Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Homilies

  • Travel with Him

    Travel with Him

    June 20, 2021 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062021.cfm)

    As a Redemptorist missionary, traveling is a big part and parcel of my life and work. As we all know, to journey around the Philippine 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 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, just a mere follower of Christ.”

    Our Gospel today about calming of the storm, I think, 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, 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. 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, who promised 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 wants and expects others, like their priests & 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 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 His 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, most especially during these pandemic times. Amen.

  • DO NOT BE AFRAID

    DO NOT BE AFRAID

    June 20, 2021 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    + Emmanuel T. Cabajar, C.Ss.R. D.D.

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062021.cfm)

    The bacteria that caused the bubonic plague in the middle ages claimed 25 million lives – about three-fourths of Europe’s population. The survivors wondered where God was in this disaster. “Where are you, Lord? Don’t You care?” Today the Covid 19 virus causing the pandemic poses similar questions on God’s role and presence in this global havoc and tragedy!

    Indeed, when we feel drowned by misery we often cry out, “Where are you, Lord? Don’t You care?” We don’t seem to recognize the Lord’s abiding presence even in the midst of storms, adversity, sorrow, temptation! Yet, He is always by our side with blessed assurance, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” “It is I, do not be afraid.” When the Lord calms our storm and calls our name, we have to realize that great indeed is His loving mercy that elicits faith and longing to entrust to Him all our needs and cares.

    Loving Father, our faith is Your gift, empowering us to relate to You with trust by accepting Your life-giving word. Your love strengthens our faith, enabling us to do justice and act with kindness to the poor and voiceless even in the face of trials and difficulties. How blessed are we whenever we allow Your love to rule in our heart and mind goading us to choose what is good and in accord with Your will!

    Brothers and sisters, may the Lord deepen our faith in His redeeming power and love. May we always recognize His abiding presence with us and take courage in doing His will in all circumstances. Amen.

  • MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU

    MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU

    June 19, 2021 – Saturday 11th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061921.cfm)

    “How often do I worry? How often do I find myself anxious of many things?”

    Our worries and anxieties is part of our life the moment we have become aware of ourselves and of the world. Parents would naturally worry about their growing children. Lovers may feel anxious of the security in their relationship. Workers and professionals may worry with the demands of their work and their relationships among their colleagues and superiors. We may worry these days because we might be infected by covid with its new variant. We may worry also about the vaccine that it might have terrifying side-effects on us.

    However, when our worries and anxieties reaches the smallest and most trivial things in life and settle on them, then, we will be lost and distracted so much. These trivial worries and anxieties could paralyze us to the point that we will lose our peace of mind and worst our capacity to choose and transcend difficult moments in life.

    In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites his disciples to set their hearts and seek instead the kingdom of God. Jesus felt that the disciples had grown more worried about their food, their appearance before the people, their security and even their future. Because of so much worries and anxiety, they became distracted and settled only with trivial things in their life

    Consequently, it made their hearts full that it prevented God to fill them, to surprise them and satisfy them. Jesus also wants us that we become free from worries and anxieties which only prevent God to come to us and fill us with his presence.

    Thus, the Lord invites us today to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. This will brings us into confidence in God who is most generous to us. This is what we have heard from the Paul’s letter today. Paul acknowledged God’s voice saying to him, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Indeed, God’s grace sustains us and satisfies us only we are fully aware of God’s presence.

    Today, we are called to seek God’s Kingdom. This means that we become more familiar with God’s presence in our everyday experiences. It is when we become familiar with His presence that we also grow in confidence and faith in God.

    To seek God’s righteousness also means being more attuned with God’s desire for us. God’s desire lead us to peace, freedom and joy.

    We may come and grew more in our confidence in God, whose grace is sufficient for us and therefore, find freedom from our unnecessary worries and anxieties. Hinaut pa. 

  • WHERE DO I FIND MY HEART NOW?

    WHERE DO I FIND MY HEART NOW?

    June 18, 2021 – Friday 11th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061821.cfm)

    Where do you find yourself during the day? What keeps you occupied and busy? What are your major thoughts and concerns? And how do you end your day?

    These questions would somehow help us see the kind of life we are living at this very moment. We may find ourselves in front of our computer or smartphones because of our online job or online class. Others would find themselves wandering somewhere else or confined in a quarantine facility or at the hospital at this moment. Others also may find themselves alone and suffering.

    The demands of our work and career, or demands for school assignments and projects, demands in our relationship especially from our family could occupy us a lot. Meeting the deadline, doing all our responsibilities and on how we would manage well our time, presence and resources could also become our major concern. At the end of the day, we may find ourselves exhausted, stressed, empty and alone.

    To be grounded at all times is needed for our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. This calls us to be constantly aware of our needs and of the needs around us in order to assess our priorities and to give more attention to what are most important and valuable to us. This is something important because when we are bombarded with many concerns and issues whether from our work, from our relationships or personal struggles of insecurities, anxieties and fears, then, we could easily be swayed and become lost.

    Our readings today reminds us to find our heart by also finding our true treasure. We are obviously not talking about the heart as a human organ but the heart as the center of our very being. This is where we find our deepest thoughts, our deepest dreams, our true treasure and the very space of encounter with God. Where do I find my heart now? We may ask ourselves.

    In Paul’s letter today to the Corinthians, he recounted to us his many experiences as a missionary and preacher of the Gospel. Paul was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, persecuted, and experienced dangers in his travels and all for the love of God. The Gospel and in sharing this Gospel to peoples and cultures made Paul busy and occupied. His ministry to preach the Gospel and to found churches consumed his energy physically, mentally and spiritually.

    However, despite all the trials, he was never lost and never felt alone even though he was suffering a lot. Paul did these without any complain neither grumbles nor bitterness. Joy in sharing and giving witness to the Gospel moved Paul to do those sacrifices. In fact, this joy came from Jesus himself, the true joy of Paul, and his lasting and true treasure in heaven. This is where Paul also found his heart, his very being, touched and loved by the Lord.

    Indeed, the relationship of Paul with the Lord and with the people to whom he was sent sustained him and his ministry. Paul would always see the day as something new and filled with hope, that is why he was able to continue in his ministry with joy and perseverance.

    This is the invitation that we have heard also today from the Gospel. Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven.” Jesus invites us to be more conscious of things that will last. Jesus was not talking about material possessions, neither human desires for recognition and power nor human cravings for self-gratification.

    Jesus invites us to give more importance to our relationships, particularly, to be daring in building intimate and deeper relationships with God, with our families and our community by giving what we have – our time and our presence.

    Thus, each of us will surely be making sacrifices, we may never forget then, that all our effort, energy and presence spent to every sacrifice that we make whether at work, at school, and with our relationships – are all intended towards storing up treasures in heaven where we shall also find our heart. Hinaut pa.

  • LAMBING

    LAMBING

    June 17, 2021 – Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061721.cfm)

    Prayer is an essential dimension of our Christian life & spirituality. Our gospel today invites us to reflect upon our prayer life as followers of Christ & God’s beloved children. And, in teaching us the Lord’s prayer, Jesus reminds us not only what to pray but also how to pray & why we pray.

    First, to pray is to be present before God’s presence – being present before God’s presence. When we call our God as our Father, we personally present ourselves before our God and address Him as our beloved Father (Tatay, Amahan, Papa, Aboji). Because of this, second, prayer is all about God and less about ourselves. When we pray, we do tend to be more concerned about the gifts than the Giver. Valid may our present needs and wants be, but before God’s presence, we are more than just what we need, but we pray as His Children. So, pray to the Giver, and less for the gifts. Aspire for His kingdom to come & His will be done now & always in life. Only then & after being present & hoping for God’s will that, third, we ask from Him. And we ask not for what we want but what we need because what we want might not be really what we need & better for us. Again, His will – not ours, be done. Jesus, rather teaches us to ask for three things that we really need in life now: our daily bread, forgiveness, & faith in the midst of life-difficulties.

    To pray then is to be present before God’s presence, to long for His Kingdom & Will to be with us, & to ask for what we really need now than just what we want from Him. In other words, praying is our pamaraig, lambing, tenderness with our Father: a loving conversation with the Giver rather than just asking for gifts & favors.

    Tatay, May Your Kingdom & Will be upon us now & grant us what we really need now – food for the journey, forgiveness for our shortcomings & strength in faith as we follow Jesus, your son in our daily struggles with life.

    So Help Us, Tatay. So May it be. Amen.