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Category: Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

  • Paradox of Discipleship

    Paradox of Discipleship

    February 18, 2020 – Thursday after Ash Wednesday

    Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021821.cfm)

    There are many misconceptions about following the Lord Jesus. Some believers think that it offers a problem-free, challenge-free and stress-free life.

    But to contrary to this myopic view, following the Lord has a lot of demands to consider. It is truly costly:

    “If you WISH to be a follower of mine, DENY yourself and TAKE UP YOUR CROSS each day, and follow me.”

    Deny oneself and taking up cross each day! Wow! Such costly and daunting tasks to carry! Who can bear that? All the more if we are to carry them DAILY?

    We know, by human standards, it is difficult to set aside our selfish desires and to shoulder our burdens each day. It is never a joke.

    That is why, it takes courage and trust to follow the Lord and to be his disciples. Courage, because we are not taking the control of our life. And trust, because we have to surrender and sacrifice a lot for this life. Thus, those who follow Him are truly brave men and women.

    Nevertheless, Jesus did not promise an easy life and smooth journey. He just said:”For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; But if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.” No assurance of a happy and smooth-sailing life’s journey.

    What we can thread out from these words of Jesus is that our life and its meaning can only be fully achieved by spending one’s life in serving God and others, not from what the world offers. And the loss of eternal life can never be compensated or satisfied by worldly pleasures and material goods put together.

    Finally, in this time of your life, will you be willing to take a leap of faith and to pay a high cost to follow Jesus and to place your relationship with him above all else?

  • A CLENCHED HAND OR AN OPEN HAND

    February 15, 2021 – Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Gibo Dandoy, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021521.cfm)

    When it comes to giving and offering to God, do you take a clenched hand or an open hand?

    We all have different attitude or take on the call of generosity. Some are loose and generous; others are tight and stingy. Some give from their surplus; others from the meager they have. Some give gladly, while others grudgingly.

    Allow me to reflect on our first reading from the Book of Genesis, particularly because it has provided us two (2) models of giving to ponder on ourselves:

    The first model is that of Abel. Abel is a shepherd, and he brings the best firstlings of his livestock and some fat as well and offer them to Lord;

    The other model is that of Cain. Cain is a farmer, who brings the fruits of the soil as an offering to Lord.

    Now let us pay close attention to the Lord’s response to their individual offerings? “Now Yahweh was well pleased – ‘looked with favor’ – on Abel and his offering, but towards Cain and his offering he showed no pleasure.”

    What’s wrong? What’s the difference?

    Yes, both have offered to the Lord. However the Lord was so pleased or delighted with Abel and his sacrificial offering because Abel did the right thing by giving or offering what the Lord so deserved. He gave the best and choiced portions of his produced. Not the surplus nor the least.

    But with Cain, the Lord was displeased because Cain was very reluctant in offering what was due to the Lord.

    Today, God has given us one of the secrets of living a blessed and full life, that is by way of giving God generously: from the best and the choiced portion of our produce. For He is able to multiply our blessings beyond human estimation.

    And so, when it’s time to give, “Let not your hand be open to receive and clenched when it is time to give. (Sir. 4:31.)”