Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Fr. Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Seeing from the Eyes of Faith and Compassion

    Seeing from the Eyes of Faith and Compassion

    March 19, 2025 – Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031925.cfm)

    When life becomes confusing, messy and overwhelming, how do we react? When our relationship is intrigued by anger or hatred or contempt over a misunderstood situation, are we easily driven by negative emotions and withdraw from the situation and hide? When we believe that our relationship is at the verge of collapse because of unresolved issues, how do we respond?

    These situations that we may find in our relationships are also invitations for us to be more discerning. Allowing the Lord to have significant space in our relationships would help us to be more objective and to look at the current issues from the perspective of faith and compassion. This is what I would like to propose today as our point of reflection on this Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary.

     The Gospel of Matthew presents to us the attitudes that portray faith and compassion.  Above all, we also realize an attitude that seeks guidance from God’s wisdom.

    Joseph’s relationship with Mary was intrigued with a suspicion of scandalous betrayal and unfaithfulness.  Joseph knew that even though, Mary and himself were still at the period of engagement, but then, Mary was already pregnant. Having this kind of situation, it was also clear for the people in their village that Joseph was not the father.

    Joseph himself was confident that Mary’s child in her womb was not his. Joseph knew that the Jewish law would find Mary guilty of adultery.  This was punishable by shame and death. Their law mandated Joseph to divorce Mary.

    In a small village like Nazareth, gossip was surely faster than lightning. Certainly, every person in their village would know that Mary was pregnant though they have not yet lived together. If we would imagine Joseph, he too must have been hurt. He might have felt being betrayed. Joseph was most likely in darkness at that moment, confused and overwhelmed by the intriguing situation.

    Yet, Joseph showed a non-reactive attitude. He did not allow his emotions to overwhelm him. In fact, the Gospel described him as a righteous man. Hence, instead of condemning Mary instantly, he showed compassion by divorcing her silently. He did that so that Mary will not be disgraced and bullied by others.

    This was how Joseph treated this difficult situation from the perspective of faith and compassion. He neither not wanted Mary to suffer nor the baby in her womb. It was his faith and compassion that moved him to protect Mary despite his confusion.

    This pleased the Lord. Joseph was indeed a good man, righteous and thoughtful. This became the way for God to reveal the divine plan. And God made the revelation to Joseph in the night of dreaming and pondering. Through that revelation, Joseph’s view of Mary and her pregnancy and even of himself became larger and brighter. Joseph began to see the overwhelming and scandalous situation of Mary’s pregnancy through the eyes of faith. Thus, fear and disappointment, anger and hatred were indeed irrelevant and even destructive.

    Joseph saw and felt the true scandal in what was revealed to him. God revealed Himself to Joseph. God has become man there in the womb of Mary. It was scandalous because we thought that God is only up there or out there in the heavens. We believed it was a place that no person can reach. Yet, Mary got pregnant.

    This unexpected pregnancy of Mary tells us that God is intimately present with us.

    Joseph received a revelation. He then understood that Mary’s pregnancy was a statement of God’s faithfulness. It was also a testament to His commitment to us. God commits himself to be our God. God commits to choose us as God’s people. And so, Joseph was told to name the baby, “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This was how Joseph was also called to participate in God’s loving plan for all of us. Joseph was to protect, cherish, and love Mary and Jesus. And Joseph embraced this.

    This is God’s assurance to us now. The Lord, indeed, is present. He lives in the midst of our lives, in the midst of our pain and our failures. He is there in our disappointments, hurts, and fears. He is even present in overwhelming situations we are in. Like St. Joseph, let also be more discerning and to see life’s situations from the perspective of faith. Hinaut pa.    

  • Sharing the Weight of our Burdens

    Sharing the Weight of our Burdens

    March 18, 2025 – Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031825.cfm)

    What burdens do we carry now? We may have different forms of burdens that we carry in life. Some are necessary and can’t be avoided. These could be the burdens of responsibilities in our commitments and relationships at home, at work and in our communities. Some may also be unnecessary and imposed upon us. These are the burdens in our toxic relationships, emotional baggage, unreasonable expectations from others or unresolved issues.  

    Sometimes, these burdens become overwhelming. We seek and want freedom. Yet, we also find difficulty in unloading our burdens. This is because of the cycle of blame, guilt, and fear that gripped us. There are also other reasons only known to us.

    Nevertheless, the Lord desires our freedom, to unload our burdens so that we experience life in its fullness. This is the power of forgiveness is all about. Forgiveness unburdens and unshackles us from sin and guilt. Prophet Isaiah described it this way, “Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.”

    This begins by acknowledging our sins and correcting the wrong we have done. This also includes avoiding evil, seeking justice and being charitable to the weak ad vulnerable.

    In this way, as we unload our burdens, then, we also help others to unload theirs. Yet, when these burdens are indeed necessary, then, we share together the weight of the burdens. This is the call that Jesus presented to his disciples.

    Jesus first criticized the indifference of those in power at that time. These were the scribes and Pharisees who imposed unnecessary burdens upon the people. Yet, unwilling to share those burdens. They were only concerned of their comfort and privileges. Their bloated ego and self-image became the very burden of the ordinary Jews.

    They were completely unaware of their faults and even refused to acknowledge their sins. No doubt, their hearts were hardened and can’t recognize God in the person of Jesus.

    The antidote to that bloated ego is humility. Thus, Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

    Jesus calls us today that humility becomes our way of life. By being humble, it makes us recognize our faults and failures. By being humble, we acknowledge that we not strong enough when alone. We need the company of others. We need the forgiveness of God to unburden us from sin and guilt. By being humble, we are more sensitive to others’ burdens. By being humble, we share in carrying the weight of the burdens with others. By being humble, we avoid becoming the very burden that others are suffering from. Hinaut pa.

  • ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK

    ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK

    March 13, 2025 – Thursday of the First Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031325.cfm)

    What would you like to ask from God? What are we supposed to ask also? What do we also seek for ourselves? And what should we also seek in this life?

    Do we ask and seek for a happy family and married life? Success and progress in our careers and business? Wealth and long life? A peaceful and comfortable way of life?

    Given with the current realities and context that each of us has, our prayer is somehow being molded. This means that what we ask and seek in life are being influenced by our current realities in life. So, in particular, we could be asking for healing because of the illness in us. We might be seeking for justice because of the wrong done unto us. We would ask for a second chance because of the past failure we’ve made. We would seek for freedom because of the oppression that we’ve experienced.

    Our readings today capture wonderfully the invitations of the Lord as we ask, seek and knock in our prayer. Indeed, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus told us to “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

    This invitation of Jesus is grounded on a “deep faith and trust” in the goodness of the Lord.  The deep faith and trust in us are found in our total confidence and dependence on God who gives and grants what is better for us.

    We remind ourselves that the Lord does not say that whatever we ask and desire will be given to us immediately and absolutely. This is not about to ask, seek and knock according to our whims and spur-of-the-moment. Rather, Jesus wants us to realize how important it is to pray and to be able to communicate with God, in all honesty and humility. This prayer springs forth from our intimacy and friendship with God.

    Thus, prayer is not just about asking, seeking and desiring what we want for ourselves alone. When prayer is reduced for personal satisfaction then it makes us entitled and self-centered. It ceases to be prayer. Prayer, rather, is allowing ourselves to be more aware of the presence of God in our life. It also makes us aware of God’s presence in the lives of others. Prayer also allows us to acknowledge not just our needs but also the needs of others. This is how prayer builds up our faith and trust in God. Moreover, it also makes us to be deeply in loved and truly concerned for others.

    The story of Queen Esther in our first reading tells us about this. The Queen, in all humility, pleaded to the Lord God to rescue her people from death. She did not ask the Lord God to only secure her status, title and wealth as Queen. When there was a threat of oppression, she did not think on how to save herself and her power. She was not after making a political alliance or simply to become a political puppet for her own advantage. Queen Esther, nevertheless, became an intercessor on behalf of God’s people, the Israelites.

    The Queen asked the Lord for courage and strength that she may be able to become a true mediator between the people and her husband the King of Persia. She knew that this would be too risky as she might also lose everything she had as Queen, because she was a Jew. She pleaded to the King to stop Haman, an influential court official of Persia, from annihilating the Jews.  Haman hated the Jews because of one man who did not bow and worship him.[1]

    As the queen asked and sought the grace from the Lord, her prayers made her also deeply in love with God’s people. Indeed, her prayer was answered because God found delight in her heart that was filled with humility and love. And so, Haman was stopped and punished by the king, and the people were saved.

    This is where we also find the  invitation of the Lord for us today. In our prayer, ask the grace that it will be an opportunity for us to grow more in our love and concern for one another. In our prayer, seek God’s desire that we do not forget others and those who are most in need than us. In our prayer, knock that the door of friendship will be opened for us. As we continue the journey in this Season of Lent, let also develop our intimacy and friendship with God and with people around us. Hinaut pa.

    [1] That man was named Mordecai, a cousin of Queen Esther.

  • INVITATIONS OF CHANGE

    INVITATIONS OF CHANGE

    March 12, 2025 – Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031225.cfm)

    What could make us give up on hope for others? When our heart is gripped by hatred and resentment then we easily give up on hope. When our memories are also petrified by our painful past, this could prevent us from realizing that there is hope. Indeed, hope for a change of heart and transformation of a person might be next to impossible.

    We shall find it difficult to be reconciled. This is especially true when we have been deeply hurt by others. The pain and many hurts caused to us could make our heart hardened by anger and hatred.

    A friend, who because of the unbearable pain he experienced from a person took revenge by his own hands. He became violent and hostile.  He believed that it will be his only way of moving on. He thought that the person who caused such agony to him did not deserve any mercy. Yet, later, he too was being haunted by his own guilt. The hatred, resentment and violence that overwhelmed his heart, as he realized, brought more damage and pain to him.

    That friend reminds me of our liturgical readings today. In the Book of Jonah, the prophet showed rebellious attitude towards God. Jonah was sent by God to do something, which he did not want to do. For that reason, Jonah tried to escape from God and to escape from the very responsibility that God gave him.

    Jonah was sent to Nineveh, a city of which he hated so much. It was the city of the Assyrians. They were the very people who oppressed the Israelite. Jonah resented so much the Assyrians.

    We can understand why Jonah showed deep disgust and hatred against the Assyrians. This was the reason why he tried to escape from God. God sent him to Nineveh to preach repentance so that God may show mercy. God’s mercy will save the Assyrians from death and eternal punishment.

    However, Jonah feared that these people will repent and believe in God. Jonah was against the idea of  God showing mercy to them. Jonah just wanted these people to suffer, to die and to rot in hell. He did not want his enemies to be saved and to be shown mercy.

    Yet, this happened. Even with a heavy heart, Jonah did as what God told him. So, Jonah called the people to repentance. To his surprise, his enemies repented and believed in God. The Assyrians realized their faults and recognized the Lord God in their midst. That awareness changed their hearts and transformed the people.

    Well, like Jonah, do we also find ourselves wishing or even praying for the suffering and death for those whom we hate? Does our resentful heart also desire vengeance and violence against those who have caused us so much pain?

    In our own context now, we might also find ourselves wishing and cursing those people who did something terrible to others. When violence and or a crime is done to an innocent one, we also demand the same violence and crime to perpetrators. Like Jonah, we might have also believed that justice is fulfilled through a gruesome death to our enemies. Like Jonah, we might tend to believe that God should not show mercy to those who have hurt us. Like Jonah, we might demand from God to become indifferent to our enemies and people who did terrible things to the innocent.

    Yet, this ancient story of Jonah tells us of something else. In this ancient story, the Lord God is revealed to be a God of everyone, of good and bad people, of righteous and sinners, of criminals and law-abiding citizens alike. God is for everyone as His mercy is for all.

    God indeed shows mercy. Jesus who became human like us and lived among us is the Father’s ultimate sign of mercy and love. In Jesus, the Father tells us that we are never abandoned. In Jesus, there is always hope and goodness in each of us no matter how broken we are, and sinful we have turned to be. The Lord God always sees goodness in each of us.

    From here, let us embrace the invitations of change.

    First is the change of heart. The Assyrians were oppressors, abusers and thus sinners. Yet, when Jonah called for repentance, the people realized how sinful they were. These people acknowledged their sins, repented and believed in God. This changed their heart. We too are called to change our heart by owning our sins and failures, to repent and believe in God’s mercy.

    Second is the change of mind. We were told that God changed the Divine will when the Lord saw that the people repented. Should we not change also our mind according to how God sees in us?

    Third is the change of perspective and belief. Jonah realized that God is beyond his wants and beyond what he expects from God. The Lord is our God and it is God’s nature to grant mercy. God’s desire is to liberate from sin those who caused pain to others and those who are being oppressed and abused. God, indeed, desires the salvation of everyone. Hinaut pa.

  • TO PRAY LIKE JESUS NOT TO IMPRESS OTHERS

    TO PRAY LIKE JESUS NOT TO IMPRESS OTHERS

    March 11, 2025 – Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031125.cfm)

    Prayer is one of pillars in this Season of Lent. As we are called in this season to return to God, to mend our hearts and relationships with one another, prayer plays a vital role. We remind ourselves that prayer makes us more aware of God’s presence in our life. As we become aware of the Divine, then, it also allows us to recognize ourselves together with our faults and failures. Hence, to humble ourselves before God makes our prayer more effective.

    This also tells us that prayer is indeed not limited with our memorized and devotional prayers. Moreso, it is allowing ourselves to be intimately connected with God. This is what Jesus revealed to us today.

    In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord teaches us how to pray. Jesus himself taught us how to approach the heart of God. this is expressed with a greater confidence to God whom we also call as our Father. Jesus directed the disciples on how to truly ask and seek the will of the Father by praying sincerely.

    This is where we also find Jesus’ warning. The Lord exhorted us not to babble in our prayers that are only meant to impress people. Jesus was conscious how the pagans would use many words but merely babbling. This was influenced from the beliefs of the pagans to use many words in order to appease a violent and angry god.

    Yet, our God is not violent neither angry not needed to be appeased. God, as Jesus introduced to us, is our Father. In fact, the Psalm acknowledges this, “the LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.”

    By calling God as our father, this brings us into the affection that we have with God. God certainly loves being called as our Father, whose only desire is for us to grow in love.

    This invites us now that our prayers and other forms of devotions are not meant to impress others. Do not pray to flatter or manipulate the Lord because of our long, wordy, high-falutin and unintelligible prayers. Instead, the Lord wants our sincere and humble heart that recognizes God as our Father.

    The Lord’s Prayer brings us, indeed, into sincerity and humility because the prayers acknowledges first God, as our Father whose “divine will” takes priority than our own. Thus, we seek and recognize the will of God for us and not our wants. This brings us to be more aware of our needs of the present moment, of today, and not to be burdened by our past or to be anxious of tomorrow.

    This is very important to remember that the prayer Jesus taught allows us to be more aware of our present moment, of our needs and graces of the here and now. This will make us more contented and confident in life for we shall see how God provides and works for us in the present moment.

    Jesus invites us and teaches us on how to seek God’s desires because God knows what is best for us by praying the way he prays. May this simple but powerful prayer of our Lord gives us more confidence in the presence of God dwelling among us whose only desire is the best for us. Hinaut pa.