Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Year 2

  • How to find peace in our days filled with worries

    How to find peace in our days filled with worries

    October 6, 2020 – Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100620.cfm)

    Homily

    Are you feeling overwhelming pressures from all sides these days? Pressure from work, pressure in your family caused by conflicts or demanding responsibilities, pressure caused by financial difficulties, pressure from your personal and trouble-filled romantic relationship could pile up until you feel suffocating. Students, perhaps, because of the new mode of learning, though are already familiar with latest technology, but still struggling these days due to the demands in their online classes and at home while suffering from emotional pain. These are just few examples that we are feeling these days considering also how we adjust ourselves with this pandemic around us.

    With all of these, we also desire and hope for ways to better handle and manage these pressures that make us worry and troubled emotionally and spiritually. We desire peaceful nights where we can sleep free from worries. We long for a mind and a heart that though we continue to live in the midst of troubles and worries in life, but we could maintain a balanced way of life.

    With the extra challenge of Covid-19 pandemic, the more we long for this today. Thus, it would be very good to find better ways and healthy ways of handling and managing the different pressures and worries we have in life for our mental and spiritual health. Our Gospel today suggests something that we could learn and adopt and develop into a habit. What the Gospel teaches us is a good way indeed, of maintaining balance and healthy awareness of oneself and of God’s presence in us.

    This Gospel story tells us of Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus and good friends of Jesus. Let us see a bit deeper the different responses of Martha and Mary as they welcomed Jesus into their home.

    It was Martha who welcomed Jesus into her home. Being friends of the Lord, it was Martha’s delight to welcome and receive Jesus. Martha being a concerned woman wanted to make the Lord and the disciples comfortable. Her concern and generosity made her busy with many things in the house. She must have been very busy cooking, providing food and drinks and serving the Lord. Yet, in her effort to do all of these, she grew worried and pressured. She must have done that out of generosity. Though she was not duty bound, but felt responsible. Yet, along the way, Martha must have lost her focus on the Lord. She was dominated by the pressures of serving the men and providing their comfort. She must have felt tired.

    This was the reason why Martha sounded annoyed, troubled and restless. She became more concerned in “doing” that in the process she lost and forgot that “one important thing – Jesus.” With this, Martha lost her peace of mind and had lost the opportunity of spending quality time with Jesus who have come to visit them.

    Well, Martha just did what was natural in their culture, and that was to express her hospitality to Jesus. However, when we let the different pressures around us to dominate our mind and heart and attitude, then, we too, like Martha will lose the opportunity of enjoying the presence and the company of people who love us.

    Indeed, as Jesus identified Martha’s problem, “of being worried and troubled about many things,” he also emphasized the value of taking the opportunity of enjoying the comfort of the presence of those who love us. This was what Mary did. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to the words of the Lord. Mary set aside those troubles and worries first in order to make more time with the Lord. Mary did this because she knew that what the Lord requires her to do was not to do many things, but just to “waste time” with God at that moment.

    Mary’s response made her more aware of Jesus’ presence and thus of her need of God. It was Jesus who visited them. This means that it was God who initiated the visit. Jesus came to visit them. Jesus wanted their company and desired that his friends will spend more time with him. Certainly, Mary found peace even in the midst of the worries and troubles in life.

    There are three invitations that I would like you to remember today so that like Mary, we too shall find peace even though worries and troubles, difficulties and challenges remain. What surrounds us is beyond our control but what we can do is to change our attitude and response to what surround us. So, remember these.

    1. Be aware of God’s visits. God visits us to surprise us any day and in any time of the day. God’s presence could be revealed through a friend, an encounter with a stranger or an event. We are called to be always welcoming of God’s presence and be filled with God’s peace through others.

    2. Develop a habit to spend time alone with God. To be able to spend few minutes alone will allow us to gather our thoughts, to subside our strong feelings and emotional reactions, and to see things clearly. Having this time allows us also to become discerning in our actions and thoughts for us to respond to a particular situation in a mature and healthy way and according to God’s desire for us.

    3. Spend quality time with people whom you love and who love you. To do this, we also need to be more aware of what is happening in us and around us. By recognizing what troubles us and what makes us worry, allows us to be more open to our loved ones. Thus, by spending quality time with them, we become more assured of their presence and find comfort in their love for us. This was the experience of Mary. She indeed found assurance in God’s love and comfort in God’s presence, thus, she found peace. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Guardian Angels

    Guardian Angels

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    October 2, 2020 – Friday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

    Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100220.cfm)

    Homily

    Do we all have guardian angels? Yes. Our Catholic tradition believes in the existence of angels. Just 3 days ago (September 29), we celebrated the feast of Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. They are the only angels being named in the Bible because of the great importance they played in the history of our salvation. Moreover, there are multitude of angels aside from them as it is also written in the Holy Bible in both Old and New Testaments.

    In today’s Gospel, as we celebrate the feast of Guardian Angels, Jesus reminds his disciples of the angels who protects and guides the “little ones.” These angels always look upon the face of the heavenly Father, meaning, they too are very close to God. This closeness suggests that angels are indeed powerful intercessor of the “little ones” to God, the Father.

    As we celebrate this beautiful devotion to the Guardian Angels, let us see a bit deeper God’s invitation for us today through the Gospel.

    The question on “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” seemed to be a recurring concern among the disciples. They must have been very curious to know about this that at one time they were arguing on who was the greatest among them. They wanted security in the kingdom and they wanted assurance. Each of them showed to one another how worthy they were. However, this only revealed their self-entitlement. But then, the kingdom of heaven is not something that will be rewarded like a form of compensation to a person.

    The kingdom of heaven is a sheer gift of God to us. And this gift is given to the “little ones” and not to the self-entitled and assuming people, and most especially not to controlling and dominating people whose intention is to subdue others in order to gain more for themselves.

    The “little ones” are disciples of the Lord who in their smallness embrace God’s grace. These little ones trust in the providence of God. Thus, the “little ones” are symbolized by the image of a child. Each of the disciples, like us today, is called to become childlike. Nevertheless, not that we become children once again, but that we learn the qualities of children by being dependent to God and trusting God’s love. Moreover, like the children, we are called to be welcoming and embracing to the many surprises of God for us.

    As we become like children, Jesus also calls us “not to despise” the “little ones,” the other disciples of the Lord, the least in our community, the poor and the sick because they too are God’s “little ones.” God’s “little ones” have protectors and powerful intercessors who are angels. These angels are indeed mighty for they are always near God, looking upon the glory of God. This suggests the intimacy of the angels being shared with God because of their closeness. They surely, are our most influential friends before God.

    Hence, today, as we are called to acknowledge our guardian angels, acknowledge also that each of us has one who is always there on our side. We do not have to know their name or even assign name to our guardian angels. God intends that they remain nameless to us because naming them means having control over them. Our guardian angels are higher beings than us and we can never have control over them.

    Our Guardian Angel’s presence with us is enough assurance that God is also with us. As we grow our devotion to our Guardian Angel, may each of us become each other’s guardian angel in human form. Protect, guide, and bring those people around us to be closer to God. May our friends and family members will truly feel God’s presence in us and through us. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Front-liners at home

    Front-liners at home

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    October 1 , 2020 – Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time (Memorial: St. Therese of the Child Jesus)

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100120.cfm)

    Homily

    As the Corona Virus Pandemic continues to bring disorder in our way of life and as we continue to be limited in our movements especially with our religious practices essential to our faith, some parents and grandparents have expressed their worries as to the faith formation of the young generation. The Holy Eucharist and other public celebration of the Sacraments including catechetical gatherings intended for the younger generation, remain to be banned from the vast majority. Though many cities have been allowed to have the public religious gathering by 50% of the building/Church’s capacity, yet, minors and Senior Citizens are still discouraged to be present physically.

    This poses a concern as to how we continue the moral and spiritual formation of the young and the continual spiritual nourishment of the older ones. Consequently, the Church have found ways on how to reach out to those who are excluded particularly now through the use of social media. Yet, this might not be enough since not everyone can access it and the Church’s programs may not be appealing to the young.

    More than ever, the Church is in need of the “active participation” of parents, grandparents and young adults to be at the frontline in terms of moral and spiritual formation of the younger generation.

    Today’s Gospel reminds us of this mission we share from the 72 disciples sent ahead by Jesus to the cities where he intended to visit. They were Jesus’ front-liners at that time. Jesus sent them ahead to announce to them that God’s Kingdom is at hand. They were to prepare the hearts of the people who have been longing to see God and to experience good things from the Lord as what our Psalm proclaims today.

    Thus, the 72 disciples were told to bring peace to every household they visit. Even if there was the possibility of being rejected by those who were not ready, they were still to bring peace. As they were told to stay with those who welcomed them, the disciples were told to accept their hospitality and also to bring healing to those in pain, wounded, and sick.

    These were ways of nurturing those hearts who were longing to see God, to bring hope to those who were in despair and give hope to those who find life difficult and miserable.

    This is also the call to each of us now especially with you parents, grandparents and adults who live among and with the younger generation. Your presence is needed even more now to be those disciples of the Lord in your own context, that is, to be front-liners at home.

    You have this very important role to play to serve as front-liners, to prepare the hearts and mind of the younger ones, to nurture and develop their young faith and relationship with God.

    St. Therese of the Child Jesus, whose feast we celebrate today, reminds us of the mission we share with one another. St Therese is even called as the Patron of Mission even though she herself stayed most of her life inside the convent. Her little ways, her compassion and thoughtfulness to her sisters, her prayers and devotion were her ways of participating in God’s mission.

    Thus, for all of us too, we do our little and humble ways in participating in God’s mission. Parents, grandparents and adults, again, do your little ways in educating and nurturing the younger ones. Be welcoming to their different responses and be accepting to their ways of doing things and in relating with God. Affirm them and appreciate their efforts.

    But remember, to nurture and to develop one’s relationships with God is not done through “imposition” or by “force.” Never impose and never use force in nurturing the young ones. They learn by example. They admire through our sincere words and actions. They see and recognize God through us.

    In this way, we may be able to truly bring peace in our homes and bring healing into the hearts of our own family and friends. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Attachments and Conditions in Commitments

    Attachments and Conditions in Commitments

    September 30, 2020 – Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

    Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/093020.cfm)

    Homily

    What prevents us to fully commit ourselves to a relationship? Why are we being prevented and what makes it difficult to fully commit?

    A couple who was about to be married shared to me their thoughts and plans. They were surely in loved with each other and wanted to live as husband and wife. Yet, they too shared to me that as a couple they planned not to have a child. They just wanted to live as husband and wife. I asked them why. The two of them confirmed that, to have a child is difficult for them. Both of them were at the peak of their careers and their individual profession was so important that losing them was not a choice. Thus, if they will have a child then their careers will be affected.

    Christian marriage is not just limited between the union of husband and wife. This love and union should also overflow towards their children. Completely closing the doors to the possibility of having children, rearing, loving and nurturing them is after all, a non-commitment to Christian marriage.

    Thus, our many attachments can actually prevent us from fully committing to a relationship. It is indeed difficult when we are called to let go of our many attachments. These attachments could be our careers and jobs, positions and influence, power and wealth, or unfulfilled dreams and desires, our traumatic experiences or past broken relationships. These can also be our various addictions and compulsive behaviors, or just our family and circle of friends.

    These attachments prevent us to fully commit to a relationship because we are being held back and we allow ourselves to be caught up. This happened to those whom Jesus invited to follow him.

    Jesus said “follow me.” The person certainly wanted to follow Jesus, BUT, in following Jesus, there were conditions attached. Jesus emphasized the urgency of following him but then the person was being held by his attachments. These attachments prevented him to follow the Lord by making conditions.

    This is something Job realized also in the first reading. The story of Job tells us about the human suffering of those who find themselves righteous and good. Yet, life is not under our control. God remains the author of life and decides about our life. Job here slowly realized that he was not the master of his life. All the things that he possessed are not his, including the life of his family and his very life. His suffering was a proof that attachments in life do not give security and contentment and that he can just set conditions in his relationships with God, the almighty.

    Today, Jesus also calls us to follow him freely and without conditions. Each of us is being invited, wherever we are and whoever we are. Whether you are working and married or single, unemployed or a simple vendor, a professional or a laborer, well and healthy or sick, a religious or a government official, young or old – the Lord calls us to commit ourselves to Him. When we commit ourselves, then, we too are challenged to let go of our attachments that may prevent us from fully following Jesus.

    Let us ask Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, t to guide us in recognizing our unhealthy attachments so that we will be able to let go of them and realize the freedom and peace of choosing Jesus. Hopefully, in choosing to follow Jesus we may also discover the joy and the beauty of allowing God to be the center of our commitment in our relationships. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • HOW TO BE YOU, PO?: ON THE FEAST OF ARCHANGELS

    HOW TO BE YOU, PO?: ON THE FEAST OF ARCHANGELS

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    September 29, 2020 – Feast of Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092920.cfm)

    Homily

    How to be you, po? This is a youthful expression of admiration to a person and desire to become the person being admired. The admired person may have shown great talents, goodness and kindness that touched and inspired others or some other good qualities.

    The feast that we celebrate today, though they are not human beings like us, but spirits, Archangels, have something to teach us, as these angels reveal qualities that we can develop as we relate with one another and with God.

    Let us discover a bit who these archangels are and what they reveal to us and about God.

    The three are particularly called “Archangels” and not just “angels” because of the great importance behind their ministry. Their ministries are also revealed through their names.

    In particular, the name “Michael” means “the one who is like God.” The Book of Revelation mentions Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon identified as the Devil and Satan. Michael, the angel who fights against the Devil and protects the people shows the might and power of God. Thus, the ministry of Michael tells us how goodness will always defeat evil, and how God overpowers the Devil.

    Gabriel will always be remembered because of the role he played in the birth of Jesus. The name “Gabriel” means “the strength of God.” At the annunciation to Mary, Gabriel revealed how the strength of God was manifested in the ordinary life of Mary and in the smallness of the birth of a child. Gabriel also announced the birth of John that revealed how God showed power through the childless old couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth. This child will prepare the way of the Prince of peace. The ministry of Gabriel reminds us that the strength of God is found even with the small, even with those that the world thought to be insignificant.

    Raphael brings healing to people. Hence, the name “Raphael” means “God’s remedy.” In the Book of Tobit (see chapter 12), Raphael healed Tobit from his blindness and freed Sarah from a demon that tormented her. The ministry of this archangel tells us how God touches us to bring healing to us, to our wounded hearts, to our tired bodies and tormented spirits.

    Celebrating this feast today, this calls us too that as we seek the intercession of these Archangels, we should also learn from them and develop those characters that these Archangels possess.

    Thus, like Michael who is called the one who is like God, we are called to also protect others, to defend others especially the weak and the least in our community, and not to let darkness and evil to win. As individuals and as a community, we do our best with the help of God’s grace to counter our evil desires and the evil intentions of those who are corrupt and abusive.

    Like Gabriel, who is the strength of God by announcing the coming of the Lord, we are also called to announce Jesus to all but first we are called to always welcome and embrace Jesus in our life. Jesus, as he was born as an infant, his presence may also appear in ways we do not expect. Be mindful then, of God’s ordinary and everyday revelations.

    Like Raphael, who is God’s remedy, we are also called to be instruments of healing to the wounded, to those who are in pain, to the suffering by being able to touch them. Touch others with your kindness and concern, with your friendship and love as God touches us with his presence. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR