Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Homilies

  • God visits us today

    God visits us today

    May 31, 2019 – Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

    Zep 3:14-18a; Lk 1:39-56

    A surprise visit from a friend or a family member, whom we have not met for a long time, would always bring joy. I remember when my maternal grandparents were still alive; sometimes we would pay a visit to them unexpectedly. I would always treasure the happiness that our visit brings to them. That small gesture would always create smiles and warm hospitality to people who are dear to us.

    In today’s feast, Luke told us of the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. This seemingly ordinary visit of a cousin reveals to us the wonder of one’s presence being gifted to another.

    Mary who welcomed and received God in her life is also filled with God. This fullness of God in Mary made her more aware of the needs of others. Thus, Mary knew that her cousin needed her presence and assistance as Elizabeth was carrying a child in her old age. This visit of Mary was out of generosity and joy.

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    When Elizabeth heard the voice of Mary, Elizabeth was filled with joy, which also made the child in her womb to leap for joy. The very presence of Mary brought comfort and joy to Elizabeth and to her baby. The reason for this was, Mary brought the Lord closer to Elizabeth.

    The fullness of God in Mary was shared to Elizabeth. Thus, the words of Elizabeth also expressed this fullness, “blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Through the presence of Mary, Elizabeth and her baby in the womb felt that God has visited them.

    Each of us too has that capacity to bring God’s presence to others. On this feast of the Visitation, we are called that through us, others will feel God’s presence. We do not have to do big and great things but simple actions and words to people who need our assistance and help, and our presence and person. A generous action and word to a person next to us would also be enough to let the person feel that God is present.

    Indeed, the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah tells us also that the “Lord is in our midst.” Truly, God is in our midst and we will be able to make that presence felt when we also make ourselves open and welcoming of God’s visit in us.

    Let God and allow him then, to visit us today. And may God’s visit fill our hearts with his presence and love so that we too shall be able to bring that fullness to others. We may make an effort to make ourselves aware of the many needs of the people around us. This will hopefully touch us also to do visits in concrete ways to people, friends or family members, who were not visited for a long time. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • An Invitation of Letting Go

    An Invitation of Letting Go

    May 30 – Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter

     Jn. 16:16-20

    Jesus said to his disciples, “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.”

    It is very difficult to let go of people especially of those whom you love so much. Our basic tendency is to keep those people close to us because we do not like them to leave us. That is why, when we are confronted with the reality of a person who is about to leave us, then, we experience pain of loss and separation.

    This is what I have recently experienced when my father passed away. There is so much pain in me. A part of me cannot accept that Papa is no longer with us physically. A deep pain of loss and absence troubles my mind and heart until now.

    Indeed, it is very difficult to think and accept that Papa is dead and now is buried. When my sister called me up on that Saturday evening of May 11 that Papa was being revived by the doctor, I could not accept it that it was happening. I could not cry because I did not know how to react. I prayed but it was as if my prayer was empty. I was afraid to pray and ask the Lord to heal Papa because the Lord might not hear me. I was even more afraid to ask Him to take away the suffering of Papa because of fear of losing him.

    But when I called my sister again, Papa left us around 10pm. I did not cry because I could not. After that, I went down and said the mass for Papa. That evening I could not sleep and I could not cry either.

    By Sunday morning, I have to get up and say the first and second Sunday masses. On my first mass at 6am, I broke down in the middle of my homily. At the Prayers of the Faithful, when I asked the people to pray for the passing of my Father, tears began to fall down from my eyes. I was crying because I was in pain. Yet, I offer honestly everything to God who has been so good and faithful to us. I thought I could not finish that mass.

    As I have pronounced every word in the prayer of consecration and prayed for the eternal rest and joy of Papa, slowly I have also accepted that Papa has died and has joined the Lord. That was my only consolation. Papa is with God where there will be no more suffering, no more pain and sadness but joy and peace.

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    I have to let him go even though it was painful for me. I have to offer him back to God in that sacrifice of the mass and become confident that Papa is in good hands of the Lord.

    With all of this, it reminds me of Jesus’ invitation of letting go. His disciples wanted to keep him close to them. The disciples believed that they were more confident if Jesus was nearby. They were not willing to let him go again. Jesus died and thought that he had abandoned them already. At his resurrection, they wanted Jesus to stay with them.

    However, this is not God wanted. Jesus had to go so that he will be able to join and be one with his Father in heaven. It will only be in this way that Jesus will be able to bring us closer to the Father. By returning to the Father, Jesus will open a way for us to the heart of the Father. By this also, Jesus will become ever close to each one of us, closer than we can imagine because Jesus will be in our hearts and minds.

    I am invited to let go of my Papa and accept that he is no longer with us physically. However, we in our family are being consoled also that Papa is ever more present in our hearts and minds today.

    Thus, each of us too, today, is invited to let go of whatever that may hinder us from encountering the Lord and accepting Him in our hearts and minds. In letting go, we may let God come closer and ever present in us. Hinaut pa.

     

    Jom Baring, CSsR