LOSING A "HEAD"

Today is the memorial of the beheading of St. John the Baptist. King Herod ordered the beheading of John in response to the request of the daughter of Herodias, the wife of his brother Phillip whom Herod married, after delighting him with the daughter's entertainment, and after considering what Herod's officers will say if he did not fulfill his promise. John was beheaded, but I believe it was Herod who lost a head.

The word head is used to designate a leader, the one who provides direction, who leads in doing what is right and true. Although John was beheaded, he did not lose his head - he did not loose his leadership. In fact, by his martyrdom, John provided a clear direction for his followers to take; he unequivocally proclaimed what is right and true, that is, standing firm for the truth. Although John was beheaded, he did not lose his head. Herod did.

Herod liked John; he loved listening to him. But John's words brought discomfort to him, and so he kept John in prison. But this fondness of John was easily compromised to uphold his stature and to safeguard his image in the eyes of his officers. It was not a love in conviction. When asked for the head of the Baptizer, Herod easily gave in. He was not a true leader. He did not provide the direction towards what is right and true. His great concern for his reputation took over. Although, it was Herod who ordered the beheading of John, it was him who lost his head - he lost the true sense of leadership.

Between John and Herod, it was John who was beheaded. But it was Herod who lost his "head".

PASTORAL LETTER OF BP. NESS FOR THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF CUBAO

PASTORAL LETTER TO PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS, AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF CUBAO

“We ought to thank God always for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.”(2 Thes 1:3)

On the occasion of the 4^th anniversary of the Diocese of Cubao on August 28, 2007, let us join hands in thanking the Lord for all the blessings He has bestowed on us the past years. Like Mary we praise and magnify the Lord for all the wonderful things he has done. With humility, we continue to ask the Lord to guide us and help us bring to completion what He has started in our diocese in terms of vision, mission, goals and pastoral priorities.

I thank God for the priests of Cubao. They are not prefect and yet they always aim for excellence in their priestly life and ministry. Indeed, they are important partners and companions in building the local Church and in carrying our much needed evangelization work. In spite of the lack of priests even with the presence of guests priests among us, whose work we value and esteem, our priests continue to invest time and talent in ensuring that the different diocesan offices are managed well and the various pastoral programs implemented effectively. Thank you for taking seriously the mission that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, had entrusted to us. I see that the brotherhood you have as a presbyterium is truly a treasure to the diocese and an inspiration to me. Today more than ever, we need to affirm this brotherhood in order to face with honesty and openness the tensions created by the recent general reshuffle, to finalize our program for sabbatical leave, to put into action our plan for our Bahaypari, to solidify our clergy tithing program, to evaluate our standardization program, and to ensure by our support and encouragement that we sustain the zeal of every priest, especially the new ones, in order to remain faithful until the end.

I thank God for our lay people. Your support and participation in various ministries and pastoral programs in the diocesan and parochial levels are indeed commendable. Together we tried to give life to nine priorities, that is, the nine point agenda, which we believe are concerns that merit our outmost attention. Thank you for being part of the different pastoral teams that make the ministries work. Thank you for participating in the different formation programs that we continue to hold. Formation is a priority for we believe that it is through formation that we become empowered. In a special way, I commend the organizers and faithful participants of the lay pastoral assembly. We need to come together, clergy and lay people, and work together to make our diocese more alive and dynamic. Together let us ensure that every community in our parishes become a Basic Ecclesial Community, that every Filipino family lives as a true Christian family, that genuine service and long-term development is brought to the poorest of the poor among us, that no Filipino child among us is ignorant of his or her faith because we lack catechists, that every young Filipino among us is able to harness his/her energy and youthfulness for the service of the Church and the greater glory of God. I am grateful for we have already achieved so much, but still much is to be done. With you my dear lay people we can overcome.

I thank God for the religious men and women. Your presence in the diocese is truly a gem that reminds all of us to continue seeking for the “pearl of great price.” Thank you for being faithful witnesses of what is truly beautiful, worthwhile and lasting in this life. Your presence is service enough for us, but deep in my heart I know that working closely together can bring more good to our diocese. I invite you to explore with me how the charisms of your congregation can truly enrich the life of the diocese and how the diocese can be a partner in promoting your apostolate and ministries. Thank you for welcoming me warmly to your houses to celebrate the Eucharist, to administer confirmation, to lead you in your profession, in ordination, in the renewal of your vows. Now, I humbly ask you to welcome me to your houses as we discover how can the diocese can be of help to you and how you can be of help to the diocese.

Our vision, one with the vision of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, is to be a Church of the poor. Poverty continue to be a major obstacle for many of our fellow Filipinos to live a dignified and decent life as children of a loving Father. I Thank those who are involved in implementing programs that directly affect the least, the last and the lost among us. Still, much is to be done. Solidarity with the poor is achieved primarily by the simplicity of our life. Let us organize more programs and opportunities to make the “unchurched” become part of every parish’s life. One diocesan program that will directly benefit the poorest among us is the Stewardship program. We give not because of a need; we give because we need to give. I am thankful because some parishes in our diocese are already doing the stewardship program, but I dream for the day when all the parishes in Cubao practice stewardship.

Let us continue to pray and work together giving witness to Christ in the way we do our different responsibilities with love, zeal and enthusiasm.

Lord bless, guide and keep you all!

Mabuhay po kayo! Mabuhay po ang Diocese of Cubao!

Signed.

MOST REV. HONESTO F. ONGTIOCO, DD

Bishop of Cubao

August 24, 2007

Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle.

INTEGRATION

"Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example."

Para sa isang pinuno, o magulang, o sinumang nakatatanda, ito na marahil ang mga salitang talagan masakit sa kalooban. Ang pagsabihang hindi natin ginagawa ang ating sinasabi. Pinapaalala sa atin ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa ng salita at ng gawa. This process of putting into congruence what we say and what we do is what we call INTEGRATION.

Sana po ang dami ng "Aba ginoong Maria" kapagnagdarasal ng rosario ay kasing-dami din ng mga mabubuting bagay na ginagawa natin sa kapwa. Sana ang lakas ng pagsagot at pagkanta natin sa loob ng misa ay maging lakas natin sa araw-araw upang huwag malayo kay Kristo. Sana ang galing natin sa pagtupad ng ating mga tungkulin ay maging galing natin sa pagpapatawad at paglilingkod.

We are all reminded that faith in Jesus cannot be satisfied by words alone. Every vision-mission statement, every exegisis about the scriptures, is dependent on the way that that they are implemented. Let us pray for the gift of INTEGRITY.

When your prayer is not right

God says NO.
When you are not right

God says GROW.
When the time of your prayer is not right

God says SLOW.
When everything is right

God says GO.

NAG-AALAB AT NAGNININGAS

“Naparito ako upang magdala ng apoy sa lupa – at sana’y napagningas na ito!” Ang pagdating daw po ng Anak ng Diyos dito sa lupa ay katulad ng pagdating ng apoy. At tungkulin po nating mga nananlig kay Kristong anak ng Diyos na papagningaisin ang apoy na ito, na papa-alabin ang apoy na ito.

Ano ang pagkakaiba ng pananampalatayang ordinaryo lamang at ng pananampalatayang nag-aalab? Sa pagsisimba halimbawa, ang hinihingi ng batas ng simbahan ay magsimba kung araw ng linggo, sa makatuwid isang beses sa isang linggo. Para sa ordinaryong pananampalataya sapat na ang magsimba ng isang beses sa isang linggo, ang magsimba kung araw ng Linggo. Pero sa pananampalatayang nag-aalab hindi kuntento ang minsanang pagsisismba sa isang linggo, magsisikap makapagsimba araw-araw hangga’t maari. Ang pananampalatayang nag-aalab ay nagbibigay ng higit sa hinihingi ng batas.

Sa pagtulong sa nangangailangan halimbawa, ang hinihingi ng ebanghelyo ay isang basong tubig para sa nauuhaw at pagkain para sa nagugutom. Para sa ordinaryong pananampalataya sapat nang ibigay ang hinihingi ng batas, isang basong tubig at pagkain. Ngunit para sa pananampalatayang nag-aalab pagkatapos ibigay ang hinihingi ng batas, naghahanap pa ng paraan kung paano makakatulong para hindi lamang pawiin ang uhaw o gutom, kundi maiangat ang dignidad ng mga dukha at mamuhay sa kaginhawan bilang mga tunay na anak ng Diyos. Ang pananampalatayang nag-aalab ay tumutulong higit pa sa kailangan.

Ano ang meron ang pananampalatayang nag-aalab na wala ang ordinaryong pananampalataya? Ang pagiging masigasig sa pagsunod kay Kristo. Hindi kuntento sa pagbibigay ayon sa hinihingi ng batas, bagkus nagbibigay ng higit pa sa hinihingi. Hindi kuntento sa pagtulong ayon sa kailangan, bagkus tumutulong ng higit pa sa kailangan.

Wala pong masama kung ang pananampalataya natin ay ordinaryo, tulad ng marami. Pero mas mabuti kung ang pananampalataya natin ay nag-aalab, parang apoy na nagniningas; masigasig na sumusnod sa halimbawa ni Kristo – tumulong ng higit sa kailangan, nagbigay ng higit sa hinihingi. Amen.

I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.

- Dorothy Day

ASSUMPTION

Oftentimes we look at Mary and we see her obedience. We see her humilty. We see her purity of heart. We see her 'yes' to God, her fiat, her total abandonment to the will of God. But today, the solemnity of the Assumption. we look at Mary and what do we see? We see our FUTURE. How Mary was raised into heaven to share in the divine life is the real destiny that awaits all followers of Jesus. Our destiny is not pain, or suffering, or death. No! Our destiny is the glory and gladness of the resurrected Lord. The celebration today is like a window that allows us to see what lies ahead of us. Ikaw ngayon Mahal na Ina. Kami rin bukas.

SAN ROQUE

San Roque is known for his miracles of healing. He is considered to be the patron of the sick. Because of out times today, allow me to add that San Roque be the patron of those who take care of the sick.

Hindi biro ang mag-alaga ng maysakit. Nanay man yan, o asawa, o anak, o kaibigan, o kapitbahay kaya. Kapag nag-aalaga ka ng maysakit kailangang mahabang mahaba ang pisi ng iyong pasensya. Sabi nga sa ebanghelyo, "seventy-seven times."

San Roque took care of the victims of a plague until he acquired the sickness. It was service more than comfort and convenience. It was others more than himself. It was loving until it hurts. It was absolute giving of self. It was total abandonment.

San Roque, pagalingin ang mga maysakit.
San Roque, palawakin ang puso ng mga nagaalaga sa maysakit.
Amen.

Pasasalamat sa Piyesta

Siyam na araw po nating pinaghandaan ang araw na ito. Siyam na araw nating pinagnilayan ang Banal na Eukaristiya. Siyam na araw tayong nakinig sa iba’t ibang mga pari at Obispo para mas lumago tayo sa ating pananampalataya.

Huwag po sana natin kalilimutan na ang eukaristiya ay hindi lamang isang pagdiriwang sa loob ng simbahan; ang misa ay buhay sa araw-araw. Ang misa ay hindi lamang isang oras sa loob ng simabahan, kundi bawat minuto sa sanlibutang ito.

Pagsasama-sama, pagsisisi sa kasalanan, pagtawag sa Diyos, pakikinig sa kanya, pag-aaral sa pananampalataya, pagsasakripisyo, pagbibigay ng sarili, paglilingkod, pagbibigay ng buhay, pagkakaisa, pagbibigay ng kapayapaan, paglilingkod - ito po ang nangyayari sa loob ng misa; ito po ang hiwaga ng Eukaristiya. Ito rin po ang dapat mangayari sa ating buhay.

Maraming salamat po. Happy Fiesta sa lahat!

Regret signals a learning about life. Regret is born out of an insight into the truths of life. Regret means now one knows better.

Tunay na Kayamanan

“Guro, iutos nga po ninyo sa kapatid ko na ibigay sa akin ang bahagi ko sa aming mana.”

Wala po yang pinag-iba sa kasalukuyan kung saan ang magkakapatid ay nag-aaway dahil sa mana. Kung saan ang mga magkakapatid ay nagpapatayan dahil sa lupa. Kung saan ang mga magkakamag-anak ay hindi nagpapansinan, hindi nag-uusap, hindi nagtutulungan dahil sa mana nila.

Ano ang sagot ng ebanghelyo? “ ‘Hangal! Sa gabing ito’y babawian ka ng buhay. Kanino mapupunta ang mga bagay na ihihanda mo?’ Ganyan ang sasapitin ng nagtitipon ng kayamanan para sa sarili, ngunit dukha naman sa paningin ng Diyos.”

Ano ang sabi ng unang pagbasa? “Walang kabuluhan, walang halaga ang lahat ng bagay, sinabi ng Mangangaral.”

Ano ang sabi ng ikalawang pagbasa? “Isaisip ninyo ang mga bagay na panlangit, hindi ang mga bagay na panlupa, sapagkat namatay na kayo at ang tunay na buhay ninyo’y natatago sa Diyos, kasama ni Kristo.”

Masama bang mag-ipon ng kayamanan? Masama bang magipon ng pera? Masama bang maging masagana sa materyal na bagay? Hindi po. Ang masama ay ang maniwala na kaya tayong iligtas ng kayamanan. Ang masama ay ang maniwala na pera lang ang mahalaga dito sa lupa. Ang masama ay ang hangarin ang materyal na bagay lamang. Ang masama ay kung hindi tayo marunong magbahagi, hindi tayo marunong magbigay.

Meron pong lumapit sa akin nagpapatulong para ayusin ang away nilang magkakapatid dahil sa mana. Sabi ng isang kapatid, “Father, walang kapa-kapatid dito. Ang sa akin ay sa akin at wala makakakuha nito.” Ibig sabihin, mas mahalaga ang mana kesa sa pagiging pamilya. Mas mahalaga ang materyal na bagay kesa sa pagmamahal.

Malakas talagang makabulag ang kinang ng materyal na bagay. Pero hindi po lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto. Malinaw ang paalala ng mga pagbasa: kailanman ang tunay na kayamanan ay hindi matatagpuan dito materyal na bagay. Ang tunay na kayamanan ay matatagpuan sa puso ng Diyos.

C. S. Lewis once said that we will spend most of eternity thanking God for those prayers of ours that he didn't answer.

That would make up a very interesting list: things I asked God in prayer, and thankfully were never given. Hmmmm...

Karl Rahner was once asked whether he believed in miracles. "I don't believe in them," he replied. "I rely on them to get me through daily life!"

"the earth is ablaze with the fire of God, but only those who see it take their shoes off, the rest sit around and pick blackberries!"

- E. B. Browning in Against an Infinite Horizon

PARISH FIESTA 2007

August 6, 2007
Liturgical Feast of the Lord's Transfiguration
August 8, 2007
14th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Parish
August 3-11, 2007
Novena Masses in preparation of Parish Fiesta
6:30 PM Novena, 7 PM Mass, except Saturdays: 5:30 PM Novena, 6 PM Mass

August 12, 2007
Parish Fiesta, Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish
10 AM Mass, Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco

Come and join us in reflecting more deeply into the Lord's Transfiguration. Letting his radiant light pemeate our everyday lives. His grace of transfiguration, his grace of conversion await us!

Transfiguration, Self-oblation and Transfi

Fr. Leo Vandrome was a legend in the seminary. He was an old Belgian missionary who spent most of his life here in the Philippines. During the time that nobody understood the theology of Karl Rahner because he was writing in German, Fr. Leo was already teaching Rahner at San Carlos. There was a story that a bishop of Belgium invited him to be an adviser during the Second Vatican Council. But he was famous with his favorite bike. He was always seen riding his bike while fanning himself. [The previous paragraph has nothing to do with the reflection, it just feels happy to be filled with the memories of Fr. Leo.]

In his room was a skull of his pet monkey. Below it was a curious saying that says: What I am today, tomorrow you will be. Kung ano ako ngayon, ikaw din bukas. It was a reminder of the reality of being finite; a reminder of temporariness of life in this world; a reminder that life ultimately is not “of” this world; a reminder of everybody’s end; and so, the necessity to build up treasure in heaven.

Imagine you are Peter, or James, or John. You go with Jesus and climb Mount Tabor. While there you see Jesus shining with an out-of-this-world glow to the point of almost blinding your eyes. And then, you see in the sky clouds forming the words: What I am today, tomorrow you will be. Wow!

Imagine that you are attending mass at Transfi. You kneel down devoutly after singing the Santo. You closed your eyes to concentrate more and listen intently to the words of consecration. Then, you open your eyes and saw the priest raising the chalice, and heard him say, “which will be given up for you. Do this is memory of me.” Then you see at the wall of the main altar, the pieces of wood formed in a spiral, moving, coming together and form the words: What I am today, tomorrow you will be. Wow!

Jesus’ Transfiguration is a foretaste of what we all shall be according to the plan of God, the glory of sharing in the life God, the brightness of being children of the Father. What happened to Jesus in Mt. Tabor will happen to us at the fulfillment of time. Transfigurations is our hope.

The Eucharist is a foretaste of the cost of fulfilling this plan of God; the challenge of self-giving love, of self-surrender, of giving oneself to God and to others [the theme of the first day of the Novena: Eukaristiya – Bukal ng Pag-aalay ng Sarili]. The self-giving love we celebrate in the Eucharist is actually the way for every Christian to fulfill the plan of God.

The victory of the Transfiguration goes through the road of the Eucharist. The glory of sharing in the divine life constitutively includes offering oneself to the divine and to the world. Self-oblation may be frightening but Transfiguration gives us hope. Self-oblation may be difficult but Transfiguration gives us strength. Self-oblation may bruise and scar us, but Transfiguration heals them with the bright light of God’s everlasting love. As we journey and await our transfiguration we take the map of self-oblation, confident that we will never go astray.

Eukaristiya: Hiwaga ng Buhay Kristiyano

Ito ang tema ng ika-26 na taong Kapistahan ng ating parokya. Ating pagninilayan ang isang mahalagang aspeto ng Eukaristiya. Alam na nating lahat ito. Narinig na natin, pero kailangan ulit-ulitin para magkatotoo. Para sa isang Kristiyanong seryosong nagsisikap mabuhay bilang Kristiyano, ang gabay ay matatagpuan sa Eukaristiya. Ang ginagawa natin sa Eukaristiya ay dapat ginagawa din natin sa buhay. Ang hiwaga ng misa ay hiwaga ng ating buhay.

Marami tayong puedeng matutunan sa Eukaristiya. Heto ang tatlong halimbawa:

1. Pagsasama-sama at Pagkakaisa

Ang Eukaristiya ay isang pagdiriwang: pagdiriwang ng kaligtasang dulot ng pagpapakasakit, kamatayan at muling pagkabuhay ni Jesus. Hindi natural ang magdiwang mag-isa, laging may kapwang kasama. Kaya’t sa tuwing magsisimba dapat maging handang makisama at makiisa. Sa Eukaristiya, nagsasama-sama ang mga taong iba’t iba ang pinanggalingan, katayuan sa buhay, pagsubok na hinaharap, kahilingang ipinagdarasal sa Diyos, pero nagkakaisa ang puso’t damdamin sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Diyos. Ganyan din sa buhay. Sa loob ng isang pamilya, iba-ibang gusto pero iisa sa pagmamahalan at pagtutulungan. Sa loob ng parokya, iba-ibang uri ng paglilingkod subalit iisa sa pagtatalaga ng sarili sa Diyos. Ang pagsasama-sama at pagkakaisa sa Eukaristiya ay hamon sa pagsasama-sama at pagkakaisa sa buhay ng pamilya, parokya, barangay, o kapit-bahayan.

2. Pakikinig

Ang pagdiriwang ng Eukaristiya ay pagdiriwang sa salita; maraming sinasabi (tulad ng pagbasa, sermon, mga dasat, etc.). Ang mga salitang ito ay mamumunga lamang kung pakikinggan. Para silang ibong patay na lumagpak sa lupa kung hindi pakikinggan. Ganyan din sa buhay. Kung walang makikinig sa hinaing ng mga mahihirap, walang tutulong sa kanila. Kung walang makikinig sa nangnangailangan ng pagkalinga, walang magmamahal sa kanila. Kung walang makikinig, walang makakaintindi, walang susunod, at walang kikilos. Ang pakikinig nsa misa ay dapat magpatalas ng tenga sa buhay ng Kristiyano.

3. Pagbibigay

Sa Eukaristiya ibinibigay ng Diyos ang kanyang salita, ang mabuting balita, at higit sa lahat, ibinibigay ni Hesus ang kanyang sarili, ang kanyang katawan at dugo. At inaasahan ang ating pagbibigay sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ating pakikinig, pagsagot, pagintindi, pagkanta, at iba pa. Sa Misa binibigyan tayo ng Diyos, at nagbibigay tayo sa Diyos. Ganyan din sa buhay – minsan tayo ang binibigyan; minsan tayo ang nagbibigay. Hindi maaring tayo na lang ang laging binibigyan. Kailangan matuto tayong magbigay.

Tatlo lang po ito sa maraming puedeng matutunan sa Eukaristiya na gagabay sa ating buhay Kristiyano. Sikapin po nating makadalo sa bawat araw ng ating nobena, at pagnilayan ang bawat tema. Sa Eukaristiya matatagpuan ang mga halimbawang dapat sundan.

Isang mapagpalang piyesta po sa ating lahat!

Bundok ng Pakikipagtagpo

Umakyat si Jesus sa bundok. Ilang ulit nating mababasa ito sa ebanghelyo. Umakyat siya para magdasal. Umakyat siya para harapin ang tukso, para mangaral, para ihanda ang sarili sa pagdurusa, para ipako sa krus, para mabuhay na muli. At espesyal para sa ating parokya: si Jesus umakyat sa bundok para magbagong anyo.

Ano ba ang meron sa bundok? Ano ang hiwagang dala ng bundok? Sa banal na kasulatan ang bundok ay lugar ng presensya ng Diyos. Ang sampung utos ng Diyos ay ibinigay kay Moises sa bundok. Si Elias ay iniakyat sa alapaap habang nasa bundok. Si Jesus umakyat sa langit habang nasa bundok.

Ang bundok ay espesyal na lugar ng pakikipagtagpo ng tao sa Diyos. Kaya pala maraming retreat house sa Baguio. Kaya pala masarap manalangin sa Tagaytay. Bukod sa maganda ang klima, hanggang ngayon, tagpuan pa rin ng Diyos at tao ang bundok.

Pero puede namang hindi pisikal ang tagpuang ito. Puede namang hindi pisikal ang bundok. Hindi naman kailangang mag-Baguio o mag-Tagaytay para lamang makipag-usap sa Diyos. Itong simbahang ito puede maging bundok, kung saan puede nating makatagpo ang Diyos. Itong parokyang ito puede maging bundok kung saan puede tayong magbagong anyo at marinig ang tinig ng Ama.

Kapag bago pumasok sa opisina, o sa eskuwela, o magpunta sa palengke ay naglalaan tayo ng panahon para magsimba o dumaan dito sa simbahan, bilang paghahanda sa maghapon, ang simbahang ito ang ating bundok. Kapag lumuluhod tayo dito sa harap ng tabernakulo at humihingi ng lakas para mapaglabanan ang tukso, para huwag maligaw ng landas, ang simbahang ito ang ating bundok. Kapag nagbubukas tayo ng puso at kalooban sa bawat pagdiriwang ng misa upang maitanim ang punla ng pagbabago at katapatan, ang simbahang ito ang ating bundok.

Hindi na kailangang lumayo. Kailangan lang pumasok… sa simbahang ito. Kung si Jesus ay umakyat ng bundok upang manalangin, mangaral, magbagong anyo, harapin ang krus, at muling mabuhay, tayo ay may simbahan para maging bundok ng pakikipagtagpo kay Jesus. Para sa ating mga taga-Barangay San Roque ang simbahang ito ang ating bundok. Sa simbahang ito naghihintay ang Diyos para tayo'y pumasok at makipagtagpo sa Kanya.