Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Ordinary Time

  • TOGETHER

    TOGETHER

    September 10, 2023 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091023.cfm)

    How come, Filipinos manage and remain to be resilient and strong in times of crisis and disasters? How come, Filipinos can easily bounce back and rebuild their lives despite worst life-conditions and terrible events in life? 

    During typhoon Ondoy, I happened to be in Belgium finishing my master’s degreesand licentiate in Theology. The above-questions were raised by my professors, colleagues, and classmates even I myself cannot help but also wonder. In response to their questions, I narrated to them a testimony of Ondoy-survivor which was published in PDI few days after the incident.

    During the typhoon, residents of an apartment seek refuge on the rooftop of their building. As they settle-in, while waiting for rescue and/or the flood to subside, they started to pray the rosary together even if without their beads but by just using their fingers to count. After rosary, they pulled-out whatever provisions they were able to recover, and shared it with one another. As they had their fill, they began to share their stories – their experiences and backgrounds, hopes, and dreams, fears and frustrations, as well as jokes and life-dramas.

    In others words, as answer to these questions, it is because we, Filipinos do and share things together especially during times of life-crisis and difficulties. We are not perfect people. We do have our own shortcomings and limitations. Nevertheless, we do have a common life. We usually live life together as family and community. And particularly, we usually pray, eat, and share our stories together in good times and bad times.

    Somehow our Filipino togetherness, our common life as Filipino reflects the values Jesus upholds in our gospel today. For Jesus, Christian life must be lived and witnessed in the spirit of the following morals within our community & family life.

    First, together we pray. Christian life should have and share a common recognition and faith in God. Jesus said, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” God’s presence, love and mercy are assured and promised whenever we pray together in His name.

    Second, together we eat. Christian life should also have and share a common concern and regards for others. Ours and the salvation of others is our responsibility. Not the judge or the savior, but we are all our brother’s keepers. They are in our watch and it is our responsibility to correct them when they are at fault, feed them when hungry, take care of them when they need help.

    And lastly, together we share our life-stories. As Christians, we must also have and share common meanings, ideals, and morals in life. Jesus said, “what we declare bound or loosed on earth shall be held bound or loosed in heaven”. Our life as community is the bearer of God’s salvation. God’s grace of redemption reveals itself and happens in and through our community, i.e., in partnership with our life together as community. What we value and give importance in life is sacred before God’s eyes. We also accept what God deems important to our lives.

    While we do have our shortcomings and still struggling, we cannot deny as Filipino we do possess these values and qualities as people. As reflected in our aspired values of maka-Dios, makatao at maka-Pilipino, we do have the basic orientation towards others (Dios, tao at Pilipino) as well as of doing, sharing, and living life together in common.

    It was once said that we, human being as like angels, but angels with only one wing. For us to fly and rise, we need one another, we need each other. Together we do our part so that in partnership with God, we can be with Him always.

    So May It Be. Amen.

  • Trust without Reservation

    Trust without Reservation

    August 20, 2023 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082023.cfm)

    We usually associate the word, Faith as accepting something we cannot understand. We say: “since it is strange, mysterious & unexplainable, simply believe”. However, faith is more than our assent to things that does not make sense, and accepting without question.

    The Greek word for faith is “pistis”, which literary means: TRUST. Meaning, when he talks about faith, Jesus means first of all, to trust God without reservation. Whenever he said to people he healed: “Your faith has saved you”, Jesus is saying that they have found new chance in life because they have surrendered in complete trust to God as made known through Jesus.

    This kind of faith is clearly shown to us by the faith of the Canaanite woman in our gospel today

    For her sick child be healed, the Canaanite woman in our gospel today, have to undergo a lot of hindrances, difficulties & challenges. For instance, her cultural background being non-Jewish from Canaan – a migrant foreigner gentile she is, the rude-attitude towards her by the disciples of Jesus, & the seeming cold-reception of Jesus towards her.

    Despite all these hindrances & challenges, however, the Canaanite woman still, as we have heard – longs & hopes only with perseverance to the kindness & mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, and not on the challenges she is in. True enough, she is aware & knows her dire situation; but she gives less importance to her difficult & troublesome life-circumstances & rather rely only on her faith in Jesus. Due to her deep faith & trust in the healing power & mercy Jesus, no hindrances, challenges & problems can overcome her to ask for the help of Jesus.

    Because  of her persistent & persevering faith, her daughter was not only completely cured & brought back to health, but the Canaanite woman also made Jesus aware of His mission is not exclusive only for Jews, but more so, inclusive to all humanity. She made Jesus aware of her great faith & caused Jesus to extend & expand His Good News of God’ Kingdom, not only to the Jews, but above all to the gentiles, foreigners, migrants, pagans, & all people of the world. Such great miracle happened: Good News revealed & expanded to all thru the faith & trust of the Canaanite woman.

    But how about us now? Do we give more importance, faith & trust to our doubts, fears & sufferings in life? Or like the Canaanite woman, do we believe & trust without reserve in the power, mercy & kindness of Jesus despite life-concerns?

    Be reminded that faith is not only about accepting without question, assenting without understanding, but above all, about our complete trust without reservation to God & His will, grace, plans for us. In the same way, we ask God’s mercy & aid in life because we believe & trust in Him, & not only because of we needs & wants His help.

    What is demanded of us then, His believers are our complete trust in Him without reservation. For without faith & with less trust in Him, God’s grace is difficult & limited to flourish, and healing & miracles would rather fail to happen.

    So, whenever we find ourselves sleepless & worried with our life-concerns, “stop counting sheep, talk instead to the Shepherd.” In other words, Trust in the Lord without reservation, and allow Him to make the best & do the rest for us.

    So Be it. Amen.

  • TO FIND OUR GREATEST JOY IN LIFE

    TO FIND OUR GREATEST JOY IN LIFE

    August 2, 2023 – Wednesday 17th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080223.cfm)

    Why do people work so hard? Is it not because of the dream to be contented and happy? Why do men and women search for true love? Is not also because of the hope of being happy in life? Why do we search for what makes us happy? Is it not because that we are destined to be happy?

    Definitely, we are all in search of something that will make our life happy, joyful and contented. Each of us dreams that kind of life. However, in the process of searching, we also encounter failures and disappointments, discouragements and frustrations. Yet, we always wake up to achieve what we desire for our life and for our loved ones. Our instinct is to search and gain a life of happiness peace and joy not just for ourselves but also for the people we love.

    This brings me to the message of the Gospel today. Our Gospel presents to us two parables that tell us about this desire of finding and possessing something of great value in life. This is something that a person would do everything just to attain this something of great value.

    The first parable tells us of the grace of God that surprises us. The person was actually not conscious in searching for a treasure. Yet, that person just found it out of accident and later on did everything just to possess it because he was convinced that it was of great importance. He was willing to sell everything he had just to gain that treasure. Certainly, God also loves to surprise us. Joy is truly a gift given to us.

    The second parable tells us of a person consciously searching for a pearl of great price. This search comes from that desire to have a blessed life of peace and joy. Indeed, along the way of our search, great difficulty may be experienced. However, God also leads us to discover His gift for us when we persistently ask for that. God would truly bless a heart that desires Him.

    And when a person finally finds his or her joy in life, this transforms the person not just internally but also physically especially in the way the person relates with others and the way the person presents himself or herself before others. This is what we have heard from our first reading in the Book of Exodus.

    Moses who found his greatest comfort and joy in the Lord was transformed. The Book of Exodus described him that the “skin of his face became radiant.” Moses’ intimate friendship with God made him a different person from before. He was God’s close friend. Consequently, this made Moses also ever closer to the people. Moses became more sensitive to the struggles, questions, fears and anxieties of the people.

    This tells us too that when we truly find our greatest joy in life, we become contented and grateful persons. We would begin to look at things and look at life from the perspective of God rather than from our negative and bitter perspective. In a way, this makes our heart radiate, our actions generous and our words kind.

    Certainly, a married person who truly finds contentment, security and joy in his or her married life extends such grace towards the people around him or her. A person who finally finds his or her vocation in life also becomes more generous and life-giving towards others.

    We pray that in our search of that great value, then, we would hopefully also arrive at the realization that God’s desire for us is more than anything that we could imagine for ourselves. And once we find it, may the joy and peace that it brings will transform us to become a person God wants us to be. Hinaut pa.

  • Not Remain But Change

    Not Remain But Change

    July 30, 2023 – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073023.cfm)

    There was once a man suffering from hyper-acidity and severe stomachache. He had already consulted a number of doctors about his sickness, but in vain.  He is still suffering from his hyper-acidity and stomachache. He had also undergone a lot of surgeries, medicines, therapies, and food supplements. But still nothing happens, except he has already consumed his entire budget. He only wished that he be cured from his severe illness.

    One day indulging himself for a new pair of pants at least before he died, he went to see his tailor and ask to make him a pair of pants. When his waist was measured, the tailor announced, “36”. But he insisted, “30, not 36. Ever since, I always have size 30 for my pants”. The tailor asserted, “Well, if you insist, 30 it will be, as long as you don’t blame me if you always experience hyper-acidity and severe stomachache.”

    He could have healed from his hyper-acidity and stomachache, and have saved a lot of money from medicine, if and when he is willing to leave behind and change his lifestyle of size “30” and learn to accept the new reality that he is already size “36”.

    As per our experience, we know we cannot have, own, and possess everything in life. But though not having everything in life, we can still fully benefit and enjoy what life can offer us at the moment, if and when we only change our way of life – if and when we change our lifestyle. In other words, for us to grow and fully enjoy life, we cannot remain what we are and what we have been. We have to let go and move on with a much better & promising life before & ahead of us.

    The same radical lesson we learn from Jesus in our gospel today. While teaching his disciples and us about the Kingdom of God through the parables of the treasure and the pearl, Jesus simply points us that what God offers us is so precious that is worth more than everything we have. And for us to fully receive its blessings and graces, much is required of us, and much has to be done by us – and that is to change our ways, to change our lifestyle.

    All the people in our parable have clearly shown these. When they have found their treasure and pearl, they went and sold everything they have, and bought their precious – their hearts desire. Meaning, for us to fully possess the treasures of God’s kingdom, we need to leave behind, let go our usual lifestyle, and be open & ready to receive changes and new realities in life. In the same way, for us to fully own the treasures of God’s life and salvation, we must let go of what we have, free ourselves of our previous attachments, and change our life in compatible with the better life God is offering us now. In other words, to fully live and own the life God offers us, we cannot remain but change.

    This is very true in life. For that sickly man to live his life fully, he cannot remain size 30 but change his ways and accept that he is now size 36. To be a better family man, one cannot remain a bachelor and waste his and his family’s life, but now change to be a better man for his own family. To build-up one’s own family, one cannot remain dependent on one’s parents but be more responsible and independent for one’s own family. To be a dignified and respected person, one cannot remain a spoiled brat, an addict and a loser but be more responsible for one’s life.

    Perhaps we might ask ourselves now: have we already found the treasure of God’s kingdom in our life? If so, have we gone to sell what we have, have we changed our ways in order for us to fully acquire and own God’s graces? If not, time for us to do the right things – to do what needs to be done so that God’s graces will not be wasted. Remember God offers us a life so precious that we cannot help remain but change.

    So May It Be.

  • Spiritual than Human

    Spiritual than Human

    July 23, 2023 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072323.cfm)

    Life is difficult. These are the first words, the first sentence in M. Scott Peck well-read book entitled: The Road Less Travel. Somehow these words reflect our own experience of life. Life is never been that easy. Though we try our best to make life easy and convenient, we experience life as never been always convenient and easy. Life is indeed hard and difficult.

    This is not only because others have made and are making our life difficult, but also we ourselves are difficult and have made life difficult for others at times – that within us there is a struggle of irony and inconsistency going-on. This is true not only in others but also in you & me. Like, inasmuch as I try my best to make life easy and convenient for me and others, there are still people who find me at times difficult as well as I also find myself difficult. Much as I want to be OK, others and even me find myself not-OK.

    This is why Jesus is wise enough to tell us three parables today (the parable of the wheat and weeds, and its explanation, the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of the yeast) to teach us that growing in life is difficult and has never been easy. As we grow and live in life, it is unavoidable that we have to go through the painstaking and difficult process of growing up because within us, there exist a creative tension of ironies and inconsistencies, as well as grace and goodness.

    It is indeed hard, for instances, to a teen-ager or a middle-age person to be not anymore young but not yet old, or for an elderly person, to be old in age but still young at heart and mind. Difficult indeed for a married couple, who in their younger age wanting to be independent from their parents, now wants their married children to be dependent on them. Paul must have known how hard life is and the irony within ourselves, when he says: “I do what I don’t want to do and be what I don’t want to be; I don’t do what I want to do, and don’t be, what I want to be.” 

    Human as we are, we recognize that we have to deal and grow up in difficulty with the ironies and inconsistencies within us – both good and bad, the wheat and weeds, sinner and saint, strong yet weak, big but still small, already not-yet, insignificant yet important within us.

    As we struggle and grow up with the difficulties and hardships of life, we might learn something in our gospel today.

    First, God sees and hopes for the best and not the worse in us. He did not only recognize, but also aids our being weeds, in our smallness and weakness. He is indeed good and forgiving who has faith in our basic and potential goodness.

    Second, for us is just to try to grow in His grace, and the rest is God’s business, not our business. Meaning, He, not us is the Lord of harvest. Ours then is to grow and bear fruit, not to reap the harvest.

    And lastly, for God’s grace to grow in us, we must learn how to let go of ourselves, let God and things be, and let new things happen and grow. For God to reap a good harvest in us, somehow we allow Him sow wheat in us, let it grow in us even in difficulty with weeds, and let it bear fruits for the harvest. Yes, it is indeed a struggle, a tension, but it is a CREATIVE tension. Thus, Life though difficult is above all life-giving and life-creating, and basically good always in God’s eye.

    In life’s difficulties and hardships, perhaps we may find consolation with the words of Tielhard de Chardin, a famous Jesuit scientist-theologian of our times: It is not that we are human being having spiritual experiences, but rather we are spiritual beings having human experiences.

    In other words, in life with its difficulties and hardships, we must always not forget that we are more spiritual than human.