Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Author: A Dose of God Today

  • Blessings in our Midst

    Blessings in our Midst

    January 21, 2024 – Feast of the Sto. Niño

    Recently from my group chat, an invitation from a Catholic church in Belgium Europe posted. It says: “Adoration for families every 3-4 pm of 2nd Sunday of the month” for Children ages 0-99 years old. Yes, Family Adoration for Children ages 0-99 years old.  Somehow this invitation is a gentle & deep reminder that we were once, we are, & we will always be God’s children. And above all, we are with God’s children regardless of age, & very much welcome into & part of our Church.

    Great joy a newly-born child presence could bring us. Rarely we find ourselves stooping down kneeling in awe & joy, except in prayer….. & before a baby. Yes, before the presence of a baby child, we cannot help but be happy & joyful for a promise of new life in front of us. Great for us also to see young-parents bringing their babies into our church to be part of our Eucharistic celebration. Much as the baby is a blessing to their young family, their baby is also a blessing to us, Church, because another God’s child being given us.

    Same experience Mary & Joseph must have felt when they brought the child Jesus to the temple. Being parent to the baby Jesus must be a great joy & blessing to them, that moves them to offer the child as blessing to the temple. Same experience Simeon must have felt, when he saw the child Jesus being brought & offered to God in the temple. The presence of the child Jesus in the temple made Simeon see & be assured of the promise of coming salvation is on its way & about to happen into our lives, making him say: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” Simply put: “Now I could rest at peace for salvation now has started as promised”, in, thru & because of this child.

    Clearly in our gospel today Jesus placed great regards for children with us. He said: “Let the children come to me…. For the Kingdom of God belong to such little ones.” For Jesus then, same way as God’s blessings come as child Jesus (Sto. Nino), God’s offer of salvation will continue to come & happen to us, as a child…. In, through & because of our children – our ninos & ninas.

    God’s blessings & graces are now still & always present upon us through the birth & witness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the presence of babies in our midst, especially children with us in the church during mass, we are to recognize, accept, honor & bless the promise & offer of better life before us in our today’s children who are worthy also of God’s salvation. Never should we waste such great promise of life to come through God’s blessings in our children. Great joy, promise, blessings are upon us since then, until now & will always be as we receive & bless Jesus as well as God’s babies & children in our midst & in our Church.

    Surely this is the meaning behind of our Filipino’s devotion to our Sto. Nino – God & His graces is upon us & in our midst, and usually comes as Children, as God’s ninos & ninas. So, Beware there are God’s children & babies in our midst now.

    Perhaps as we are starting this year, spent some quality time with babies & children. Listen to what they are saying (& not saying), be sensitive of their presence, & be childlike with them so that we may be in touch anew to the promise of life with us & in us.

    We welcome God’s children, God’s grace in our midst that we may we have a grace-filled year ahead.

    Sampit Senor. HaPit Senor. Pit Senor.

    Amen.

  • LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND

    LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND

    January 14, 2024- 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011424.cfm)

    How do you listen? Just like now, here in this Church, listening to the Word of God and to my homily, what kind of attitude do you show as you listen? On this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, let me share with you the different forms of listening and let us see how each form affect that way the message is communicated to us and how we respond. From here, let us also evaluate ourselves on how we perceive God’s voice and God’s word proclaimed to us.

    There are 5 levels of Listening according to Stephen R. Covey.[1] The first level is called IGNORING. In this level of listening we completely ignore what has been said, that means we do not listen at all. This is shown in our body language, for instance, when someone is talking we are doing some other things like chatting and playing with our phones, or starting a conversation with a person near us.

    The second level is called PRETEND LISTENING. We only show to the person that we listen but actually not. We may show this as well in our body language like regularly nodding our head and making eye contact but then, our mind is somewhere else. This level of listening has no intention to really listen and understand because this is merely a show-off.

    The third level is called SELECTIVE LISTENING. Like the pretend listening, we also show to the one talking that we are listening but not fully. In this level, we only listen to some parts that we want to hear, that we love and expect to hear. However, other parts of what has been said to us, we do not listen anymore especially when what is being said disturbs us or challenges us, or simply does not interest us.

    The fourth level is called ATTENTIVE LISTENING. This means that we pay attention, we concentrate and we respond accordingly to what has been said. This is shown in our body language as we make eye contact, sit properly and respond when we are asked.

    And finally, the fifth level is called ATTENTIVE-EMPATHETIC LISTENING. Comparing this with the fourth level, here we do not only make an effort to listen but we listen to understand. And when we listen to understand, this also means that we see ourselves in the words that are being said to us without judging or filtering the words being said. We become receptive to what has been said, thus, what is being opened is not just our ears, but also our heart and our mind.

    So, at what level are you now? What kind of body language do you show as I communicate with you? How receptive are you with the words that I am saying?

    We may hopefully be able to see ourselves and evaluate our attitudes in listening and then move higher towards the fifth level if we are below it. I am sharing this with you because the readings we have this Sunday speak of people who have shown an ATTENTIVE-EMPATHETIC LISTENING. And so, let us see how God invites us today to respond to him according to our own life situation and context in the community as we called first, to listen.

    In the first reading, the young Samuel had his first encounter with God. Samuel was an altar server, very young but was chosen by God to be his prophet.

    He was called, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel[2] and the young Samuel would get up and go to Eli thinking it was the old man who called him. Being so young, Samuel did not have any knowledge yet about God. This was the reason why Samuel would go to Eli thinking that it was him calling the young boy. But thanks to Eli, to that wisdom from an old one who guided the inexperienced young boy to be able to listen attentively and empathetically to the voice of God.

    The presence of the old prophet Eli, affirms our need of somebody who can guide us, of those who already experienced life. Thus, Samuel was able to listen to God because despite his young age there was a good advice from an adult.

    As Samuel listened empathetically, he responded, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening,” God was allowed to be heard. The conscious action of Samuel made him familiar to God’s voice. That was the beginning of God working in the life of Samuel. As a result of Samuel’s conscious listening to God and of allowing God to speak to him, Samuel also understood what God told him. Thus, God made him a “trustworthy prophet,” to whom everyone listened.

    Samuel spoke with authority and honesty because he allowed the Lord to speak through him, and thanks to that old man who guided him. Samuel stood as God’s representative in a time of political and religious corruption, in a time where people were in desolation and distress.

    Like Samuel, this is also the situation of the two disciples of John the Baptist. These two disciples did not know Jesus but they were already listening to John about Jesus. Hence, when John the Baptist saw Jesus, John said, “Here is the Lamb of God.” The two disciples listened and understood what John said. That was the reason why the two followed the Lord. In their effort to understand Jesus more, they asked, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus responded, “Come and see.” Both listened to the invitation of Jesus and so they came and saw how Jesus lived. Their ears were open as well as their heart and mind.

    This openness of the two, made one of them, Andrew, to become an instrument for his brother Simon to encounter and know Jesus. Through that encounter, Simon paid attention and listened to Jesus. This was how Jesus also called Simon to become Cefas (in Hebrew, in Latin Peter) which means the Rock.

    John the Baptist encountered the Lord, and so recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God. Because of this encounter, he helped his disciples to also encounter Jesus. That encounter prompted them to follow the Lord. Andrew also who encountered the Lord led his brother, Simon to also encounter the Lord. This was all made possible because they first listened and understood the presence and the voice of the Lord. Now, we see the pattern in their stories.

    This is also the very invitation for us this Sunday and that is to learn and to move towards ATTENTIVE-EMPATHETIC LISTENING so that we may be able to listen well to what God is saying to us and understand better God’s invitations for us.

    Through attentive-empathetic listening also, this will help us grow in our awareness of God’s presence and our relationship with God. Moreso, such attitude in our listening, this will greatly help our human relationships. Thus, begin to show this attentive-empathetic listening with your friend, with your colleague, classmate or workmate, or with your student, or with your own child, partner or loved one. Through attentive-empathetic listening, then, we better understand the person, we avoid developing biases, or in making quick judgments against the person. Through attentive-empathetic listening we make dialogue to be possible, we promote understanding and peace in our own homes, communities and institutions. Hinaut pa.

    [1] From Revolution: Listening and Development (revolutionlearning.co.uk)

    [2] Samuel means a person who “heard God.”

  • AUDIENCE

    AUDIENCE

    January 14, 2023 – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011424.cfm)

    Whenever we are interested to know more about a person, we usually ask for their name, address & contact number. Same way, whenever we are interested about a person, we give them our information: name, address & contact number. But rarely we invite them or get invited by them right away home, Diba? We don’t expect invitations right away whenever we want to meet someone. And we don’t readily invite someone interested or interesting into our home.

    However this is not the case with the disciples of John in our gospel today. Somehow they were star-strucked with Jesus when John introduced Him as the Messiah to them. They followed Jesus & got his attention.

    Meeting Jesus, they ask for His usual information. They are  interested to know Him more. And they got more than they hope for. Not only they got his address, they get an invitation “Come & See” – an audience with Jesus, his undivided attention in his own home for the whole day. After their encounter with Jesus, they are not anymore the same but now  changed persons, and moved them to share Jesus with others.

    The same could happen with our Christian faith & life. Whenever we are interested to consider Jesus to be part of our daily life, whenever we want to know Him more personally, be careful with what you ask for, “what you are looking for?”, because Jesus will not only give you an address information but an invitation. Jesus will not only give you advice, solutions & encouragement on your concerns, but moreso would offer you friendship, love, life-changing challenges & spirituality with Him & others.

    As we are just starting the year, perhaps healthy for us as we meet & encounter Him during prayers, to consider  Jesus asking us now: “What are looking for?” Ask ourselves & reflect: “What do we want & need from Him at this juncture of our faith journey? Are we in it with Him for just our petty-concerns, conveniences, & personal interests, OR are we in for the whole-deal of what Jesus can offer us for the better & the best for our life anew? Would we be with Him at a distance, just observing what he is doing OR would we be near & close with Him & be changed by His love & friendship? If now God is with us, are we with Him?

    Lord, take away everything that distance us from You. Grant us everything that bring us closer to you. Detach us from ourselves to give our All to you.

    Amen

  • ALTERNATIVE

    ALTERNATIVE

    January 7, 2024 – Epiphany of the Lord

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010724.cfm)

    During confession, we also make an act of contrition by saying these particular words: “I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance & amend my life. Amen.” In saying these words, we are not only regret our mistakes but we are also making a resolution to change & improve our ways. Meaning, it is not enough just to be sorry of our mistakes, but we have to do something about our mistakes by doing our best because we know that we are much better than our sins, faults & shortcoming, and that God’s mercy is much better than our sins, faults & shortcoming,

    Making an act of contrition then reminds us that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not only about being sorry for our sins, but moreso giving oneself & God a chance to do things right & do the right things for the better than we usually do. It is useless then to do monthly individual confession if & when we don’t change our ways & resolve to improve, but rather go back to our sinful & corrupt ways. Salvation is all about God’s grace in us rather than our sins. Reconciliation then is allowing God’s mercy & forgiveness work in us, rather than finding & counting our woes, sins, faults, mistakes, shortcoming & others. It is all about receiving God’s grace than accounting our faults.

    Today, we celebrate the feast of Epiphany. This is our celebration of our remembrance of God’s loving act of reaching out to us (God making himself known to us) and our acceptance of Jesus, as God’s self-revelation. We, Christians believe that God has given us His only Son, Jesus Christ, as His first gift to us for our salvation. By sharing us His Sons, we become related to Him and become His adopted sons and daughters, and sharers of His divine life. Indeed, Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us. God’s offer of salvation & our reception of Jesus into our lives give another alternative meaning, directions & ways in our life. Because of Jesus, we are blessed & graced by God

    Here in our gospel today, we are reminded us of what happened when the three kings found the child Jesus lying in the manger in Bethlehem. Guided by the star, in great joy, they saw the child Jesus and they did him homage. Their encounter of Jesus and the Holy Family in Bethlehem brought the three kings great joy for they have finally found what they are searching for. The birth of Jesus brought new promise & purpose, not only to the local Jews, but also  to  the migrant magis & to the whole world. With this, like us now, they are grateful, and offered their gifts in homage and thanksgiving to God’s greatest gift to all.

    But let us not forget that after they have witnessed & accepted the Son of God into our lives, they returned by a different alternative way. This is not because they were afraid of Herod, but because of their encounter with Jesus has also changed their lives. Because of their experience with the baby Jesus, their lives were never the same again. They did not follow the usual path, but they now tread an alternative way, perspective, and attitude to life. After they have recognized God in the child Jesus, the lives of the three kings were never the same again. The child Jesus brought them great joy as well as great changes in their way of life.

    The same with our experience of God’s mercy & forgiveness during confession. After celebrating the Sacrament of confession, we know deep inside that life now & ahead could & should not be the same again. We have to change our ways & paths. Like the three kings, we have to take an-other, an alternative path of life-journey, much better than our usual lifestyle. The usual King Herod-road to Jesus, our sinful corrupt ways are not anymore safe to tread through again. We cannot help but change our normal ways, or else we find ourselves again with our usual unhealthy drama, blame & excuses – away from God’s grace.

    As we are beginning a new year, we make an act of contrition. We give ourselves another chance to grow & do better than last year life. As we again receive Jesus, God’s greatest gift for us, let us diminish our tendency to account& highlight our mistakes & faults, but be more conscious of God’s grace upon at work in us. And above all, let us amend & improve our lives for the better than our usual normal ways, and seek a new – an alternative path, roads, & ways for God’s blessing to be always with us today & our near future.

    In other words: “We firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to confess our sins, to do penance, & amend our life.”

    Amen.

  • BY CHOICE than Adoption

    BY CHOICE than Adoption

    December 31, 2023 – Feast of the Holy Family

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123123.cfm)

    How many of you here have experiences with adopted children? Be might you an adopted child yourself, or have adopted a child in a family as son/daughter, or brother/sister or relatives. Child adoption has never been an easy experience within the family. It entails a lot of adjustments and complications not only to the adopted child but also to the parents and the whole family as well.

    I remember once I counselled a couple who have no child of their own and have decided to adopt a child. As the child grew and eventually learned that she is adopted, they observed that their child becomes problematic and difficult. I advise them to try to take care of the child even more, as well as to acknowledge the child not as adopted- someone taken on, which connotes someone who is “sabit o sakay lang” but as chosen “pinili”, as someone they have chosen as their own among other abandoned children.  The child might not be their own but the child is whom they have personally chosen as their own. Essentially, the child then is chosen – the one they have chosen, not only adopted.

    Either by natural birth or adoption, as a child, we are not only taken and accepted but moreso Chosen “Pinili” by our own parents and family. Thus as parent, your child then might be or not be your own, but basically you choose your child. We are chosen children then, not only of God but also by our own fathers and mothers, and our own family as well.

    Christmas reminds us that God comes into our lives as a Child – not as fully grown man or as superman or as god, but as a poor child on a manger. For a child to live and grow, God’s child needs a human parent and family like any other child. Jesus Christ, God’s son has to be taken, accepted, adopted and above all chosen by human parents and family. He grew up then in, with, through his family who adopted and chosen Him to be their own. And In a Family Jesus was born, loved, lived and have grown as a Person. Not in a Monastery or Convent. Once I receive a Christmas card that say: “A child is born in our midst”. Well that’s okay because that is the core message of Christmas. But what made me suspect then was that card was sent from the sisters’ convent. Imagine sisters’ sending me a message that a child is born in their midst”. Me batang ipinanganak sa kanila. Hmmm??? Yes, God’s son has a family, a foster parents and family who chose Him to be their own.

    Today we honor the Holy Family, the very first family who welcomes and willingly accepts the Immanuel “the God with us” into our lives. Mary and Joseph are the very first parents who adopted and chosen the child of God Jesus to be their very own as member of their family. Our gospel today gives us a description on how Mary and Joseph do their best to parent the child Jesus into their own lives as they observe their own local cultural and religious traditions, while conscious of the mysterious unique experience of adopting and choosing God’s blessing into their lives. Yes, with Mary and Joseph they are and become a normal human family; but with the child Jesus, they are and become a HOLY family – now member of God’s family.

    Honoring the Holy Family on Christmas season posts the on-going ever-present challenge for us, like Mary and Joseph to adopt and parent Jesus, God’s child by choice into our lives now and always. By willingly accepting Jesus into our lives to be our own, part of our own lives as family and community, we come to know also that we also are and becoming God’s adopted and chosen children and people, part of His Holy Family. Sa ating pag-angking kay Hesus na ating kapamilya, tayo ay naging at maging ka-anak rin ng Dios at kamag-anak ng anak ng Dios. As we consider Jesus as our chosen family member, we are and become God’s children and Jesus family.

    With the Holy Family, this Christmas season, and the coming New Year remind us always that God comes to us as a Child, who can brings us a lot of joys as well as uncertainties, but above all another chance to live our lives for the better, as His willing chosen parent and family. Have a Grace-filled Christmas and New Year to all us. Amen.