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Category: AUTHORS

  • Reluctant Prophets

    Reluctant Prophets

    July 7, 2024 – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070724.cfm)

    The gospel we have just heard and proclaimed to us is the Good News of our Salvation. However, there is something disturbing about our gospel today that may make us wonder and even suspect whether it is really Good News.

    Because as it is narrated to us, our gospel today basically tells us how Jesus was rejected in his own country. Yes, here we heard how Jesus was despised in his own country and by his own people. It describes to us that while he continued His Mission to preach the Good News for all & everybody, and as he preached the Good News particularly in own hometown, Jesus experienced humiliation.

    He suffered persecutions and rejection in his own country and by his own people “sano” that, in effect, made it difficult for him to continue his work of salvation. Because of this experience, Jesus said: “Prophets are not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house”. Good news has been preached and shared, miracles has been revealed and accomplished already, but were all rejected and wasted by his very Own people. Good new as it may be, our gospel today is certainly disturbing as well.

    Now, is it true that a prophet is not without honor except in his own home? Is a prophet honorable except in his own house and his own family? Experience tells us there is truth in this. Based not only on the experience of Jesus, but also on our experience, to share the Good News of Christ to our own household or community is a difficult assignment and mission.

    Tough and challenging indeed, to bring God’s message and do wonders and miracles in our own home. Why? Why is it hard to be a prophet in our own home? What makes it challenging to proclaim Christ and share the Good news within our own family where sometimes (or even always) parents complaining about their children, children blaming their parents, brother and sisters accusing each other? Or even within our community or church where we do tend to complain with & about one another?

    Somehow, we could identify in our gospel today two stumbling blocks that make it hard to be a prophet in our own home. First, our prejudices. Like the people who saw Jesus as only the carpenter’s son, it is also our tendency to prejudge others, as if we already know them, that make us blind to recognize prophets in our midst. We tend to downgrade, belittle others, and measure or to limit others by our own standard. “Ka-menos ba.”

    Comments like: He is only that, or he is just a ..” And because we judged, we boxed in, that person by our own standards, we want them to behave as we expect them to behave, no more no less. Comments like, “you are just my junior, don’t disobey (“Anak, lang tika, ayaw’g supak” or “Magulang baya ko ha.”)

    At the same time, we tend not only to belittle others but also we undervalue ourselves. “Unsaon ta man, pobre man, manghod lang man, dili man ko pari, wa man ko kaeswela. Ordinaryo man lang ko, dili man ko dato.” (What can I do, I’m just ordinary, poor, undereducated person.) There is much truth then to the saying: “over familiarity breeds contempt”.

    The second stumbling block to our being a prophet in our own turf is our lack of faith. In our gospel today, Jesus was not able to work miracles in his own country because of the people’s unbelief – their lack of faith. Usually it is slow for us to believe. If I may ask you: How many of you believe that you, yourself are called and sent to be today’s Christian prophet? Those who believe that you are a Christian prophet, please raise your hands.

    You might think “Me a prophet, no way. Maybe him, but not me”, or Father must be crazy, I am just a simple ordinary unworthy Catholic Christian. How can I be a prophet I cannot even confront my problematic son? How can I preach Good News to my irresponsible drunkard uncle? Or how many of you here believe that your son or daughter or your helper is also a prophet? You might think, how my son or daughter could be a prophet – they cannot even make their own room. My helper a prophet? she cannot even read her own letters. Yes, we tend to be slow to accept that we are God’s sons and daughters.

    https://quotefancy.com/quote/1318594/Mark-6-4-A-prophet-is-not-without-honour-save-in-his-own-country-and-in-his-own-house

    It is hard for us to believe that by virtue of our baptism – our baptismal consecration, every Catholic Christians share the dignity, identity, and responsibility, gifted to be Christ’s Prophets today.

    Remember, every Christian is baptized to be a prophet. Yes, tough & hard it is to be today’s prophet in our own home and community because of humiliations, persecutions, neglect and rejections that we may encounter caused by our prejudices and our lack of faith in Christ, others and in ourselves.

    Like the sano/townfolks of Jesus, we may have rejected and wasted the message and the miracles-offered because of our prejudices and lack of faith in the messenger.

    To proclaim the Good News is indeed threatening. But beyond and regardless of these difficulties and stumbling blocks, the message of salvation is remained humbly preached, shared, and fulfilled through the witnessing of ordinary people like us. As St. Paul would say as well: “I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and constraints for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

    And the good news is, despite these difficulties and hardships, God continues to send prophets who will preach his salvation to others whatever it takes. And usually he calls and sends those who are weak, ordinary, young, mayokmok in our standards. And mayokmok we maybe, He sends us to be His prophets of Good News to our world today.

    Reluctant & hesitant prophets we may be in our own home, we still do our part in believing & proclaiming our faith that there is God’s prophet amongst us, for the Lord said: “Whether they heed or resist, they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

    Even we are slow to believe and as limited we may be, let us now renew and proclaim our faith…as we say….

  • In Sickness

    In Sickness

    June 30, 2024 – 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/063024.cfm)

    “O, Kamusta na? How are You? Are You Ok?” Usually whenever we meet each other, we greet one another with these words. Through these words, we commonly express our concern for each other’s health and wellbeing. We acknowledge as well that human as we are, we are all prone to hurts, diseases, and sicknesses. Even the healthiest of us live with fear of accidents and diseases that can suddenly render us limited on the sidelines. Nobody likes to get sick. But nobody can claim that they have never been sick before. Easy for us to say “Bawal Magkasakit? (It is not allowed to get sick), but tayo ay nagkakasakit (we do get sick).

    Sickness cannot be denied. To get sick is part of our human nature. So, since we are subject to sickness, it is natural for us to ask about the health and wellbeing of others, especially those we have not seen for awhile.

    But what does it mean to be sick? Based on our experience, to be sick is more than just an experience of physical illness but a wide range of emotional, mental, psychological, and spiritual diseases and discomforts. Whenever we get sick, we become incapacitated. Normal for us to feel limited, dependent, depressed, irritable, helpless, and sometimes alienated or outcasted from God and others whenever we are sick. We know that it is not easy to get sick, especially when we are used to live our life independently and always in-control. Sickness is indeed a dreadful experience, as what was also described in our Gospel today.

    Our gospel today shows us as well that to be sick may be a horrible human experience but could also be opportunities for growth and a chance for life anew.

    First, sickness can be the opportunity to be converted. Jairus and the woman with hemorrhage came to Jesus. Coming to Jesus is an experience of conversion – a humble turning toward instead of turning away from Jesus. Whenever we get sick, we usually cease from our usual routine, go home and take a rest. It is in sickness that we break from our selfish ways and turn back towards God’s love and concern. Others would say that when we are sick, we desire and come to acknowledge God’s presence and appreciate God’s love in our lives. When we are healthy, we say, “Disco, Disco” but when sick, we say, “Dios ko, Dios ko”.

    Sickness can also be the opportunity to have faith and trust in God and others. Jairus begged to Jesus, “Please come lay your hands on her, that she may get well and live”. The woman aspired “If only I could touch his cloak, I shall be cured”. To be helpless and dependent of others are not normal for us. We rather be in-control and not needing others. But to be sick is humbling for you really need and have to trust on others. In sickness, we surrender ourselves and humbly ask for God’s mercy and rely on God’s providence, and the help of others.

    Sickness can also be the opportunity to be cleansed and be healed by God. In sickness, we witness God’s mercy, love, goodness, and miracles working in us. That through our faith and Jesus’ concern for us, God’s power and love are made known to all. In our weakness and sickness, God’s power and glory are revealed to you & to all.

    Sickness can be also opportunity to hear once again & anew our vocation and mission in life. When the woman was healed, Jesus calls her to “go in peace and be cured of your affliction” which means to be reconciled with herself and others who may have caused her afflictions. The girl is called to “arise” which mean to stand up from despair and have hope in life. Being healed from your sickness is a reminder that you are given another life – another new chance in life to make things right and better than before.

    And lastly sickness can be an opportunity to proclaim our faith. Just like the cured woman and girl, our healing from sickness makes us express and share our faith to others, and through our healing, others will see and witness God’s love revealed through us and come to believe more in Him.

    To be sick then can be the opportunity to be converted, to have faith and trust in God, to be cleansed and be healed, to renew life-commitments and mission, and to proclaim our faith for others to believe.

    Yes, no one wants to get sick. But whenever we get sick, take it less as disgrace but moreso as opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed in You. In other words, “A blessing in disguise”.

    So, Kamusta na? How are you coping?

    Perhaps God is healing us & through us, God is revealing something better for all of us in life.

    In our sickness, discomforts, & distress, let our prayer be like that of Jesus, saying: “Father, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will, but Your will be Done.” Always & Forever.

    Siya Nawa. Hinaut pa unta. So be it. Amen.

  • VIA CON DIOS

    VIA CON DIOS

    June 23, 2024 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062324.cfm)

    As we all know, to journey around the Philippines islands would entail a lot of  travel by land, sea or air. This would mean taking the car, bus, tricycle, boat, walk, bike, horse, fast ferry or plane and/or combination of all.

    Once at the pre-departure area of Cebu SuperCat fastcraft ferry terminal, it was announced that our trip to Dumaguete on that day was cancelled due to incoming typhoon. A number of us were grumbling as we lined up ourselves to get our ticket refunded. It happened that one of the passengers recognized me and chatted with me. Expressing her disgust, she suggested to me, “Father, why don’t you pray like Jesus did, for the storm to pass us by.” I replied to her, “It never and will never cross my mind that I am Christ, or I am the Christ. I am a Christian – a mere follower & disciple of Christ.”

    Our gospel today about calming of the storm teaches us about our life as Christians. It tells us what it means to be a Christian. The word Christian comes from the proper noun “Christ”, which means Messiah or Savior and the suffix      “-ian” which mean a follower of, a fan of. Meaning, to be a Christian is not to be Christ savior, but to be a disciple or follower of Christ.

    It is like if one is a follower of Vilma, they are called Vilmanian, and Noranians for Nora. Even the suffix “ian” could have an acronym. If we attached IAN to Christ, IAN could mean (I Am Now) with Christ. But if we detach or separate “ian” from Christ, IAN could mean (I Am Nothing) without Christ. Meaning, if we only remain in Him, we are assured of our salvation and eternal life. Apart from Him, we are nobody. With Him, we are blessed.

    In our world today, we could recognize that there are people who claim that they are christ, (like, Quiboloy & Señor Agila) who promise that they will save us, thinks that only them who can save us, and through their own efforts, on their own, they can save themselves and others – in other words, people with messianic complex.

    There are also people nowadays who expect others to be their Christ who will do and save the day for them. Just like people, who want and expect others, like their priests, politicians & government officials to heal them from sickness, forgive their sins and faults, solve their problems, fix their mess, help them financially and even perform miracles like calming the storm, exorcised their demons, and others.

    Our gospel is a clear reminder that Jesus is THE Christ, and we are Christians – His mere follower. As Christians then, we need Christ. We need to be and live life with Him for without Him we can do nothing. We thus need to travel & journey with Him in our day to day lives.

    Jesus also is teaching us today about PEACE, COURAGE, and FAITH. First of all, Peace is not the absence of war, conflict, storms or turmoil in life, but Peace is the sense of calmness in the midst of life-storms, and the sense of serenity despite wars, conflict, and difficulties in life. We cannot avoid storms in life, but what is required of us is the calmness and serenity of Jesus who says: “Quiet” amid these storms, and difficulties.

    He also teaches us that Courage is more than just moving on – moving fighting forward, but more on holding our ground, facing the odds, still holding on standing, and asking for help. Jesus who says: “Be Still” shows us courage in the midst of the storm not by fighting or controlling it, but by facing the storm without being overwhelmed by it.

    In the same way, courage in the midst of life-storms and difficulties would mean the Christ-like attitude of not only “no retreat, no surrender”, but also “don’t fight nor flee but face it and ask for help”. Facing life-adversities then is not about getting rid and getting out, but more so getting through life-challenges. And lastly, Jesus who asks: “Do you not yet have faith?” is also teaching us that Faith is not more than just the absence of fear and doubt, but to remain steadfast and trusting in the Lord’s will and ways, even when in fear and doubt.

    In life, then, as Christ’s followers, we travel with the Lord in peace, courage & faith. Via con Dios. Go with God, Walk with Jesus.

    As Christians, followers of Christ we pray that we may always recognize His presence and help in our life journey and so bless us with peace, courage, and faith in the midst of storms in life now & always. Amen.

  • GOD GROWING IN US

    GOD GROWING IN US

    June 16, 2024 – 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061624.cfm)

    Just this week, I joined and participated in a youth leadership training for 5 days. Attended by close to a 100 youth ministers coming from DOPIM (Dipolog, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Iligan and Marawi). Aside from the wonderful topics and speakers who graced the seminar, what amazed me more was how I witnessed the changes and the growth of many youth ministers present in that event. On the first night of our arrival, many were shy and hesitant to relate and mingle with each other. In fact, there were those young leaders who seemed to be confused, alone and isolated.

    Then, we began introducing and knowing each other. The interactions became more frequent as the activities, discussions and animations were done. What I also find more interesting and wonderful were those moments when many began to let their guards down and showed how vulnerable and wounded each one of us. Each day, more and more individuals shared their own stories of pain, hurts, woundedness, triumph, success, and grace.

    On my part, as the only priest present in the whole event, I was able to accompany some of those young leaders who went through some difficulties and overwhelming emotions in their life. Yet, each day also, I saw how many of us gradually transformed. There were many realizations and discoveries, learnings and unlearning, and most importantly, friendships being developed.

    Youth leadership in the youth ministry then, essentially involves our capacity to be who we are truly, of our capacity to be welcoming, vulnerable and accepting, and of our capacity to build friendships.

    I am especially moved as it helped me as a youth minister to discover more, learn more and grow more in this ministry of accompaniment to the young.

    This is how I find the readings speaking to me today telling and inviting us towards growth and maturity, finding that God grows in us.

    The first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel tells us that God desires our growth. Indeed, God shall tear off a tender shoot, describing our simplicity and vulnerability. Yet, in God’s hand we shall become big and fruitful. God assures our growth so that we may become as God wants us to be.

    Moreover, involved in this process of growth are the changes, adaptations shedding off of the old, toxic and unhealthy and transforming into something new. Meaning, growing is a transformation.

    This is what we find in the Gospel of Mark. In the parable of the mustard seed, that small seed as it grew, changed and was transformed. As it also grew, the process also took times, yet, silent and calm. This is the very image also of the first parable in the Gospel in which a man scattered the seeds on the land, and silently, those seeds sprouted from the soil and became plants.

    These images certainly speak of growing that reminds us that growth empowers us and gives us life. In growing, it ushers us towards maturity and fruitfulness

    Indeed, God’s desire is that we develop into our full potential as what God desires us to be. We are called to continue growing no matter how our hair have turned into white or our wrinkles have become more visible. Growing as a person has no age limit. Allowing God to grow in us knows no age and stage in life.

    Hence, as we allow God to grow in us and allow the kingdom of God to grow in our communities, here are some takeaways for today.

    First, never be afraid when we are called to change and shed off. A point in our life, as we are invited to grow, may call us towards transformation and maturity. These basically involve being open to changes and letting go what have become unhealthy for us and of those attitudes, thoughts, beliefs and perspectives in life that may prevent us from learning new things, therefore, from growing.

    Second, embrace gentleness and silence. The process of growing is never aggressive but non-aggressive. It is destruction that is noisy and aggressive. Thus, being gentle and silent allow our heart to be more attuned to the workings of the spirit within us. These attitudes will also help us to listen well to what is happening in us and around us. This will help us further to be discerning to God’s invitation for our continual growth and fruitfulness. Hinaut pa.

  • SEEDS for the Kingdom

    SEEDS for the Kingdom

    June 16, 2024 – 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061624.cfm)

    A newly-graduated but non-working young GenZ, while hanging-out at home and playing with his X-Box video games, was once asked by his mom to buy some fruits for desserts. Though he prefers to go to a mall for convenient–sake, hesitantly he went to a nearby market. He tried to find his way looking for the fruit-stand since he was never been to this market before. Eventually he found the fruits he needed to buy at a particular fruit-stand. While paying, he jokingly said to the vendor: “Sir, I cannot help but notice you do look like Jesus Christ.” The fruit-vendor reply: “Others would say the same. But assuming I am who you seem I look alike. Do you have any questions for me?” Up for the challenge, he asked: “If you are said-to be the Christ, the savior of the world, how come the world is still a mess? Have you and God done and is doing something about these mess?”

    After giving much thought, the vendor answered, “For sure God has and is doing something about these mess – He created YOU.” In defense, the young man countered: “Me, who am I to fix these mess? I am not rich, not successful, still no-job. I am nobody, no hero. I am limited”.

    So the vendor further challenged him, “So what do YOU need then now to fix these mess?” He dreamingly replied, “Well if only I have more power, resources and opportunities, perhaps like in a computer game, I can be who I am and wish to be”. “That’s all you need?” the vendor disturbed him and then handed him something, “Take this. It got all what you need.”

    As he received it, he confusingly asked, “A SEED? What am I do to with this seed?” The vendor replied, “Well, God has already done and doing something in creating You, and you have the seed now to do your part. It is up to you then whether to plant your seed and work out with God doing your part and growing your seed,…. OR do nothing with your seed, but complain, and let your world and our world still a mess.

    After Christmas, Lenten, Easter seasons where we celebrate our faith – what we believe, we are now in the Ordinary times of our liturgical year where we celebrate our life in faith, i.e. how we live, practice and witness what we believe. Jesus have much to teach us not only what we believe (Dogma) but how to live & practice what we believe (Moral). We have celebrated our Faith, but now we are celebrating our Faith-Life – our Faith & Life.

    To offer us meaning, inspiration and directions in our faith-life journey, Jesus made use of parables and our common life-experiences as life-lessons to live by. Like in our gospel today, by sharing us the parable of the growing seed and mustard seed, Jesus taught us not only about the Kingdom of God but also HOW to live our present lives along with our faith & mission in God’s Kingdom.

    Here Jesus reminds us that nature and our usual human labor or work teach us that “Big things comes from small beginnings”. Yes, the sower & planter might have planted the seed and harvested the fruit but he does not know how the plant grows. And definitely he is not responsible for the seed to grow into full grain & for the smallest mustard seed to be the largest plant with large branches.

    It thus takes a lot of work on our part, AND working in partnership with God, for us to fully enjoy the fruits of our labor with God. Yes, we can be the sower & planter, but God ultimately is the grower.

    With our advanced technology nowadays, we also tend to prefer to have things easy, instant, fast, disposable and convenient. In effect, we become impatient and intolerant with details and processes. We tend to value more the goals, and fruits that we undervalue & even become heartless to the growth-process, labor, and journey it takes. Like the young GenZ, we tend to look at and concern more on the end-product and destination, without considering the process to make it and the travel-journey to get there.

    Never satisfied of what we have accomplished now, we rather tend to criticize & complain about our present mess without doing something about it except criticizing and complaining about it. While we should enjoy & be satisfied to the advantages of what we have today, let us not forget the whole process-journey it takes to reach at this stage of advancement.

    Same as saying: “While you and others enjoys and be satisfied with the fruits of your labor, let us not disregard and undervalue the efforts, work and sacrifices you & others have done as well as God’s work of creating you and through you for life to be better than before, better than our usual ways”.

    In other words, to do away with the messes in life and to fully enjoy what God has given and can offer us in life now, we have to be RESPONSIBLE participants for God’s grace and work of creating and redeeming our life anew. As a wise man once penned, “Who & What you are is God’s gift to you & the world, Who & what you BECOME is your gift to God & the world”.

    With Mary Our Mother of Perpetual Help, teach & lead us Lord to cooperate with Your will & plans for us all the days of our lives so that we may humbly recognize & fully enjoy the fruits of your works for our betterment & the glory of Our Father’s Kingdom.

    So May it Be. Hinaut pa unta. Siya Nawa. Amen.