Human touch depending on our intention may bring death or may bring life. When our human touch is filled with malice, hatred and violence, then, it will surely bring destruction and pain to others around us. However, when touch is filled with grace, with love, affection, concern, and compassion, then, our touch may bring healing, peace, freedom and life.
This is the case that we have heard in today’s readings. In the Second Book of Samuel, we were told of the tragic event of the death of Absalom, the son of David. Absalom led a rebellion against his father, King David. He wanted the throne for himself. Yet, his rebellion did not come out of the blue. There was already a steaming tension of hatred and violence within the house of David. His first-born son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar. Indeed, the touch of Amnon towards the beautiful Tamar, was filled with malice and lust.
Though, the full brother of Tamar, Absalom did not also speak out, but kept quiet, leaving Tamar to suffer in silence. Yet, this became a venue for Absalom to foster hatred towards his half-brother Amnon, and also towards his father King David who turned a blind eye on this. This was the beginning of more violent actions within the house of David.
Later, Absalom plotted to kill his half-brother and rebelled against his father. Even though, Absalom was able to get some army and territories of his father, yet, at the end, he was killed as told to us in today’s reading. With his death, David mourned over the loss of his son. Nevertheless, David’s grasped and insecurity over his throne and power led to the death of his sons and destruction of his own family.
However, in the Gospel of Mark, we have heard different forms of touch. This time, the touch brings healing, freedom and life. There were two forms that I would like to emphasize.
First, humanity’s touch to the Divine. This was the experience of the woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. In hope and faith she reached out in order to touch even the cloak of Jesus. And indeed, her touch of the Divine brought her healing. Jesus affirmed her “courageous and daring faith.” She did not give in to desperation and hopelessness but to faith. This made her to touch the Divine and became a recipient of grace.
Second, God’s touch to humanity. This was witnessed by Jairus, his wife as well as Peter, James and John. Jesus “took the child by the hand” and said to her, “Talitha koum!” At that, life was given back to the dead girl. The touch of Jesus was more powerful than death and grief transforming them into life and joy.
This reveals to us now how our touch can actually become a channel of grace and blessing. We too are reminded that the Lord would always allow us to touch him. Let us not be ashamed or fearful in reaching out to God. The way we touch sacred and holy objects in our church is even our way of expressing it already. The sacraments we have in the church are God’s way of making us aware that we are welcome to touch the Divine and be touched by His grace.
Let us also see and evaluate the way we touch others if this is filled with malice, insecurity, selfishness or hatred. Such intentions will only bring violence and death. Rather, let our touch be more of faith, love, concern, mercy and compassion so that we too may become channels of grace, blessing, healing and life. Hinaut pa.
What kind of a child do we have in our heart? We may not be a child physically, but we may still ack like a child. To act like a child does not necessarily connote negative sides. Recognizing the child in us will surely make us more aware of who we are, the intentions of our heart, the kind of dream and hopes we have as well as the pain, the sadness or the trauma that we have endured.
Hence, on this feast of the Sto. Niño, I would like to focus on the qualities of the child that may be in us, and to see how the Lord Jesus, born as a child to Mary and Joseph, invites us today.
Psychologists and Psychiatrists have coined the term “adult children” or adults with unresolved childhood issues. This term tells us that though we may be already an adult or even in advanced age, yet, we still carry issues and problems in us that originated in our childhood. Not being able to reconcile or not able to find resolutions to the issues before may affect us greatly in the way we relate with others and with God, being shown in our patterned behaviors and attitudes.
Dr. Charles Whitfield an American physician and psychotherapist refers to the inner child in us as the “real self.” This inner child in us may have suffered or wounded by armed conflicts which is common here in our region in Lanao, or caused by natural disasters, family problems, deprivation of basic needs like food and clothing, parental neglect and lack of affection and affirmation or by abuse (physical, verbal, emotional or sexual).
As adult children or adults with unresolved issues we manifest childish behaviors. Being “childish” reveals our negative and selfish attitudes. A child can throw up tantrums when displeased and does not get what he/she wanted. This attitude of a child is an unconscious form of control and manipulation to get what he/she desired.
Being childish is being selfish to get what we want no matter how unfair that would be to others. Being childish focuses on what “satisfies me” and on what “I can gain.” To be childish prevents us to “listen” to what is more important. It also prevents us to believe and to accept other ideas because we are already convinced of our own judgments and beliefs. Thus, being childish is also characterized by being indifferent.
Thus, because of the unresolved and unreconciled issues we have in the past, we become childish. Our inner child is trapped in that painful past, in that trauma or deprivation, hence, making us in the present to be insecure, fearful, and selfish.
That is why, there is a need for us to find healing and reconciliation so that our inner child will be free. Only then that we become “childlike,” a quality of a child that expresses confidence, innocence, trust, faith and affection. Being childlike, we see the world through the eyes of a child, non-judgmental and free of prejudices. Being childlike, we express our hopes and dreams without being terrified of what lies ahead of us. Being childlike, we embrace and enjoy the present moment and become more contented of what we have. Being childlike, our heart is always filled with gratitude and faith.
This is the call and reminded of Jesus to his disciples as proclaimed by the Gospel of Mark. The disciples of Jesus who at first did not like people bringing children to Jesus, as being scolded by the Lord. Jesus made a point and taught a very important lesson and that is in finding the kingdom of God among the presence of the children.
Children, who at that time, had no legal identity. They less important in the society because they are not adults yet, thus, not fully developed persons. However, the Kingdom of God belongs to the children. This is true because of the very qualities of children, and that is of being trusting, open and dependent.
Yet, to our hearts that have become cold, indifferent, judgmental, corrupt and selfish, the Kingdom of God becomes too far from us, not because God does not want us, but because we do not want to be with God. That is why, Jesus reminded all of us, “whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child, will not enter it.” Only by having the heart of child that expresses true confidence and faith in the Father, that we shall also be able to embrace Kingdom of God already in us.
This is the message and the call for us today as we celebrate the feast of the Sto. Niño, Jesus’ image as a child who have shown us what it is to be childlike, how it is to be childlike. Hence, there are three invitations for us today.
BE RECONCILED WITH THE PAST. Let us not burden ourselves today with our issues when we were children. Let not what happened in the past, control or manipulate us at present. Seek resolution, reconciliation and healing so what we may be able to live in freedom and peace.
PROTECT THE CHILDREN. Let us nurture a home, a community and a church that protects the rights of children, that nurtures the potentials of our children and encourages growth and maturity of our children. To us adults, be mindful not to cause harm, danger or abuse to children. Rather, express love and affection, affirm and recognize the worth and value of our children.
LET US ALL BE CHILDLIKE. Let not selfishness limit our heart. Let not insecurities and negativities ruin our relationships. Let us rather re-claim and re-affirm our inner child and become trusting, dependent to God, open and embracing. Hinaut pa.
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 theLamb 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)
“Last two minutes”. Usually in a basketball game, the last two minutes is scheduled as “Time-out” for both teams. At that moment, the game is paused for a minute break to allow both teams to assess their situation in view of the coming end-game. This is the chance for both teams to have a wider look on where they are and how they fair at that period of the game. It is an opportunity for teams to have a reality-check in terms of their strengths and weaknesses as well as of the possible opportunities and threats at this stage of the game, in view of plotting a game-plan strategy for the end-game. The “last two-minutes time-out” of the basketball game is thus an occasion for each team to consider at the last two minutes of the game their resources and limitations in relation to their aspired goal and end-game and their remaining game-plan.
Just recently early this month of November, our observance and celebration of All Saints Day and All Souls Day respectively may have been also “a last two-minutes time out” occasion for us, Christians. As we prayed for the eternal repose of our saintly and beloved dead brothers and sisters, we may have also slowed down, have a pause and break from our busy schedules in order to consider not only the death and lives of those who have gone before us, but also our own lives so-far now as we are still in this life. Yes, as we considered the lives of those who have gone before us these days, we are also confronted with the reality of the mortality of our very lives now as we are still alive living here. Like the last two minutes time-out in a basketball game, the last two months of the year can be a chance for us to consider where and how we are in our lives in relation to our game in life – our dreams and aspirations as well as what we are to do to improve our lives now for the better, and above all in relation to our salvation.
Behind the story of the five wise and five foolish virgins in our gospel today is the call for us to be vigilant and ready. Jesus wants us to be Wise enough to be prepared and awake, and not to be foolish enough to be not ready and unaware. When we hear this challenge, many people think that they have to be ready for death so as not to be caught unaware. Rightly so, because when we came into the world, death has become natural to us. We know that no man lives forever in this world. Death is our lot, and reminds us of how limited our life is. We have only one life, lived in a given time. And it is wise enough to be prepared for our coming death.
However, much more than our coming death are meant in our gospel today. Our gospel today is all about how ready and prepared are we to meet and experience the Lord IN our lives here and now, and not in our coming death later. In other words, the challenge of Jesus for us to be wise enough to be vigilant and ready is for Here and Now while we are still living, and not for There and Later on our death. Thus, the readiness and vigilance we are to be is not in view of our end – our death, but as to how we have lived and spent our life so-far here and now as we meet and encounter the Lord in our daily lives.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “When you were born you were crying and everyone else was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you are the one who is smiling and everyone else is crying”. True enough, in our death, we wish to be remembered not how we died, but how we live our lives to the fullness with the Lord. It is not the end-game itself – the Winning or Losing but about the GAME itself – How we lived our lives and play our game with the Lord in life, that matters most.
As we are still living in this world now after pandemic times – where when we caught ourselves unaware, unprepared & uninformed, we have yet to learn how to be wise & street-smart enough to be aware and ready to meet the Lord now in the many ways he comes to us. He is the “Word of God made flesh”, the God with Us, our companion in the journey of life, who lives with Us. Blessed then are those who are ready and alert to Welcome the Lord in our lives, not in our death. So, Are you ready now? Handa ka na ba?
On our “last two-minutes time-out” moment, we pray that we may be wisely awake and cleverly prepared enough to welcome Him in our lives now as we meet Him in our church, our brothers & sisters, our fellowmen and others, in our day to day lives. Amen.
How come, Filipinos manage and remain to be resilient and strong in times of crisis and disasters? How come, Filipinos can easily bounce back and rebuild their lives despite worst life-conditions and terrible events in life?
During typhoon Ondoy, I happened to be in Belgium finishing my master’s degreesand licentiate in Theology. The above-questions were raised by my professors, colleagues, and classmates even I myself cannot help but also wonder. In response to their questions, I narrated to them a testimony of Ondoy-survivor which was published in PDI few days after the incident.
During the typhoon, residents of an apartment seek refuge on the rooftop of their building. As they settle-in, while waiting for rescue and/or the flood to subside, they started to pray the rosary together even if without their beads but by just using their fingers to count. After rosary, they pulled-out whatever provisions they were able to recover, and shared it with one another. As they had their fill, they began to share their stories – their experiences and backgrounds, hopes, and dreams, fears and frustrations, as well as jokes and life-dramas.
In others words, as answer to these questions, it is because we, Filipinos do and share things together especially during times of life-crisis and difficulties. We are not perfect people. We do have our own shortcomings and limitations. Nevertheless, we do have a common life. We usually live life together as family and community. And particularly, we usually pray, eat, and share our stories together in good times and bad times.
Somehow our Filipino togetherness, our common life as Filipino reflects the values Jesus upholds in our gospel today. For Jesus, Christian life must be lived and witnessed in the spirit of the following morals within our community & family life.
First, together we pray. Christian life should have and share a common recognition and faith in God. Jesus said, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” God’s presence, love and mercy are assured and promised whenever we pray together in His name.
Second, together we eat. Christian life should also have and share a common concern and regards for others. Ours and the salvation of others is our responsibility. Not the judge or the savior, but we are all our brother’s keepers. They are in our watch and it is our responsibility to correct them when they are at fault, feed them when hungry, take care of them when they need help.
And lastly, together we share our life-stories. As Christians, we must also have and share common meanings, ideals, and morals in life. Jesus said, “what we declare bound or loosed on earth shall be held bound or loosed in heaven”. Our life as community is the bearer of God’s salvation. God’s grace of redemption reveals itself and happens in and through our community, i.e., in partnership with our life together as community. What we value and give importance in life is sacred before God’s eyes. We also accept what God deems important to our lives.
While we do have our shortcomings and still struggling, we cannot deny as Filipino we do possess these values and qualities as people. As reflected in our aspired values of maka-Dios, makatao at maka-Pilipino, we do have the basic orientation towards others (Dios, tao at Pilipino) as well as of doing, sharing, and living life together in common.
It was once said that we, human being as like angels, but angels with only one wing. For us to fly and rise, we need one another, we need each other. Together we do our part so that in partnership with God, we can be with Him always.
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 