011-09-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

No one can be devoted to you Mama Mary unless he sees you as a real person. Only those who experince you as their real mother here on earth can pray to you with sincere devotion. And only he who feels that you love him can express his love joyfully.

Thank you O for as my mother, you bore in me in your womb so that I may be reborn again in the Spirit. Thank you for as my mother, you gave birth to me so that I may see the light. Thank you for nourishing me and taking good care of me. I will be helpless without you. Thank you for raising me and taking good care of me so that I may be for the glory of God, my Father.

Thank you for in the illnesses of my soul, you heal me. Thank you for in times that I am astray, you receive my poor soul. Thanks for being my teacher. Thank you for your effort to make this sinner into an apostle configured to Christ. Thank you for not giving up on me, for praying and working for the conversion of the hardened sinners who are ungrateful for the love of your Son. Thank you for indeed, those who approach you are filled with your fruits.

I am so assailed by my enemies. I feel so weak, sometimes I feel giving up for I find myself helpless. Thank you for being there. I am so unworthy to face Christ without you. Thank you for showing to me how much God loves me. And thank you for consoling and strengthening me.

You are my Mother. If I will be mindful of this, I will not be distressed or be fearful. You are my real Mother. All you do is to offer me to Christ and nothing else. In you, my vocation began. And it is you that helps me as I submit myself to be formed for the glory of God, my Father. Help me so that I can be his true servant of love.

Pagpapatawad Katulad ng Pagpapatawad ng Diyos

2011-09-15T00:55:00.000-07:00

²²Sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya: Sinasabi ko sa iyo na hindi lamang makapito kundi hanggang makapitumpung pitong ulit.
²¹Lumapit si Pedro sa kaniya at sinabi: Panginoon, makailang ulit bang magkasala sa akin ang aking kapatid at siya ay aking patatawarin? Hanggang sa makapito ba? ²²Sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya: Sinasabi ko sa iyo na hindi lamang makapito kundi hanggang makapitumpung pitong ulit. ²³Ito ay sapagkat ang paghahari ng langit ay katulad sa isang hari na ibig maningil sa kaniyang mga alipin. ²⁴Nang magsimula na siyang maningil, iniharap sa kaniya ang isa na may utang sa kaniya ng sampung libong talento. ²⁵Ngunit sa dahilang wala siyang maibayad, iniutos ng kaniyang panginoon na ipagbili siya, gayundin ang kaniyang asawa, mga anak at lahat ng kaniyang tinatangkilik upang makabayad.

²⁶Ang alipin nga ay lumuhod at sinamba siya na sinasabi: Panginoon, pagpasensyahan mo muna ako at babayaran kita sa lahat ng utang ko. ²⁷Kaya ang panginoon ng aliping iyon ay nahabag at pinawalan siya at pinatawad ang kaniyang utang.
²³Ito ay sapagkat ang paghahari ng langit ay katulad sa isang hari na ibig maningil sa kaniyang mga alipin. ²⁴Nang magsimula na siyang maningil, iniharap sa kaniya ang isa na may utang sa kaniya ng sampung libong talento. ²⁵Ngunit sa dahilang wala siyang maibayad, iniutos ng kaniyang panginoon na ipagbili siya, gayundin ang kaniyang asawa, mga anak at lahat ng kaniyang tinatangkilik upang makabayad.
²⁸Ngunit paglabas ng alipin ding iyon, nakita niya ang kaniyang kapwa alipin na may utang sa kaniya ng isangdaang denaryo. Hinawakan niya ito at sinakal na sinabi: Bayaran mo ang utang mo sa akin.

²⁹Ang kaniyang kapwa alipin ay nagpatirapa sa kaniyang paanan. Nagmakaawa siya sa kaniya na sinasabi: Pagpasensyahan mo ako at babayaran kita sa lahat ng utang ko.
³⁰Ngunit ayaw niyang pumayag. Sa halip, ipinabilanggo niya ito hanggang sa makabayad ng kaniyang utang. ³¹Kaya nang makita ng mga kapwa niya alipin ang nangyari, labis silang namighati. Lumapit sila sa kanilang panginoon at sinabi sa kaniya ang lahat ng nangyari.

³²Kaya, nang maipatawag na siya ng kaniyang panginoon, sinabi sa kaniya: O, ikaw na masamang alipin, pinatawad ko ang lahat mong pagkakautang dahil nagmakaawa ka sa akin. ³³Hindi ba nararapat na mahabag ka rin sa iyong kapwa alipin katulad nang pagkahabag ko sa iyo? ³⁴Sa matinding galit ng kaniyang panginoon, ibinigay siya sa mga tagapagpahirap sa bilangguan hanggang sa mabayaran niya ang lahat ng kaniyang utang.

³⁵Gayundin naman ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Ama na nasa langit kapag hindi kayo nagpatawad nang taos sa inyong puso sa bawat kapatid sa kanilang pagsalangsang. (Mateo 18)

Napakadaling sabihin na gusto nating magpatawad subalit kapag dumarating ang mga sitwasyong mabibigat, makikita nating mahirap. Mahirap makipagkasundo sa isang dating kaibigan na kung saan nagkaroon ng lamat ang inyong pagsasamahan. Mahirap pansinin ang isang taong alam mong galit o may hinanakit pa saiyo. Mahirap maibalik ulit sa dati ang pagtitinginan kung may nararramdaman ka pang kabigatan ng loob.

Alam ni Hesus iyan. Kaya't nagkakaroon tayo ng merito kung pinipilit o sinisikap nating gawin ito kahit na mahirap. Kahit na medyo di pa rin tayo at ease sa isang tao o medyo may hinanakit pa rin. Ang importante para sa kanya ay ang ating paggawa ng mabuti. Since Christianity is not about feelings. It is about making correct decisions.

Sa Ebanghelyo natin ay tinatong ni Pedro si Hesus kung ilang beses dapat magpatawad. Ang mga Pariseo noon ay naniniwalang hanggang tatlo lamng ang kapatawaran. Ang kautusan ni Moises ay naninindigan sa kasabihang eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Sinabi ni Hesus na: Unless your holiness surpasses the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mateo 5:20) Kaya't Lumapit si Pedro sa kaniya at sinabi: Panginoon, makailang ulit bang magkasala sa akin ang aking kapatid at siya ay aking patatawarin? Hanggang sa makapito ba? Akala ni Pedro ay natalo na niya ang Pariseo sa kabanalan. At akala niya ito ang pinakatamang gawin dahil ang pito ay nangangahulugan ng pagiging buo o kumpleto. Subalit, higit pa ang nais ni Hesus. Di lamng buo o perpekto subalit higit pa. Sinasabi ko sa iyo na hindi lamang makapito kundi hanggang makapitumpung pitong ulit.

Sinasabi sa Ebanghelyo na tayong lahat ay nagkakautang ng malaki sa Diyos subalit minsan ay di tayo sinisingil. At sino naman tayo para hindi palampasin ang pagkakautang sa atin ng ating kapwa? Parang mali yata. Dahil madalas nating tingnan ang kasalanan ng iba subalit hindi natin pinapansin ang ating kasalanan sa Diyos na lubhang mas malaki at marami.

Ano kaya ang mangyayari sa mundong walang pagpapatawad? Walang hanggang gulo. Walang hanggang paghihirap at kaguluhan. Sa linggong ito ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang Dekadang Anibersaryo ng 9/11 attack sa World Trade Center ng Estados Unidos. Pagkatapos ng sampung taon, naparusahan na ang mga nagkasala. Hindi pinatawad ng mundo at ng gobyerno ang mga responsable sa terorismong ito. Nagkaroon ng giyera sa Iraq. Patay na si Osama Bin Laden. Subalit, may nangyari ba? Di ba natatakot ang Estados Unidos na muling lumaban uli ang Al-Qaeda? Di ba bantay-sarado ang magkakalabang bansa? Di ba, huwag sanang ipahintulot ng Diyos, pero nagbabanta ang digmaan sa magkakalabang bansa?

Ang nabubuhay sa tabak ay sa tabak mamamatay. (Mateo 26:52) Marahil totoo ito sa sitwasyon natin ngayon. Kapag di tayo natututo magpatawad ay mamamatay tayo sa galit at ito ay paulit-ulit lamang. Sinasabi na kapag di ka nagpatawad, ikaw ay humahawak sa blade ng kutsilyo at isinasaksak mo sa iba nag handle nito. Nasasaktan nga ang iyong sinasaksak subalit ikaw ang mas nasusugatan sa patuloy mong paghawak sa blade. Patuloy kang masusugatan dahil sa di ka malaya at patuloy kang nakakulong sa rehas ng galit at poot.

Si MOhandas Gandhi ay bantog sa kanyang Principle of Non-violence. Dahil sa kanyang patuloy na pakikilaban, gamit ang walang karahasan. Dahil sa kanyang maayos na pakikiusap at mapayapang pagproprotesta ay nakalaya ang India sa kamay ng mga Ingles. Dito rin sa ating bansa, nakaalis tayo sa diktadurya dahil sa ating pagkakaisa na di gumagamit ng karahasan. Noong EDSA Revolution, tayo ay nanindigan at natalo ng ating mga panalangin ang mga tangke ng sundalo. Sa ngayon, kahit may mga problema pa rin tayo sa ekonomiya, sa lipunan at moralidad, ang aral na iyon ay nananatili at naging handog natin sa buong mundo.

Hindi natin kailangan ang karahasan subalit ang pagpapatawad lamng ang siyang magbibigay ng tunay na kapayapaan. Nawa'y ang aral na ito ay patuloy nating magamit sa pang-arawaraw na pangyayari sa ating buhay.

Ang Minimithi nating Simbahan

2011-09-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesús sa kaniyáng mga alagad: “Kung magkasala sa iyo ang kapatid mo, puntahan mo siyá at kausapin nang sarilinan. Kapag nakinig siyá sa iyo, ang pagsasama ninyóng magkapatid ay napapanauli mo sa dati at napanunumbalik mo siyá sa Ama. Ngunit kung hindi siyá makinig sa iyo, magsama ka pa ng isa o dalawang tao upang ang lahát ng pinag-usapan ninyó ay mapatunayan ng dalawa o tatlong saksi. Kung hindi siyá makinig sa kanila, sabihin mo ito sa pagtitipon ng simbahan. At kung hindi pa siyá makinig sa natitipong simbahan, ituring mo siyáng Hentil o isang publikano. Sinasabi ko sa inyó: anumang ipagbawal ninyó sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at anumang ipahintulot ninyó sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa langit. Sinasabi ko pa rin sa inyó: kung ang dalawa sa inyó rito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyóng panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyó ng aking Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa akin, naroon akóng kasama nila." (Mateo 18:15-20)

Naaalala ko noong PREX nang tinanong ako kung ano ang minimithi kong parokya o ano ang pangarap kong Simbahan. Katulad ng iba ang aking sagot ay ang marami ang nagsisimba, marami ang miyembro ng Church organizations, aktibong pakikilahok ng mga kabataan at mabungang social services ng Simbahan sa mga dukha. Sa Ebanghelyo sa linggong ito, parang gusto kong iredefine ang aking sagot base sa aking reflection sa mga sinabi ni Hesus. Hindi sa hindi maganda ang mga sagot ko noon subalit nais ko lamang na itugma at mas malinaw ang aking mithiin para sa Santa Iglesia.

Kapag narinig natin ang salitang Iglesia, malimit nating isipin ay ang sekta na itinatag ni Felix Manalo. Subalit, mas gagamitin ko ang salitang Iglesia kesa sa Simbahan sa post na ito dahil sa mas malinaw at mas malalim na kahulugan nito. Ang salitang Iglesia ay galing sa salitang Griyego na Ekklesia, ibig sabihin ay pagtitipon o fellowship ng mga sumasampalataya. Ang Simbahan kasi ay maaaring maging kahulugan lamang ay lugar na pinagtitipunan tuwing nagsisimba kahawig ng tindahan (lugar kung saan nagtitinda) o kainan (kung saan pwedeng kumain). Maaari ring ang Simbahan ay maging kahulugan lamang ng isang partikular na gawain kahawig ng piyestahan (pagdiriwang ng piyesta) o bolahan (paglalaro ng bola). Pero kapag sinabing Iglesia, pareho matatagpuan ang lugar, ang gawain, ang tao at ang purpose nito.

Ang minimithi ni Hesus para sa Iglesia ay ang pagkakasundo ng bawat miyembro. Sinasabi niya na ayaw niyang mayroong pag-aaway away kung kaya't dapat ay may paguusap-usap. Kung hindi nakinig ang isa ay kumuha ng saksi na siyang magiging arbitrer o tagapamayapa. Kung hindi pa ay sa mas maraming tao o Iglesia. Kung hindi pa ay tanggapin mo na lang ng bukal sa puso na ayaw niyang magbago o matagal pang panahon na magkakasundo kayo.

Minsan ay iba ang ginagawa natin. Nariyan ang pintasan at tsismisan na sinasabi lang natin kapag wala ang tao na kung saan tayo ay may sama ng loob. Kaya imbes na magkasundo ay lalong lumalala. Minsan naman mas nalalaman pa ng ibang tao ang kapintasan niya kaysa sa kanya. O minsan, di natin tinatanggap ng bukal sa puso ang ating kamalian o kinikimkim natin ang kanilang pagmamatigas. Kung si Hesus kaya ay naririto ngayon, magiging masaya ba siya sa ating Iglesia?

Sa di pagkakasundo-sundo, nandun ang di pagkakaisa. Sa di pagkakaisa ay walang katuparan ang lahat ng ating mga specific na kagustuhan para sa ating iglesia.

Ang ikalawang mithiin ni Hesus ay ang paggalang sa awtoridad o authority. Sinasabi ko sa inyó: anumang ipagbawal ninyó sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at anumang ipahintulot ninyó sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa langit. Kapag di tayo pumapailalim sa iglesia na king saan tayo kabilang, magiging magulo ito. Di ba dahil sa di pagpapailalim sa Simbahan, lumaganap ang iba't ibang relihiyon, sekta at kulto? Dahil din sa di pagpapailalim sa mga itinakda ng Diyos sa iglesia, lumalaganap ang atheismo at sekularismo sa mundo? Kaya dapat nandun ang palagi nating panalangin sa ating mga pinuno ng Simbahan na nawa'y sila ay maging mga modelo at mapangalagaan nila ng bayan ng Diyos ng mabuti.

Ikatlo ay ang pagsamba sa Diyos ng nararapat sa kanya. Nawa'y matuwa ng Diyos sa pagbibigay natin ng karapatdapat na panalangin at sakripisyo. Walang galit, walang pagkukunwari, dalisay at kalugodlugod. At ang ikaapat ay ang presensiya ng Diyos sa kanyang bayan. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa akin, naroon akóng kasama nila. Nawa'y maramdaman natin ang presensiya niya di lamang kung tayo ay nananalangin kundi tuwing tayo ay nagkakaisa sa ating paggawa ng lahat ng bagay para sa Diyos sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay.

Huli ay ang ating patuloy na paghangad ng kabutihan para sa ating iglesia. Sinasabi ko pa rin sa inyó: kung ang dalawa sa inyó rito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyóng panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyó ng aking Amang nasa langit. Kung tayo ay patuloy na maghahangad at magtatrabaho para sa kabutihan ng lahat, ito ay ating matatamo. Sapagkat sabi nga sa kasabihan "What the spirits desire, spirits attain."

Naghahangad ako na sana mas marami ang nagsisimba, mas marami ang miyembro ng Church organizations, mas aktibong pakikilahok ng mga kabataan at mabungang social services ng Simbahan sa mga dukha. At ang mga ito ay matatamo lamang sa pagkakasundo at pagkakaisa nating mga miyembro ng Iglesia, paggalang sa awtoridad ng Iglesia, pagbibigay sa Diyos ng kalugudlugod sa kanya, ramdam na presensiya ng Diyos sa kanyang bayan at ang patuloy na paghahangad at pagtatrabaho para sa kabutihan ng lahat.

Think as God Thinks

2011-09-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “God forbid, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. (Matthew 16)

I imagine what Jesus must have felt at this time. He felt rejected by the scribes and the Pharisees as a Messianic impostor and the Romans as a threat, the people and his disciples could not understand him and now, Peter suddenly turned against him! Jesus must have felt rejected by all. Peter is not to be blamed. Peter is just consoling Christ. As a leader of the apostles, he wanted his master to be safe-- that nothing may harm him. And he invokes the name of God. “God forbid, Lord!” he said. He seems to be doing an act of mercy --- consoling the sorrowing in the name of God.

However, Jesus calls him 'Satan'. If we could recall, it was the same statement as he rebuked Satan during his temptation in the desert. Get behind me, Satan! Such a strong statement to a disciple who initially believes in him and now consoling him. Peter must be thinking that he is doing a good thing in the name of God but in fact, he is doing a thing contrary to the will of God.

Peter becomes a tempter like Satan in the sense that God wills that Jesus should suffer but he contradicts it. He does not want Jesus to suffer. So, Peter unwillfully tempts Jesus not to obtain salvation for all men through suffering. He becomes a stumbling block for Jesus and Jesus sees in him not his beloved apostle but Satan.

How quick is Peter's change of heart! In the last Sunday's gospel, he professed his faith in him as the Messiah. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”(Matthew 16:16) And Peter calls him as a Rock on which his Church will be built. After that is this Sunday's gospel wherein, Jesus foretells his passion and death. In few minutes or even less, Jesus cursed Peter after giving him his blessing.

In the same way, we are like Peter, who quickly closes our hearts to him after opening it to him fully. We easily commit sins after doing good things. We sometimes sin unwillingly like Peter. Sometimes, we do things which we sometimes think as good but in itself contrary to God's will. For example, we help the poor according to our own method but it is not according to what God wants. Another example would be consoling others and telling them things which in fact making things worse. We might reason out that we cannot sin because we do not have full knowledge but the effect of the sin is actually great and sometimes even greater than mortal sins. Even greater because we might lead a person to sin.

For example, the advice that you might give to others which is good but actually out of context or cannot give a person a concrete solution might be followed. The problem may get worse and may affect certain people as well. And the effect of what you did may cause greater harm in the process, basically like a chain reaction producing infinite bad effects--- and this is because of your unmindful advice.

Let us also take the example of the story of Anna Manalastas in the popular TV series '100 Days to Heaven'. She may believe that she is doing a right thing like saying harsh words to her employees in order for them to learn. But she actually bring harm which produces a chain of evil effects to a lot of people. Later will she knew that the 'cycle of rejection' continues and she finds herself on a difficult mission to stop it.

If we look at ourselves deeper, we might see how frightening are the effects of our actions might be. Our little unmindful word or action causes a chain of ugly effects. But we must not lose hope. Peter remained close to Christ even though his thinking contrary to the will of God continues. Peter contradicts Jesus' hatred for violence when he cut a soldier's ear during Jesus' arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. He promised that he will be with Christ and die for him but he denied him thrice. Later even after Jesus' ascension, he ignored Jesus instructions to allow Gentiles to be one with the People of God. But he remained the Rock which our Church stood. In the midst of his frailty, he obtained strength to lead the God's holy people.

In the midst of our sins let us pray: Lord, I admit that I commonly think not according to your ways, I think not according to what you think. I acknowledge my frailty. So help me Lord. Let me be submissive to your ways like a balloon blown by the wind to where the wind wills it to be. Although I can never understand your will, help me to follow you. May I never contradict your will. In times that i do so, forgive me and let me stand up again with the strength of your Spirit.

Rooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ.... Firm in Faith

2011-08-23T01:39:00.000-07:00

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forcesof this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8)

This was the theme for the recently concluded World Youth Day celebration in Madrid. This post will be my reflection for the theme.

Young people exert a very important influence in modern society. The circumstance in their life, their habits of thought, their relations with their families, have been completely transformed. Often they enter too rapidly a new social and economic development. While their social and even their political importance is on the increase day by day, they seem unequal to the weight of these new responsibilities. (Vatican II, Apostolicam Actousitatem, 18 November, 1965) Being the future of the Church and the Society, as young people, we feel the weight of responsibilities. We respond to the challenges of our time like apprentices and we usually feel our helplessness and confusion when confronted. We sometimes lose our focus. We might also feel pressure form the people demanding us to fulfill these responsibilities. There are also instances when we chose to abandon this responsibilities for an easy life and resort to vices and relationships that give us temporary satisfaction.

That is why the Church, as well as our government, has special ministries for the youth. These ministries are avenues for the young leaders to be trained and be formed as they build the future. These ministries are also helpful for them to be more exposed to the realities of this world, for them to learn how to cope up with the various issues around them; for them to meet new friends, acquaintances and other leaders that will be helpful in their growth; for them to be brought closer to God and develop closer relationship with Him.

These ministries must be effective as they bring Christ to the modern youth. There is a need to reevaluate their programs and their particular charisms for the benefit of the young. They might need to re-update their programs basing on their needs. That is why, constant council meetings and assemblies are essential for these ministries so that they can see and then discuss how they can effectively allow Christ to transform the hearts of the young people. This is the first step because they can only be rooted in Christ if they know Him and decided to be built up in Him.

The World Youth Day was the opportunity for the pilgrims to reevaluate themselves. The celebration leads them to see if they really received Christ. The second question would be, if they are rooted in Christ. Like a tree whose roots penetrate the earth to obtain nourishment, so they are called to be so. And if they are built up in Him as their foundation so that no matter how strong the storms in their life or how strong the current of the world is, they would still stand firm in faith.

The prayer, parties, pilgrimages and fellowship activities together with the clergy and the Pope held at World Youth Day would be opportunities for the pilgrims to reevaluate and reassess their relationship with Christ. Being in this world full of materialism, secularism, atheism, agnosticism and relativism, world threatened with violence and chaos, the Church in crusade against the institutions and factors against family, life and human sexuality, we need to have young people who received Christ, rooted in Him and built up in Him. And it is only possible when young people know their place and role in the Church which is the Mystical Body of Christ. Christ instituted the Church built on a solid rock so that it may stood firm amidst the changes, lure and crises present in the world. With the pope, with some leaders of the Church, youth ministers and other young people, the pilgrims are called to understand more the role Church is playing in their lives as Christians as well as their responsibilities in the Church as they constantly put themselves in Christ. I believe that building up in Christ is a life-long process but at least, this gathering might serve as inspiration. And after these gathering, these pilgrims are called to go back to their respective countries and reecho their experience of Christ with the whole Church. They are called to be evangelizers in a special way.

The late Blessed John Paul the Great always says in each World Youth Day where he is present: Do not be afraid! We, young people are called to be strong as we uphold and share the ideals of Christ, whom we are rooted and built in.

May the Triune God and Mary, our Mother continually be with us as we remain rooted in her Son. Rooted but at the same time, continuing our journey of evangelization!

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

2011-08-20T00:54:00.000-07:00

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-27)

Before a boy and a girl, knew the status of their relationship, it is very important to ask: Who am I to you? It is only when they fully answered that question will they know if they actually have that special relationship status.

Who do people say that the Son of Man is? Jesus is asking us who is he. But we commonly refer to the opinion of others. We usually refer to what others tell us about Jesus or who Jesus based on what we read in the gospels or what we learn about him in theology. But that is not enough.

But who do you say I am? We need to know Jesus personally. Knowing Jesus through the Scriptures, the Church and the testimony of other people are just but preparations or help for us to know him personally.

In Filipino, we have two different terms if we know a person, that is kakilala and kilala. Kakilala means you know that person only by name. Kilala means that you know the person by who he is. Saying that a person is your kilala means that you already have a deeper relationship to him or her other than being a kakilala. For example: To a person that you have just met, you will refer to him as kakilala when you met later. But when you noticed that the person whom you know very much is hiding something from you, you might say: Kilala kita kaya wla kang maitatago sa akin. (I know you, so you cannot hide from me.) It means that you already have a deeper relationship more than knowing by name, birthday, address and other external data. Because of deeper relationship, you know his attitudes, behavior and values in life. But you cannot make someone your kilala without him being your kakilala. Since it is the first step in knowing a person.

That is what Jesus wants from us. First, we need to make Jesus our kakilala. We need to know Jesus through the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church as well as the testimony of other persons. But our knowledge of him needs to be evaluated by our personal experiences of him. We need to have personal relationship with Christ by frequent prayer and the reception of the sacraments. We need to reflect and see how he works in our lives. We need to listen to his voice within us so that we can understand more the role he has in our lives.

Usually in my catechism class, whenever I ask my students who Jesus is, they will immediately say that he is their Savior. Or their Creator. Or their Father. But when I ask them to explain why, they cannot answer. That means that their knowledge of Jesus is just in the intellectual level. There is a challenge in me to allow them to fall in love with Jesus so that they can know him and understand him more.

We can also see a lot of Christians who even memorized the Bible and can argue with other religions regarding on how they knew Jesus. But they condemn other religions, throw negative words against them and even humiliate other people who do not belong to their faith. That means they fail to know Jesus by heart who made a commandment to his disciples to "Love one another." They know Jesus intellectually but fail to know his true teachings.

In the Book of Job, we can see how Job, a just man suffered and then question God the reason for his suffering. In the end, he began to know God, not anymore of how others tell him but through the constant reflection of his bitter experiences, these allowed him to understand God more. “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. (Job 42:2-5)

It takes a lifetime to know Christ fully. The search never stops until we see him finally in heaven. But once we can already answer Christ in his question: Who do you say I am?, he will be very happy for doing our effort and for opening ourselves to God's grace who allow us to understand Christ.

Knowing Christ also comes with a mission. In Peter, he was appointed as the Rock on which Christ will build his Church. What is our mission in the Church? For some, it may mean being a leader; to some, a core group member; to some, a follower; to some; an adviser. But each function that we do in the Church is equally important. We become channels of God's blessing to the world in whatever work we do.

The 'Forever Young' Pope

2011-08-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

For the last few weeks, I have included the list of the patron saints for the World Youth Day celebration in Madrid. However, the list would be incomplete without including the special patron not only of the recent World Youth Day in Madrid but also of the former and subsequent World Youth Days--- its founder, Blessed John Paul the Great.

Is there anyone in this generation who doesn't not know him? Because he is known and respected not only by us Catholics but also by Protestants, Eastern rite Churches, Jews, Moslems, Buddhists and even by some atheists and agnostics. And he reigned as pope for almost 30 years which brought large influence and development for the Church and for the world. As the title of this blog says, he is indeed forever young, he defied age and remains close with us young people hence he is also called "the Pope for the Youth". He remains an inspiration to the young and it is rightly that we have now an intercessor before God as we continually uphold the faith he proclaimed and the ideals he fought.

He was born as Karol Josef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. He was the youngest and the third son of Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. His elder sister Olga died in infancy before Karol's birth and his mother died when he was just eight terribly affecting his carefree childhood. Much more, his brother Edmund whom he is very close, also died after being contaminated by a disease through Edmund's work as a physician.

He managed to live as a happy youth being an athlete as a football goalkeeper. He studied at the Jagiellonian University in Karakow. There, he became a librarian, a philosopher, a playwright and a linguist. He learned there twelve languages, nine of which he used later, during his papacy. Karol's studies were abruptly stopped during the Nazi occupation in 1939 because the university professors and academicians were arrested and deported. In order to avoid being deported to Germany and also to earn his living, he became a manual laborer in a limestone quarry and then as a salesman in a restaurant. In 1941, his father died of heart attack and this incident leads him to become the only surviving member of his immediate family.

A year after his father's death, having been in a political and social turmoil, he began thinking seriously about his vocation to the priesthood. He entered an underground seminary run by the Archbishop of Krakow, Adam Cardinal Sapieha. He was ordained priest on November 1, 1946. On September 28, 1958, he became the youngest bishop in Poland at 38 years of age. He was appointed archbishop of Krakow in December 1963, as a cardinal in 1967, and in 1978, he was elected as the 264th pope. He was the first non-Italian Pope since Adrian VI, who was a Dutch who reigned in 1522-1523 and the youngest being 58 at election since Pius IX in 1846.

He chose Totus Tuus for his motto, revealing his deep Marian spirituality. In his coat of arms, he also inscribed a letter M under a cross. He desired to dedicate all of his work to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Throughout his papacy, he was a human life and family activist. He continuously speaks about the dignity of human life and therefore condemned artificial birth control, euthanasia, stem-cell research and all stages of abortion, making a stand that life begins at fertilization. He taught about the Theology of the Body and also made a stand against homosexuality, premarital sex and other illicit sexual union. He also talked about the dignity of women but made a stand against their ordination as priests. He wrote extensively regarding the Social Teaching of the Church and fought against exploitation and unjust compensation of workers. He was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in February 2003 for opposing Communist oppression and his efforts to reshape the world. He also recognized more blesseds and saints than any pope in history.

He is known to be an athletic, lovable with a good sense of humor. As a Pope for the Youth, he usually hike and camp with young people. He established the World Youth day in 1984 in Rome with the intention of having young people throughout the world to gather, worship and celebrate the faith. It was followed by 19 other World Youth days. He brings a huge gathering of people whenever he comes. The X World Youth day in Manila was the largest recorded Christian gathering with five to seven million people. He also initiated the World Meeting of Families in 1994.

Throughout his papacy, he traveled more than one million miles outside of Italy and has visited over 126 countries. He was also held in esteem by other political and religious leaders like the Dalai Lama of Buddhism, Patriarchs of the Eastern rite churches, bishops of Anglicanism and other Protestant churches. He was also known as the first pope to pray in the Jews' Wailing Wall of Jerusalem and inside an Islamic mosque in Syria.

In May 13, 1981, he was critically wounded in an assassination attempt by Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turkish member of a fascist group. After surviving the incident, he visited and forgave Agca and offered the bullet to the Virgin of Fatima. A second assassination attempt took place on 12 May 1982, just a day before the anniversary of the first attempt on his life, by Juan Maria Fernandez, a traditionalist priest, suffering from a mental illness. John Paul II fully recovered from the assassination attempts, and sported an impressive physical condition throughout the 1980s. It was in the 90s that this athletic and strong man's health has been reduced by Parkinson's disease. On April 2, 2005, he died in Papal Apartments with an estimated crowd of ten thousand holding a vigil in St. Peter's Square below. Then a crowd of over four million within the Vatican City was there during the public viewing of his body and burial and it was considered as one of the largest pilgrimages in the history of Christianity. Besides, the funeral rites has been one of the most viewed television special throughout the world.

After his death, many clamor for his sainthood and he was referred as John Paul the Great, in the tradition of the popes, St. Leo (440-461) and St. Gregory (540- 604). In January 14, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI had confirmed the miracle involving Sister Marie Simon-Pierre. He was beatified last May 1, 2011. The date was chosen for his demise on the dignity of workers since that day is also the feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

Blessed John Paul's message to the young is "Do not be afraid!". He inspires them to walk in the midst of the darkness of relativism and practical atheism, bearing the light of faith and love for God and humankind. "Duc in Altum!" (Set out into the deep!) He continually inspire us to make a stand especially now that the God-given values for love of the family and respect for life are being threatened by self-choice and materialism. Let this pope who is forever young inspire us to remain rooted and built up in Jesus Christ and be firm in faith. May we ask his intercession for us to understand and love the Truth by which, we can be free.

Blessed John Paul the Great, father of World Youth Days, pray for us!

The Queen Stands at Your Right Hand Arrayed in Gold

2011-08-13T03:04:00.000-07:00

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”(Luke 1:46-55)

Today is one of the greatest Marian feasts of the Church. The others being her Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December and her Motherhood on New Year's Day. Today, we are celebrating our Lady's Assumption into heaven. This mystery is not in the Scriptures and is constantly been in the Oral Tradition of the Church. It is not Biblical however, we can understand that Mary must have been taken away just as God has taken away Enoch, Moses (whose tomb cannot be found) and Elijah. Mary is far greater than any of them. And besides the vision of St. John in the Book of Revelation 12:1 saying a story of a woman clothed with a sun, with a moon on her feet and a diadem of twelve stars, is commonly interpreted as Mary.

We read in St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians 15: 20-23: But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Since Mary helped Christ in order to accomplish our redemption, and there is no other person aside from Christ who lived a holy and obedient life than her, she must be the first one to receive Christ's promise.

Today's celebration allows us to see how God loves Mary. God thought of Mary even before the creation began. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4) It was God who created Mary in her mother's womb without any stain of sin in order to prepare her for the coming of the Savior. At the annunciation, the angel greeted her with: Rejoice! You who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. (Luke 1:28) He has lavished Mary with spiritual grace above other creatures. He comforted her in her trials, he guided her in the darkness of her faith and has given her reward at the right time.

We can also see how Mary loves God. In today's Gospel, we can see how she constantly praise him who continuously makes wonders in her life. She treats herself as a mere vessel being filled with God's grace. (2 Corinthians 4:7) She never boasts of anything but she is filled with thanksgiving to God. Although she doesn't fully understood his plans, she remained faithful. It is difficult to understand how she will give birth that she is a virgin. In her culture, God is Almighty and will never undergo suffering. But she behold the helplessness of God in her very eyes--- how he as a small baby cried when hungry, how he seems to be human, falling after taking a few steps and later, full of wounds and dying in front of her. It is said that her life can be summarized with just one word: FIAT --- so be it. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”(Luke 1:38) Her life is a perpetual oblation to God.

If we look up our lives, do we see how much God loves us? Is our life a perpetual thanksgiving to him? Sad to say, we commonly grumble and complain and we fail to see God's wonders in our lives. We fail to thank God for guiding us and being with us as we suffer. We do not see his hand whose providence is revealed in our food, the clothes we wear and the house we live, in the problems that he helps us solve. We do not see ourselves as merely beggars and if there is anything good in our lives, it comes from God. We fail to imitate Mary, in seeing God's graciousness to his little ones.

If we see God's love, we understand it and we are impelled to love him more. We are impelled to thank him and rejoice with him at all times. We are impelled to see the world in his perspective and see everything as grace. We are impelled to love his creatures and our neighbor the way God loves them. It is inseparable.

If we love God the way Mary loves, we can be assured that like her, we will also be assumed in heaven. This is the hope that we hold on to. We will share the victory of Christ given to the faithful ones. Like Mary, we will have our bodies back--- at this time incorruptible and spiritual---- and we will be taken up to heaven in order to receive our crown and our heavenly inheritance.

We are heirs of the kingdom with Christ. May we look forward to the coming of that kingdom. May all we do be a preparation for that glorious day. And the only preparation that counts is when we love God above all things and of course it includes the love for the things and the persons that he loves. Mary, our Mother, the queen assumed into heaven is the best epitome of that love.

In Psalm 45, we say to Christ in glory: Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the queen in gold of Ophir.

The Solemnity of the Assumption is the celebration of Mary's reward after her earthly life. It is also a holy day in honor of Christ her Son. Christ in glory shares his joy with his Queen Mother. And it is also our feast day. Because, someday we will share in their glory as well.

Humility Captures the Heart of God

2011-08-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to Him and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel.”The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)

Was Jesus a racist? This gospel might scandalize some people to think Jesus as such. But it is not the case since Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Those were pagan territories. The Canaanites' presence in the land was a strong threat to the purity of Israel’s religion and morality. Jews treat living in those areas as unclean and they do not mingle with them. But Jesus went there to preach the gospel. He treat them as equals and tries to remove the barriers that separate them from the Jews. Besides, there were other instances in the gospel that Jesus spoke and relate to the pagans like what he did with the Samaritan woman, the Roman centurion and the possessed man in Gerasa.

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! It is remarkable to understand the woman's faith because some priests and Jews who are actually the chosen people were not calling Jesus as 'Lord' or as the 'Son of David'. They treated him with contempt as a false Messiah. Later, they plotted against him and killed him. But this pagan woman expressed her faith.

"My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. The woman asked help not for herself but for her daughter. She expressed her faith which is more than the 'righteous people' in her time. But Jesus ignored her. So his disciples came to Him and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” The remark of the disciples shows the persistence of the woman in asking her request. However, there is a reason why. It is the heart of the mother that does everything for her child though it means begging for mercy. But it seems that Jesus doesn't show any sign of compassion or even pity.

There may be instances where God seems not to answer our prayers. But we usually give up. If we would be in the place of the woman, we might give up begging from Jesus. We might think: If you will not grant my request. So be it. I am tired of begging from you. I have traveled long and suffered humiliation and this is what you will reply? We might think ill of Jesus and even sacrifice the healing of our daughter for our 'honor'.

He answered, “I was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus replied and it seems that he is firm in not granting the woman's request. The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said. But the woman is really persistent. But for the third time, Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” If for the third time, Jesus refused to grant your request, and even insulted you, how would you react? In those days, dogs were considered unclean. And to treat you with the same level as an unclean animal--- in Jewish culture, is a height of insult and degradation.

But with wit the woman replied: “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” The woman showed her humility. Truly, she and her daughter are dogs. They do not belong to the chosen people. But she believes that those 'crumbs' --- which are merely tiny leftovers from the table of God's chosen people but are still holding large amounts of God's grace. Those 'crumbs' can do a miracle for her daughter.

The woman showed her wisdom. She knows that she is indeed unworthy of his mercy. But a portion of Jesus' attention would be a great help. Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

We imitate the woman's faith when we still persist to pray though our prayers are not answered. We capture the heart of God when we still believe although it seems illogical in human logic. We are invited by Christ to see everything in faith. And it is only possible with humility---- seeing and acknowledging your lowliness and trusting in the mercy of God that knows no bounds.

St. Joan of Arc must feel forsaken by God when after winning battles in the name of God, she was captured and was sold to the English. The king whom he helped to win his crown haven't helped her. And the Church has also been part in conducting trials to prove her association with witchcraft. Seeing how some Church's authorities judged her, she must be undergoing a very difficult trial of faith. The Church even refused to hear her last confession and give her Holy Communion. But she remained faithful to the end and she became a saint.

Blessed Aniela was few times refused confession by her spiritual director. And one time, she was refused publicly. But she trusted in God's mercy and remained faithful and now she is hailed as Blessed. It is said that even if Jesus will appear to you saying that he will refuse you mercy, you are not allowed to believe. For God is a loving God and his mercy has no bounds.

Do not be afraid!

2011-08-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”“why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(Matthew 14:22-33)

The gospel for today happened after Jesus' performed the miracle of the multiplication of bread. Seeing how Jesus feed the multitude, a large number of them wanted to make Jesus their king. Jesus sees how his teachings are in danger of being distorted. They do not worry about the Bread of Life but of worldly bread. They might not have any concern now for the heavenly things but of worldly and perishable things. So to save his disciples from being worldly, Jesus sent them away. He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

The similar things happen in our lives when after being called by God, having attended formations and having gained enough experience serving our fellow youth, we usually find our Christian vision and values little bt little, being replaced by worldly ones. That is why we need to separate ourselves from the world and take measures not to be drawn in it. We need to reexamine our consciences and our take time to reflect and pray. That is why we have regular council meetings, retreats, recollections and prayer sessions designed for this purpose.

Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Life is sailing into the sea which we sometimes perceive as calm and peaceful but as we gradually leave the shore, and gradually go farther and farther into the sea, we meet storms, winds, heavy seas which symbolize our problems and trials in life. Like the boat in the gospel, we might find ourselves being tossed and we feel as if we do not have direction.

Our initial reaction to problems is to find solutions. However, some have solutions while others do not. When we do not see any solutions to our problems, we complain that life is meaningless and that God is cruel.

It is when Jesus comes to us. But we do not usually recognize him. We do not see a Savior walking in the water but a "ghost". He comes to us with power but we let our fears disturb us. It may be a time when we see a friend not as someone who can help us but as a threat or a competitor. They are the times when we see a problem not as an opportunity for growth but as a curse or a burden.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus reveals himself that he is with us. Problems are not that we should fear of rather they are opportunities for growth. Jesus guides us to see that there is a reason why he disturbs you. When the Virgin Mary was visited by an angel, St. Luke says that she was deeply disturbed. But after the disturbance was a comforting word that she has found favor with God and that she will be the one to bring forth his plans. (cf Luke 1:26-38) Disturbances are actually proofs that we are God's favorites. He wants to unfold a beautiful plan in our lives.

Four years ago, in the seminary, I have undergone crises in my family which affect my vocation. My father passed away and I was so distracted and I am planning to go out and help my family. I have also doubts whether I am for this kind of vocation. Seeing a great conflict within me, our formator decided for me to leave and take my regency. It is not easy for me at first, since I miss my friends there and I will be adjusting to a new kind of life. I do not know where or how to start. But now, after four years of work, I have realized that those "storms" in my life before actually made me a more mature person and I have met a lot of good friends on my way which greatly contributed to story of my vocation.

It is noteworthy to see Peter's faith after hearing Jesus' consoling words. “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” The other disciples are afraid but he wants to go near to Jesus even though it is illogical. Isn't it a height of foolishness to jump into the boat at the middle of the sea? Isn't it foolishness to lose any sense of support but just the "ghost" in front of him?

But Peter walked into the water and went near to Jesus. He was able to do a miracle. Thanks to his participation in God's grace.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, begins to sink. There are times when as we steadily make our way, we easily lose our focus. We begin to doubt again and let the "storms" in our lives terrify us. That is why we sink. We easily forget that it is Jesus who assures us to come to him and we should not fear. We might also be distracted by thinking that we do "miracles" out of our own and not through Christ. That is why we lose our focus and we fall.

It is good that Peter knows whom to call. “Lord, save me!” As human as we are, we are prone to fall. But we are invited by Jesus to always call on him. For he who calls on Jesus will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

Patron Saints for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid

2011-08-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

As human as we are, we always look up to other people for our example and inspiration. That is why we have patron saints in order for us to be inspired as we follow Christ and as we serve Him through His Church. They serve well as patrons for young Catholics,and their lives tell us that all things are possible to God,” said Fr. Edwin Galea, who will be a part of the World Youth Day pilgrimage run by the archdiocese of Toronto’s Office of Catholic Youth.

“The worst sinner could become the greatest saint so they inspire us. They provide us with a depth of spirituality that is not normally attained in the ordinary world but can inspire a person not to give up.” The nine saints all have ties to Spain.

It was during May 4, 2011, when the Holy See approved the proposal of the organizers of these nine (9) saints which “encompasses the history of the Church in Spain, from the first saints of Madrid.”

“All of these saints are of Spanish origin, in order to root WYD in the culture of the host country, as was done at WYD in Cologne, where the saints chosen were related to the Christian history of Germany,” organizers explained.

Here is a short story of these patron saints as we join the Church in the WYD Celebration in Madrid this year.

The First Saints of Madrid:

(1) St. Isidore (San Isidro Labrador), patron saint of farmers and of Madrid, Feastday: May 15

and his wife, (2) St. Mary of the Head (Santa Maria Torribia dela Cabeza), Feastday: September 9

He was in the service of the wealthy Madrid landowner Juan de Vargas on a farm in the vicinity of Madrid. Every morning before going to work, Isidore was accustomed to hearing a Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. One day his fellow-laborers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. Upon investigation, so runs the legend, the master found Isidore at prayer while an angel was doing the plowing for him. On another occasion, his master saw an angel plowing on either side of him, so that Isidore's work was equal to that of three of his fellow-laborers.

St. Isidore married St. Mary Torribia de la Cabeza. and had one son, who died in his youth. On one occasion their son fell into a deep well and, at the prayers of his parents, the water of the well is said to have risen miraculously to the level of the ground, bringing the child with it, alive and well. Isidore and Maria then vowed sexual abstinence and lived in separate houses.

St. Isidore died on May 15, 1130, at his birthplace close to Madrid. St. Mary Torribia substantially outlived her husband, who died in 1130. After his death, she lived as a hermit, performed miracles, and had visions. For instance, legend suggests that every night she dreamed of the Virgin Mary crossing the river while extending her pure cloak over the waters. Her unusual title "Santa María de la Cabeza" is derived from the most prominent relic associated with Torribia, a head said to be her own. This relic is often used in processions, and is traditionally an intercessory tool for the relief of drought Revered by farm workers throughout the Catholic world, she shares a feast day with her husband (May 15), while also having her own on September 9.

These two saints serve as a model for us youth in their devotion to God, their love for work and their example of chastity and purity.

The Great Spanish Mystics:

(3) St. Ignatius of Loyola (San Ignacio de Loyola), patron saint of spiritual retreats, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Feastday: July 31

He was a Spanish knight with a noble origin. During a battle in 1521, he was seriously wounded and when he did not find any book except the Life of Christ and the Saints, he underwent spiritual conversion and he abandoned his military life in order to devote himself to the service of God. He experienced visions of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. He became a priest and founded Jesuits in 1539. The group was a very important factor during the Counter Reformation times where the Church has been in turmoil due to schisms lead by Martin Luther and his followers. He also experienced scruples, fears and despair in his spiritual life however, he overcome this trial of faith and this has caused him to write the Spiritual Exercises which has been very influential in modern retreats and meditation. He died in 1556.

His life teaches us to be aggressive in holiness by being strong in leaving sin behind and choosing to follow Christ and to always be courageous in face of the difficult trials of our faith.

(4) St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church, founder of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Patroness of Spain, Feastday: October 15

She entered the Carmelite convent and there during a great period of sickness, she enjoyed mystical revelations. She also had experiences of spiritual ecstasy and she wrote a lot of spiritual works which are fruits of her rich spiritual life. These stand out among the mystical literature of the Church among those famous are The Way of Perfection, Spiritual Castle and her Autobiography. These books contain sublime doctrine particularly the evil of sin, the fruit of sufferings and the necessity to abandon oneself in God. Because of the laxity of her religious order, she makes reformations with St. John of the Cross however, they met much resistance but eventually succeeded due to her courage and wisdom. She established 15 convents throughout Spain. The Order has played a decisive role during the Counter Reformation times especially in their practice of extreme poverty and mortification. She was the first woman to be proclaimed Doctor (Teacher) of the Church due to her contributions to the Church's teaching on interior life. She is also invoked to cure headaches due to her use of the intelligence (which is commonly associated with the head).

She is an example in attaining perfection through wisdom in our thoughts, courage in our will and temperance in our appetites.

(5) St. John of the Cross (San Juan de la Cruz), Doctor of the Church, co-founder of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Patron of Spanish poets, Feastday: December 14

He founded the Discalced Carmelites with St. Teresa of Avila. He is considered the one who brought energy and vigor to the brothers of the Order in 1568. In the same way, this Order has been very important during the Counter Reformation Times. He met several trials of faith including being kidnapped, beaten and imprisoned due to his willingness to bring reform to the Order and the Church in the difficult times of his day. He produced beautiful works which are actually the fruits of his rich interior life while experiencing trials and difficulties. He wrote books about Christian Mysticism which are very remarkable in Catholic literature. Among those popular was Dark Night of the Soul and Ascent to Mount Carmel which has been influential to Catholic theologians like Blessed John Paul II, philosophers like Jacques Maritain and St. Edith Stein and saints like Teresa of Avila and Therese of the Child Jesus. He was also bestowed with the privilege title of being a Doctor of the Church due to his contributions to Christian Mysticsm.

His life teaches us that the darkness of our faith are actually passages for us to attain peace and enlightenment. And as we accept to walk in the darkness of our faith, we will be given enough grace to stand and walk with God as we journey to the light.

(6) St. John of Avila (San Juan de Avila), patron of the Spanish clergy, Feastday: May 10

Spiritual director of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, among others, he drew large crowds with his denunciations of evil and his many sermons. He was not considered a founder of any Order but his advice and direction gave inspiration to the two founders of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. His missionary efforts were centered on Andalusia, a community in Spain, and his letters and other writings have become Spanish classics, among those was the Spiritual Letters containing sublime doctrine which, like his spiritual directees, also reflects his rich spiritual life. As of now, he is being considered to be called a Doctor of the Church like his two spiritual students.

(7) St. Rose of Lima (Santa Rosa de Lima), patroness of Latin America and secondary patroness of the Philippines, Feastday: August 23

Contrary to common misconceptions, St. Rose of Lima was not a nun, rather, she was a lay tertiary, spending most of her life at her family home where she worked to support the family. She was born in Lima, Peru in 1586 and was baptized as Isabel de Oliva. She was nicknamed "Rosa" for her beauty. As she grew older, she was so devoted to chastity that she used pepper and lye to ruin her complexion so she wouldn’t be attractive to her suitors. She stayed at home all the time and will leave only to go to the Church for daily masses, Eucharistic adorations and confession and to go to her community to help the sick and the poor. She also vowed total abstinence from meat. In her spare time, she would grew flowers in her garden or make laces and sell them in order to give alms to the poor. St. Rose was a mystic and visionary, who received many mental and physical sufferings, including an invisible stigmata (wounds of the crucified Christ). She died in 1614. She was the first Catholic saint of the Americas.

Her life teaches us that we can attain holiness through ordinary deeds. We can imitate St. Rose in her simple acts of doing household duties, frequent reception of the sacraments and helping our less fortunate brothers and sisters through corporal or spiritual acts of charity.

The Great Missionary of the East:

(8) St. Francis Xavier (San Francisco Javier), patron of the missions, Feastday: December 3

He is one of the first called by St. Ignatius of Loyola while he was studying liberal arts at Paris. He was ordained in 1537 in Rome and went to the southern India to began preaching the gospel. Then he preached in Sri Lanka, then in Indonesia. He went to Japan in 1547 and there he tirelessly preached and converted many to the faith. He also went to China to spread the gospel there. He died in 1552 in a land known today as Hong Kong while waiting for a boat to take him back to China.

He was responsible for converting more than 50, 000 to the Catholic faith. It has also been said that no missionary aside from St. Paul who has been so effective in preaching the Gospel and converting many as that of St. Francis Xavier.

His life teaches us to devote ourselves to the mission of evangelization at least in our modern and more effective means.

Young saint of modern times:

(9) St. Rafael Arnaiz, model of modern youth, Feastday: April 26

He was the first of four sons born to a well-to-do, deeply Christian and Catholic family. As a boy he went to several schools run by the Jesuit Fathers. By the time of his adolescence it became clear that Rafael had special human, intellectual, artistic and spiritual gifts. These qualities were remarkably well balanced in him, producing an open positive, joyful attitude to the world of persons and things, characterized by exuberant good humour, respect and humility. After studying to become an architect in Madrid, he experienced the call of God to consecrate himself in monastic life, entering the Trappist monastery. God wished to test him with a painful sickness — acute diabetes — that forced him to leave the monastery three times. But always, he returned. He died in 1938 at the age of 27. St. Rafael was just canonized in 2009.

St. Rafael was proclaimed as a model for the youth of today by Blessed John Paul II when he was prcolaimed by the latter as Blessed in 1992. The pope wants to invite young people to follow his example of humility and deep love for God in the midst of the difficult trials of faith. And personally, as a seminarian in this year of pastoral exposure and discernment, I just pray through his intercession to allow me to listen to the call of God and respond with an open heart and a generous hand.

Happy World Youth Day Celebration to all! May we be one with the Church regardless of location.

“Rooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith” (cf Col 2:7)

Kayo ang Magpakain sa Kanila!

2011-08-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

Nang marinig ni Hesus ang pagkamatay ni Juan, sumakay siya sa isang bangka at pumunta sa isang lugar na walang tao. Ngunit nang mabalitaan naman iyon ng mga tao, sila’y naglakad papalabas sa kani-kanilang bayan at sinundan si Hesus. Pagdating ni Hesus sa dalampasigan, nakita niya ang napakaraming taong iyon. Nahabag siya sa kanila kaya’t pinagaling niya ang mga maysakit na dala nila. Nang dapit-hapon na’y lumapit sa kanya ang mga alagad. Sinabi nila, "Malapit na pong lumubog ang araw at ilang ang lugar na ito. Papuntahin na po ninyo sa mga kalapit na nayon ang mga tao upang makabili ng kanilang makakain." "Hindi na sila kailangang umalis. Kayo ang magpakain sa kanila," sabi ni Hesus. Sumagot sila, "Wala po tayong pagkain kundi limang tinapay lamang at dalawang isda." "Dalhin ninyo rito," sabi niya. Pinaupo niya sa damuhan ang mga tao. Kinuha ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda, tumingala siya sa langit at nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Pinaghati-hati niya ang mga tinapay at iniutos sa mga alagad na ipamahagi iyon sa mga tao. Napakain at nabusog ang lahat. Nang ipunin ng mga alagad ang natirang pagkain, nakapuno pa sila ng labindalawang kaing ng tinapay. May limanlibong lalaki ang pinakain, bukod pa sa mga babae at mga bata. (Matthew 14:13-21)

Madalas tayong magreklamo sa mga problemang nakakaharap na tin sa araw-araw. Napakadali sa ating magpasa sa iba ng mga solusyon sa ating mga suliranin. Halimbawa: sa mga krimen, ipapasa natin ito sa mga pulis, sinasabi natin at nagrereklamo tayo na di nila ginagawa ang dapat nilang gawin. Kapag may mga problema sa trapiko, magrereklamo tayo sa MMDA. Sa mga suliraning pulitikal at pangekonomiya, pagbibintangan natin ang gobyerno. Sa mga problemang moral at ispiritwal sa ating lipunanan, ating ipinapasa ito sa Simbahan.

Sa madalas nating pagpapasa ng gawain sa mga institusyon at mga lider ng ating lipunan, madalas ay nakakalimutan natin ang ating responsibilidad. Halimbawa: sa korapsyon sa ating pamahalaan, madalas tayong maghimutok at magprotesta sa mga lider ng ating bayan. Totoo na laganap ang korapsyon sa ibat-ibang departaento at ahensya ang ating gobyerno subalit hindi natin nakikita ang ating mga maliliit na ginagawang corrupt din sa paningin ng Diyos. Ang pagtanggap ng bayad sa boto ay maliit na bagay nga subalit kasingtindi rin ang epekto katulad ng malakihang pagnanakaw ng mga pulitiko sa kaban ng bayan. Ang pagtaya sa jueteng ay maliit na bagay nga subalit ito rin ay pagpapahayg ng suporta sa malalaking pwersa ng sugal sa ating bayan na karaniwang pinasisimunuan pa ng ating mga pulitikong corrupt. Ang pagkuha ng coupon bond sa government office ay isang pagkuha rin ng bagay na hindi sa atin kundi pag-aari ng ahensya ng gobyerno. Ang pangongoya sa exam ng mga estudyante ay maliit na bagay nga subalit pandaraya din katulad ng pagdaraya sa mga civil service exams ng mga balak magtrabaho sa gobyerno. Ang pagpepetiks sa trabaho ay isa ring uri ng pandaraya dahil sinasahuran ka ng sapat gayong di ka naman tumutupad sa takdang oras.

We keep on putting a blame on others but we fail to take ownership. Napakadali sa ating mambintang subalit di natin nakikita na ang kasamaan pala ay nagmumula sa atin! Tayo ay nagko-contribute pala sa kabulukan ng ating lipunan sa maliliiit na paraan subalit hindi nangangahulugang mas maliit ang epekto sa ginagawa ng mas makapangyarihan sa atin. Kung tayo ay gumagawa ng maliliit na uri ng kasamaan, sa tingin ba natin ay hindi natin magagawa ang malalaking kasamaan kung tayo ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon? I think we will do worse things if we will be given a chance.

Nais kong ibahagi ang short film na ito. Very relevant sa Ebanghelyo natin ngayon.

Sinabi ni Hesus sa Ebanghelyo nang ang mga tao ay nagutom: Kayo ang Magpakain sa Kanila! Subalit magtatanong ang mga alagad: Paano namin mapapakain ang 5, 000 na lalaki kasama ang mga babae at mga bata? Ilang pera ang kailangan naming gastahin para mabigyan man lang kahit tig-iisang tinapay ang bawat isa? Subalit hindi nagpadala ng mga alagad sa kanilang logic. Ibinigay nila ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda. Imposible para mapakain ang libong tao ng kakaunting pagkain. Subalit tinanggap ang mga ito ni Hesus at binasbasan. Naa-appreciate ni Hesus ang efforts natin. Gaano man ito kaliit. Ang Diyos ay handang gumawa ng milagro kung tayo ay mananatiling cooperative sa kanyang mga plano. Sinabi sa Ebanghelyo na silang lahat ay nakakain at nabusog. At nakaipon pa ng labindalawang bakol na tirang tinapay.

Anumang mabuting bagay gaano man kaliit ay papuntang langit. Sabi ni Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: Kung ang bawat isa sa atin ay magdadala ng isang timbang tubig sa Sahara desert, makakabuo tayo ng malaking karagatan. Araw-araw 25, 000 ang namamatay sa gutom. Nasan ang ating pananampalataya? Kailan natin masasabi: Ano ang maari nating maibigay? Sapat na lang bang manalangin at iasa sa Diyos o sa gobyerno ang ganitong suliranin habang marami ang namamatay? Kailan kaya natin masasabi sa ting mga sarili: "Sa kabila ng aking kahinaan at limitasyon, AKO MISMO ang gagawa nito"?

Tanging Yaman

2011-07-23T23:30:00.000-07:00

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesús sa mga tao: “Ang Paghahari ng Diyós ay katulad ng kayamanang nakabaon sa isang bukid. Nahukay ito ng isang tao at tinabunan uli. Sa laki ng tuwa, siyá’y humayo at ipinagbili ang lahát ng ari-arian niyá at binili ang bukid na iyon. Gayundin naman, ang Paghahari ng Diyós ay katulad nito: may isang mangangalakal na naghahanap ng mamahaling perlas. Nang makakita ng isang perlas na napakahalaga, siyá’y humayo at ipinagbili ang lahát ng kaniyáng ari-arian at binili iyon." (Mateo 13:44-46)

Kung ikaw ay bibigyan ng tatlong kahilingan, ano ang mga hihingin mo?

Maaring ang iba sa atin ay hihingi na maging mayaman, o kaya naman ay maging maganda o guwapo, o kaya naman ay maging matalino o maging sikat. Maaring ang iba sa atin ay humingi ng isang taong magmamahal sa kanya.

Subalit, may mga taong hindi mayaman subalit masaya. May mga taong pinagkaitan ng hitsura o intelektwal na kakayahan subalit hindi nagrereklamo o nghihinanakit sa buhay. May mga taong hindi sikat subalit mas maayos pa ang buhay sa di sikat. At may mga taong walang asawa subalit kontento at hindi naghahangad na magkaasawa pa.

May mga taong iniiwan ang kanilang mga trabaho kahit ito ay maayos para lamang umanib sa isang samahang payak ang pamumuhay. May mga taong mayayaman na ipinagbibili ang kayamanan o mga kabataang hindi tinatanggap ang mana upang sundin ang isang prinsipyong ikagagalak nila. May mga taong tinatalikuran ang katanyagan dahil hindi sila masaya at mas pinipiling maging payak ang pamumuhay nila para sa iba.

Natatandaan ko ang kantang may lyrics na ganito: Lose yourself in me and you will find yourself. Hindi natin mararanasan ang tunay na pag-ibig kung hindi natin isasakripisyo ang ilang bagay para dito. Maaring naranasan na natin ang magvolunteer sa isang soup kitchen na kung saan isinakripisyo natin ang ating oras para sa mga batang kapus-palad. Hindi ba may galak na nararamdaman kahit pagod ka? Gayundin kung isinakripisyo natin ang ating mga trabaho para sa isang napakahalagang activity? Hindi natin ito pinagsisisihan kahit mawala man ang sahod natin para sa araw na iyon o hindi natin makuha ang ating bonus. Ang kagalakan sa activity na iyon ay higit pa sa pwedeng sahurin sa araw na iyon.

Sa Ebanghelyo natin ngayon ay may mga mahahalagang punto akong nais ibahagi para sa aking reflection. Una ang nakatagong kayamanan, ang nakatagong perlas na higit ang halaga. Ang tunay na kayamanan ay nakatago. Hindi ito nakikita ng ordinaryong mata o naiintindihan ng ordinaryong pag-iisip. Noong pumasok ako sa seminaryo ay marami ang nagtatanong sa akin kung bakit ko iniwan ang aking trabaho. Tinatanong nila ako kung ang pagod ba ang dahilan o puyat kung kaya't naisipan kong magresign. Hindi nila nakikita ang tunay na dahilan o ang tunay na worth ng bokasyon ko. Marami rin ang mga nagtatanong sa atin kung bakit ang Simabahan ay patuloy na naninindigan para kontrahin ang RH Bill. Hindi nakikita ang iba ang tunay na kagalakan sa pag-anib sa panig ng Buhay o ang tunay na kagalakan at kapayapaan sa ating patuloy na pagtupad sa salita ng Diyos. Pwede rin tanungin tayo ng ating mga magulang kung ano ang meron sa mga orgs natin ang dahilan upang ating ibigay ang panahon natin para dito. Hindi nakikita ang tunay na halaga o ang tunay na kayamanan na meron sa atin.

Pangalawa, ang tunay na kayamanan ay mahirap masumpungan. Ang nakatagong kayamanan sa isang bukid ay kailanagan pang hukayin at ang perlas na mahalaga ay kailanagn pang sisrin. Maaaring ang yaman na ting minimithi ay nakukuha lamang natin sa loob ng mahabang panahon at bunga lamang ng ating pagiging matapat at pagpupursige. Sa katunayan, mas naapreciate ko ang aking bokasyon noon lamang na lumabas ako at nagtrabaho. Noon lamang na ibinahagi ko ang aking panahon sa mga kabataan. Noon lamang sa loob ng walong taon simula ng ako ay pumasok sa seminaryo. Ang kayamanan ay kailangang magpursigi upang mas makita natin ang halaga nito.

Pangatlo, kailangang ipagbili ang lahat upang makuha ang kayamanan na ito. Lahat. Wala dapat na itira. Naramadaman ko na napakahalaga pala ng aking bokasyon na naisipan kong kinakailanagang isakripisyo ko ang aking trabaho, ang aking lifestyle, ang mg panahong kasama ko ang aking mga kaibigan at pamilya. Katulad ng kayamanan at perlas sa parabula, hindi ito mabibili kung hindi ko kayang igive up lahat para dito.

Pang-apat, ang kagalakan na nawala ang lahat at tanging natira ay ang tanging yaman. Masaabi ko na anong saya ng aking bokasyon kapag ibinigay mo ang lahat para sa Diyos. Wala ka ang hihingin pa at ang iba ay sususnod na lamang. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Ano ang iyong tanging yaman? Nawa ito ang Diyos na nakatago, atin nawa siyang masumpungan at nawa makita natin ang lahat ng bagay ay kaya nating ibigay para sa kanya.

Mabubuti at Masasamang Binhi

2011-07-23T05:23:00.000-07:00

Noong panahong iyon, inilahad ni Hesús ang talinghagang ito sa mga tao. “Ang paghahari ng Diyós ay katulad nito: may isang taong naghasik ng mabuting binhi sa kaniyáng bukid. Isang gabi, samantalang natutulog ang mga tao, dumating ang kaniyáng mga kaaway at naghasik ng masasamang damo sa triguhan. Nang tumubo ang trigo at magkauhay, lumitaw rin ang masasamang damo. Kaya’t lumapit ang mga alipin sa puno ng sambahayan at sinabi rito, ‘Hindi po ba mabuting binhi ang inihasik ninyó sa inyóng bukid? Bakit po may damo ngayon?’ Sumagot siyá, ‘Isang kaaway ang may kagagawan nito.’ Tinanong siyá ng mga utusan, ‘Bubunutin po ba namin ang mga iyon?’ ‘Huwag,’ sagot niyá. ‘Baka mabunot pati trigo. Hayaan na ninyóng lumago kapuwa hanggang sa anihan. Pag-aani’y sasabihin ko sa mga tagapag-ani: “Tipunin muna ninyó ang mga damo at inyóng pagbigkis-bigkisin upang sunugin, at ang trigo’y inyóng tipunin sa aking kamalig.” ’ ” (Mateo 13:24-30)

Sa patuloy na pakikibaka ng Simbahan sa mga usapin sa ating lipunan, hindi maaring hindi makatanggap ang Simbahan ng mga batikos. Inaakusahan ang Simbahan na nakikialam sa mga usaping panglipunan at pampulitika gayong mga makasalanan naman ang mga namumuno nito. Maaaring naaalala pa natin ang ginawang eskandalo ni Carlos Celdran sa Manila Cathedral nang itaas niya ang placard na may nakasulat na "Damaso!" habang isinisigaw niya na "Stop mendling with politics!" Sa linggong ito lang ay naungkat ang isyu ng mga obispo na tumanggap ng mga sasakyan mula sa PCSO. Sa mga social networking sites din mababasa natin ang maraming pagtutuligsa sa Simbahan. Laging inuungkat ang masasamang pamumuhay ng ilang mga lider ng Simbahan at pinamumukha na wala silang karapatang magsalita tungkol sa doktrina at moralidad.

Nakakalimutan nila na ang Simbahan ay hindi Simbahan ng mga banal kundi ng mga makasalanan. Kahit sa Lumang Tipan, mababasa natin na ang mga Israelieta o ang bayang hinirang ng Diyos ay malimit magkasala, tinatalikuran ang Diyos upang sumamaba sa ibang diyos-diyosan subalit hindi nawala sa kanila ang pagmamahal ng Panginoon at ang kanilang pagkahirang bilang pinili niyang bayan. Sa Bagong Tipan, naroon ang mga Apostol subalit naroon din sa mga unang Kristiyano ang mga hindi tapat at patuloy na nagkakamali. Maging ang mga apostol ay malimit ding magkamali at magkasala. At kung tayo ay Simbahan ng mga banal, hindi na natin kailangan pa ng mga sakramento o ng pagpapahayag ng Salita ng Diyos. Ang Simbahan ay isang institusyon din na nakabase sa lipunana kung kaya't ang estado ng Simbahn ay siya ring sumasalamin sa sambayanan na ating kinabibilangan. Kung tayo ay nasa mundong corrupted of good values, ang Simbahan din ay ganun, whether we like it or not.

Subalit, hindi ito hadlang upang tayo ay patuloy na maninindigan sa kabutihan. Bilang Kristyiano, ating responsibilidad na maging mga saksi ng tunay na kahariang minimithi natin--- ang Kaharian ng Diyos. Kailangan nating ipakita sa mundo na sa kabila ng mga damo ay tutubo pa arin ang mga trigo. Huwag sana tayong manlumo o madiscourage sa gitna ng mga kaguluhan o kasamaan. Bagkus, ito ang challenge sa atin upang bumangon at patuloy na maninidigan laban sa kasamaan.

Minsan kasi ay mas marami ang di pumapasok sa Simbahan dahil sa atin. Mali nga sila. Kasi hindi basehan ang kabutihan ng mga members para mainspire silang maging Kristiyano subalit malaking tulong din ang ating mga mabubuting halimbawa para sa kanila.

Bakit, hindi binunot o inalis ang mga damo? Una, dahil maapektuhan ang mga mabubuti. Kung paanong pinapaulan ng Diyos ang langit upang magbigay pagkain sa mga mabubuti at masasama, ganun din kung nais niyang magkaroon ng bagyo. Hindi porke mabuti ka ay hindi ka masasalanta at masasama lamang.

Pangalawa, dahil alam ng Diyos na kaya ng mga trigo na manalo laban sa kasamaan. Alam niyang kahit naapektuhan ang mga mabubuti ay hindi sila magpapatalo at patuloy na mananaig kung sila ay tunay ngang mabuting binhi. Pangatlo, dahil ang lahat ay may panahon. Maaring tanungin natin: Bakit ang mga mababait pa ang madaling mamatay at ang mga masasama ay walang problema? Pwedeng mas binibigyan sila ng pagkakataon ng Diyos na makapagbagong buhay. Kapag tapos na ang palugit sa kanila ng Diyos at patuloy pa rin sa gawang masama, pwede na silang kunin at magkakamit parusa.

Bilang Kristiyano, nawa'y maging buhay na tanda tayo sa sanlibutan ng kabutihang nananaig laban sa kasamaan.

Ang Manghahasik, ang mga Binhi at ang mga Lupa

2011-07-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

Noon ding araw na iyon, si Jesus ay lumabas ng bahay at naupo sa tabi ng lawa. Dahil sa dami ng taong lumalapit sa kanya, sumakay siya sa isang bangka at doon naupo. Tumayo naman sa dalampasigan ang mga tao at sila'y tinuruan niya ng maraming bagay sa pamamagitan ng mga talinhaga. Ganito ang sinabi niya: "May isang magsasakang lumabas upang maghasik. Sa kanyang paghahasik ay may mga binhing nalaglag sa tabi ng daan. Dumating ang mga ibon at tinuka ang mga iyon. May mga binhi namang nalaglag sa mabatong lupa. Dahil manipis lang ang lupa roon, sumibol agad ang mga binhi, ngunit natuyo agad ang mga ito nang mabilad sa matinding init ng araw, palibhasa'y mababaw ang ugat. May mga binhi namang nalaglag sa may matitinik na halaman. Lumago ang mga halamang ito at sinakal ang mga binhing tumubo doon. Ngunit ang mga binhing nahasik sa matabang lupa ay namunga; may tigsasandaan, may tig-aanimnapu, at may tigtatatlumpu. Makinig ang may pandinig!"(Mateo 13:1-9)

Dito sa Katedral ni San Gregorio Magno sa Diyosesis ng Legazpi ang imahe ng Manghahasik ang siyang dekorasyon sa ambo (ang platform kung saan binabasa ang mga pagbasa sa misa). Ito ay upang paalalahanan ang mga tao ng mahahalagang elemento ng Salita ng Diyos ayon sa matututunan natin sa Ebanghelyong ito.

Una, ang Manghahasik ay di nagsasawang maghasik ng binhi. Walang pinipili ang Diyos sa kanyang paghahasik ng kanyang mga salita. Kahit alam niyang hindi lahat tutubo, patuloy siya at walang kapaguran sa paghahasik. Makikita natin dito na ang Diyos ay punong-puno ng pag-asa sa atin upang papagyabungin ang kanyang mga naipunla. Kahit tayo ay makasalanan hindi siya nagsasawang magtanim ng magagandang butil sa atin. Naniniwala siya na kahit gaano man kasama ang tao, may magagandang bagay na naipunla siya dito na kailangan lang niyang alagaan at pagyabungin.

Minsan sa ating ministries ay nagsasawa na tayo sa paglilingkod. Para bang hasik din tayo ng hasik subalit hindi nagbubunga. Bakit hindi natin tularan ang Diyos na walang pinipiling tao at oras. Nagbabakasakali siya na may makikinig sa kanya at magbagong buhay. As long as we strive for our best, whatever we do will be for the best. Hindi nasasayang ang ating efforts. Kung mas marami ang ating inihasik, mas marami pa rin tayong aanihin sabihin man nating hindi lahat magbubunga.

Pangalawa, ang Salita ng Diyos ay mabisa, walang masamang binhi subalit nakadepende na lang ang epekto nito sa ating disposisyon. Naroon ang binhi, sunalit kung tayo naman ay di nagiging responsive, di natin ito inaalagaan, nagiging useless ang mga binhing ito. Ang apat na uri ng lupa ay apat na reaksyon ng tao sa mga salita ni Hesus. Mabuting isa-isahin natin ang mga ito.

Ang lupa sa daanan ay mga taong tumatanggap ng salita ng Diyos subalit hindi ganoon kalalim kung kaya't madali silang madala ng kaaway. Panaka-naka lamang kung lumapit sa Diyos. Nagsisimba lang kung may okasyon o kung niyaya lamang. Naglilingkod sa Simbahan tuwing napupuri lamang o kung may mahahalagang pagdiriwang. Nagbabasa lamng ng Bibliya kung naisipan. Nagrorosaryo lamang kung Rosary Month, nagiging aktibo lamang sa Youth Apostolate kung Year of the Youth. Kung kaya't kapag naroon ang kaaway ay madaling umalis. Madaling masira ng kaaway ang anumang salita na naipunla sa kanila.

Ang batuhan ay ang mga taong tumatanggap ng salita ng Diyos subalit nasa emosyonal na aspeto lamang. Naiiyak kung recollection o retreats, damang-dama ang presensiya ng Diyos sa mga religious activities, kayang magsakripisyo tuwing Semana Santa, laging nagsisimba at nananalangin subalit hindi nakikita sa sarili nila ang salita ng Diyos. Mga taong malugod na tumatanggap sa salita ng Diyos subalit kapag nawala na ang emosyon ay di tumatagos sa puso ang salita, di nakikita sa kanilang buhay.

Ang lupang matinik at madamo ay ang mga taong tumatanggap ng salita ng Diyos subalit nabubuhay pa rin sa pita ng laman at sa gawaing makasanlibutan. Mga taong nagsisimba, nananalangin, umaattend ng mga seminars, naglilingkod sa Simbahan subalit di inaalis ang mga makasariling pagnanasa sa kayamanan, mga taong di mabunot ang kahalayan, mga taong nagiging kompetensya ng salita ng Diyos ang mga bisyo at mga paboritong kasalanan. Kung kaya't kahit gaano karami ng binhi ng salita ng Diyos ang ihasik sa kanila ay walang epekto. Maaaring may bunga ng konti subalit naroon pa rin ang mga malalagong tinik at damo.

Ang lupang mabuti at mataba ay mga taong tumatanggap ng salita ng Diyos at tumutupad nito. Palaging tumatanggap sa knyang salita, naroroon ang kanilang puso dito at tumutupad nito, tinatalikdan ang kanilang mga bisyo, kasalanan at mga gawaing makasanlibutan kung kaya't lumalago ito sa kanilang buhay.

Pangatlo, sinabi ni Hesus na ang mga binhing nahasik sa matabang lupa ay namunga; may tigsasandaan, may tig-aanimnapu, at may tigtatatlumpu. Kung sa realidad ay imposible ito. Imposibleng mamunga ng ganun ang maliit na parte ng lupa. Ang aning ganoon ay para sa isang hacienda. Subalit, ang ibig sabihin ni Hesus ay walang impsosible sa Diyos. Ang di natin kayang gawin ay kayang palaguin ng Diyos. Kaya niyang gumawa ng himala sa kabila ng ating mga limitasyon. Huwag lamang sana tayong magsawang maging mga mabubuting lupa sa kabila ng ating mga limitasyon at kahinaan.