Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: Year 2

  • Building and Making Life-Giving Encounters

    Building and Making Life-Giving Encounters

    June 14, 2024 – Friday 10th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061424.cfm)

    Just like many of you, I was also excited to join and participate in this youth leadership training. This is not the first for me to have such kind of training, but my first in DOPIM. Some might have been surprised when they knew that a Youth Director joined and become a participant in this training. Harlyn, one of my groupmates, whom we fondly also call as Belinda, said, she could not believe that I was a priest. On the first night, she excitedly greeted us and exchanged conversation with us. But when she knew, she became extra respectful to me.

    I actually have my own reasons why I joined and become a participant just like you. And these reasons reveal the priorities that I have now as a youth minister and of what I want to impart to the Young Ministers in particular of the Prelature of Marawi. I canceled parish schedules and told my mother I couldn’t be home for her 60th Birthday last Tuesday because of a youth gathering that I have to attend – just to make way for this event. But more than these reasons, there are more important ones (three reasons) that I want to share with you all and not just for the Youth Ministers of the Prelature of Marawi.

    First, a youth leader is a youth minister. Let us remind ourselves that though we are leaders exercising authority, but our first vocation is to be a minister, in giving service for others so that we may journey together to bring each one closer to Christ. In this ministry, I remind myself that I am called to learn and unlearn with you and from you. It does not diminish the direction of a team or youth leader, or pastor or youth minister but it rather enhances the process of learning and unlearning things. This helps the ministry to slowly discover the gifts and talents of the young, affirm and correct one another so that we bring ourselves closer to Christ. This makes the ministry to be Christ-Centered.

    Second, as a youth minister, I am friend. This calls me that to be a friend I also need to develop a listening ear, to have an understanding heart, and to learn the art of a welcoming embrace. This is also the reason why I want to be identified as a friend rather than as an authority figure. Being a friend is a gift that I can offer to the young, a grace that I ask from the Lord so that my presence will be a non-threatening and non-intimidating presence. I am aware that I am a youth minister and not a police who checks youth activities and would just give a mouthful of curses when something wrong happens in the program. The gift of my presence means my ability to feel what others feel, to accompany and journey those who feel afraid and confused. And a presence that builds life-giving friendships (healthy relationships), not romantic relationships, neither a master-slave relationship with the youth nor a manager-staff relationship. This makes the ministry to be Human-Oriented.

    Third, as a youth director, I am a companion and a mentor by inculcating to you the value of building and creating relationships. We, indeed, need companions, friends and mentors who will assure our co-young people that they are not alone. Today, one of the biggest difficulties of the young is the tendency to be lonely and alone. Let our co-young people know and feel that they are not alone and that God and our community are much bigger than their problems and struggles. Each of us is called to be a companion and a mentor of the young and of one another so that we may be able to go out from our own comfort zones, accompanying the young to be more self-giving, reaching out to others with much love and understanding. Meaning, being a companion and a mentor calls me to journey with you so that we may be able to go out together, to meet and encounter more young people. This makes the ministry to be Mission-Directed.

    This is what we discover in the story of Prophet Elijah. God himself whom he discovered in a “tiny whispering sound,” meaning in a non-threatening and non-intimidating presence, ministered to him, became his friend, companion and mentor in his life as a prophet who was overwhelmed with fear, anxiety and doubts.

    We also remind ourselves that for us to become true, effective and compassionate young leaders and ministers, we also need to cut off anything that is unhealthy in our ministry to the young. This is how Jesus reminds us today in the Gospel, “cut off and throw away” anything that separates us from the grace of God and from one another.

    We may have the tendency to be controlling and manipulating in our ministry, stop and cut off those attitudes. We may be emotionally driven and highly sensitive of comments and suggestions from others, learn to be more objective and rational. We may be self-centered and image-conscious, then, cut them off and bring Jesus to the ministry rather than ourselves. We may also become merely activity-oriented and output-driven to the point that we overwork ourselves and our co-young people with so much programs, but forgetting how to talk with them personally and lovingly.

    Friends, my co-youth ministers, as leaders, we are called to build and make life-giving encounters with our co-young people in this transition of life of the young so that we may be able to encounter Christ in all things and in everything. And it is through these life-giving encounters, no matter how insignificant they can be to others, that we can make significant impact to a struggling young person, in the hope of a transformed-self according to God’s desire for us. Hinaut pa.

  • Bringing Nothing but Blessing

    Bringing Nothing but Blessing

    February 1, 2024 – Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020124.cfm)

    Ten years ago I was sent abroad for a mission exposure, I was told that I got 30 kilos of baggage allowance for my flight. Few nights before my flight, I had my own inventory on what I should bring for the one year mission experience in Indonesia. I kept looking at my things worried that I might forget something important and something that “I might need.”

    Aside from clothes, I prepared small things, vitamins and preventive medicines against malaria, books, camping and survival kit, treats and sweets for my sweet tooth and many other small things. Unsurprisingly, my luggage was overweight and I had to pay a few thousand pesos for that.

    Indeed, the worries and anxiety that I might need this and that made my luggage heavy and overweight. I was also overburdened as I carried my luggage. After all, when I was in the mission area, there were many things that I brought but I was not able to use them. I realized I had more than enough.

    Such a situation may also be true in other aspects of our life. One may be overburdened in his or her relationship because of the emotional baggage the person brings. An emotional baggage such as trauma from the past, guilt, shame, fear, anger, hatred or other insecurities could make our life more difficult and at times overwhelming and suffocating.

    This is how I find today’s Gospel passage to be so meaningful and significant. Jesus sent out the Twelve, two by two. They were given power to cast out unclean spirits and heal the sick. However, in their journey, Jesus told them “to bring nothing except a walking stick.” They were “allowed to wear sandals but not a second tunic.”

    This journey sounds a bit harsh and difficult. A disciple could feel so vulnerable and insecure for not having other things in the journey. Yet, Jesus “gave them authority.” That authority is power. And that power is to bring blessing.

    Despite the poverty they had, the small things they possessed, the very presence of God among them and the power given to them suffice what they need. Moreover, such attitude to bring nothing but a walking stick was a invitation. There are two invitations here.

    1. First, to trust the generosity of God. The Lord shall provide the needs of His friends. The ever abiding presence of God is with them and to fully trust in God’s Providence is truly an act of faith. This is the realization of David at the end of his life. He learned to let go and entrust everything to God who is good and merciful. He is going the way of all flesh, as he said. God
    2. Second, to trust the generosity of the people. The reason why they were to bring nothing was to allow themselves become companions and friends of the people whom they were to encounter. They may have the power given by God to them, yet, they were not above the people or apart from the people. They were equal in status as companions and friends. They were to live among the people and be immersed in the life of the people. This is where the generosity of the people is welcomed and received with gratitude.

    Indeed, may we also learn and trust more the generosity of God and the generosity of people around us. That generosity may not be always material but also as an expression of support and understanding, warmth and affection, friendship and intimacy, care and compassion, mercy and forgiveness.

    Hence, as we move forward in whatever phase, track, or path we are in this journey of life, may we bring blessing to others. Hinaut pa.

  • A Touch may kill, A Touch may heal

    A Touch may kill, A Touch may heal

    January 30, 2024 – Tuesday 4th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here foe the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013024.cfm)

    Human touch depending on our intention may bring death or may bring life. When our human touch is filled with malice, hatred and violence, then, it will surely bring destruction and pain to others around us. However, when touch is filled with grace, with love, affection, concern, and compassion, then, our touch may bring healing, peace, freedom and life.

    This is the case that we have heard in today’s readings. In the Second Book of Samuel, we were told of the tragic event of the death of Absalom, the son of David. Absalom led a rebellion against his father, King David. He wanted the throne for himself. Yet, his rebellion did not come out of the blue. There was already a steaming tension of hatred and violence within the house of David. His first-born son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar. Indeed, the touch of Amnon towards the beautiful Tamar, was filled with malice and lust.

    Though, the full brother of Tamar, Absalom did not also speak out, but kept quiet, leaving Tamar to suffer in silence. Yet, this became a venue for Absalom to foster hatred towards his half-brother Amnon, and also towards his father King David who turned a blind eye on this. This was the beginning of more violent actions within the house of David.

    Later, Absalom plotted to kill his half-brother and rebelled against his father. Even though, Absalom was able to get some army and territories of his father, yet, at the end, he was killed as told to us in today’s reading. With his death, David mourned over the loss of his son. Nevertheless, David’s grasped and insecurity over his throne and power led to the death of his sons and destruction of his own family.

    However, in the Gospel of Mark, we have heard different forms of touch. This time, the touch brings healing, freedom and life. There were two forms that I would like to emphasize.

    First, humanity’s touch to the Divine. This was the experience of the woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. In hope and faith she  reached out in order to touch even the cloak of Jesus. And indeed, her touch of the Divine brought her healing. Jesus affirmed her “courageous and daring faith.” She did not give in to desperation and hopelessness but to faith. This made her to touch the Divine and became a recipient of grace.

    Second, God’s touch to humanity. This was witnessed by Jairus, his wife as well as Peter, James and John. Jesus “took the child by the hand” and said to her, “Talitha koum!” At that, life was given back to the dead girl. The touch of Jesus was more powerful than death and grief transforming them into life and joy.

    This reveals to us now how our touch can actually become a channel of grace and blessing. We too are reminded that the Lord would always allow us to touch him. Let us not be ashamed or fearful in reaching out to God. The way we touch sacred and holy objects in our church is even our way of expressing it already. The sacraments we have in the church are God’s way of making us aware that we are welcome to touch the Divine and be touched by His grace.

    Let us also see and evaluate the way we touch others if this is filled with malice, insecurity, selfishness or hatred. Such intentions will only bring violence and death. Rather, let our touch be more of faith, love, concern, mercy and compassion so that we too may become channels of grace, blessing, healing and life. Hinaut pa.

  • Better for others

    Better for others

    November 24, 2022 – Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112422.cfm)

    A wise man once said: “We are like a bottle of medicine where God puts a label on it: SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING”.

    Like a good wine drink or a sumptuous dish, some good things in life are at their very best if and when they are well-shaken, cooked, stirred and well-processed. Same thing could be said to us, Christians. Human as we are, we prefer not to be disturbed, on distress and discomfort. However, we are at our best selves not when we are pure, perfect or unblemished. Usually our greatness lies in these moments of struggles and sufferings – when we are shaken and disturbed by life’s misfortunes and trials. Saints become saints and great not because they are perfect but because, despite their imperfections and life-struggles, they remain steadfast witness to faith and medicine to others. Like a bottle of medicine, for us to be effective medicine to others, sometimes we need to be disturbed by God from our comforts and shaken vigorously by the trials and sufferings of life. We are meant to be shaken well before using. 

    So when things are rough and tough; and when life seems so hard and confusing  perhaps we are being shaken by God in order to BE BETTER FOR others – a better person, witness and Christian for others. Just like what Jesus said: “When these things happen, stand up and raise your head for your salvation is near.”

  • What gives you hope?

    What gives you hope?

    November 24, 2022 – Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112422.cfm)

    It’s gloomy and depressing, filled with death and destruction. Chaos is overwhelming and seems to be there is nowhere to go but a horrifying end. These are the images that we could imagine as the Book of Revelations and the Gospel of Luke describe today the end of time, the time of punishment and wrathful judgment, a time of horror and deadly calamities.

    John, in his visions, foretold the end of a great ancient nations of Babylon, who indeed, was once the superpower of the world. Babylon conquered many nations and peoples, plundered and exhausted their wealth. However, Babylon will end. It will be destroyed. Luke spoke as well of the end and destruction of Jerusalem, a great city, whose temple was adorned with gold and precious stones. The city will also be destroyed and its people will be scattered. Indeed, these happened and what history tells us. Babylon is nowhere to be found again. Jerusalem and its temple was destroyed. And those Christians during the time of Luke, witnessed this. With these images of death and punishments, horror and chaos, where shall we draw courage to hold on to faith? What shall give us hope, then?

    Though John and Luke began with those terrifying events and scenarios yet, both also gave a glimpse of hope and salvation. John, in his vision again said, “Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” This is the prayer that the priest pronounces as we are about the receive the Body of Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The Lord destroys evil and all those that corrupts life, yet, God through Christ, welcomes us into his presence. This is salvation!

    Luke, further, reminds us in the Gospel, “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Again, the Lord shall judge and bring to an end what is evil and all those who rejected God and claimed to be god. The Lord shall come to rescue His people and bring them to safety and peace. This is hope!

    Indeed, as the readings today seemed to be dark and terrifying, yet, the Lord gives us hope that the end is something not to be afraid of. The Lord in his faithfulness remains for us and with us.

    This is the spirit that St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions showed us, whose memorial we also celebrate today. This Vietnamese priest and all those who together with him never gave up that hope to be taken away from them. Even in the midst of evil, persecution and death, they remained steadfast in their faith because they truly believed in God’s faithfulness.

    Let this give us courage. Let this inspire in us, hope. Even when we are facing so much difficulties in our life, in our relationships and in reaching out our dreams in life, may we find comfort in the presence of God who abides in us. When we are persecuted, hated and misunderstood, may we find courage and hope in the Lord who promised not leave us alone. Kabay pa.