KerygmaFamily - sabbath

sabbath - 2009-03-12

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

oPPorTuniTieS in life

Poverty is one of life's sad realities. Everywhere you go, you would see poverty-stricken people. They are the poor people — lying down on the streets and sidewalks, selling different things to earn a living and some asking for alms to buy food.

In today's Gospel, we hear the parable of the rich man and a poor man, Lazarus. The rich man is very fortunate and privileged because he has everything he needs. On the other hand, Lazarus was a poor man; he was lying outside the door of the rich man. The heartbreaking fact was that the rich man was not bothered by the situation of Lazarus. He has all the opportunities to share what he has. He could have given some of his clothes or he could have shared some of his food to Lazarus, but he did not. The rich man did not utilize his opportunity to help a poor man. In the end, when they both died, Lazarus was comforted in heaven while the rich man was tormented in hell.

The challenge for us is not to waste the opportunities in life that come our way. Are you in a position of abundance? Then God is placing before you the opportunity to give. More often, we pray to God to teach us to be generous, but God will not make us an instant generous person. Generosity is something that develops through practice. God gives us opportunities to practice being generous. God gives us opportunities to practice sharing and giving especially this Lenten season. Almsgiving is a concrete expression of not ignoring the opportunity to help the poor. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

Today, pray over that beautiful phrase taken from the Plenary Council of the Philippines, “No one is so rich that he has nothing to receive. No one is so poor as to have nothing to give.”

Lord, help us to realize the meaning of the many opportunities in life. May we continue to love and serve You through these opportunities we have.

St. Aurelian, Bishop, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-11

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

i am your SerVanT, lord

I remember a professor of mine who said that one of the problems of our country is the problem of power, authority and position. If you are powerful, then you can dominate the powerless. Almost all dream to be powerful, to be authoritative, to own a position and especially to be the greatest among all. Filipinos will move things in order to get the position even though it will cause them harm and this happens during elections. I remember being so disappointed reading of corruption and cheating even at the level of the Sagguniang Kabataan.

In our Gospel for today, Jesus invites us not to be the great but to be a servant and slave. He wants us to be in service with others and with the Church. Jesus showed us an attitude of humility and simplicity. These can be expressed in three things: commitment, self-giving and stewardship. First, our commitment is very important in showing our fidelity to Jesus who was faithful to the plan of His Father. Second, by giving ourselves totally to God and by showing our love and concern to our neighbors. Lastly, we are invited to be stewards of all the things that God has entrusted to us. Therefore, we are servant and slave to each and everyone. Even those in higher positions are invited to become servants because their function is to serve the people and not for the people to serve them. Jesus is the best example of this humility as He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many”(Matthew 20:28).

As we celebrate the season of Lent, we should remind ourselves that we are servants for others. “Lent” is the present tense of the word “lend.” Meaning, our life was given and lent by God to us and He has the right to take this life from us.Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

Our world values the maxim “first come, first served.” Jesus inverts the process. For the Christian disciple, it is “first come, first to serve.” Find ways and opportunities today to live out this Christian admonition.

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for the gift of life You have given us. May this reflection help us overcome all our anxieties, fears and reservations in life. May You be the center of our life as we celebrate this season of Lent. May we grow deeper in Your wisdom and love. Amen.

St. Eulogius of Cordova, Spain, Martyr, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-10

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

FALSE IDENTITY

The Gospel reading for today may sound familiar for the unusual reason that some fundamentalists would use this as a basis for rejecting the Catholic practice of addressing priests as “Father.” But let me lead you to a deeper reflection on that part of the Gospel, so you would see clearly what Jesus is trying to say. Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the faith of the Pharisees. They don't practice what they preach while assigning titles and honors to themselves. Some Bible commentators say that it is precisely for this reason that Matthew wrote these prohibitions: don't call yourselves rabbi, father or teacher. Jesus therefore showed them what being a true rabbi, father or teacher is. It is not just by dictating what is to be done, leaving others to do the job, while you just sit and watch, saying that I am the master and they are the laborers.

It is this false identity of being a rabbi or master that Jesus was denouncing. Our Lord tells us that to be a true leader, one must not “lord it over the flock,” but to be the first one to serve. Confucius would talk about the rectification of names: If you're a father, be a good father. If you're a servant, be a good servant. Yet sometimes, what we have are false identities of who we are and the roles that we play.

It is good for us to see our own false identities in life. You may be a father who works so hard because you are the bread winner, but you fail to talk to your children and become a real father. You may be a politician who is so intoxicated by power and honor, but you fail to even talk to simple people. You may be a priest who is so awed by people's attention, but you fail to become a real pastor to the people.

In this time of repentance and conversion, all we need to do is look at Christ's suffering on the cross and see how the Most High King and Son of God stooped down to serve and offer His life for us, giving us the model of being a true Master and Lord. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

What are my false identities in life, the masks that I wear to hide my insecurities? Do I live up to who I am as a Christian?

Lord, make me faithful to my identity as a true Christian, and follow You in Your loving service. Amen.

St. Attalas, Abbot, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-09

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

PlLAYING SAFE

Life is, first and foremost, life “with” someone, a life relation to the other, in relation to God, to those whom we love, and to those who love us. In our day-to-day living, it is inevitable that we find ourselves judging others and even condemning them as if we're perfect, incapable of committing any mistakes. Why is it that people have the tendency to gawk at others' imperfections, a transference wherein he exactly acts as a faultfinder just to justify and cover up his limitations? Over and over again, unconsciously, we fix our eyes on others' face dirt. It is really a sad commentary that we indulge ourselves in doing things that we should not, such as gossiping and judging others, and hastily get away when the things get rough. On the other hand, we have a propensity to get infuriated when someone does the same thing to us. We tend to be self-righteous and notice the other's speck and forget to look at ourselves first.

We also seek out for forgiveness, right? At some stage in our personal prayer, we beg for God's forgiveness for the wrongs we have done, am I right again? Yes, it is easy to say sorry and beg for forgiveness every time we do something wrong but we become stone-hearted to accept another's shortcomings. With that conduct, we are like the unforgiving servant in the parable. Now, I challenge you to take a look at your life: do you have an admirable relationship with others — with your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors? You may come to realize that you're miles apart from them even though they're just around. Learn from the parable of the unforgiving servant whom the Master has forgiven and punished later for he did not forgive his fellow servant. Let us be guided by the biblical maxim, “The measure you give will be the measure you receive back.”Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

The practice of abstinence in Lent is far from mere dieting or refraining from certain types of food. Why not make this Lenten season an occasion to practice spiritual abstinence from righteousness and harsh judgment?

Lord, incline my heart to forgive. Teach me to love others rather than condemn them. Amen.

St. Frances of Rome, Religious, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-08

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

PLUGGED IN, TUNED OUT

“This is my beloved Son, listen to him” (Mark 9:7). Today I believe we have a crisis in listening. Let me share with you a not-so-recent experience of mine.

It was at Mass and I was delivering my homily. In the congregation, I noticed a girl intently looking at me with what seemed like a half-smile on her face. Every now and then she would nod (in agreement I suppose) after each point I raised. I felt affirmed and encouraged. I think I spoke longer than usual that time.

Back on my seat, I happened to look back at the girl. The half-smile was still there. “I made a lasting impression,” I proudly said to myself. But surprisingly, I noticed she was still nodding.

The congregation stood up for the Credo. It was then that she quickly but discreetly put away her earphones. That explained the half-smile. That explained the nodding. There went my self esteem. I believe this thing happens often — in Church, in the workplace, in our homes. We seem to be listening to one another but we really aren't. We seem to be present but really we are somewhere else. And with the advent of handy music players, do-it-all cell phones, handheld personal video players, global communication gadgets, we have the perfect excuse to be “occupied” and even look hip. Sadly, we are constantly plugged in but tuned out from one another.

Herein lies the challenge for the human family. This requires the prudent and critical use of our God-given gifts of intelligence and dominion over nature.

The God who is a “communion of Persons” endowed us with the gifts to keep our families (both personal and global) in communion with one another. It remains our task never to allow the same technology, whose purpose is to make us accessible to one another, make us “inaccessible” from one another.

As for me, my task right now is to rebuild my self-esteem. I hope you are nodding as you read this reflection. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

How “open” am I to the many ways God speaks to me?

Heavenly Father, help me to listen to others and thus listen to Your Beloved Son in my daily life, that I may always follow Your will in everything I say and do. Amen.

St. John of God, Religious, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-07

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

The challenge of loVe

The words of our Lord Jesus Christ,“I love you. The Father loves you and God created you out of love,” are indeed comforting. These very words please us simply because they give us an assurance that God is always there to love us. He is always with us. The words serve as our way towards eternal life. However, these words do not merely please us but they also challenge us in our daily lives as human persons loved by God. The assurance that we are loved challenges us to love others in return. We are loved by God and we are also called to love. We are blessed, so we are also called to be a blessing for others. It is a two-way love story between God and us, between me and God.

Our Gospel for today speaks about “love.” It presents us two things, namely God's love and the challenge of love. We are asked by Jesus to become perfect like the Father. Is it possible for us, limited human beings, to become perfect as the Father? Perhaps the answer is “yes,” because we are loved by God. We are loved so that we may be able to know what love is all about. And we may learn how to express that love. Therefore, we can be perfect as the Father when we put our love into God's love and love like Him. How does God love? God's love is unlimited. He makes the sun shine on the good and the bad. He gives rain to those who do evil and good. God's love is for everybody.

The challenge now of love is to love God above all and to love your neighbor as Jesus loves you. Sisters and brothers in Christ, we are asked to share and express the love that we feel from God not only to our friends but also to our enemies. We are challenged to love not only the people who love us but also the people who hate us. We are asked to be a lover like God who loves us and embraces us wholeheartedly with our sins, weaknesses and wounds. God did not love only His Son and His Holy Spirit but rather He also loves us. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

Do I experience God's love in my life? When did I share that love to my neighbor especially to the persons whom I hate?

Lord, I will give what You want me to give. I will do what You want me to do. I will go wherever You want me to go. I will be what You want me to be and I will love whom You want me to love. Amen.

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-06

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

The PracTice of aBSTinence

This Friday of Lent is offered as a special day of abstinence. How does the Christian tradition understand abstinence? It is not only a physical sacrifice but a spiritual one, too. It is a spiritual sacrifice because it is a way of showing our contrite heart to Jesus who bore all the suffering of man — sin. It is an expression of repentance for our sins and a manifestation of our humble imploring of His mercy and sincere regret of the transgression of His will.

Bishop Fulton Sheen told of his experience one Lenten season while on a plane to a speaking engagement. When the flight attendant offered him his lunch, he excused himself saying, “I'll just have a sandwich, it's Lent.” The woman beside him also settled for just a sandwich. “So you're also Catholic,” Bishop Sheen asked. The woman with a surprised look said, “No, I'm a model.”

The fasting of Lent differs in essence from just plain dieting. When we diet, the aim is usually to look better. When we fast (although beautification may be its consequence), our aim is beatification — to be beatified, to be better. We become better because we are able to control our desires. Instead of being dominated by the senses, we regulate our senses because we are ruled by the Spirit. Then we become blessed, then we become better disciples and witnesses of our Lord. The discipline of Lent can never be dissociated with discipleship. Discipline without discipleship is like practicing for a marathon without running it. Discipleship without discipline is running a marathon without practicing.

In these 40 days of spiritual preparation, may we all become disciplined disciples of the Lord. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Questions:

What can I give up this season of Lent? What spiritual sacrifice can I offer for the conversion of sinners?

Merciful and loving God, help us in our quest for repentance. May You be our light. Make our humble hearts sincere and clean. We ask this through the Divine Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Coleyye, Virgin, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-05

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

waiT

People nowadays would prefer to accomplish many things within a short period of time. They treat time as something very precious and valuable. Some of them would even prefer to shorten their meal times by eating instant and ready-to-eat food so that they can save time. Students also have a quick, easy and instant access to information through the Internet. This would require them a smaller amount of time to spend in research. These are just some realities that make our lives more convenient. These realities spare us from waiting for a long time to accomplish things through the long and traditional processes.

But there are certain tasks in life that require us to take the long process and wait. And I think this is what Jesus was referring to when He said, “Ask and it will be given to you, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” When Jesus said these words, He does not mean that we can easily get what we pray for, just like eating instant noodles. When we come to meet Jesus in prayer and ask for something, He does not readily give us the answer to our prayer. Instead, He gives us certain situations in life that form part of the process in achieving what we pray for.

Why does God want us to undergo the long process? Perhaps it is because He wants to teach us something that we might miss if He would readily give us the answer to our prayers. It is the waiting and going through the process that matter most. We are not mere passive recipients. And this is what Jesus taught us. In the desire of God to save us from our sins, He chose to undergo the long process of becoming man like us. He chose to suffer and to experience the excruciating pains as He was nailed to the cross. God had the option to save us by just a single stroke of His hand. But He did not choose that. He chose to wait and to undergo the long and hard process so that people may truly learn and believe in Him. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Questions:

How willing am I to wait and to choose the long process?

Lord, help me to learn Your ways. May I be patient enough to wait and to choose the long process so that I may learn more the lessons You want to teach me. Amen.

St. John Joseph of the Cross, Confessor, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-04

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

liSTen!

The most common thing we do when we pray is talk, talk and talk. We tend to beg for the graces that we need. The most common prayer that we do is a prayer of petition. Somehow, it has been the easiest way for us to pray.

However, we usually forget that prayer is a two-way communication. It is a dialogue. We cannot call prayer a dialogue if we do not give God the chance to speak in the silence of our hearts. We fail to remember the words of the boy Samuel in the temple: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Oftentimes, we change it to: “Listen, Lord, your servant is speaking.”

In these modern times, most people would like to do the talking. They would prefer to be heard than to be the one who listens. Besides, listening is not that easy. It demands a form of discipline to the one who is listening. Somehow, listening has now become a commodity — something that is difficult to find.

But wouldn't it be better if we let God do the talking? Besides, God knows what is best for us. He clearly knows what would be helpful and what would be harmful for us. If only we would let God speak to our hearts, then His will may not be that obscure for us.

Let us not be afraid, then, to turn our hearts to God. He is more than willing to listen to us but we must not forget that we must also let God do the talking. Besides, His ways are better than us.

In this season of Lent, we are being asked to listen more and talk less. In this age wherein people have no time to listen, let us take the extra step to give a listening ear. To give time for people who are asking for a little attention. Who knows?

Maybe God would speak to us through a friend in need. But if we let that opportunity pass, God may not have another time to talk to us. And maybe, we won't have another time to silence our hearts. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

Am I a listening person? How generous am I with my time dedicated to prayer? Have I listened to God lately?

Loving Father, You have listened to my groaning and appeals. Help me open my heart so that I may listen to Your loving will. Open my ears that I, too, may listen to my brothers and sisters in need. Amen.

St. Casimir, Confessor, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-03

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

The model of Prayer

Perhaps the most popular prayer that there is in the Christian world is the Lord's Prayer. Almost everyone, from little children playing in the streets to old women selling in the market, knows the Lord's Prayer. Jesus taught His disciples this prayer when they saw Him praying and asked Him, “Master, teach us how to pray.”

Jesus' life was a life of prayer. Prayer should be brief because it is for our good, not for the good of God since He already knows what we need. The Lord's Prayer is a simple prayer and despite its brevity, one of the Fathers of the Church called the Lord's Prayer “truly a summary of the whole Gospel” — the expression of our chief beliefs that serve as an “Identification Prayer,” like a distinctive badge that bind believers together.

When Jesus gave to His disciples the Lord's Prayer, He intended to give it to them not as the only prayer but rather as the model of prayer. It is the model prayer since we will be able to see in it the four elements of prayer that we have been taught of, which Catholic tradition remembers as the ACTS (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication). In it, we ask not only for the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired. Speaking with God is an intensely personal event.

In this season of Lent, let us never forget to call on God our Father as Jesus had taught us. We have a right to call God our Father if we treat other people as our brothers and sisters, especially those who are closest to us and those who are most in need. Now is a good time to improve our prayer life and our relationship with God as we observe the season of Lent.

Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

Do I treat other people as my brothers and sisters? Have I lived out the words that I always say whenever I recite the Lord's Prayer?

Heavenly Father, teach me to pray. May You always be with me and guide me as I live out this journey of life. May I truly understand the words that Your son Jesus Christ had taught us and to live out the words that I utter as I recite the Lord's Prayer.

Blessed Katherine Drexel, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-02

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

following wiTh loVe

Obedience is part of our day-to-day living. As man lives, he cannot but encounter situations that require him to oblige. When we ride a bus we observe that we follow direction. When you go to the supermarket, you follow directions. In simple things that we do, we find that there is always structure that is given to us. Do we think a structure is given just for the sake of having structure? Every structure provides an objective and with this objective, we are required to look into its meaning. How can we find this meaning? This meaning can be found in the sincerity of our heart. What I am trying to say here is that love should be present in all that we do. This is looking at obedience in the context of love.

In today's readings, we see the commandments being given by the Lord to Moses. These commandments are the standards that man should follow. Following these commandments means following the will of God. God wills it because of His love for His people. And as God loves His people, He also wants His people to love one another. Thus, the consequence of His love is for us to love one another. In fulfillment of this, we connect this commandment to the Gospel for today. As Jesus said: “Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Jesus is now inviting us to a higher level of obedience. He wants that the things that we follow and do be deeply rooted in love. Maybe, in our day-to-day living, we cannot see the relevance of what we do or what we follow. Oftentimes, we see the things that happen to us as ordinary. But with these things that we do, Jesus is inviting us to see the importance of what we are doing. Try to do things, no matter how simple, with love. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

God gave us freedom to obey or reject Him. Only a human person is capable of saying “No” to God. But with the same freedom, only a human person can genuinely and sincerely say “Yes” to God. The choice is yours.

Lord, teach me to love the way You love us. Let Your love overwhelm my entire being so that through love I can understand deeply the meaning of the commandment You have given to us.

St. Chad, Bishop, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-03-01

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

“if Today you hear hiS Voice,

harden noT your hearTS”

One cold winter night, a priest was on his way home from an appointment. A mugger stopped him, demanding his wallet while pointing a knife to his side. The priest opened his jacket and revealed in view his clerical collar.

“Are you a priest?” the surprised mugger asked.

“Yes.”

“So sorry, please forgive me.”

The priest saw this as an opportunity for evangelization so he offered the man a cigarette hoping for a short conversation. The man plainly refused.

“No thanks, Father. I give up cigarettes during Lent.”

Be it coincidence or conscious liturgical intent on the part of the Church, the season of Lent usually falls on the winter season, or at the latest, when winter is on the wane and spring beckons. But this does not mean that Lent's seasonal timing with winter reduces its significance to places that experience it. Far from it.

With the cold of winter, mother nature eventually “hardens” as it is covered by snow. Winter is also that time of the year when plants and vegetation “die” as they are enveloped by snow.

CNN recently re-ran a documentary on “children soldiers” — boys who are lured to join private armies in exchange for money and land for their families. A 15-year-old boy narrated that he has killed nine people so far, all political enemies of a drug lord he was serving. “The first time you're nervous. But in time you get used to it, people dying right before your eyes.” The cold of winter has descended in his heart.

No wonder then that the Church proclaims repeatedly during Lent, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Lent is that time of the year when we are called to a collective “defrosting” of our hardened hearts — hardened by sin, unforgiveness and mediocrity in the spiritual life. Fr. Joel O. Jason

Reflection Question:

What is it in my heart that I have buried to the point of hardening? What is my attitude towards the sacrament of Reconciliation?

Lord, I thank You for the grace of the Lenten season. Open my heart and my mind that I may hear with effectiveness the invitation of Your Word. Amen.

St. David, Bishop, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-28

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

CONVERSION OF HEART

The whole point of this Lenten season is to grow in holiness of life by way of conversion. Conversion is a turning around in the opposite direction, a 180-degree turn. It involves commitment, discipline and trust. For us, conversion began at Baptism, though most of us were unaware of it. The second point of conversion is reconciliation in areas where we have misused the gift given us at Baptism. We turn to the Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and are reunited again to God in mercy and love. Throughout our life, there are many moments of conversion. Conversion is a process that will end when we are dead and buried.

Jesus calls people to conversion. Throughout His life, He calls men and women to abandon their ways of sin and to follow Him. Levi is no exception. Levi, turned Matthew (gift of God), is called by Jesus to follow Him. Luke tells us in a beautiful way that “leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him.” Now, that is conversion. Levi left everything. His booth, his money, his old way of life, everything. And to prove this, he invited a large crowd of people to celebrate with him his conversion.

There is a beautiful image of St. Matthew in a parish I once visited in Australia. It depicted Matthew with a Bible on one hand and a money purse beneath his feet. It shows the powerful image of Matthew trampling his “old” life and looking forward to his new life as a preacher of the Good News. It is cast in magnificent bronze and tells a story.

We, too, must leave everything and follow Jesus. This will be hard; it has its challenges. It is hard to separate from what you have allowed yourself to be attached to. For Matthew, he was attached to his wealth, corruption, and cheating. We, too, can fail to detach from those attitudes of heart and mind. But the reward is great; conversion involves commitment, discipline and trust. It won't be easy but we have one who walks alongside us offering empowerment, strength and assistance. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

What areas of my life need to be converted to the Lord?

Lord, I pray for the gift of conversion in my life. Change my life that I might love You, serve You and follow You all the days of my life. Amen.

St. Hilary of Ephesus, Pope,pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-27

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

faSTing

Fasting is a spiritual discipline. The Church gives us certain days and times of the year whereby we are required to fast. Traditionally, Friday is a day of abstinence and fasting in honor of Jesus who died on Good Friday, offering His life for us on the Cross.

Lent is a penitential season whereby we are called to fast. Traditionally, fasting is seen as the denial of food but, in more recent times, fasting has taken upon a broader practice. Fasting is associated with repentance and sorrow for sin. The Day of Atonement was a day of fasting for the Jews to atone for sins. It involved a day of ritual observances. Even to this day the Muslims celebrate annually the ninth month of the Muslim calendar as the Ramadan — a month of fasting. The Pharisees fasted twice a week. During Lent, the Church unites with Jesus and His fasting for 40 days in the desert.

Jesus is approached by some of the Pharisees. They question His lack of ritual observance. Jesus suggests that it is hardly relevant to fast when the Bridegroom is here. Fasting was associated with sorrow; Jesus came to bring happiness and life. Jesus is the Bridegroom who has come to wed His Bride, the Church.

What good would it be if you are invited to a wedding feast and did not eat? What a shame and cause of embarrassment to the one who invited you as guest. Jesus understands His time of being present in the world as a time of marriage, a celebration, an occasion of festivity and joy just like any marriage. There will come a time when the Bridegroom will not be here (referring to His death). Then will the time come for fasting. The best fast we can make is that of fasting from sin! In today's First Reading, God speaks through His prophet about the kind of fast acceptable to Him. Things such as: releasing the prisoner, setting free the oppressed, sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked and not turning your back on your own.

As God says, what good is fasting when you end up quarrelling and fighting one another? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

In what ways can I grow in fasting?

My sacrifice, O God, is a humble and contrite heart.

St. Veronica, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-26

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

The choice iS yourS

The people led by Moses are entrusted with the Law of God. The Law was God's way of communicating life to His people. To obey the Law was to obey God, the Deliverer and Savior, who had led them thus far. The people had experienced blessing after blessing from God, who provided for them throughout their journey and who would be with them as they entered into the “promised land” of Canaan. Moses reminds the people about God who has always been with them. He tells them very simply that in order to live fully under the blessing of God, one must love the Lord, heed His voice and hold fast to Him. To do this, life was theirs. But then there is always the “if.” If you turn away from God, if your hearts and minds refuse to listen and obey, then death will be their fate. The choice is theirs. Moses exhorts them to choose life.

The Israelites were moving into foreign territory and their eyes must have widened when they saw the idolatry and pagan worship before them. At this time they only knew the One God, the Lord of Heaven and earth, yet as they moved further into territory, a new world was waiting to tempt and entice them. Already some of them had heard stories of their ancestors and experienced the idolatry of the people when Moses found them idolizing the gold calf. In life, we have to make many decisions, from the moment we wake up to the time we sleep. Some of those decisions have good repercussions; others bad. We live and learn by the choices we make daily. We decide what path to take regarding career, study, vocation. We decide what food to eat, what clothes to wear, what to do today. And we live with the consequences of our decisions!

Whatever choice we make, life should always be the motive, not death. The Lord wants us to live life to the full. He Himself came to give life and abundantly. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live — by loving the Lord, heeding His voice and holding fast to Him. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

What decisions do I need to make today? Am I choosing life?

Lord, I choose life today. Help me to love with the power of Your life and love through the grace of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

St. Porphyry of Gaza, Bishop, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-25

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

The faTher who SeeS all

It is that time of the year again: Ash Wednesday. We reflect on what to give up, what will be our penance this season, what will we do... Wait a moment. The season of Lent is not so much about what we are giving up but what we are gaining. There is so much to gain during this season of Lent. Beginning today, Ash Wednesday, we gain a new opportunity to grow in the love and goodness of God. Today is a day when we begin again to receive a new sense of forgiveness in our life, a new release of the mercy, tenderness and healing of God. It is not so much about what we do but who we are. We are loved by a God whom we can call Father, the father who sees all.

Jesus outlines three kinds of ways of growing in our relationship with God — a relationship of mercy and love. They are traditional ways that the Church sees as a way of growing in a life of holiness: prayer, fasting and charity. They are given to us with the intention of fostering new life that Jesus gives to us: selfless, loving and filled with the grace of the Spirit.

Almsgiving is a way of growing in selflessness. It helps us to focus outward and not inward. It purifies us from being ego-centered. What can you share today that will be an act of almsgiving? Sharing your time, ears, gifts, talents, finances? The list goes on.

Fasting is a way of growing in self-denial. It helps us to focus on other things that satisfy, not necessarily food. Fasting purifies us from the “fat-residue” of sin. What are the ways in which you can fast — from sin, sinful attitudes, selfishness? Prayer helps us to grow in relationship with God. It helps stoke the fire of love and devotion to God. It makes us more dependent on the One who knows who we are. How can you grow in prayer, in a loving and faithful dialogue with your God? By growing in the ways of prayer, fasting and charity, we will see this Lenten season as a time of growth in holiness and being in the presence of God. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

What can I gain from this season of Lent?

Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare Your praise. Amen.

St. Walburga, Virgin, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-23

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

helP my unBelief

There is a scene in the Gospel today that is quite dramatic. Jesus has just returned from the mountain. Down below, there is an argument and tension going on as the disciples struggle in bringing healing and peace to a boy possessed by an evil spirit. The boy, upon being brought to Jesus, is thrown into convulsion. And again at the command of Jesus, the boy is thrown into convulsion, shouting and making a commotion. Dramatic.

The boy and his family suffered immensely because of this predicament. The boy is thrown into water and fire by the possession of the evil spirit. The father has come to the end of his tether having found no resolution to his boy's suffering. Jesus comes to set the prisoners free. This boy has been imprisoned and bound through the mute and deaf spirit.

The faith of the man is tested here. He is a believer. He has faith but like most of us he is often riddled with doubt and uncertainty. The response of the faith is our response. Lord, I do believe, but help my unbelief. Faith is often tested. It is a gift from the Lord given to us and we must at times ask for it to be strengthened. We should never take faith for granted. How many of our friends do not have faith, are struggling in their faith, have given into unbelief and uncertainty? The evil one has won the battle if that is the case. Therefore, we must never tire of asking the Lord for the gift of faith. The man seeks the Lord to have compassion. The Lord is willing and brings restoration to the boy and his family. Their faith is strengthened through this event.

Do you struggle with unbelief? Do you sometimes doubt the Lord's compassion and love? Do you know some people who are in need of healing and seemingly not receiving it? Let Jesus take you by the hand and increase your faith. Let Him take away all the things that bind you and possess you. Let His Spirit come and make you whole. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

Where in my life do I lack trust, hope and belief?

Lord, I believe in You. Help my unbelief. Amen.

St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-22

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

yeS

Moses, Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, the prophets, Mary, Joseph, Peter, Paul and Jesus. What do these people have in common? They all said “yes” to the Lord. God was doing a new thing in their lives and they all said “yes.” For some it took a while to come to that point but, in the end, they were all obedient to the call of the Lord in their lives.

Yes! I like that word. It means affirmation, surrender, permission, consent, agreement and obedience. In some circumstances, this word has negative connotations – “yes” to sin, immorality, war, corruption and violence.

At baptism, we said “yes.” As infants, we didn't have the faculty of speech, but our parents or whoever stood on our behalf stated an affirmation to the Lord. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and in Him is the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus said “yes” to the Father and was obedient unto His death on the Cross. At every moment, we are called to renew that “yes.” The Spirit has been given as installment, as the guarantee, the “yes” of the Father who has welcomed us and accepted us into His Kingdom.

In today's Gospel, the “yes” of Jesus is expressed through the healing and the pronouncement of forgiveness. The friends of the paralytic express their “yes” by bringing their friend to Jesus even if it meant damaging the roof. The paralytic himself expresses this “yes” by submitting to the command of Jesus by taking up his mat and walking in front of the crowd.

However, there are some who say ‘no.' The Pharisees denounce the act of Jesus as not from God, they reject His forgiveness, and they refuse to believe in the power of God. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

What do you say — yes or no? Whatever your answer might be, there will always be repercussions — good and bad. But the decision is always yours.

Yes, Lord. Amen.

St. Peter, Apostle, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-21

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

SecreT!

This is a famous Filipino expression — “secret!” It is not learned in language schools but is learned by way of relating to the Filipino. A number of people I know say this to me and I am often frustrated. “Why can't you tell me? Why is it a secret? Tell me!”

Jesus uses this form of expression in the Gospel. He tells them not to relate what they had seen to anyone — secret! Throughout the Gospel of Mark, there is a tension building up: the messianic secret, which is to be revealed at the death and resurrection of Jesus. Until then it remains a secret. However, like all “good” secrets, some had the better advantage of knowledge.

What an experience it must have been for the companions of Jesus: Peter, James and John. There they were on top of the mountain with Jesus, Elijah and Moses. No wonder Peter wanted to capture the experience — a Kodak moment. Let us make three tents. Let us keep this moment, Let us make it last. And we have the same kinds of experiences— moments of consolation. We need these times to strengthen our faith and to aid us on the journey of life. On the mountain, the companions caught a glimpse of who Jesus is. He is the Messiah, the one who was to free the people from slavery through the passing over from death to life.

However, as all good things must come to an end, so, too, this experience. But the disciples remembered this. Peter wrote to his community that he was there on the mountain with Jesus. We, too, must remember the goodness of the Lord in our own lives. The Lord is always with us. He reminds us of His presence in many and various ways.

Let us listen to His voice in the events and circumstances of our daily lives, in the Word proclaimed at Mass. Let us listen to His voice through wise counsel, in confession, in pastoral care, in the signs of the times. As we listen, let us respond and not allow His voice to fall on deaf ears. His voice is not a secret but there for “anyone who has ears.” Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

What is the Lord saying to me in my life at this time — through Mass, wise counsel, the events of my life, the signs of the times?

Lord, it is good to be here. Help me to listen to Your voice. Amen.

St. Peter Damiani, Bishop and Doctor, pray for us.

sabbath - 2009-02-20

Bo Sanchez — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0800

Be PrePared for an ordeal

The wise man says if you want to serve the Lord be prepared for an ordeal. It will involve sacrifice, suffering, discipline, persecution and endurance. To follow the Lord is not easy. Jesus Himself said the gate is narrow and few choose to follow the narrow way. Are you afraid? Jesus tells us not to, but to place our complete trust in Him. He will assist those who are prepared for the ordeal, who want to take up the cross and follow Him.

I remember how that hit home to me once in prayer. I was meditating on the Agony in the Garden and was wondering whether there was an easier path to Christianity. Even Jesus was known to say, “Let it pass.” It is difficult being a Christian — sometimes you just want to give it all up. It seemed easier not being Christian, but that is a lie that the enemy loves to spread. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Christianity demands certain responsibilities — taking up the cross, denyingone's self and following the Lord. Jesus endured agony, blood, sweat and tears. It was only through embracing and accepting all these that Jesus was able to experience the resurrection. We, too, must be prepared for dying so as to rise again. Sounds like an ordeal, and it is. But thanks be to God who has sent His Holy Spirit to strengthen us for the journey.

To deny oneself is the hardest thing to do. Unfortunately, we have allowed our lives to become too comfortable. We live in a consumerist society, to buy happiness and to indulge, always seeking the biggest and best. We seek to be indulgent because life is too stressful, too busy, too time-consuming and so the body, mind and spirit say, “What about me?” It's all about me — I, me and myself. Never mind about the rest of humanity — let them take care of themselves. Yet isn't it amazing that when we reach out to others, when we forget our self (not to the detriment of our health) that we feel so much better? There are many people who are absolutely selfless that you wonder how they do it. The secret is the power of the Spirit, a personal relationship with Jesus and communion with God every day. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:

What are your God-given ambitions?

Lord, grant me the grace of Your Spirit to follow You. Help me to be selfless today. Amen.

St. Sadoth, Bishop and Martyr, pray for us.