Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Author: A Dose of God Today

  • Encouraging others brings self-confidence and growth

    Encouraging others brings self-confidence and growth

    June 11, 2019 – Feast of St. Barnabas, Apostle

    Acts 11:21b-26;13:1-3; Mt. 5:13-16

    “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24).”

    People who encourage others would always bring support and growth because encouragement nurtures confidence and hope. Parents who would give generous encouragements to their growing children would find children to be happier and lively. Teachers who would also express words of encouragements to their students would find them animated to perform well in their studies. It is also true among employers or corporate leaders. A leader who is generous in expressing encouragement to his/her workmates or colleagues or employees would surely find people around him or her to work confidently and competitively.

    Moreover, when words of encouragements are expressed whether at home, at school or at work, they lessen unnecessary stress, avoid unnecessary conflicts and rather promote self-confidence, trust and hope.

    This attitude of encouraging others had been shown to us through the person whose feast we celebrate today. St. Barnabas, an apostle, was a man of encouragement. During his lifetime, in his ministry, he never forgot to encourage people around him. In fact, it was through his encouragements, together with St. Paul, that they helped and nurtured the early Church to grow and to mature. It was in the Church of Antioch, through Barnabas too, that the Church is indeed Catholic or universal in its nature. In Antioch, Jews and Gentiles lived together. Despite the differences in culture, language, and history, the Church became one in faith but so dynamic and vibrant in living as Christians.

    Indeed, it was in Antioch that we, believers of Jesus, were first known as “Christians.” Thanks to that attitude of Barnabas, his encouragements to the first Christians made them confident in living together. Actually, the name Barnabas means, “the son of encouragement.”

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    The Acts of the Apostles reminds us of the attitude of Barnabas that he was “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24).” This tells us that when we welcome and allow the Holy Spirit to satisfy us, then, we also become discerning on how the Holy Spirit works in the life of those people around us. Certainly, we become familiar to the movements of the Spirit.

    This makes us then, to be become welcoming of others. We shall surely see more opportunities of growth and rooms for developments for ourselves and for those people around us. Accordingly, we see more value in expressing encouragement rather than in blurting out destructive criticisms that may only damage one’s self-confidence and the hope to redeem oneself after a failure.

    Thus, on this feast of Barnabas, each of us is being reminded and called to be more welcoming of the Holy Spirit in our life so that our hearts and minds will be filled with wisdom, understanding and compassion. In this way, then, we too shall become persons of encouragements that promote growth, confidence, trust and hope in our own context; whether at home, at school, at work, or wherever we are called to be. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • We have a Mother

    We have a Mother

    June 10, 2019 – Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

     

    “Behold your mother.” – Jn. 19:27

    Today’s Gospel makes us confident because there on the cross, Jesus assured us that we have a mother. We are not orphaned and alone because Mary is our mother and we, all of us, are her sons and daughters. The presence of Mary becomes the presence of Jesus.

    As Mary stands at the foot of the cross, she becomes a model of faith and discipleship. Her presence and her maternal role keep us and protect us. This is the reason why we, the Church, would always seek guidance and inspiration from Mary because we feel the identity of being her children in faith. The intercession of Mary as a mother, becomes a bridge of faith. It is to lead us to her risen Son, Jesus Christ.

    Through her example of faith and obedience to God, she shows us the direction. By her confidence and prayer, she assures all of us. This is the very reason too why we are celebrating this feast of Mary, Mother of the Church right after the Solemnity of the Pentecost. In the words of Pope Francis, “through the person of Mary, as a mother, the Church learns the langugae of tenderness, knows the language of such wisdom of caresses, of silence, of the gaze that knows compassion, that knows silence,” (Pope Francis, May 21, 2018).

    Personally, Mary as a mother, she cares and loves all the believers of Christ not just in a general sense. Mary cares and loves every believer. And I truly believe in this. She carries and leads every person to gaze and recognize at the true source of light and life, her Lord and God. And by her loving care, no one will be lost. St. Alphonsus would say, “a true child of Mary will never be lost.”

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    This feast that we celebrate today does not point at all to Mary but rather to Jesus who commissioned Mary and gave her the grace to be our mother, and thus, to be my Mother, my own Nanay.

    What is it to you and to me now who are devoted to Mary, our Mother? How do we express now our act of thanksgiving for all the graces that we have received? You and I are called now to become God’s sign of help and compassion. It means that as a Church, our devotion should not only remain a mere devotional practice but must also flow into our actions and words, into our decision and choices.

    Thus, I would like to invite you to extend your help to someone who is most in need, perhaps your friend, co-worker, relative or even a stranger. Console and give comfort to those who are in pain. Support and promote life and oppose those who destroy it because these are the ways that we will truly become a Church that shows compassion and tenderness.

    Mary, our mother, would have a lot to teach us to us. Let us come closer to her, then, belive in her maternal love and tenderness because she will surely brings us closer to her Son, Jesus. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Through the Holy Spirit, fear is gone

    Through the Holy Spirit, fear is gone

    June 9, 2019 – Pentecost Sunday

    ACTS 2:1-11

    When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
    they were all in one place together.
    And suddenly there came from the sky
    a noise like a strong driving wind,
    and it filled the entire house in which they were.
    Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
    which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
    and began to speak in different tongues,
    as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven
    staying in Jerusalem.
    At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
    but they were confused
    because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
    They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
    “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
    Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
    We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
    inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
    Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
    Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
    as well as travelers from Rome,
    both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs,
    yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
    of the mighty acts of God.”

    Responsorial Psalm PS 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 

    R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
    Bless the LORD, O my soul!
    O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
    How manifold are your works, O LORD!
    the earth is full of your creatures;
    R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
    May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
    may the LORD be glad in his works!
    Pleasing to him be my theme;
    I will be glad in the LORD.
    R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
    If you take away their breath, they perish
    and return to their dust.
    When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
    and you renew the face of the earth.
    R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
    1 COR 12:3B-7, 12-13
    Brothers and sisters:
    No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
    There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
    there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
    there are different workings but the same God
    who produces all of them in everyone.
    To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
    is given for some benefit.As a body is one though it has many parts,
    and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
    so also Christ.
    For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
    whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
    and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

    Gospel JN 20:19-23

    On the evening of that first day of the week,
    when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
    for fear of the Jews,
    Jesus came and stood in their midst
    and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
    When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
    The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
    Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
    As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
    “Receive the Holy Spirit.
    Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
    and whose sins you retain are retained.”

     

    The Gospel of the Lord.

    Homily

    What keep people from truly expressing themselves? Or what prevent us from sharing ourselves to others?

    Fear of being not accepted, of being rejected and thus, of being hurt prevent us from sharing and opening up ourselves for others. However, God desires that we become fully human according to His image.

    Today, as we celebrate the Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit into the Church, we are being reminded today of this desire of God for us to have peace, as individuals and as a Church.

    When we have a very little knowledge of ourselves, we will also tend to either underestimate or overestimate ourselves. We could show a self that is disturbed with low self-esteem or arrogance. It is only when we also become more aware of ourselves, of both weaknesses and strengths, of failures and potentials that we become more conscious too of God’s presence in us.

    This is what we find in today’s readings which tells about the fearful friends of Jesus. The Apostles were in hiding. This was symbolized on how they made sure that doors were locked. Yes, they made sure that no one could enter in the room. They locked themselves because they were filled with fear.

    This tells us that fear can actually paralyze us. Fear can prevent us in making movements and in making decisions. Consequently, when we become fearful we also settle to what is only minimal and comfortable for us, then, this makes us complacent. We wont take risks because we are afraid of rejection and failure, then, this makes us a “sigurista.” We will become persons who want to make things certain, thus, we too will tend to become controlling and demanding in our relationships. Yet, we will be disappointed because we can never control others, not even our life. We can never be certain of all things. There are things that are way beyond us.

    We can only respond to it by taking risks, by conquering our fears through faith. This is the very reason why Jesus appeared in the midst of his fearful disciples. Jesus wants them to get out from the attitude of fear. And what Jesus did was to give them PEACE by giving them the Holy Spirit.

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    The Acts of the Apostles told us what happened on that Pentecost. Aside from the noise that sounded like a violent wind and the tongues of fire that rested on each of them, there was a more interesting expression of the Spirit that happened there. The disciples of the Lord who were mostly Galileans spoke about the goodness and power of God. Though they spoke in their own native language yet strangers and foreigners understood what the disciples were talking about.

    Yes, foreign peoples grasped what the disciples of Jesus had proclaimed because at that moment when they became confident and unafraid. They were able to get out from their fears of being persecuted, from their doubts about Jesus and from their insecurities of the coming days. They realized how good God is. They truly believed that Jesus is Lord, though he died on the cross but was raised to bring salvation to all.

    All of these realizations were fruits of their journey with Jesus. With the Holy Spirit, the disciples found peace in their hearts, meaning, these fearful and doubtful disciples of Jesus had at last found and recognized God in their life, in their human experiences.

    Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” which also means, “I am with you!” because Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The Lord who is with his disciples sends them now. And so, they have become witnesses of Jesus – witnesses who convey God’s offer of salvation and love not just to a particular group of people but to all, to Jews and Greeks, to rich and poor, to you and to me.

    This is how the foreigners understood the disciples of the Lord and in effect were converted to believe in Jesus. Thus, a church was being born, a church that is not fearful of persecutions and a church that joyfully sings God’s goodness and love.

    What is it to you and to me now, as a church gathered here today? Our birthday celebration today is not meant to be a mere remembering of the past. This feast of the Pentecost calls us rather to relive or to re-experience the first Pentecost. Yet, not really to experience again the strong wind or tongues of fire above our heads, but rather to experience again those feelings of being confident with God, being secured by his love, by being courageous and honest enough to share the kindness of God and his love to others. Because you and I, have already received the Holy Spirit.

    For us to be more sensitive of the working of the Holy Spirit in our life it would be good then to be aware of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the effect of the evil one in our life. Be mindful of these…

    1. The Holy Spirit gives us peace, confidence and serenity yet, the evil spirit makes us doubtful, fearful, anxious and having a low self-esteem.
    2. The Holy Spirit encourages us, lifts our spirit but the evil spirit makes us down, depresses us, discourages and upsets us.
    3. The Holy Spirit brings us comfort and joy, humor and laughter but the evil spirit makes us angry and irritable.
    4. The Holy Spirit makes us appreciate things and others, makes us grateful to God. But the evil spirit makes us unsatisfied, ungrateful, complaining, makes us see only the defects/negatives in everything and everyone including ourselves.
    5. The Holy Spirit makes you feel loved, accepted and forgiven. But the evil one makes you feel bad, terrible, horrible, disgustful, unloved and accuses us of our wrongdoings making us guilty always.

    The invitation for us now is to be constantly aware of the Holy Spirit in all of our human experiences. In that way, we may be able to discover a God who loves us truly and to be confident in God. In hope, we shall find peace, peace within us, in our family, country and peace in this troubled world. Hinaut pa.

     

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Stop comparing, God has plans for each of us

    Stop comparing, God has plans for each of us

    June 8, 2019 – Saturday 7th Week of Easter

    Jn 21: 20-25

     

    “Lord, what about him?” – Jn 21: 21

    When we begin to compare ourselves with others. Our insecurities will grow. We will also begin to either belittle others to compensate our incapacities or belittle ourselves that feeds self-pity and low self-esteem.

    This kind of feeling irritates all ages, young and old, students and professional, children and parents. This makes us feel inadequate, unworthy, and lesser being than others. Thus, this could also affect on how we relate with others even among siblings, or friends, classmates or colleagues at work.

    When this happens in us also, we tend to be bitter not just with others but also with ourselves. We will tend to see to what is only negative and wrong. This makes then, ungrateful to others and to God. We also become unhappy of the successes and achievements of people around us. And takes pleasure at the mistakes and failures of others.

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    However, God does not want us to become this kind of person. God desires that each of us will realize our own potentials and capacities, but, most of all, of our very identity before God. We are loved! We are God’s beloveds.

    Today’s Gospel tells us about Peter and the beloved disciple of Jesus. Peter asked Jesus, “What about him Lord?” which means, “Do you also have plans for the beloved disciple? Do you have something in mind for him aside from me?” Peter seemed to be so concerned about the beloved disciple; yet, Jesus told him that it was not his concern.

    Peter was called to a particular mission as the beloved disciple too was called to a particular mission. Jesus wanted Peter not to make it his concern about others and even not to be disturbed by others, but to focus on what Jesus called him to be.

    It was invitation for Peter to be confident with himself and with his gifts, with his capacities and potentials, and with the Lord who called him and also loved him.

    Definitely, each of us is also called by the Lord in different ways and to different tasks as Peter and the beloved disciple and the rest of the group was called each according to God’s desire and according to their gifts and weaknesses, capacities and willingness.

    We knew, then, that the beloved disciple was called to testify to the Lord not through martyrdom. The beloved disciple died out of old age. And through him, the Gospel of John was written to tell the world of the wonders God has done for us. In fact, he himself told us in the Gospel that all those things that Jesus did, if everything will be written, the world will not be able to contain those books.

    Hence, God’s wonder and goodness continue to overflow to each of us today. It is just right to fully trust this God who became human like us, who expressed his love for us in the most concrete way.

    Jesus invites us to also discover his plan for us, to stop comparing ourselves from others, but rather, to become more confident of the gifts that God has given us. When we become confident of our gifts and more accepting of our weaknesses, then, we shall also begin to discover who we are really before God. This identity then, will lead us to that particular vocation that God calls us.

    Hopefully, through our lives, we too shall become Jesus’ witnesses to the world, people who shall share and proclaim how good God is. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Do you love me?

    Do you love me?

    June 7, 2019 – Friday 7th Week of Easter

    Jn 21:15:19

     

    “Simon, Son of John, do you love me more than these?” – Jn 21: 15

    My 5-year-old niece playfully asked my parents, “Tatay, do you love Nanay?” Asking my Papa if he loves Mama. And then she asked in the same way her grand mom, “Nanay, do you love Tatay?” This happened just a week before Papa died.

    In the eyes of my niece, perhaps what she was doing was a mere play of asking questions and relaying the answer to both of her grandparents. Yet, the question entails commitment and faithfulness.

    The question of Jesus to Peter essentially involves commitment and faithfulness. The three questions of Jesus were not of condemnation and judgment against the unfaithfulness of Peter. However, the question, “Do you love me?” was an affirmation that Peter was loved and forgiven.

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    This scenario happened after Peter went back to his old life of fishing. Because of so much guilt, fear and disappointment at the event of the arrest of Jesus, which led to his crucifixion and death, Peter and the other disciples retreated back to their old self, to what was familiar because they were afraid of what to come next.

    Yet, from that situation of the disciples also, the risen Jesus called them back. This tells us that Jesus would never give up on his friends. God will never give up on us. In fact, in a surprising way, the Lord will stoop down and come to us wherever we are. This is the reason why Jesus appeared on the shore calling Peter and the other disciples to come to the shore once again, that is, to come to Jesus once again and receive his forgiveness and love.

    This tells us too that the Lord will come closer to us. He is ready to come down and meet us wherever we will be. The Lord shall come to us in our dark moments, in times of our depression and sadness, even in times of great confusion and doubts, and in times of anger and hate. The Lord is always ready to do that because he wants us to live free from those.

    Thus, the question of Jesus, “Simon, Son of John, do you love me more than these?” refers to that attitude of Peter. Jesus was basically asking Peter, “Simon, do you love me more than your fishing career? More than your fears and doubts? More than your sins and guilt? More than your insecurities? More than your dreams, desires and personal wants?”

    Positively, Peter also understood what Jesus was asking. Jesus asked three times to tell Peter of the great responsibility and also of the joy of the meaning of loving Jesus. To feed or tend the lambs and sheep basically means, “Take charge to care and love others.”This reminds us of Peter’s capacity to care and love others as Jesus did on the cross.

    To each of us today, we are reminded that when failures and frustrations overwhelm us; never forget that Jesus will always come in a surprising way for us, to draw us back to him. Be mindful, then, of friends and events in your life that will become God’s way of calling us back again. In the same way like Peter, the Lord also asks us, “Do you love me more than these? More than your insecurities and fears, more than your personal wants and ambitions?” Then, the Lord also asks us to take the risk of loving him by being able to love others, to become courageous and confident in loving others. Remember, it is in taking the risk of committing ourselves to love others that we too shall find our true selves.

    The Lord knows that each of us has that capacity to love and take care of others. Never be afraid then, never be afraid to love. Never be afraid to express your care and affection towards others. It is in this way that like Peter, we will be able to follow Jesus, who invites us today, to express our love and care to others in the most concrete ways as we have experienced it from Jesus himself. Hinaut pa.

     

    Jom Baring, CSsR