Ang Bituin sa Paglalakbay

Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord
January 3, 2010



Kung babalikan natin ang kuwento ng Pasko may mahahalagang paglalakbay ang nangyari.

Noong Simbang Gabi, narinig natin ang tungkol sa paglalakbay ni Maria at ni Jose. Naglakbay sila patungong Bethlehem. Gabay nila ang pagpapakita ng anghel at ang tinig na nagsabi ng plano ng Diyos para sa kanila.

Noong bisperas naman ng Pasko, narining natin ang tungkol sa paglalakbay ng mga pastol. Naglakbay sila mula sa kanilang pastulan patungong sabsaban kung saan naroon ang Kristo, kasama ni Maria at Jose. Tulad ni Maria at Jose, gabay ng mga pastol ang pagpapakita ng anghel at ang tinig na nagsabi tungkol sa pagdating ng hinihintay nilang tagapagligtas.

Ngayon naman, narinig natin ang tungkol sa paglalakbay ng mga pantas, o ng mga mago, o tinatawag nating Tatlong Hari. Naglakbay sila mula malayong lupain, patungong Bethlehem kung saan natagpuan nila ang isang sanggol sa sabsaban. Gabay nila ang isang maningning na bituin. Walang nagpakitang anghel. Wala ring tinig na nagsabi kung ano ang plano ng Diyos. Ang tanging hawak ng Tatlong Hari ang pananampalataya sa kahulugan ng pagsikat ng isang natatanging bituin.

Sinasabi na ang buhay ng tao ay maituturing na paglalakbay. Kung gayon isang bagong paglalakbay ang ating nasimulan sa pagpasok ng isang bagong taon. At sa paglalakbay natin sa buhay na ito, mas katulad ng sa atin ang paglalakbay ng Tatlong Hari kaysa sa paglalakbay ng mga pastol, ni Maria at Jose. Sa paglalakbay natin wala namang nagpapakita sa ating anghel at wala rin namang tinig na nagsasabi kung ano ang plano ng Diyos sa atin. Pero merong liwanag, merong bituin – ang liwanag na nagmumula sa salita ng Diyos, sa turo ng simbahan at sa biyaya ng mga sakramento. Ito ang nagnining nating bituin.

Huwag po tayo maghanap ng mga anghel na magpapakita sa atin, o maghintay ng tinig na galing sa langit na magsasabi sa atin kung anong gagawin natin. Nasa atin na ang mga bituing magliliwanag sa daan ng ating paglalakbay – ang liwanag ng salita ng Diyos, ang liwanang ng turo ng simbahan, at ang liwanag ng biyaya ng mga sakramento.

This 2010 let us all resolve to love more the word of God. Let us resolve to learn more about the teaching of the Church. Let us resolve to understand and celebrate more meaningfully the sacraments. These are the stars that will illuminate our journey of faith.

TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST

"so must the Son of Man be lifted up."

These were the words of the gospel of John in describing how the Son of Man shall bring eternal life to those who believe in him.

A wholistic view of the Johannine gospel reveals to us that “to be lifted up” means two things: crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus the Christ was “lifted up” when he was mounted on the cross, nailed to it and left to die. He was lifted from the earth and hunged on the cross. The Son of Man was lifted up on the cross. Also, Jesus the Christ was “lifted up” when three days later, he rose from the dead. He was lifted from the bondage of death, to the glory of the Father’s love. The Son of Man was lifted up to heaven [although this statement may be taken as referring to Ascension alone, the mystery of Ascension forms part of the wider mystery of the glory of Jesus that begins in his Resurrection]. For the gospel of John, to be lifted up is to be crucified and to rise again. The death and the new life of Jesus, this is the act of being “lifted up.” This union we find in the cross. On the cross Jesus died. Through the cross he rose again.

The cross which was a sign of death, shame and injustice, was transformed into a sign of life, hope and salvation. Death and life become one in the triumph of the cross of Jesus Christ. As formerly the Jews are afraid of the cross, today, we Christians, embrace the cross, for in the cross we find new life, strength and courage. In the cross we find freedom, victory and triumph. For united in every cross of this world, in every trial, pain, suffering and poverty, is the promise of hope, “inheritance of the land,” life eternal and salvation.

The cross calls us to face squarely the hurts and challenges of this life. But we do not face them with eyes closed, or with trepid hearts. We face them with faith and love for we know we shall overcome; we shall be “lifted up.”

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.

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.

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.

Love Your Enemies

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." How does one loves one's enemies? How do we love those who persecute us? How do we love those who hurt us?

Do we love them the way we love our friends? Do we love them the way we love our family? Do we love them with a romantic love?

We love our friends because there is a sharing of common interests. The Greeks call this philia. We love our family because there is consanguinal connection, a connection by blood. The Greeks call this storge. You love your spouses or partners because there is romance. The Greeks call this eros. In all of these there is mutuality; there is an expectation of love being returned.

But how do you love an enemy? We can only love those who hurt us if we decide to love without expecting anything in return. Not even a thank you. Not even an acknowledgement of that love. The Greeks call this agape.

A love that is not based on feeling, on likes, on romance, on mutuality; but a love that is based on a decision to love no matter what. A love defined by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est, a “communion of will.”

Abraham, Martha and Mary

The priests of Cubao were in Cebu for an on-going formation. We talked about EQ [Emotional Qoutient]. Bukod daw sa pagbibigay halaga sa IQ kailangan ding bigyan halaga ang EQ. Living life to the full is not only about acquiring important knowledge but necessarily includes managing our emotions and feelings. Many of our relational problems are because we do not know how to manage [not control; not supress] our feelings.

One important ability that a person that manages intelligently one's emotions has is the capacity for initiative. Initiative is defined as the "readiness to act on opportunities." Because an emotionally intelligent person is in touch with one's emotions and understands them, at the same time is sensitive to the emotions of others and in one way or another tries to understand them, the person is able to recognize opportunities and act on them in ways that will bring good to oneself and to others. May pagkukusa - dahil nauunawaan ang sarili at ramdam ang pangangailangan ng iba, hindi na kailangang sabihan, o utusan, o pilitin, may pagkukusang tumulong, maglingkod, at piliin o gawin ang mabuti.

The story of Abraham offering refreshment and rest to three travellers out of his own initiative is a good example. Also the story of Martha and Mary is a story that can be looked at in the perspective of initiative. Jesus visited the house of Martha and Mary. Without saying any word Martha knew that Jesus was tired and needed to be waited on. Without saying any word Mary knew that Jesus needed somebody who would listen to him. Abraham felt the need of the three travellers and served them. Martha and Mary felt the needs of Jesus and offered a hand that served and an ear that listened.

Initiative requires a sensitive heart. Hindi po kayang magkusa ng isang taong manhid. Hindi po kayang magkusa ng isang taong walang pakialam. Paano ka magkukusang tumulong kung hindi mo nararamdaman o nakikita ng pangangailangan ng iba? Paano ka magkukusang maglingkod kung wala kang pakialam sa mga taong nakapaligid sa iyo.

Tulad ni Abraham, Marta at Maria, matuto nawa tayong magkusa sa pagtulong at paglilingkod sa kapwa dahil sabi ni Jesus, "Anuman ang iyong ginagawa sa iyong kapatid, ginawa mo sa akin."

Lubus-lubusin mo na

Meron tayong kasabihan sa Tagalog, "Kung tutulong ka, lubus-lubusin mo na." Ito ang isa sa mga aral na itinuturo sa atin ng kuwento ng Mabuting Samaritano. Paano ba tumulong ang Samaritano?

Ang Samaritano hindi lamang nagbigay ng pera at sinabi, "O magpagamot ka." Hindi lang siya naghanap ng doktor para tulungan ang nakahandusay sa daan. Ano ang kanyang ginawa? Binuhusan ng Samaritano ng langis at alak ang sugat ng nakahandusay at tinalian. Isinakay sa sinasakyang hayop. Dinala sa bahay-panuluyan at inalagaan doon. Sinamahan magdamag. Kinabukasan binayaran ang bahay-panuluyan. Ibinilin ang sugatan at nangakong babalik para bayaran ang anu pang gagastusin para sa pag-aalaga sa sugatan. Kung hindi lubusang pagtulong ang tawag dito hindi ko na alam kung ano.

Kaya hindi ako naniniwala sa dole-out na pagtulong. Iyung pagbibigay ng bigas, lucky me at delata pag pasko at pag hindi na pasko wala na. Hindi lubusang pagtulong yan. May pagtulong na minsanan lamang, may pagtulong na lubusan. Mahirap na nga ang tumulong ng minsanan, lubusan pa kaya.

Kaya bilib ako sa Gawad Kalinga. Hindi lang sila nagbibigay ng pera para ipangpagawaw ng bahay, sila mismo kasamang gumagawa ng bahay. Tinutulungan pa nila ang mag-asawa sa kanilang pagsasama, sa tamang pagpapalaki ng mga anak, at inoorganisa ang komunidad para makapamuhay ng maayos. Yan ang lubos na pagtulong.

Kaya ako bilib din ako sa feeding program ng Pondo ng Pinoy. Iyung iba nagfee-feeding program once a month, o pag may okasyon lang. Pero sa Pondo ng Pinoy, anim na buwan, Lunes hanggang Biyernes, papakainin ang mga bata at may katesismo pa ang mga magulang.

Bilib ako sa scholarship natin dito sa parokya, dahil hindi lang nagbibigay ng baun sa mga bata, may pagtututor pa, may mid-year evaluation ang mga bata, may house visitation pa para kamustahin ang mga bata at ang kanyang pamilya.

Mag kapatid, mabuti ang tumulong ng minsanan pero mas mabuti ang tumulong ng lubusan. Ipinapaalala sa atin ng Panginoon sa kuwento ng Mabuting Samaritano na kung tutulong ka lubus-lubusin mo na. Dahil lulubusin din naman ng Diyos ang biyaya niya.

Greater than the pain of illness

Today is the feast of St. Camillus de Lellis, patron of hospitals, of the sick and of those who take care of the sick. By the grace of providence the gospel for today, Saturday of the 14th week of Ordinary time, exhorts us not to be afraid of those that kill only the body, rather be afraid of those that destroy both the soul and the body.

Sickness kills the body. If we allow it, it can also affect the soul. But in faith we can decide not to. Oftentimes we are helpless in the face of the fact that sickness weakens our body. But we can decide not to let sickness weaken our soul. Be not afraid of sickness. But be afraid of sin.

Sickness is part of the natural course of the material world. It can be very freigthening. But St. Camillus reminds us today that we should not let the fear of sickness paralyze us, for the pain of illness can never be greater than the comfort of the love of God. Like St. Camillus we are called to be ministers to the sick.

We pray to St. Camillus that through our concern and care for the sick - our family, our friends and neighbours - that they may never give in to fear and despair; through us may they experience the consolation of the gentle mercy of the Lord.

Let us not be afraid of sickness, for it can only destroy our bodies. Let us be afraid of sin, for it destroys not only our body but also our soul. Sickness separates us from the rest of the world, while sin separates us from God. What can be sicker than that?

Reach out and hold his hand

We arrived at the monastery aroung 12 noon. We had our lunch, simple but filling. Then, we all went to our rooms for siesta. My room was still locked so I went around. I investigated the image that welcomed us when we entered the gates of the monastery.

In front of the Carmelite Monastery is the statue of Our Lady with two angels guarding her. Mary was holding Jesus at her side while giving the scapular. I tried to meditate on the image by standing in front of it. My attention focused on the hand of the boy Jesus.

This is the hand that Mary caressed while in Bethlehem. This is the hand that tried to help Joseph in putting pieces of wood together This is the hand that waded on the river Jordan during the baptism by John. This is the hand that healed a leper, touched the tounge of a mute, gave life to the dead, stopped a coming storm, encouraged children, and forgave sins. This is the hand that carried the cross; the hand that was wounded; the hand that was nailed on the cross. This is the hand that showed the scar of crucifixion even after the resurrection. This is the hand that bore the proof that he is Jesus, and he is alive.

I reached out and held Jesus' hand.

KAILANGAN MABUNTIS AT MANGANAK

[A homily delivered on July 10, 2007, during the Novena Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Tambacan, Burgos, Pangasinan, with the theme Mary: the Perfect Model of Christian Life and the scriptural passage, “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”]

The scripture passage talks about Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ by his mother Mary. If Mary is the perfect model of Christian life, how can we imitate Mary in the Lord’s Nativity?

Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, in his book “Against an Infinite Horizon” asserts that “God still enters the world in the same way as Christ did.” The Incarnation of the Son of God through the blessed Virgin Mary is the same pattern that God continues to come to the word today. Mary’s birth of our Lord provides a model for us to follow in order to ensure the incarnation of God in our lives today. Like Mary, we have to give birth to Jesus Christ. How?

1. Impregnation by the Holy Spirit.
The message of the angel to Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”

Sa binyag tinaggap natin ang Espiritu Santo na siyang nagdulot sa atin ng biyayang maging mga anak ng Diyos. Sa Kumpil tinanggap natin ang Espiritu Santo na siyang nagdulot sa atin ng lakas upang maging saksi ni Kristo. Pero kailangang maging totoo ito sa pang-araw araw nating buhay. Kailangang mapuno tayo ng Espiritu ni Kristo upang maipanganak natin sa Kristo. We have to be filled with Jesus in order to give birth to Jesus.

Ang mata natin kailangang maging mata ni Kristo nakikita hindi lamang ang kahinaan kundi ang mga katangiang kayang ibigay ng Diyos. Ang bibig natin kailangang maging bibig ni Kristo na pinagmumulan ng mga salitang nagpapagaan ng loob at hindi nananakit. Ang mga kamay natin ay kailangang maging mga kamay ni Kristo na umaakay sa kabutihan at hindi tumutulak sa mali. Ang mga paa natin ay kailangang maging mga paa ni Kristo na naghahanap sa nawawala at hindi lumalayo sa Diyos.

Meron daw isang nagdarasal na galit na galit sa Diyos, sabi niya, “Panginoon akala ko mabait ka. Bakit mo hinahayaan magpatayan ang mga tao sa giyera? Bakit mo hinahayaang mamatay ang mga batang walang kamuwangmuwang? Bakit mo hinahayaang mabuhay sa hirap at pagdurusa ang mga dukha? Bakit wala kang ginagawa?” Bigla daw sumagot ang Diyos, “Kaya nga ginawa kita.” We have to be overshadowed by the Spirit of Jesus so that with St. Paul we can sincerely say “It is not I who live, but it is Jesus who lives in me.”

2. Accepting the pangs of birth.
A matter of fact rendering of Christ’s birth: “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Wala tayong karansan ng panganganak. Pero sa kuwento ng mga nanay na kakilala natin hindi madali ang manganak. Meron pang nagsasabi na sa sobrang hirap sinusumpa nila ang kanilang mga asawa. Pero limot ang lahat ng hirap paglumabas na ang bata, kapagnakita na ang sanggol, kapag kinarga na ang munting anghel na biyaya ng Diyos.

Hindi madali ang maging saksi ni Kristo. Kailangan ng pagtiyatiyaga, pagsasakripisyo, disiplina sa sarili, pagmamahal ng hindi naghihintay ng kapalit, pagbabahagi ng mabuting balita. Pero sa kabila ng pagbubuhat ng ating krus may naghihintay na kaligayahang walang kapantay na tanging si Kristo lamang ang makapagbibigay.

Merong kuwento ng dalawang magkaibigan na binigyan ng tigisang krus para buhatin papunta sa langit. Parehas mabigat ang krus. Iyung isa tiniis ang bigat ng krus at nagtiyaga sa pagbubuhat nito hanggang makaakyat ng bundok. Iyung isa naman unti unti pinuputol ang paanan ng krus, upang unti unting gumaan ang kanyang pagbubuhat hanggang makaakyat ng bundok. Pagdating sa bundok kailangan nilang tumawid sa isang bangin para makarating sa pintuan ng langit. Kailangan nilang gawing tulay ang kanilang mga krus. Madaling nakatawid ang unang nagbuhat. Paglapat niya ng krus sakto sa laki ng bangin. Nakatawid siya agad. Ung Ikalawa, paglapat niya ng krus kapos ang kanyang krus, hindi umabot sa kabilang ibayo ng bangin dahil pinutulan niya ito.

If we want to imitate Mary in giving birth to Jesus today, we have to be ready to accept the pangs of giving birth. We must be ready to carry our crosses everyday. For it is in sharing in the pain of the cross of Jesus that we also share in the glory of his resurrection.

Mary is the perfect model of Christian life. To imitate her is to follow her in giving birth to Jesus today. But in order to that we have to be filled with the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus and we have to be ready to face the pangs of giving birth, to carry our crosses everyday. Tulad ni Maria kailangan nating mabuntis at manganak. Kailangan nating mapuno ng Espiritu Santo at maging Kristo sa isa’t isa.

MASAYA!

Sabi ng ebanghelyo isinugo ni Jesus na dala-dalawa ang pitungpu’t dalawang mga alagad. At nagbalik silang tuwang tuwa. Nagblik silang masayang masaya. Nagbalik silang galak na galak.

Sa iba’t ibang tao, iba’t ibang bagay ang nakapagbibigay ng saya at tuwa. May malalim na kasiyahan. Merong mababaw na kasiyahan. Ano po ba ang nagpapasaya sa atin? Ano ba ang nagpapaligaya sa iyo?

Sa ebanghelyo masayang masaya ang mga alagad ni Jesus dahil isinugo sila; dahil nakapagpalayas sila ng masasamang espiritu; dahil nakapagpagaling sila; dahil nakapagpahayag sila ng turo ni Kristo. Sa madaling salita, masayang masaya ang mga alagad dahil sumunod sila kay Kristo.

Minsan pagpinag-usapan ang pagsunod kay Kristo ang naiisip natin ay ang hirap ng pagsundo sa kanya; ang hirap ng pagsasakripisyo, ng pagsubok, ng pagtitiis at pagtiyaityaga, ang sakit ng matanggihan, maayawan, at pangungutya. Nakakaligtaan ng marami ang tuwa at saya ng pagsunod sa Panginoon; ang saya ng paglilingkod at pagbibigay.

Hindi po madali ang sumunod kay Jesus. Pero kung dahil sa inis kaya tayo tutulong, kung dahil sa inis kaya tayo magbibigay at maglilingkod, hindi pa po natin natatagpuan ang isang malalim na kagalakan na tanging si Jesus lamang ang kayang magbigay – ang ligayang dulot ng paggawa ng mabuti, ang tuwang dala ng paggawa ng tama, ang galak na bigay ng pagtulong sa kapwa.

Why does following Jesus bring joy to our hearts? Because in Jesus we become the best of who we are. The world can make us somebody. Our achievements and success can make us somebody. But that does not necessarily mean the best for us. But Jesus can make us the best that we can be. And being happy with Jesus is the best expression of our faith.

Minsan may isang batang lumapit sa akin (mga 10 years old) sabi niya, “Father, gusto ko pong maging pari.” Natuwa naman ako. Sabi ko, “Bakit naman?” Sagot ng bata, “Kasi po mukhang ang saya-saya niyo.” [Sa loob-loob ko, “Yun ang akala mo.” Hehehe.]

Kay Jesus makakatagpo tayo ng tunay na saya. At ang sayang ito ang makapag-aanyaya sa ating kapwa upang sumunod din kay Kristo at makatagpo din ng saya sa pagsunod sa kanya. Amen.

I Want to be a Saint

As a newcomer in the seminary the first book that was given to us for spiritual reading was "The Lives of Saints." I remember reading about St. Dominic Savio, St. Tarcisius, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, St. Augustine, St. Thomas, and St. John Bosco. Formators gave us the book with the admonition, "Imitate them."

If there is one thing I learned from that book is that saints are human. Saints are not aliens from far far away, totally different from us. They were like us; weak, with hearts full of questions, confused, struggling, misunderstood, sinners. I remember formators point out that when asked what our ambitions are, rather than say "I want to be a priest" it is more right to say "I want to be a saint."

Can anyone really dream of becoming a saint? Would it not be boastful to dream so? Is it realy possible to aspire for sainthood and not come as a show off?

I want to be a saint! Who can say this with all honesty and humility? I know I can't. But on second thought why not. Why can't we? For in its simplicity is found the will of God for all his children. We are called to be holy. And so, we are all called to be saints.

A Cardinal was once asked, "What are saints?" The Cardinal candidly answered, "Saints are normal Christians. The problem with us is that we are not normal."

Get in front of the mirror and say, "I want to be a saint." Then, get in front of the Blessed Sacrament and say, "Only you can make me a saint."

Seeing Goodness

Looking at a white paper with a single black dot at the center, people often see the dot more than the paper. When people look at each other people often see what is not so beautiful. People remember mistakes. People recognize imperfections. People talk about weaknesses.

This is exactly the opposite of how God looks at us. Yes, God sees imperfections. God sees weaknesses. But he sees so much more. God sees beauty in his creation and in humanity because he has created us in his image and likeness.

It is not easy to look at suffering and see goodness. It is not easy to look at poverty and see goodness. It is not easy to look at crime and see goodness. It is not easy to look at destructions and see goodness. But that is how God looks at his creation.

And so when we look at the world and at one another, let us not look only with our physical eyes. Let us look with the eyes of faith. For with the eyes of faith when we look at weaknesses and imperfections we also see what the grace of God can do in the world and in our lives.

A Cock for Peter, A Sword for Paul

The statue of St. Peter is usually accompanied by a cock, a reminder of the story of the betrayal by Peter, which was predicted by Jesus during the last supper. Before the cock crow, Peter denied being a disciple of the Lord three times. Also, the statue of St. Paul is usually with a sword in his hand, a reminder of the persecution that Paul did before his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus that led to his conversion.

A cock for Peter and a sword for Paul – these are the symbols of these two great apostles of Jesus; symbols that are mired by their weaknesses, betrayal for Peter and persecution for Paul.

The symbol of their greatness is at the same time a symbol of their weakness. Why? Because it is in their weakness that they have found the power of God. It is in their weakness that they found a turning point in their discipleship. It shaped the road they took in continuing what Jesus begun.

An American author, James Hillman wrote that it is our inferiorities that build up our soul. His view is that it is not our strengths that give us depth and character but it is our weaknesses.

It is in our weaknesses that we truly recognize what the power of God can do in our life; for God chooses the little ones to humble the strong. God chooses the humble to put down the proud.

The cock reminds us of the betrayal by Peter. The sword reminds us of the persecution by Paul. And in this background their commitment to share in the mission of Jesus Christ shines more brightly for their greatness as apostles of Jesus is the fruit of the work of God in and through them.

Yes, we are all weak. But facing our weaknesses squarely gives depth and character to our faith. And in our weaknesses we see the true face of an omnipotent God. Despite of our weaknesses God triumphs in and through us for it is his power which is at work in us. In God it is when we are weak that we are strong. It is when we are humble that we are exalted. It is when we accept that we cannot that we truly can.

Sts. Peter and Paul, pray for us.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The first reading and the gospel presents the image of a good shepherd as a way to understand how much Jesus loves us. The first reading states: “I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal…”

Akala natin tayo ang naghahanap sa Diyos, pero sa totoo ang Diyos ang naghahanap sa atin. Hind ang Diyos ang nakakalimut. Hindi ang Diyos ang tumatalikod. Hindi ang Diyos ang nawawalan ng katapatan. Tayo po ang nakakalimot. Tayo po ang tumatalikod. Tayo po ang hindi nagiging tapat. Kaya sa totoo lang, hindi tayo ang naghahanap sa Diyos. Ang Diyos ang naghahanap sa atin.

The message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is quite simple: God is always there for us – ready to love, to forgive, to give another chance, to enlighten, to correct, to remind, to inspire, to strengthen, to heal. He is always there and he will always make his presence felt.

Sa araw na ito ng Kamahal-mahalang Puso ni Jesus maging lumalim nawa at tumibay ang pagtitiwala natin sa Diyos. Huwag po tayong magpatalo sa anumang sakit, karamdaman, problema o pagsubok. Patuloy po tayong magtiwala sa Diyos dahil nanjan siya at tayo’y kanyang hinahanap.

Katawan ni Kristo

CORPUS CHRISTI. Sa English – Body of Christ; sa Pilipino – Katawan ni Kristo. Kung ating susuriin may tatlong pinatutungkulang kahulugan ang Corpus Christi o ang Katawan ni Kristo.

Ang una ay ang katawan ni Kristo na ipinanganak ng Mahal na Birheng Maria. Ang katawang inihiga sa sabsaban. Ang katawang nagpaiwan sa templo ng Jerusalem. Ang katawang lumaki at tumanda, hanggang buhusan ng tubig ni Juan Bautista sa ilog Jordan. Ang katawang nagpagaling ng mga maysakit, nagpatawad sa mga makasalanan, nagbigay ng pag-asa sa mga maralita, nagpakain sa mga nagugutom, nagpainom sa mga nauuhaw. Ang katawang ipinako sa krus para sa iyo at para sa akin. Ang katawang inilibing sa isang kuweba, at muling nabuhay sa ikatlong araw. Ito ang katawang ipinanganak ng Mahal na Birheng Maria.

Ang ikalawa ay ang katawan ni Kristo sa Sakramento ng Eukaristiya. Sa kapangyarihan ng Espiritu Santo, ang tinapay na mula sa lupa at bunga ng ating paggawa ay na nagiging katawan ni Kristo, ang tinapay ng buhay na nagbibigay ng buhay sa lahat. Ang pagkaing tinatanggap natin sa banal na komunyon. Ito ang katawan ni Kristo kung saan sumasagot tayo ng Amen.

Ikatlo at panghuli, ang katawan ni Kristo na binubuo ng lahat ng sumasampalataya sa kanya. Isinulat ni San Pablo na ang bawat isa sa atin ay iba’t ibang bahagi ng iisang katawan, at ang ating ulo ay si Kristo. Kaya tayo ay katawan ni Kristo. Ang bawat bininyagan ay kabahagi ng katawan ni Kristo. Ang simbahan ay katawan ni Kristo. Ikaw at ako ay bahagi ng iisang katawan ni Kristo. Tayo ang mga bahagi, si Jesus ang ulo.

Iyong una ginanap ng ng Diyos. Sa pagkakatawang tao ni Jesus nakilala natin ang Katawan ni Kristo. Diyos ang kumilos upang matupad ito.

Iyong ikalawa ginaganap ng Diyos sa tuwing tayo ay magdiriwang ng misa. Sa bawat Eukaristiya ang tinapay ang nagiging katawan ni Kristo, na tinatanggap natin sa komunyon. Diyos ang kumikilos upang magpatuloy ito.

Iyong pangatlo kahit pinag-isa na tayo sa iisang Katawan ni Kristo sa ating binyag, hindi pa kumpleto kung hindi tayo kikilos. Ang kaganap ng pagiging bahagi natin ng Katawan ni Kristo nakasalalay sa ating pakikiisa sa biyaya ng Diyos. Sa awa ng Diyos, tayo ang tutupad ng pagiging Katawan natin ni Kristo.

Tayo ay bahagi ng Katawn ni Kristo kung ang ating kamay ay magiging kamay ni Kristo na handang dumamay sa mga dukha. Tayo ay bahagi ng Katawan ni Kristo kung ang ating bibig ay magiging bibig ni Kristo na handang magbigay ng pag-asa sa nalulumbay. Tayo ay bahagi ng Katawan ni Kristo kung ang ating tenga ay magiging tenga ni Kristo na handang makinig sa salita ng Diyos at sa hinaing ng mga nangangailangan. Tayo ay bahagi ng Katawan ni Kristo kung ang ating mga paa ay magiging paa ni Kristo na handang hanapin ang mga naliligaw ng landas.

Ang Katawan ni Kristo ay nakita natin nung siya ay nagkatawang tao. Ang katawan ni Kristo ay tatanggapin natin sa misang ito. Ang Katawan ni Kristo ay mabubuhay sa mundong ito kung sa araw-araw bawat isa sa atin ay sisikaping maging mabuting Kristiyano.

WOODSTRUCK: Tatamaan ka!

On March 6, 2007, the World Youth Day cross was welcomed by the diocese of Cubao. Young people from the different suffragan dioceses of Manila gathered together in music, dance, sharing and liturgical celebration to rejoice in the visit of the cross.

The title of the event, WOODSTUCK, made me think. It was in obvious reference to Woodstock – a gathering of yuppies in the 1970’s that celebrates with a marathon of music and party. It is also associated with the popular talent search on TV, Starstruck, with a creative twist. I guess the “wood” refers to the cross and “struck” refers to what the cross can do to those who will accept it.

But who would be willing to be hit by a cross? Who in his or her right mind would accept to be “woodstruck”? We, humans naturally run away from the cross. We avoid hardship and pain as much as we can, but the event was an invitation not to run away from the cross but to let oneself be “struck” by it. What does the wood of the cross bring us?

The cross is where the Son of Man died. In Jesus, the cross which was an instrument of shameful death was transformed into an instrument of a surprising rebirth. When we run away from the cross, when we turn our backs from it, we are running away from a possibility of growth, of life, and maturity. I’m not saying that we should all seek the cross, no. But the road to genuine happiness and lasting joy is necessarily pass through the cross. We do not have to look for it, to burden ourselves of it. To follow the Lord is to take up the cross daily.

To allow ourselves be “woodstruck” or to accept the cross of Christ [i.e. tamaan ng krus ni Kristo] is to be transformed into hopeful and joyful citizens of the Kingdom passing through this world. No amount of suffering and pain can take this joy and hope away for the cross has already been transformed in the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Kapagsineryoso mo ang pagsunod kay Kristo na ipinako sa krus sigurado tatamaan ka! Tinamaan ka na ba?

From Palms to Ashes: The Remorse and Joy of Lent

Every year we begin the holy season of Lent with the imposition of ashes. Ash Wednesday is on February 21. These ashes are blessed during the mass reminding us that we are “dust” in order to “keep us faithful to the discipline of Lent” (cf. Blessing of Ashes). The discipline of Lent calls us to genuine fasting, prayer and alms-giving (Matt 6:1-6, 16-18). These are ashes of the old palms (palaspas) we used the past year. Palms that signified our gladness in the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem have become ashes that signify sadness for our sins; from palms to ashes – from an expression of gladness to a demonstration of sadness. How can both gladness and sadness be present in the season of Lent?

Lent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we prepare ourselves best through penitence and repentance. We realize our unfaithfulness and regret having committed sin. There is anguish in our hearts for being weak and frail. This brings remorse to our hearts. But this is only half of the Lenten journey. The other half that makes our penitence and repentance truly fruitful is the overflowing mercy of God. He desires our transformation not only to satisfy his will and realize his plans, but more importantly for our salvation – “for you do not want sinners to die but to live” (cf. Blessing of Ashes). This is truly a source of joy. Even though we have lived a life of sin and selfishness God offers us a new chance in life with his boundless mercy and love. The realization of our infidelity before God’s fidelity can fill us with deep remorse and incomparable joy at the same time. It can be very confusing, but God’s mercy always brings consolation. Our iniquities fill us with sadness, but God’s mercy fills us with gladness.

As the ashes are imposed on us the ministers say, “Repent and believe in the gospel.” Repentance entails an honest acceptance of our faults that fills our heart with remorse. Anguish for having offended God is an element in conversion. On the other hand, believing in the gospel requires a firm trust in the good news of the mercy and love of the Father. And so we rejoice in the joy that the mercy of God brings, even in the midst of guilt, sin and weakness. God’s mercy overpowers our weakness. Thus, this season of Lent, though your heart be filled with remorse because of sin, do not loose heart and be joyful in the boundless mercy of God.

The Deceitful Self: Beware!

Nangyari na ba sa iyong akala mo ginagawa mo ang kalooban ng Diyos dahil nakakatulong ka pero sa totoo ginagawa mo lang pala ang pagtulong dahil nakakataas ng ego; dahil alam mo na ikaw lang ang makakagawa nun at di kaya ng iba; dahil sa iyo sila lumapit; dahil nasa iyo ang sagot?

There are times when we take on a certain task thinking that we do so because we want to help; we do so because we want to give our time and talent; we do so because we think we have in us the solution. Only to realize that what motivated the decision was the privilege, the esteem, the honor, the high regard, the good feeling of being able to help, the air of holiness that comes from an act of sacrifice, that comes with the task. It is still the self that rules.

One can easily be misled because of the nature and fruits of the task, but solitude and silence will always reveal the true face of taking on the task, the face not of those one wants to help but in truth the face of the self. What seems to be service and sacrifice is still self-serving job. An honest to goodness self-examination in the atmosphere of silence and prayer, is in order. A trusted spiritual director can always validate the hidden fact.

Beware!