Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Author: A Dose of God Today

  • Trading Souls

    Trading Souls

    October 22, 2023 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102223.cfm)

    On the final stage of a job interview, the job-interviewer asked a Catholic applicant  for sale representative position, a question: “Supposing in the course of your negotiation & transaction, one of our rich prospect client responds to you and said – ‘I will buy your products as long as you provide me with a lady-companion as I enjoy your city during my whole stay here’. What and how would you respond to such costumer’s conditions?” The applicant, being one among the last two final contenders for the job as well as an active Catholic church youth leader, paused for a moment to think deeply, and eventually reply: “I would tell the costumer as civil as possible that our prestigious company is not in any way involved with escort servicing as well as pimping is not part of my job description. I sell our company’s good products and not my soul.”

    This story is to point out & emphasize that our gospel today is more than just about Jesus and Taxes, as well as about the separation of Church & State. Yes, we do tend to read & interpret our gospel today to highlight Jesus’ stance about a controversial social and political issue of His time: about Paying taxes, or religion & politics. Beyond the issue of taxes & politics, Jesus here is addressing a much deeper issue of personal principles and spiritual commitment. Yes, what is at stake here is His deeper faith and commitment to God and humanity – our Christian moral principles.

    Remember, the Pharisees and their disciples as well as the Herodians were there not to know what is right, good and proper but to test and probe Jesus of His loyalties and principles in faith and life with malice. Yes, beyond common issues-raised, there was malicious intent of fault-finding & values-testing & scrutiny, Thus, our gospel today is not only about how smart the response of Jesus is, but moreso about how our world can be so cruel and evil to the point of misguiding us to put our Christian values, principles and faith in jeopardy or under compromise.

    We cannot deny that our today’s world is a world where our Christian principles and faith are tested and probe. In a world where the consumerism and corporate ideals are promoted, everything, not only material things but also the self, relationships, moral principles and faith, become negotiable & for-sale. Like the job interviewee, we sometimes find ourselves nowadays in situations where our very person and identity is on the line and under fire – where people are willing to sell and buy lives for their evil and corrupt ways to the point that we resort to so-called “soul for sale” or commercializing our very souls. Thus, the very heart of the issue here is the real threat & malice of these corrupt and evil practices in the world to our human and Christian principles today.

    As Jesus has dealt with this situation of His time, Jesus today is directing us to the following challenges:

    Beyond the issue of taxes, and of other human pressing social, religious and political issues of our times, Jesus wants us first to be aware and remain vigilant of this existent threat & malice to our principles in our world today. All of us (not only common people but also civic and church leaders) can be knowingly and unknowingly be victims of this corrupt ways and evil threats. Moral consciousness and awareness are thus important. So, Beware. Be-aware & vigilant of the dangers-done & malice-caused by consumerism & corporate capitalistic world.

    Second, Jesus teaches that as we engage with the world, there are fundamental Christian principles that in conscience, simply cannot be compromised and negotiated. Unfortunately, moral decadence in our society today are often caused by Filipino Christians who gamble, sold, negotiate, and compromise their principles to malicious and evil ways. We should not put ourselves and others at the edge of selling & trading their souls in jeopardy. So, Be firm & strong of our Christian faith values & principles.

    And lastly, Jesus particularly upholds & directs us to two non-negotiable and non-comprised Christian principles. First, Think of common good over and above me-good or self-good. This would mean that win-win situation is not necessary and always better than with the for-the-sake-of-others situation. Self-denial or selflessness is still more noble and humane than self-gratification or self-fullness. Second, consider righteousness first before social acceptance and approval. This means that in making moral decision, we should consider first our right and proper relationship with God over and above keeping-up with Joneses, flowing with the current tides, trends, and mob; or “sabay sa tama”.

    Simply put, Be AWARE and VIGILANT with our today’s corrupt and evil ways that putting our Christian principles in jeopardy. Be STEADFAST and PERSISTENT of our non-negotiable and non-comprise Christian principles, especially Upholding Common Good and Righteousness over and above me-good, self-good and social acceptance and approval.

    Lord, Help us to be Your worthy witnesses & proclaimers of God’s kingdom today, as we do our best to be aware, strong & firm in living-out and upholding our Christian faith- values & principles in our challenging world today.

    So may it be. Amen.

  • Invited Guests

    Invited Guests

    October 15, 2023 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101523.cfm)

    Imagine that a big event is about to happen within your company of work. And many are especially invited & one of them is you. How would you respond to this special occasion in your company? Are you going to attend or not? If not, what are your reasons & excuses for not going? Perhaps conflict of schedule, you don’t like the host & other invited guests, other so-called important commitments than the event itself, simply distaste of the company & crowd, among others. And if you are going, how would you attend? Are you going to dress up for the occasion, enjoy the program & party, meet old & new friends, stay-on until it ends, honor the host & honorees, and others? Or are you just going to show up on jeans, shirt or shorts, eat-drink & mingle a little, sit at the back, perhaps do some sideline business, meet possible contacts & clients, try to leave early as possible (BH) bringing along some food & drinks from the event for the after-party with friends? 😉

    Guilty or not guilty?, but Sounds familiar. We do have seen, heard & even experienced for ourselves the same situation. This is the very experience that Jesus is telling us in the parable of wedding guests in our gospel today. It plainly begs the question: “What kind of invited guests am I, are you, are we?”

    Are we the “excusing” (balidad) guests who find a lot of alibis & reasons not to attend? Or are we the “worthy” (angayan) guests who willingly choose to attend & enjoy the occasion? Or are we the “unworthy” (bastos) guests who unwillingly attend for the sake of obligation & personal interests?

    In our gospel today, we hear Jesus ends the parable with the words; “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” It feels great to know that “many are invited” for it assures us that all those who believe in Jesus are invited to be part of God’s salvation in life – that into Christ, we are God’s invited guests. However, “few are chosen” not because only few are worthy to be invited, but moreso, few have chosen to be a worthy guests (naging karapatdapat/nipiling angayan) of the invitation & the occasion.

    Remember the lesson about invitation & choice is not about discrimination & exclusivity (who is invited & chosen or not to attend), but all about our choice-response to God’s invitation for all. Yes, we are all invited to attend, but how we respond to the invitation greatly matters. In other words, “Many are called but few are chosen” because few have chosen to respond worthily – few have chosen to be worthy of the invitation & occasion. We also note here that the invitation is not only a Gift from God, but also our choice to respond to his invitation. Righteousness (having right relationship with God) & worthiness of God’s blessings then are both God’s gift and our willing response to it.

    Perhaps we beg the question now to ourselves, after pandemic times where & when we experienced how it is to be distant & restricted to attend Sunday Eucharist for quite some times: “What kind of Sunday Eucharist invited guest I have been lately? What kind of Sunday Eucharist invited guest I choose to be from now on? Will I remain be the “excusing” (balidad) guests who find a lot of alibis & reasons not to attend? Or will I remain to be the “worthy” (angayan) guests who willingly choose to attend & enjoy the Eucharist? Or Will I remain be the “unworthy” (bastos) guests who unwillingly attend for the sake of obligation & personal interests?

    As per experience, one of the topmost sins confessed during confessions is for failing & missing to attend Sunday Eucharist with corresponding alibis & excuses. As per advice, I usually suggest to the penitent that before coming to attend Mass for the next time, recognize & count first the special & ordinary blessings (all God has done to you & through you), that you have received from God during the week, and bring all these to the Eucharist in praise & thanksgiving for His love & goodness; rather than going to mass only with your wants & needs, merely asking for all that you want/need Him to do for you. Simply put, Come & attend in thanksgiving for what you already received than just begging for what you want & need. Kay Ang Misa Bangkete/Punsyon, ug dili feeding program o paghatag og hinabang. 😉

    Worthy or unworthy we may be, thank you, Lord for inviting us always to be part of your blessings & life-celebration. May we willingly choose to attend & be present to be With you always for we know that apart from you we can do nothing, & we believe that away from you are nothing.

    So May It Be. Amen.

  • A Beautiful Journey to SILP Balabagan, Prelature of Marawi in God’s Perfect Time: Friendship Goal Unlocked

    A Beautiful Journey to SILP Balabagan, Prelature of Marawi in God’s Perfect Time: Friendship Goal Unlocked

    As a counselor-educator in a state university, it has been my passion to form our future Registered Guidance Counselors. There is an immense need of young blood to join the the counseling profession. This helping vocation is an expression of faith, hope and love. While my graduate students in the Master’s Level were enrolled in their Practicum course, I toyed the idea of inviting them to join the Pastoral Care and Counseling Ministry of St. Clement’s Church, Redemptorist Mission Community of Iloilo. They were all excited to be part of this healing ministry so I tagged them along to meet with the founding members. With God’s grace, we will be celebrating our 5th birthday on December 23 of this year.

    Fr. Jomil Baring, C.Ss.R, one of the founding members of the said ministry decided to transfer to San Isidro Labrador Parish in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. The ministry then had a thanksgiving lunch with him. We jokingly told him that we will visit him there someday. Never did I expect that this will be a reality much earlier than we expect it to happen.

    While Fr. Jom was sharing with me an experience in the Parish which calls for a need to organize a mental health program/ministry, I quickly told him that I am willing to visit him for a Capacity-Building. I then invited another founding member and my good friend, Ms. Nove Jalandoni to join me in this endeavor. It was easy for us to prepare the Training Design because we are both counselor-educators. We made use of our instructional materials – power-point presentations and notes for our classes in Mental Hygiene and Counseling class. We just have to tailor these to suit the needs of the Parish for the Capacity-Building for Parish Community-Based Mental Health Program Personnel.

    This is clear manifestation that God has prepared us for this simple and short mission in one of the municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).  God never fails to provide us with all our needs in order for us to carry out our tasks and responsibilities.

    When the day came for us to leave for Mindanao, my road trip started at around 3:30 am to catch our early morning flight since the airport is at the other side of the Province. This poses no problem with me since I am used to waking up early as I am travelling to my workplace everyday for four hours. We had 2 plane rides – Iloilo – Manila – Pagadian and a 3-hour road trip to Balabagan. The tiredness of our bodies was replaced by the blissful reunion with Fr. Jom. Seeing him with some of the participants for the Capacity-Building allowed me to pray silently in deep gratitude to God for blessing our plans – our friendship goal unlocked.

    The road may be long and winding but the scenery in this part of Mindanao was truly beautiful.  We arrived past 7 in the evening and was welcomed warmly by the convent staff and Nanays of Fr. Jom – his immediate community. We had a lively conversation over a sumptuous dinner of fresh fish & shrimps – all the way from General Santos City and a yummy welcome cake for us. We had to go to bed early since it was a long day for us.

    Meeting the participants from the 3 Parishes in the Prelature of Marawi for the Capacity-Building for the first time was truly a joy for me and Nove. There seemed to be an instant connection among us. During the initial workshop, we had a glimpse of the scenario of the mental health program and practices in the Parish and the entire Prelature. It was a good take off. The rest of the sessions was truly engaging. We had a wonderful conversation about their practices and experiences in handling cases. I truly admired their humility to acknowledge their misconceptions, shortcomings and malpractices in dealing with people who have come to ask for help – who needs a listener.  

    The participants were authentic people – no pretensions, no air – only a genuine desire to be of help to their fellow Parishioners who are struggling emotionally and mentally. Our workshop, simulation activities and lectures turned out to be light and enjoyable. All of the participants were engaged and actively participated in the activities. The participants crafted practical and relevant Mental Health program which hopes to prevent the occurrence of severe mental health issues and illnesses. Promising helpers were identified to be part of the core group who will spearhead the organization of a Mental Health Ministry in their own Parishes. With God’s grace, the plan that they crafted will be implemented and realized soon. Our deep gratitude to Fr. Jom for his initiative to organize a mental health ministry in his parish and the other parishes within the prelature.

    Listening to their stories and impressions on how much they have learned and valued the Capacity-Building brought real joy to us. In silence, I whispered a thanksgiving prayer to God for blessing our endeavor, our goal of assisting the Parish of San Isidro Labrador in Balabagan and other Parishes within the Prelature of St. Mary’s in Marawi. All our efforts, hard work and financial expenses paid off. We shouldered our air fare as a way of expressing our support to the good people of Marawi whom we now consider as our good friends. Most of all to express our support and affirmation to our dedicated and loving friend, Fr. Jom who serves as the Parish Administrator of San Isidro Labrador Parish. His agility, passion and dedication to his ministry is always a source of joy and inspiration to us.

    It was indeed a moment of grace – a life-giving and enriching quick visit to this Parish. I

    As a side trip, we were blessed to have joined the 2 barrio masses of Fr. Jom. It was a grace moment for me to witness the faith of the Catholics/Christian people from all ages, in the midst of a Muslim community. They were generous and hospitable to share a meal with us after the mass. Bountiful gifts and fruits were shared to us. It was a true source of joy to be recipients of their generosity – sharing their blessings out of poverty and not from their excess. We also attended the Sunday mass in the Parish Church. It was moving to see the faithful from all ages participating actively during the celebration. I admired the Altar Girls for their dedication and commitment to serve in the mass.

    It was indeed a moment of grace – a life-giving and enriching quick visit to this Parish. It was a life-changing experience for me since it deepened my faith in a loving and faithful God. It moves me to love more my vocation as an educator-counselor – to be more available to people who needs help. I have been blessed a thousand fold even after our short mission in Balabagan. I am now reaping the fruits of this endeavor in so many ways. Indeed, it was a beautiful and wonderful journey – a participation in God’s desire for all people to live fully. In the prayerful words of Fr. Jom, “may the Lord of healing, freedom and life bless us and this ministry.”

  • Karen & Ken-Moments

    Karen & Ken-Moments

    October 8, 2023 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100823.cfm)

    For pasalubong, a monsignor once bought a box of munchkins from Dunkin Doughnut. While waiting for their flight, a family sat beside him at the pre-departure area. Giving in to his cravings for sweets, the monsignor took a munchkin from the box, and enjoyed eating it. Suddenly, from the same box a little boy also took and ate one. He did not mine at first, thinking the boy must be hungry. But then, the elder sister of the boy also took and ate one. This has upset the monsignor but he just ignored it and took one for himself. But then so did the parent of the children. This really irritated the monsignor that he glared at the family who was consuming the rest of the munchkins. But what really made him angry was when the mother took the last munchkin and offered it to him. Now indignant and so enraged, the monsignor stood up and changed his seat. But later on, when his opened his tote bag to get his ticket, he saw, much to his embarrassment and shame that inside his bag was his own box of munchkins unopened. “Opps, hindi pala kanya yon.”

    Surely we are familiar with these experiences. We do hear, seen & have even experienced moments like these ourselves. Young people nowadays would call these moments slangly & pejoratively as “Karen or Ken Moments” where & when we experience people who asserting  their entitlements & demanding their privileges that they are not rightly to claim.

    Perhaps sometimes it is good to examine and ask ourselves: “What are the things that we claim as being rightly ours and yet are not truly ours?” This may not only be material possessions but could also be our status in society used to lord over others… titles used for personal advantages, prejudices and biases harbored towards others… or self-righteous behaviors that makes us feel morally better or more privilege or important than others. Sometimes, we admit that we are not different from that monsignor. We sometimes claim these privileges, that do not really belong to us, but we come to think and believe that they are only ours to own. Worse, we are sometimes greedy enough to claim that we are the rightful owners of the munchkins and it is only us to have and enjoy. Yes, at times we become Karen & Ken. We do have our Karen & Ken moments.

    Certainly Jesus would not tolerate our being Karen or Ken and justify such behavior of distinctiveness, self-righteousness, greed and conceit. This is what Jesus criticizes here in our gospel today. 

    By telling us the parable of Ungrateful Tenants, he reminds us that God has already done His part for our salvation, and that we should also do our part. And our part is not to hoard, accumulate and own all the blessings He has given us but to produce its fruits and share it to others. Here, Jesus strongly condemned the Pharisees and scribes of his time and warns us of our tendency to be so preoccupied & obsessed with honor, recognition, privileges, titles, and social status – thinking and claiming that we are greater compared to others, and much worse, even resorting to greed, fraud, and murder, in order to protect and maintain such claim.

    For Jesus, the Kingdom of God is wider than our human standards of social status and privileges. He reminds us today that we are not the rightful owners but mere tenants, sharers, benefactors or stewards of God’s graces. We cannot exclusively claim ownership and privilege for what we have, because everything we have is a gift from God.  For Him, God’s Kingdom is more like a big farm where all of us participates and shares in the production and fruits of the bounty, where each of us has something to contribute and benefit from, since no one is too poor who cannot share with others and no one is too rich who does not need others. (Sa Hiligaynon pa, walay kubos nga indi makahatag, walay adunuhan nga wala nagkinahanglan.)

    Our Eucharist today has a simple message: What you enjoy now are not only fruits of your labor but most of all, God’s gifts.  All of these are God’s blessings to you and for all of us to enjoy. Accept the Gift, but don’t forget to acknowledge and thank the Giver. Be fruitful and share the fruits of God’s kingdom to others, for all these are not ours, but His.

    Be reminded that our recent experience of Pandemic times do make us reflect and realize that our life is essentially on-loan, a God-given chance by God to live and create this life anew & better. What we have now are just but borrowed time, talents and talents to make life fruitful and bountiful for all. Somehow pandemic times is God’s way of pruning and forming us to be who we are and we should be – His stewards, mere tenants, and not the so-called “Karen & Ken” of His creation & redemption. 

    Grant us, O Lord the humility to trust your Ways of creating anew our lives according to your Will. Amen.

  • BEING SORRY

    BEING SORRY

    October 1, 2023 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100123.cfm)

    In a recent Facebook post, a Q&A was logged:  “Is mortal sin forgiven only through sacramental confession?” In other words, “Is it enough to confess your sin to be forgiven of your mortal sin?” The answer was… sacramental confession is normatively but not absolutely required of mortal sin. Meaning, confession can forgive mortal sin but it is not the only one way and means of forgiving and being forgiven of mortal sins.

    Yes, sacramental confession and forgiving mortal sin are all about reconciliation with God and others, but it is also (and moreso), about REPENTANCE – the whole process of turning from sin and dedicating oneself to amend one’s life.

    Our readings today have a lot to teach us about repentance. First of all, repentance is more than just changing one’s mind, but it is about making a choice – a stand for ones life. In our gospel, both sons changed their minds: the second did not fulfill what he promised while the first did what was requested which he had initially refused. The virtuous as well as the wicked may also change their mind as our first reading suggests. Although it involves much changing one’s mind, repentance thus requires our choice – to turn away from virtuous or wicked life, as well as to fulfill or neglect our promise.

    Second, repentance is giving oneself and the others another chance. In our gospel today, because he choose to neglect his promise, the second son did not give himself and his father a chance to make things right. The first son however gives himself another chance and his father to make things right again by doing what was requested, even though he did not initially commit. In the same way, for the wicked to change his mind and turn away from his wickedness, he gives himself another chance for God to forgive and be merciful to him, and for himself to lead a virtuous life.

    Third, repentance is about saying what you mean and meaning what you say. It is not only about confessing you sin, just saying you’re sorry, but it is all about BEING sorry. Confessing ones sin is also not only about resolving to change your ways but it is all committing/ dedicating oneself in changing one’s life. Jesus asks about whom among the sons who Did the will of Father. He is not concern with who says Yes or No, but who does the Father’s will. Meaning, God needs DOERS who mean what they say, live and witness what they preach and believe, rather than preachers who do not do, live, witness what they say and preach.

    Although less appreciated compared to other sacraments, repentance of sin through the sacrament of reconciliation or confession is actually a Gospel – a good news of God’s salvation because it involves the resolve and commitment of the sinner to change one’s life, to give oneself and God another chance, as well as to live his life and dedicate his faith as witness to Christ’s good news to all.    

    St. Francis of Assisi who once said: Preach the Good news at all times, and use words when necessary. This reminds us that everything in our life as Christian – our struggles, hopes, dreams, aspirations, commitments, as well as our repentance of sin are a Life of Witness to the Good News of Christ. Whatever we do and however we live our Christian lives is a testimony to God’s work of salvation. It is ours now to share and preach such gospel to all at all times, not only by our words but also by our actions.

    In other words, it is never too late for us to change our minds, our ways and life. Just believe in Him – this would be the Lord’s  challenge for us now.