Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Fr. Jom Baring, CSsR

  • I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

    I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

    June 24, 2021 – Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062421-Day.cfm)

    I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” How many of us will be able to own this and confidently say this? The Responsorial Psalm on this Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist proclaimed to us such realization and deep awareness of God’s creative power. Each person as the author of the Psalm proclaimed is fearfully and wonderfully made. We are not made out of accident even if our birth was unplanned by out parents. Our life is not a waste no matter how many failures we have made. Each life is sacred despite the intention of many to suppress life and kill the life of a person.

    As God made each of us and formed our inmost being and knit us in our mother’s womb, God also understands our thoughts, our dreams, our hopes and even our pains and struggles. Because of this, within us, in our hearts, we have that connection with God. Our inmost being is entirely grounded in God. Only if we are always aware of it then, we would not dare hurt ourselves or hurt others in any form of abuse, maltreatment and evil.

    However, because many are not aware of this and others refuse to believe on this, abuses, oppression and other forms of evil are committed against the weak.

    This feast of the birth of John the Baptist reminds us now of this truth. In fact, through the birth of John revealed in our readings today, God manifests that He is gracious and faithful despite our unbelief and doubts. God continues to reveal himself to us even though we refuse to believe.

    This was the very role of John the Baptist. John was to bring people again to believe that God created us fearfully and wonderfully. God finds delight in each of us. And that despite the struggles and the tragedies we have been through, God never abandons us. God remembers and God is here with us.

    This made John a great and important prophet because he reminded the people about God, made people recognize God and brought them close to God. Yet, because of this role of John, it led him to troubles. He was martyred, beheaded, because of this cause to make people recognize God.

    However, in spite of that, John never wavered in his conviction to preach what God wanted him preach and to do. John, as he was fully confident in the presence of God, found peace and freedom in the Lord. This is how John became a gift to us. His name, John, means God is gracious. John’s life is a gift to his disciples and to the disciples of Jesus who through John found the Messiah.

    This is the invitation for us today also. As we are called to grow in our confidence in God who fearfully and wonderfully made us, we are also called to give our utmost respect to every human life, to work for a cause that gives justice, freedom, development and opportunities for growth to every human person.

    Our small contribution in charitable initiatives and sharing our resources to those in need of help, by extending our presence to the lonely and the sick, by understanding those who are confused, by forgiving those who are wronged us, and by being kind in words and actions at all times to everybody can be our ways of becoming a gift to others. Like John, we shall also be able to proclaim that God is gracious and faithful. Hinaut pa.

  • THE EMPTY-PROMISES OF FALSE PROPHETS

    June 23, 2021 – Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062321.cfm)

    A stern warning from Jesus was received by the disciples. He warned them of the presence of false prophets who shall bring empty promises, easy-way-out in solving problems and towards despair. False prophets are pretentious and filled with lies and shadows. However, the false prophets can be so entertaining, fascinating, persuasive and convincing to the point that will find it hard not to believe. Moreover, the intentions of false prophets only lead to our destruction and death.

    Consequently, Jesus wanted his disciples to be more discerning as they listen to different voices around them. A disciple of Christ who is not attentive and discerning to the many inputs will be led easily to believe to fake news and false hopes.

    Today, false prophets may not just be persons appearing before us. These false prophet can also appear to us as a real or virtual who will persuade us to believe in their false hopes, false alarms and fake news especially with what is happening in our community today. The intention of persuading us to believe and adhere to their narratives will certainly contain hidden political, religious or personal agenda. Beware of these and be discerning because these will only bring us to division, to false information, to moral degradation or hatred and more biases.

    Furthermore, these false prophets can also take the form of the empty promises of our addictions. Gambling, alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, excessive Internet usage, eating and over-work may promise to fill our empty and hallow hearts that long for attention and care, recognition and acceptance, affection and love. These forms of false prophets may seduce us to believe that these addictions and unhealthy coping mechanisms may provide relief from the pain that we feel, pain of losing a loved one, of heartbreak, of rejection, or of failure and guilt.

    Jesus wants us to only listen to Him because all these various forms of false prophets will surely not bring us to life and freedom but rather to slavery and death. The Lord desires that we become free and alive. Abram, in the Book of Genesis taught us something when everything around may become confusing and even depressing. Abram put his faith in the LORD and not in anything else or to any gods. Abram knew and believed truly in the LORD who called him.

    Jesus invites us today to be discerning and practice critical-thinking, as we encounter everyday many inputs from people around us or from the internet. Carefully listen to the voice within us that will lead us closer to God.

    When also we realize that this person, media site, or attitude in us does not bring us closer to God, closer to our brothers and sisters and to ourselves but away from Him, away from ourselves and from other people, then, be careful their fruits are poisonous to our mind and spirit.

    As we make the effort to continual listen and follow the voice of Jesus, we will surely enjoy the fruits of peace and freedom within. Hinaut pa.

  • MISSION CROSS: HANDUMANAN SA MISYON

    MISSION CROSS: HANDUMANAN SA MISYON

    Why do we love making memories?

    What strengthens the bond of friendships, of families and communities are the memories (unforgettable ones) that they make together. This is what I believe, at least in my personal reflection. And there are three reasons that I see why.

    First, because it was done “together.” Joy is being experienced being together with people we love and cherish. “Togetherness” is such a big word but means a lot when we have the presence of each other. The company of each one is enjoyed and friendship or family tie is developed.

    Second is the opportunity to know each other more. Discovering ourselves and others brings learning opportunities for us especially of the likes and dislikes, of the differences, strengths and weaknesses of our friends and/or family members. Allowing ourselves to be discovered, of who we really are and welcoming others too, bring us towards intimacy, to a deeper friendship or relationship.

    Third, this inspires growth in us, growth in the way relate with others, growth that we experience personally, as a group of friends and as a community. Behind this growth were the moments of “sharing” – in extending oneself for a friend, for a family member. This is how we share food, drinks, resources, time and our presence. We also share our stories, share our burdens as well as our joys. We share our person, our talents and abilities to one another.

    Growth then, is experienced when we learn how to extend and go beyond ourselves for a friend, for a brother, a sister, a parent, a cousin or a relative. Because of these experiences and reasons of making memories, we make “memorabilia” – like photos which we commonly have. In the past, we have photo albums created and labeled each photo to remind us of those memorable events.

    The Parish Mission Cross

    The three-month Parish Mission in San Isidro Labrador Parish, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur, became an opportunity for me as a missioner and a pastor with the Mission Team, to make memories with the people. Aside from the photos we have, it has been the tradition of the Redemptorist Missionaries especially here in the Redemptorist Province of Cebu to erect mission cross in every chapel and community to remind us and the people of the mission that we share together.

    With Ate Portia Awayan, FLARE, Ate Milgaros “Erot” Miole – Chapel Coordinator of Upper Itil, Balabagan, LdS

    The Mission Cross, as it bears our Christian identity, culture, tradition and faith in the Risen Christ serves also as a “reminder to the people that as a Church, we continue the mission of God.”

    The formal three-month Parish Mission in celebration of the 50th plus 1 anniversary of the Parish did not just end there. The Mission Crosses now erected in the Parish and in its chapels bear the identity that each of us, is a missionary. As missionaries we make more memories as we relive the memory of Jesus in the Eucharist and in every Sacrament that we celebrate.

    As a young Redemptorist Missionary, the Mission Cross, as Handuman sa Misyon (Reminder/Sign of the Mission) imprints three realizations for me.

    First is the “JOY” of being with the Mission Team and with the People of God in Balabagan. The presence of each member of the team and of the many people in the Parish paved the way towards friendship.

    Second is the opportunity for me to discover myself more, my strengths and weaknesses as a team leader and as a young pastor. As I discovered myself, I also began to develop friendship with the people and to learn more in welcoming differences.

    Third is the experience of personal growth by being challenged to go beyond my comforts, to take the risk to become a person for others. Moreover, what inspired more of the growth was the very experience of generosity of the team members and of the people around me. They have not just shared their resources but also their talents and abilities, time and presence, their hearts and homes. This became an occasion for me to develop more friendships and homes among the people of Balabagan even in the midst of this pandemic.

  • THE GOLDEN RULE

    THE GOLDEN RULE

    June 22, 2021 – Tuesday 12th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062221.cfm)

    Do you want others to be kind to you? Then, be kind to others. Do you want others to be generous to you? Then, be generous to others. Do you want others to love you? Then, be loving to people around you.

    This sounds simple, isn’t it? However, our experiences would tell us that this is not always the case.

    Think of people who remain ungrateful to you despite kindness and generosity to them. Think of your friends, collogues and neighbors who talked behind your back, though you have been nice to them but they remained vicious behind you. Think of people who want to stay at your side as long as you can provide them their wants and needs. Yet, once you fail to give what they want, then, they turn against you. Think of people who ignore you, criticize you and insult you before others.

    The Golden Rule, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you,” as the summary of the Law and Prophets of the Old Testament, sounds absurd.  But then, this really sounds ridiculous when we ourselves are not convinced of its power and its significance in our Christian life. Indeed, the Golden Rule of Jesus has its power to transform individuals and communities. The Golden Rule inspires change of attitude and of the heart not just to the one doing it but also to the person who is the recipient of the good deed.

    This is what Abram showed to Lot, proclaimed in the Book of Genesis. Abram showed kindness and more consideration to Lot so that no strife shall be created between them. In return, Abram was blessed more by the Lord. The Lord God promised him vast land and many descendants.

    That is why, Jesus also gave the Golden Rule to his disciples in a positive way, “Do to others what you want others to do you.” Jesus avoided the negative but passive approach of, “Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you.”

    This positive approach of Jesus invites us in taking a proactive stance by initiating kindness, goodness, love, forgiveness and giving respect to others even if they are not deserving.

    Consequently, this is not that simple. For this reason, Jesus calls this the “narrow gate” because only few people will take the risk of expressing kindness and giving utmost respect to undeserving people.

    Yet, once we take the risk of going into this “narrow gate,” we shall also find life and freedom. This is how we shall also “live in the presence of the Lord,” proclaimed by the Responsorial Psalm.

    This invitation is also a reminder to us now because God loves us even though we are unworthy and underserving.

    Today, we may learn to take the risk and actively do good to people around us, no matter who they are. Let others feel our presence that neither judges nor condemns, but a presence that shows kindness and respect. Hinaut pa.

  • THAT WE MAY BE A BLESSING

    THAT WE MAY BE A BLESSING

    June 21, 2020 – Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062121.cfm)

    How blessed are you today? In the midst of our own trials in life today, have we realized how blessed we are? And have we become a blessing also to others?

    The Book of Genesis, in the first reading, tells us about blessing. Abram who was called by the Lord to leave his homeland and family, was blessed by God. Abram’s faith and confidence in the Lord made him blessed and felt blessed despite the difficulty of leaving his comforts. As Abram had been blessed, through him, all the communities of the earth shall find blessing in him. Everyone, who met Abram and those whose were touched by him, were blessed.

    The Lord said to him, “I will bless you… so that you will be a blessing.” This reminds us now that each of us too is blessed by the Lord in many ways. And the blessings of God calls us now that we shall become a blessing to others, to our brothers and sisters and neighbors.

    This is God’s invitation for us today that we become a blessing to our communities and that we will not become the face of evil and curse. Jesus reminds us today also, not to judge others, not to judge the lives and situations of our brothers and sisters. Judging others and to develop and nurture prejudices in our hearts will only make us indifferent to the lives of many and indifferent to the feelings and experiences of others.

    Moreover, our judgments, prejudices and biases are signs that we may become faces of curses and evil to our community. This is not what God wants for us.

    Thus, we may learn to develop the attitude of constant discernment of the different realities in our community, of making our presence felt by those who are in difficulty, of being understanding to those who need to be understood. In such actions and attitudes, we may be able to give hope and courage to others. In this way, others shall find blessing in us as we have been blessed by God. Hinaut pa.