Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Christmas Season

  • There is more in our Faith

    There is more in our Faith

    January 10, 2021 – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011021.cfm)

    Are Filipinos more religious because of Covid-19? This is the title of the analysis of Jayeel Cornelio, PhD, a sociologist of religion.[1] This article was published in October 25 at rappler.com. The article discussed significant subjects particularly on the survey done by Pulse Asia last September 2020.

    The survey revealed that 51.8% of Filipinos have become more religious during this pandemic. According to Dr. Cornelio, this is not surprising because of two reasons.

    First, we are known to be one of the most religious societies in the world. And according to Pew Research Center, 96% percent of Filipinos find it “necessary to believe in God in order to be moral and have good values.”

    Second, Dr. Cornelio said, “faith is our immediate resource in times of crisis.” Citing another survey by the Veritas Truth Survey, it revealed that 89% percent of the responders of the survey said that faith is “very important” in the fight against Covid-19.

    From here, the sociologist also concluded that because of the “vulnerable social and economic context,” that is, being a third world country, the pandemic promotes a higher religiosity in us. In his words he said, people in poor social conditions such as having “inadequate health care, high incidence of conflict, and unreliable state agencies”  – people feel that they can turn to nothing else but faith in God.

    Indeed, it is when we become vulnerable and poor that we become more conscious of God’s presence. When we become more aware that we have actually nothing and are nothing in this world, that we also begin to realize of that great presence of God.

    A very comfortable life, a rich and powerful lifestyle can easily bring us into the attitude of indifference. It is indifference that prevents us to recognize that God is with us and continues to be present in the world.

    Moreover, at the end of his article, Dr. Cornelio also wrote that “there is so much more to COVID-19 than simply challenging the core of people’s religious convictions. In the end, it’s not just that Filipinos have become more religious because of this crisis. They are also beginning to seek something ‘more’ from their faith.”

    This sociological analysis brings me now to our very identity as baptized Christians. More than this survey of our religiosity, there is also a need to examine ourselves whether we have grown really in our faith, in our relationship with God and with one another. Our faith is not just about kneeling and standing, holding a rosary and saying our novenas. As Dr. Cornelio said, there is something “more” that we begin to seek from our faith. This “more” is something that I invite you now to pay attention as we celebrate this Sunday the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus.

    To be able to discern this “more” from our faith, allow me to journey with you through the readings and to see how God reveals His invitations for us today.

    In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah proclaimed the presence of the Servant of the Lord. The servant’s identity were described in three points. First, the Lord said,  “he is my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” This servant is loved very much by the Lord God, thus, God’s presence rests upon him. Second, the servant is to bring justice through compassion and gentleness of his presence and not through violence and force. Isaiah described and said, “a bruised reed he shall not break, a smoldering wick he shall not quench.” This servant is hope for those who are hopeless and are suffering. Third, the servant is to open the eyes of the blind and free prisoners and those who live in darkness. The servant who brings hope also brings peace, freedom and new life.

    The Psalm also stated this, “The Lord will bless his people with peace.” Peace here is living in the presence of God who is present in all creation. And the recognition of God’s presence in everything and in everyone brings us to show respect and love.

    This very promise of God is fulfilled and revealed in the Acts of the Apostles and in today’s Gospel. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter proclaimed that this servant whom God chose is Jesus of Nazareth. He is anointed with the Holy Spirit and power. This is shown in the ministry of Jesus “in doing good” and in “healing the oppressed by the devil.”

    This is what we also find in the Gospel of Mark. The baptism of Jesus was a revelation to us that Jesus is the servant spoken by Isaiah. The scenarios in the Gospel are also very important told to us in three actions.

    First is the “immersion of Jesus in the water” was an expression of complete confidence in the Father. The Psalm proclaimed to us that “the voice of the Lord is over the waters, the Lord, over the vast waters.”  Here, Jesus allowed the power of His Father to embrace him.

    The second action is the “Spirit descending like a dove.” This is the very presence of God allowing our eyes to behold where it rests. The Spirit of God is in Jesus, the Lord who is among us. This tells us of the presence of God not just above us, but here among us.

    The third action is the voice heard coming from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” This has been proclaimed also by Isaiah.

    Indeed, this feast of the Baptism of the Lord tells us something important about our own baptism which we share in Jesus. This is where we also find the “more” in our faith. The “more” in our faith asks us not to be passive-believers but to be active-believers. The “more” in our faith tells us now of four points. These are invitations that you can bring with you today.

    • First, we are all loved. Never forget that.
    • Second, God’s presence is among us. We do not have to look above and seek God’s presence in the clouds. Look around also. God’s Spirit rests here among us.
    • Third, our baptism compels us to bring justice and peace. Isaiah reminds  us that this will be realized not through violence and force but through compassion and gentleness of our presence.
    • Fourth, to bring justice and peace is to also participate in the ministry of Jesus. This ministry is to open the eyes including our eyes blinded by greed, anger and indifference. And to free our hearts imprisoned by hatred, sin and guilt.

    Thus, the “more” in our faith is to make Jesus more present in our actions and words, and more present in our hearts, homes and communities. Hinaut pa.

    [1] See his article in https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-are-filipinos-more-religious-because-covid-19

  • Life is in Jesus

    Life is in Jesus

    January 8, 2021 – Friday after Epiphany

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010821.cfm)

    When many of us are confined at home because of the pandemic and restrictions in going outside our residence, the rise of the Plantitos and Plantitas (the popular name of those who develop the love of planting) also emerged. Our boredom at home wonderfully bore fruit by becoming more connected with the earth. When we learn how to plant, we also learn how to touch in order to nurture life.

    Touching with the motivation of caring brings wonder and joy in us. This is the reason why many of us find comfort and pleasure in nurturing the life of the plants. More than this, we too are called to nurture human life, to inspire life and heal life. This is what Jesus shows us today.

    Our readings today remind us of this. The first reading from the First Letter of John tells us that “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son, Jesus.” We find this life in Jesus, our Lord.

    John mentions two important and recurring words in today’s reading that tell us that life is indeed in Jesus. These words are testimony and possession.

    The word testimony refers to the witnessing of the Father in the life of Jesus. The testimony of the Father to His Son is the confidence of the Father. This also means that the confidence of God in us will be revealed in our life by having Jesus. This is not about giving testimony to God, but God giving testimony to us through the wonders that God can do for us.

    The word possession means our possession of Jesus, the Son of God in our life. Having Jesus is letting Jesus fulfill his promise to us. Having the Lord in our life is allowing the Lord to do what he desires to do in our life.

    Such testimony and possession of Jesus bring us into the Gospel story. A man full of leprosy fell prostrate and pleaded with Jesus. The man asked the Lord to reveal God’s testimony of bringing healing and fullness of life. The man asked, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He allowed the Lord to work wonders in him and to let God give testimony through the gift of healing.

    In this way, Jesus touched the man to heal him and bring him that fullness of life. Jesus’ touch surely brought healing and life because his touch was motivated by care and compassion, by love.

    Today, let us be conscious of this invitation to have Jesus in our life and to discover that eternal life or the fullness of life is in Jesus. As we touch people through and by our life, always bring healing and bring life not corruption of life and not violence to life. Allow also the Lord to give testimony to us by making ourselves always open to God’s plan for us. Hinaut pa.

  • God first loved us

    God first loved us

    January 7, 2021 – Thursday after Epiphany

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010721.cfm)

    The very first time we realize that we are attracted to a person whether physically or emotionally, this gives us a chilling effect (kilig moments). When we are young, meeting and seeing that person gives us the excitement. Moreover, when we have reached a matured age capable of mature loving, the more we also feel the wonder when we also realize that we are in love. This drives us to express our love in concrete ways and leads us to commit that love in a life-long commitment.

    To be loved and to love is what really makes us human. In fact, when we do not feel that we are loved, this makes us also restless and empty. Then, our tendency is to look for ways where we could feel that we are loved. Sometimes, this leads us into unhealthy coping and even in abusive relationships just because of the need to be loved.

    When we are also not conscious of our ways of loving, sometimes it leads us into selfish ways of loving. We might think that what we do are ways of loving, but in fact, they may be ways of keeping others under our control or under our manipulation. These expressions are not God’s way of loving. God’s love for us does not lead us to violence or manipulation. God’s love liberates us and lets us experience the fullness of life.

    This is what John is telling us today. John has been proclaiming to us in the past few days the subject on love. John, today, reminds us that God first loved us. Because God first loved us, we all have the benefit of being loved and to enjoy that reality that we are indeed loved no matter what.

    John’s point is to make us confident that we are being loved first. There is no doubt in that. Take confidence in this! You are loved. I am loved. We are loved.

    Therefore, when we realize this, it moves us too, to love back. God’s love fills us and in our fullness, it naturally overflows in us. That is why, we are also capable of loving others because we are loved. John tells us that our way of loving is patterned from the source of love. Because God’s love does not control and does not do damage to others, our love also liberates others and rather brings healing to those whom we love.

    Be careful when our ways of loving is of control and doing harm to others, then, it is not love and not from God. It is motivated rather by hatred and by lies. The source of this is the evil one.

    Loving, as John also tells us, is not burdensome. That is why, keeping the commandment of God to love, is not heavy at all. How can it be heavy and oppressive when what we do is out of joy?

    Jesus in today’s Gospel expressed such joy in the Scripture that he read, “to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

    Love, then, brings healing, freedom and life. May this love fill our hearts today, so that our way of loving will also be transformed into God’s way of loving. Hinaut pa.

  • Remain in Love because there is No Fear in Love

    Remain in Love because there is No Fear in Love

    January 6, 2021 – Wednesday after Epiphany

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010621.cfm)

    Christmas is not yet over. The excitement of the celebration may have subsided by now because the joyful spirit of the Misa de Aguinaldo, the Christmas Day and Christmas celebrations are over, but then, the spirit of Christmas is still very alive. It’s the 12th day after the Christmas day but we are still in the Season of Christmas.

    That is why, John, in his First Letter today reminds us of the spirit of Christmas. John said, “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” The Babe of Bethlehem, Jesus is the very love of God made into flesh. He is love in its fullness, love in its perfection. Even when we would just behold the image of the Child Jesus in the manger, what we find is only love. It is love that compels us to recognize that we are indeed loved though we are not worthy.

    God becoming man is not a question of our worthiness because we will never be worthy. It is God’s greatest assurance to us that God continually chose us as His people. The “love” that rests on the manger calls us lovingly to come near and to be embraced by this God who truly loves us.

    God becoming man is statement to us that God does not come to terrorize us with His might. God became man not because God wants to bring eternal punishment to us and make us fearful of His presence. God became man, born of a woman and took the form of a baby, because God wants to express His affection to us. Hence, we are called to remain in love so that we remain is God.

    When we learn to remain in God, God also pours his love to us. Being loved and taking confidence that we are loved will definitely dispel any fear and any insecurity in us. This is what John is also trying to say to us telling us to love one another and to show concretely that love in our words and actions.

    This is the reason why John also reminds us today that “there is no fear in love.” There is only confidence and true joy in love because love drives out fear! Wow! If only we embrace this, then, we will be bold in our loving, courageous in our loving and daring in our loving. This reminds us too that when our way of loving has a trace of insecurity or manipulation or jealousy or anger or selfishness motivated by fear, then, our love is not perfect.

    This is what Mark in his Gospel also recalls today. Jesus reminds his disciples not to be afraid. The disciples seemed to be terrified and forgot that Jesus was always with them. Jesus is always close to us if only we are conscious of this, then, the Lord will make us courageous enough in what endeavor we will initiate.

    Let us also take note how Mark described this story. Jesus responded to his frightened friends because Jesus was aware of their situation. What could have made Jesus to be so thoughtful of them? Mark told us that Jesus went off to the mountain to pray. To pray is a way of loving too. To pray is making ourselves aware of the situation of those who are in need. Certainly, true prayer moves us to respond in love to those who need our help. This is what Jesus showed us today. Jesus responded in love to assure his friends not to be afraid because he was with them.

    As we continue to cherish and savor this season of Christmas, let the words of John echo in our hearts today “to remain in love because there is no fear in love.” Let us allow the Lord to accompany us always so that we will also remain in him, remain in love and to respond in love all throughout this year. Hinaut pa.

  • Because Love is of God

    Because Love is of God

    January 5, 2021 – Tuesday after Epiphany, Memorial of St. John Neumann, CSsR

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010521.cfm)

    John who is believed to be the author of the 2 Letters of John and the Gospel of John is known to be Jesus’ beloved disciple. Among all the disciples of Jesus, it was only John who died out of old age and missed martyrdom. John who had grown old revealed to us now his consciousness and deep faith in Jesus who loved him so much.

    This is the reason why we have the 1st letter of John talking about one thing, love, not just any ordinary love but the Love who is God. Throughout the life of John, the very reason that drew him to follow the Lord was the love of God for him.

    John reminded us how this love of God works in our Christian life. In his first letter, he proclaimed, “to love one another, because love is of God.” When we have God in us, it moves us to love. John realized how the love of God was revealed to us. This love is revealed through the birth of God’s only-begotten Son, Jesus.

    From Jesus, who is the Father’s concrete expression of love and the face of God’s love, life is gifted to us. John truly felt the weight of this love through his life. It was because of this love that made him to stand strong even in the midst of confusion at the arrest of Jesus. John remained fearless even when Jesus was persecuted. He followed Jesus on his way to Golgotha. John was also present at the foot of the cross of Jesus with Mary and witnessed the death of his Lord. John was also the first to believe in Jesus’ resurrection upon seeing the empty tomb despite his confusion and fears.

    It was this love that made John confident and affirmed. The love that he truly believed is life in itself. He believed that God first loved him and because God is faithful. God will always love him even if everyone and everything goes wrong.

    It is the same love that God tells us today. God wants that we too will have the fullness of our life. Fullness of life means being in love and remaining in love. In other words, fullness of life also means being in God and remaining in God in all the days of our life.

    It should be this the same love that would hopefully lead us to see the light and joy even in the midst of suffering and pain in life, even in the midst of rejection and betrayal of people who are close to us. This love should also inspire us to respond in love, to express our love to God, to ourselves, and to others even to those who have hurt us and people we do not like.

    This is what Jesus also showed us in today’s Gospel. Seeing the vast crowd of people who were in pain and suffering, hungry and abandoned, Jesus was moved with pity. Jesus did not only looked at them but he also responded in love. With this, Jesus allowed his disciples to join him in that response of love by giving what they had. The five loaves and two fish as their food were given out of generosity so that others may be satisfied and be filled. This, indeed, is love.

    Again, John reminds us, “love!” Because it is of God, and we will never go wrong. Loving the way God loves can be painful, but, God’s love heals and comfort, empowers and liberates us. May we enjoy and cherish that love in us today. Hinaut pa.