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Category: Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

  • BLESSING IN DISGUISE

    March 5, 2021 – Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030521.cfm)

    Today’s first reading is a classic example of what we call “blessing in disguise.” It is the story of Joseph. He was his father’s favorite. Because of this he became the object of jealousy by his own brothers, which sadly led him to be sold into slavery to get rid of him.

    Because of their ill-feelings toward him, they wanted to get rid of him. Joseph was then considered a thing – an “it” – a commodity – disposable – by his own siblings. Their resentment had completely blinded them from what was right and prevented them from recognizing him as their brother.

    Joseph’s plight, in human reasoning, is an utter misfortune and disaster. But in God’s logic, it is a privilege locus for God to reveal his saving power and plan for Joseph and his family. For what we humans consider as a sheer loss and hardship is actually a “blessing in disguise” if we look at it with the eyes of faith.

    We thought that it was his slavery and misfortune that brought Joseph to Egypt. But it was actually God’s plan of saving his people from famine by sending him ahead of them. It was God who orchestrated the circumstances. And he chose to intervene in the life of Joseph to bring his plan to fruition.

    On the otherhand, Jesus went through a similar fate in the hands of men. He was rejected by own people. Persecuted. Betrayed by friends. Sold for silver coins.  Abandoned. Humiliated. Suffered and nailed and died on the cross.

    He was considered a stumbling block by the proud, and his death on the cross foolishness and mean defeat by the ignorant. And yet the Father proved them wrong because Jesus is the Messiah. The fulfillment of the law and prophet. The One who is to save the entire of God’s creation. And his death on the cross is God’s wisdom, and the prime expression of God’s victory over sin and death, for which we all are free.

    So, when your life is challenging and difficult, remember the story of Joseph and Jesus and be consoled. For thus says the Lord, “For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29: 11, NLT).

  • CONVERSION IN THE SILENCE OF OUR ACTION

    CONVERSION IN THE SILENCE OF OUR ACTION

    March 2, 2021 – Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

    Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030221.cfm)

    There is always hope for sinners. The holy bible testifies as to how God, in the course of time, has been calling and inviting us, his people, to return to him, turn from our wickedness and change our lives. He has been faithfully engaging us in the dialogue of conversion and constantly intervening in our human affairs.

    Remember what he said in Ezekiel 18: 23: “Do I want the death of the sinner? Do I not rather want him to turn from his ways and live?” Which means, our well-being, our welfare and  our salvation is always at the top of God’s consideration.

    In relation to this, Prophet Isaiah has something to tell us which we can get from his words. What is this?

    First is that, to come to terms or to be reconciled with God is always God’s initiative. When there’s a desire to change ourselves, it is actually God’s voice speaking to our hearts and urging us to do so. Conversion, then, is ultimately God’s grace at work;

    The other one is that, our conversion, which I consider an interior work-in-progress, must be visible in the way we live our lives. Not that we are only good in words, but not in action. But this, as I recognized, is humanly challenging.

    Dom John Main, OSB, a meditation guru, said: “The external conversion is of no use unless it is inspired and springs from an inner conversion of the heart.” Conversion, therefore, is best expressed in the silence of action.

    Today, we are enjoined to heed to God’s invitation calling us to conversion. And to make use of our time while we are still afforded with enough time and chances to correct ourselves and straighten our ways.

    There’s never too late for a repentant sinner. There’s still hope for all of us. Only if we respond and obey.

  • MARKING INIQUITIES

    MARKING INIQUITIES

    February 26, 2021 – Friday of the First Week of Lent

    Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022621.cfm)

    Have you experienced being embarrassed in front of other people? Has someone insulted you, maligned you, and underestimated your person and your gifts?  I remember long time ago, someone has insulted me. I was so offended. I felt so little about myself. My ego was touched. I was so furious.

    And at that time, in my mind and in my heart, I wanted to kill the person. Needless to say, I wished him dead. Because of  shame, I lost my manners. I was too overcome by my anger.

    Thus, our human inclinations and human impulses are capable to do evil things to other people. Especially if we allow them to command our actuations, and all the more if they are un-reflected.

    Prophet Ezekiel informs us of God’s attitude towards wicked persons; which is actually the exact opposite on how human beings treat offenders. “Do you think I enjoy seeing evil people die?, the Lord replied. No, I would rather see them repent and live (v. 23).”

    In other words, God takes delight in our deep compunction and sincere conversion. He desires that we turn from our sins, heed his precepts and practice what is right and just. Rather than we continually wallow in sin and worldly allurements. And mind you, He is and will never get tired of giving us chances upon chances to repent and to change our lives. This is how much God has loved us!

    And even if God knows how to mark our transgressions, but he chose not to. Because “with Him is forgiveness and so he is revered” and  “with Him is kindness, with him is plentiful redemption (Ps. 130: 4, 7).”

    Also, says the Lord, “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies. Return and Live (Ez. 18: 32).”

    Therefore, let us not put to waste this opportune time for repentance and renewal of our lives which God has accorded us. And let us humbly approach God’s grace to receive mercy and compassion. Amen.

  • Prayer: A Relationship

    Prayer: A Relationship

    February 23, 2021 – Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

    Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022321.cfm)

    I often wonder why many Catholics, when asked to lead in prayer, during some social gatherings and family events, would often decline. Even those who are regular mass-goers would do the same. They reason out by saying: “I don’t know how to pray.” Well, the early disciples of Jesus had the same concern. That is why they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Lk. 11:1).

    But what really is prayer? Is prayer simply fulfilling personal devotions and novenas? Not at all! We hear Jesus saying: “When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans did; for they believe that, the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. Do not be like them.”

    However, by saying this, Jesus did not discourage us from praying. But he was exhorting us to go beyond our usual and routinary approach to prayer.

    Because prayer is more than a verbal exercise; more than litany of petitions. It is basically a relationship we have built with God, and which relationship extends to others.

    And since it’s a relationship, then it consists of: 

    1.) Communication with God which engages us in talking and listening. Prayer is not a one-way traffic where only us who do the talking while God is listening. In prayer, we sharpen our capacity to listen to the voice of God;

    2.) Recognizing and Affirming God’s presence in our lives, in season or out of season, which aids us in cultivating gratitude and cheerfulness;

    3.) Humble acceptance and admission of our human frailties and sins which ushers us in repentance and renewal of our lives; and

    4.) We are also afforded with time and space where we lift our burdens and petitions, believing that God is the only and ultimate source of all that is good.

    Corrie Tin Boom, a Christian writer, wrote something about prayer: “The wonderful thing about praying is that you have a world of not being able to do something and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for his almighty power. Nothing is too small for his love.“

    Brothers and sisters, as we enter and immerse ourselves in Prayer this season of lent, may we be given the grace to grow more in prayer and in the knowledge of God, so that our prayer is not borne out of obligation nor compulsion; but from a grateful heart so desirous to draw deeper into the very heart of God. Amen.

  • A Genuine Fasting in this Season of Lent

    A Genuine Fasting in this Season of Lent

    February 19, 2021 – Friday after Ash Wednesday

    Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021921.cfm)

    Today’s readings highlight one of the main  components of the season, which is Fasting. In our Catholic Tradition, we are taught that fasting is a spiritual exercise cum discipline as our way of repentance and penance for our sins which greatly hurt God and others. We practice this spiritual discipline to teach, train and tame not only our physical bodies but more so our interior self.

    St. Paul warns us, saying: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6: 12, NASB).” Through fasting, we arm and ready ourselves when forces of evil attack us day and night.

    However the Lord, in the book of the Prophet Isaiah, had to correct and re-orient his people as to the kind of fast he so required: “Is fasting merely bowing down one’s head, and making use of sackcloth and ashes? Would you call that fasting, a day acceptable to Yahweh? (v. 5, CCB).”

    He questioned their kind of fasting and showed his displeasure with their shallow observance of religious rituals. They acted pious and yet their attitude and lifestyle betrayed their faith in God.

    But what kind of fasting that pleases God?

    “To free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help (vv. 6-7, NLT).”

    These, brothers and sisters, are what pleased God, and is what genuine fasting all about! Lastly, let us however do all of these in secret, and the Father who sees us in secret will recompense us (Mt. 6:4). Amen.