Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Author: A Dose of God Today

  • INTO THE DEEP

    INTO THE DEEP

    February 9, 2025 – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm)

    Although he was despised by his own people in his own hometown, Jesus continues on to proclaim God’s presence in us. Rejection did not deter and discourage him to move on with His mission of making God known and share Good News of God’s kingdom to all. Instead we hear him now going to other villages and inviting people, calling them to follow and join him in his mission.

    Particularly we hear today how he called Peter. He challenged Peter: “Put out into the deep, and lower your nets for a catch”. Now here is Jesus, an ordinary man – a carpenter himself, who knows God but nothing about fishing, telling Peter – a seasoned fisherman who is having a bad day, to go fishing again.

    Peter may have normally reply: “Naunsa ka? Ano ka, hilo? Been there, done that. Time to pack up and leave.” But still Jesus challenged him, “Go out into the deep”. Surely there is more to Jesus’ words than merely about fishing. It also means: “don’t give up/ sail on/ try anew/ please, give oneself, others and me anew chance/ go deeper”. These words also tell and teach Peter and us now about our life and faith as His followers & believers

    For why “go into the deep”? What is special about the deep? We don’t like deep waters because it is mysterious, dangerous, and risky. We rather go to shallow waters because we are safe, manageable and in our comfort zone. Shallow waters however are usually dirty and unclear, noisy, and loud, and above all, less possible catch, if none at all. Deep waters instead are usually clear and clean, calm, and soft, and above all, more possible catch. In other words, there is more life and faith in our deep than in our shallow fishing journey-expedition of life.

    Somehow Jesus challenges us here to explore three depths in our experience of life.

    First, we are invited to explore the depth of our poverty, hopelessness, and helplessness. Peter was in a crisis situation, “no catch”, and about to give up. But with Jesus’ challenge, he goes beyond his misery and dare to do the unusual and unknown: “go again and deeper”, because of this, he never missed but instead have witnessed another life-opportunity ahead and anew. In the same way, in our hopelessness, helplessness, misery and crisis-situation, we are called to go beyond our comfort zones, and dare to try the unusual and unknown, and see better opportunities and possibilities than before. Again the invitation is, “if and when given another chance, would you do it again or anew, as before or better than before?”

    Second, we are invited to go beyond the depth of our self-centeredness and explore the depth of our feeling and concern for others. Despite the possible threat of failure again and ridicule, Peter became self-less and still gave in to the somehow nonsense request and crazy challenge of Jesus. Along with that, he also selflessly shared his great catch with others as he called his partners to help him and Jesus. In the same way, whenever we consider ourselves less, we become aware of others.

    And third, we are called to go beyond our unworthiness, and discover the depth of our faith in God. After the miracle of great catch, Peter fell down at his knees and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man”.

    Although we know how blessed we are, at times we cannot help but feel unworthy and undeserving of God. Even St. Paul and prophets felt the same way – that with God’s grace, we feel that we are weak, wrong, bad, unworthy, not fit or qualified and worthless. We may have felt this way, but we should also realize that all these blessings are not about us, you and me, but all about Him with us and us with Him. It is all about having faith in Him – being in relationship with Him for direction, resource and meaning.

    Yes, we may say: “I am not fit, unworthy, undeserving, and unqualified, BUT STILL I am called, invited, blessed and sent to be His fishing and life partner – “By God’s grace With Us, We are blessed and graced, undeserving we may be,” as St. Paul would say.

    Thus, there is more to our helplessness, self-centeredness, and unworthiness, but better opportunities, more concern for others and deeper faith in God. So now, whenever we hear Jesus’ word “Put out into the deep and lower your nets”, His message, call and challenge to you and us, is to TRY ANEW: go deeper and give faith and life another new chance, for a great catch and better life ahead for you and to all.

    Consider moreso that Jesus meets us half-way. He takes & choose us as we are now in our limits & potentials (not what we were & should be). But he also sees the better & best in us for there is more to us than what it seems. He recognizes Ours Gems deep within us – hidden, sinister, mysterious & obvious it maybe. All He wants from us is to follow Him into our depths within as our mission & contribution for God’s abundance catch of graces to happen before all.

    As we are beginning another New Year: a new chance again to make Life Better for You, for others and Him, may we be trusting and daring enough to heed Jesus’ challenge for us to: “Put out into the deep and lower our nets” to the great catch of blessing offered ahead of us.

    So May It Be. Amen.

  • Letting Go: Embracing Essential Blessings in Life

    Letting Go: Embracing Essential Blessings in Life

    February 6, 2025 – Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020625.cfm)

    Have you experienced of having the thought of “I might need this… I might need that”? And because this can grow into a form of anxiety, this could develop to be a kind of compulsion in us. We could experience it when we are about to travel to somewhere else. Just because there are many things that we thought might be useful for us, then, we realize that we are being burdened by many things that are not useful at all. We also experience it even just by staying at home or in our own rooms and personal space.

    Indeed, things would clutter from small things to big things. Perhaps from small old toys, papers, clothes, shoes, plastics, containers and many other things. And having the thought of “I might need this… I might need that” would make us accumulate more to the point that we find it difficult to let of things even when those are not essentials.

    I also had a similar experience like this. Years ago, during my theological studies, I was sent abroad for a mission exposure. Few nights before my flight, I had my inventory on what I should bring for the one year mission experience in Indonesia. I kept looking at my things worried that I might forget something important and something that “I might need.”

    So aside from clothes, I prepared small things, vitamins and preventive medicines against malaria, books, camping and survival kit, treats and sweets for my sweet tooth and many other small things. Expectedly, my luggage was overweight and so I had to pay a few thousand pesos for the excess weight.

    However, when I was already in the mission area, there were many things that I brought but I was not able to use. I realized I had more than enough.

    And again, such a situation can also be true in other aspects of our life. One could be overburdened in his or her relationship because of the emotional baggage the person brings into that relationship. Trauma from the past, or guilt, shame, fear, anger, hatred or other insecurities could make our life more difficult and at times overwhelming and suffocating.

    Realizing this attitude which may be present in us, Jesus in the Gospel today offers us a different approach. As Jesus gathered his disciples he began to send out the Twelve, two by two.

    They were given power to cast out unclean spirits and heal the sick. Though, in their journey, Jesus instructed them “to bring nothing except a walking stick.” They were “allowed to wear sandals but not a second tunic.” This means that there were no other things to be brought by them, only the most essentials in the journey.

    And looking at it at a very human perspective, the journey sounds a quite harsh and difficult. A disciple could feel so vulnerable and insecure for not having other things in the journey. Yet, Jesus “gave them authority.” That authority is power. And that power is to bring blessing, healing and peace.

    Despite the poverty they had, the small things they possessed, the very presence of God among them and the power given to them suffice what they need.

    The same spirit and attitude of the heart has been shown by St. Paul Miki and his many companions. This Japanese Jesuit Priest together with his friends continued to bring blessing even to their persecutors until their death. Paul Miki was from an affluent family but left influence and comfort to embrace Christianity and a missionary. In the midst of Christian persecution in his own land in Japan, Paul Miki and his companions remained steadfast and committed to bring blessing to people.

    This tells us now that true power does not rest in our capacity to destroy others but in our capacity to give life, to heal, to bless and make peace even in the midst of poverty, persecutions and insecurities.

    There are two essentials now that we are invited to bring.

    First, to trust God’s generosity and power. The Lord provides the needs of His friends and this is experienced by us through the generosity of people around us. The abiding presence of God is with us. And to fully trust in God’s Providence is an act of faith. This is the reason why the twelve were to bring nothing. It was to allow themselves to become companions and friends of the people whom they were to encounter. They may have the power given by God, yet, they were not above the people or apart from the people. They were equal in status as companions and friends. They were to live among the people and be immersed in the life of the people.

    Second, to carry and give blessing, always. This makes the Kingdom of God to grow more in our hearts, homes and communities. As we carry and give blessing, the more we also receive blessing because we become more conscious of the essentials and able to let go what prevents us. Even in the midst of our poverty or persecution may we remain blessed. Hinaut pa.

  • Bitterness Deprives Us of God’s Grace

    Bitterness Deprives Us of God’s Grace

    February 5, 2025 – Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020525.cfm)

    When the brain is deprived of oxygen, medical science tells us that it can lead us to loss of consciousness. And longer deprivation of oxygen as in the case of drowning can lead to more damage to the brain and even death. When we too are being deprived of essentials in our relationships like love and acceptance, it also leads us to confusion, depression and even in losing ourselves.

    In matters of faith, depriving oneself of the grace of God will lead us to hopelessness and misery in this life. Yet the Holy Scriptures teach us that God always gives life, blesses life and renews our life. God never stops that.

    In fact, this is the reason why grace overflows so that no one will be deprived of the grace of God. The first reading from Letter to the Hebrews reminds us of this. We were reminded to strive for peace with everyone because without it, we shall have troubles and bitterness in our hearts. As the grace of God overflows, the Letter also invites all Christian believers to “see to it that no one is deprived of the grace of God.”

    This tells us that our participation has an effect in making God’s grace to truly overflow and be experienced by all. However, one can actually deprive oneself or others of the grace of God when the heart refuses God’s grace.

    Yet, why would a person refuse to welcome and accept something that is so wonderful like the grace of God? Is this even possible? Indeed, this is very possible that a person will refuse to accept God’s grace because of a heart hardened by jealousy, false judgment, bitterness and hatred. This is a heart seeks no peace.

    This is what we have heard in today’s Gospel. As Jesus went home, he was welcomed with bitterness and hatred by his own neighbors. Jesus did many miracles in other places but was questioned and judged by the people who knew him. Their thoughts were merely based on the familiar background of Jesus of being a carpenter, being a son of Mary, being a brother to his cousins.  Outside of these, they failed to see that there was more in the life of Jesus. The people failed to see the overflowing grace in the life of Jesus. As a result, the people took offence at him.

    They felt offended because they could not accept the opportunity of being graced by the life of Jesus who was only ordinary for them. This is how a bitter and hateful heart affects our relationship with others. All Jesus could do was to heal few sick people. And it was not that Jesus did not want to do any miracle because of their bitterness towards him. Jesus just couldn’t because the people did not cooperate with the grace of God. The bitterness in their hearts made them refuse and be deprived of God’s grace.

    Indeed, God can only work when we allow God to work miracles. The lack of faith of the people is a way of refusal of God’s grace. This tells us that God, though all-powerful, does not impose the Divine power on us. God would rather invite us to allow Him to work miracles for us.

    Besides, the people expressed their non-cooperation with the grace of God through their lack of faith. And Mark tells us that Jesus was amazed of their lack of faith. It was just amazing for the Lord because the people have witnessed how the grace of Jesus’ life could do for them yet they still refused. The lack of faith in them was even reinforced because their hearts were filled with jealousy, false judgment, bitterness and hatred.

    Yet, as the Letter to the Hebrews calls us, “see to it that no one is deprived of the grace of God.” This is the call for us today. Let us not deprive ourselves of the grace of God or deprive others. Let God’s grace overflow then, through us and through the gift of persons of one another, like St. Agatha whose feast we celebrate today.

    St. Agatha though was subjected to suffering because of a sexual desire of a Roman governor, grew more in her faith in God. In the midst of torture, even when her breast was torn off and later was burned alive, the grace of God flowed through her. Her commitment to Christ and through her martyrdom, she became a channel of miracles of healing.

    And so, with St. Agatha’s intercession, let not our hearts nurture bitterness, hatred, jealousy and false judgment on others in order not to deprive ourselves or others of the grace of God. Let us rather nurture an attitude that welcomes the grace of God through the gift of our persons. And we can do this by striving for peace. Hinaut pa.

  • Our Defining Moment

    Our Defining Moment

    February 2, 2025 – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm)

    Usually every Sunday some families gather together in the church not only to celebrate Eucharist but also to attend and witness the baptism of children to become new members of their respective family, parish and of the church. Yes, during Sundays, countless children are also being baptized in the church while being witnessed by their parents and family with relatives and friends. For us priest, Sunday children’s baptism is just part of our duty and extra job besides the hectic Sunday masses schedules. For others, it might be a usual Sunday occurrence, but for the child’s respective parents, godparent and families, the baptism of their child can be, is and should be the defining moments of their own lives as well as of the child.

    Yes, defining moments for all involved with the child. Because during baptism, the child does not only take on the identity and dignity of being Christian, the young parents of the child have suddenly grown up as well from just being two people in love to being parent to the child with a lot of responsibility for the future of the child. Along the parents, the child’s godparents, maninoy and maninay, extended families, relatives and friends also take on the responsibility and mission to help and support in the growth in the Christian faith and life of the child.

    It is indeed, defining moments for everybody, for as the child is being consecrated, the parents, godparents, families and the Christian community and the Church are commissioned to be responsible caretakers and formators-parent of the Christian life and faith-growth of the child.

    Mary and Joseph as well as Simeon and Anna must have experienced and felt the same during the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, same as young parents and families during child baptism. Here they are, presenting and consecrating the child Jesus in the temple as required by their Jewish religious tradition, conscious of the tasks, responsibility as well as the still-unknown and yet-to-be-revealed promise the child Jesus may offer to our lives.

    Joseph and Mary not only became the parent of the child Jesus, but through their testimony, Simeon and Anna also became the caretaker, formator & godparents of God’s light and glory for all. Same way as Joseph and Mary consecrated the child Jesus, Simeon and Anna became not anymore passive-expectators but now active-witnesses of God’s light and glory being revealed before them.

    The Presentation of the Lord in the temple is indeed defining moments for Mary and Joseph as well as Simeon and Anna for they take on the responsibility before God for the child Jesus. In the same manner, the baptism of a child is the defining moments for the young parents, godparents, families and the whole church for we all take responsibility for the formation and growth of the faith and life of the child.

    Simply put, as the saying goes: “When a child is born…. The mother is born” as also the parent, the family & church are also born. In other words, no mother, parent, family, or church, if there is no child.

    Our celebration today of the Presentation of the Lord is more than just about having our candles blessed. It is actually more so about ourselves as Christian especially during our celebration of Sacrament of Baptism. When we were baptized as a child, like the child Jesus, we were presented and consecrated (made holy) to God by our Christian family and the church to be God’s children. And whenever we attend and witness child baptism, we make holy ourselves to be responsible parents and formators-witnesses for the faith-growth of the child.

    Today’s celebration and our celebration of children’s baptism are all a reminder that each and every one of us, baptized Christians are lighted candles, taking on the light of Christ, the Christian dignity and responsibility for the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation in our lives forever in our children now and for the future Christian generation.

    Taking on the dignity and mission to be parents and witnesses of God’s salvation as revealed to us always through Jesus and our today’s Christian children, are and remain to be our defining moments as Christians. God is already doing his part for our salvation by revealing us his glory through his Son.

    Now we have to do our part by making and remaining true to our defining moments of becoming blessed lighted candles – taking part to be active parents and witnesses for the growth of the Christian life and faith of our baptized children.

    Now consider, when was the last time you become a witness to a Child’s baptism? When was the last time you light a candle publicly and privately? Be reminded Jesus said: “You are the light of the world”. May we, as today God’s lighted and blessed candle, be always responsible parents and witnesses of God’s light to our world now and forever. Amen.

  • Embracing Faith Amidst Life’s Storms

    Embracing Faith Amidst Life’s Storms

    February 1, 2025 – Saturday Third Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020125.cfm)

    “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” This is what the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us as it recalled the faith of Abraham. Despite the many trials and seemingly impossible things to happen in the life of Abraham and his wife, Sarah, they remained steadfast in their faith in God. Abraham took the risk to trust in God and so his faith grew and matured.

    Indeed, it was through his faith that what he hoped for, was being realized. Even though, he did not know where would God lead him, yet, he continued to believe. And so, the Lord blessed him and made him the father of many nations.

    However, in today’s Gospel, we too are reminded of our human tendency to doubt and be paralyzed by fear. “Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?” This was the questions of Jesus to his disciples when they woke him up. They were terrified by the storm that was sweeping their boat.

    Certainly, they were afraid that their boat might be destroyed and they would be drowned and die. However, there was a very interesting part of this Gospel story.

    While the storm was sweeping the boat and the disciples were terrified by it, Jesus was fast asleep on a cushion. Jesus was there in the boat with his disciples but sleeping. It seemed that Jesus was not so concerned with the storm. He was confident that they would arrive at their destination safe and sound.

    The Gospel today tells us of these two important lessons on faith.

    First, the forgetfulness of the disciples that Jesus was with them brought them tremendous fear and anxiety.  They forgot that Jesus was in the boat and that their Lord was with them on that journey. And so, they seemed to lost their faith that Jesus was with them.

    Consequently, they have actually taken for granted the very presence of Jesus in their life. This is an invitation for the disciples to always recognize the presence of Jesus.

    And so for us today, this is an invitation to recognize Jesus in our journey. The Lord is not distant. He is to be found and He is journeying with us. Have faith in this.

    Thus, when we are not aware of God’s presence in us, it brings us fear, anxiety and uncertainty. When we become fearful, anxious and uncertain, then, we will be paralyzed mentally and spiritually. It will be very difficult for us to move on and to find opportunities of growth because we will tend to focus on the storm rather on Jesus who is with us.

    Second, because of this terrifying situation of the disciples, it became an opportunity for Jesus to reveal Himself as Lord and Savior. At this revelation Jesus assured his disciples that his presence brings comfort and peace, calmness and confidence. At the same time, the Lord’s presence also is confronting. Jesus confronts the doubts and the little faith of his disciples. This is the reason why it was not only the wind and the sea that calmed down but also the terrified and anxious hearts of the disciples.

    This tells us now that the presence of Jesus brings assurance and confidence in us. The disciples calmed down and found peace because at last, they have recognized the presence of Jesus who was there in that boat.

    Therefore, have faith and recognize the comforting and peaceful presence of Jesus in our life. Let us also allow Jesus to confront us especially our doubts and fears, and even our selfish, unkind and ungenerous actions and words. By being able to recognize Jesus and confront ourselves then we shall certainly find peace and calmness, confidence and assurance in Jesus. Hinaut pa.