Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Tag: Christianity

  • SELFLESS

    SELFLESS

    September 7, 2025 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090725.cfm)

    A recent Facebook post catches my attention. It is about a young man named Seth Adam Smith who realized, after being married for a year and a half, and said that: “Marriage is not for me”…. Why? Because after all these months of marriage with his teenage sweetheart, he comes to understand now what his father’s advice to him before his wedding day, is becoming true and right before his very eyes.

    His dad once said to him then: “Seth, remember marriage is not for you. You don’t marry to make yourself happy. You marry to make someone else happy. More than that, marriage is not for yourself. You are marrying FOR a family and for your future children. Marriage is not for you. It is not about you. Marriage is about the persons & people you marry to.”

    Surely married couples here could relate to this realization or advice. For marriage is indeed not really for the sake of oneself but for the sake of your lifetime partner and family.

    And so eventually married couples have to learn along the way that marriage is not all about me or about I but about US. And surely such realization is a hard-lesson to learn where learning happens only through trial and error experience. To be SELFLESS, i.e. to be not selfish and self-centered then is the very challenge of committed love we called marriage.

    For love is more than just a feeling or emotion but a commitment and decision to go beyond and give up oneself for the sake of the other. In other words, in marriage – in committed love, couples are to love their own spouse as much as, and as more than they love themselves and they love one another.

    This is the very kind of love Jesus asked of us in His commandment of love when he said: “Love one another as I have loved you”. A love much and more than our kind of love, but a selfless love for the sake of the other, and a love that leads us to a life and a world that is not the same as it is, but for the better of us. A married life committed in love not for your own but for the sake of your loved ones and of loving them, and above all for our Lord Jesus Christ.

    It is indeed easy nowadays for people to say: “Not for me”. Priesthood? Not for me. Religious life? Not for me. Marriage? Not for me. And even perhaps, Christianity? Not for me. But come to think of it, priesthood, religious life, marriage – following Jesus is indeed not for Me nor for You, but for Him; not about Me or You, but about Him whom we love & follow in life as Christian. And Christians who opted for Christ is saying that their discipleship is SELFLESS – not for them but for Him whom they choose to follow in life.

    For what it is to be a Christian? What does it cost to be a disciple of Christ? To be a Christian, as Jesus taught us today is like marriage, more than just a preference but a commitment.

    To follow Christ is not just we prefer Christ in our dealings with life – that we want and like Christ to be part of our lives, but it is to commit ourselves to the Christian way of life. To commit to Christ then is to be selfless, i.e. letting go of ourselves and letting God be God in our lives.

    On one hand, selflessness involves letting go, i.e. as Jesus said: to renounce – to give up everything. And this us not easy, because usually we prefer to have, possess, acquire, and own everything.

    But Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of God is more than what we prefer and desire (want and like) in life, but it is what God’s wants and wills what is best for our life. Like Seth who realized that “Christian Marriage is not for me…not for my sake but for the best and sake of my partner, and my own family”.

    Being His disciples then is not about being self-oriented, self-centered & inward-looking, but rather being other-oriented, other-centered & outward-looking. And the Kingdom of God is then not about You and I, not even about yours & mine. But God’s kingdom is all about We and Ours, and above all about HIM, as our Lord and we, as His disciples.

    On the other hand, selflessness requires to letting God be God, that is to submit to God’s will. Human as we are we like to be in control, to lead and to be the master. In a way we prefer to take the driver’s seat and take the steering wheels, and go where we want to go.

    But following Christ means to commit and submit to God’s will for us, and let God control, lead, guide, and form the direction of our lives. This means that we become passengers, and let Jesus takes the wheels and brings us to place and time in our life beyond our imaginings.

    Again, be reminded what Jesus is saying to us in our gospel today: to BE HIS disciple is to hate our life, carry our crosses & follow Him, and renounce all our possessions… all for the sake of and because of HIM.

    Jesus himself, by his words and examples, has shown us how to be selfless by letting go and letting God be God. In the same way, for us to fully fulfill God’s kingdom in our lives, as Christians, pray we must that we selflessly commit our lives to Christ (as Christian husband, wife, mother, father, priest, religious nuns or brothers, sons and daughters, family) by letting go and letting God be God with total commitment for Him (and, not for the sake of me, you, & ours alone) in faith & life. AMEN.

  • Not out of Fear but from Gratitude & Generosity

    Not out of Fear but from Gratitude & Generosity

    August 30, 2025 – Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083025.cfm)

    People who struggle with low self-esteem may find it so difficult to share their talents and express themselves. The fear of being judged and being rejected by others could hamper a person to share and express himself or herself. Many times, one could not avoid such fear because people tend to easily notice the negatives, failures and the ugly.

    More so, we may also tend to compare ourselves with others. To realize how others enjoy many things than us or how others possess more than us, could make our heart envious. Among siblings and friends, it can be painful when others stress who is better, brighter, and more talented among us. This can make the “lesser self” become bitter towards others and towards himself or herself.

    Such outlook in life would hold us back from developing healthy and life-giving relationships because of our poor self-image and low self-esteem. We too may tend to hide in fear and bury our potentials. Thus, we endanger ourselves to become stagnant and unproductive.

    The parable in today’s Gospel reminds us of this through the third servant. Yet, it also challenges us to see beyond our limitations and embrace our potentials. This becomes more possible in us as we grow in gratitude and generosity and not out of fear.

    Indeed, the servants were given “talents” (a particular amount of material wealth) by their master. Each was given different amount of talents, “each according to his ability.” The master realized the ability of each of his servant and so they were entrusted as the master saw it fitting for them.

    When we are the ones in this situation and having a low self-esteem, we too might compare ourselves especially when we have received less. We could become bitter and reactive towards the master who entrusted little in our care. We could feel envious of others who received more.

    The third servant represented this kind of heart. He was rather filled with fear and bitterness towards the master, towards others and himself. And so, he decided to bury his talents. That made him unproductive and having a bitter perspective of the generosity of the master. He might have despised the master and his companions too. Yet, he too could have pitied himself for having less.

    However, the two other servants no matter how much they have received understood what the master wanted them to do. With the talents given to them, they began to take risks and invested what they have possessed.

    The two servants have given us the model of becoming grateful and generous. This made them productive and even discovered the wonders behind their abilities and potentials. This was manifested at how the master entrusted them with more.

    This is how we are invited today. There is no reason for constantly comparing ourselves with others. When this becomes an unhealthy behavior in us, it will remove us from being free, grateful and generous. We will be prevented to become more productive in our own way.

    We are challenged, then, to confront and outgrow our fears, our low self-esteem, and begin to affirm ourselves and the gifts we have no matter how small or limited we may think of them.

    Like the two other servants, the Lord wants us to take risks, to be creative, to be productive in our own ways. The Lord gives the grace in each of us, each according to our ability. This is not because God discriminates us but in God’s wisdom, God sees our capabilities.

    And so we pray, “Lord, make my heart more grateful and generous. Teach me to affirm the gifts I have and my very self. Challenge me when I begin to doubt your wisdom and generosity in me. May my heart be more courageous in sharing myself and find joy in it.” Hinaut pa.

  • FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE        

    FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE        

    August 28, 2025 – Thursday – Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082825.cfm)

    Being constantly aware of God’s presence in our life can be very challenging. With all the many things, issues, and concerns that fill our mind and heart, we may forget, take things for granted or become indifferent.

    This is our reality with our human relationships. We may be living under the same roof, yet, we too could become forgetful of the presence of our loved ones. Husband and wives may become cold towards each other. Parents may become more focused with their work believing it is the only most important at the expense of a quality time with their children. Among friends, personal issues and selfish tendencies may lead us to only make ourselves always at the center without minding the presence of our friends.

    Such forgetfulness, our tendency to take things for granted and indifference may remove us from the grace of God. We become distanced and unmindful of God’s presence and of people around us.

    Hence, the Responsorial Psalm invites us to pray, “Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!” To be filled with love so that we may “gain the wisdom of heart” that is constantly mindful of God’s presence.

    St. Augustine, a famous Saint of the Church, was once forgetful of the presence of God. He took many things for granted and was indifferent to many. He was a lost soul, wandering in life. He tried to fill himself with what the world can offer him, yet, he was not fulfilled. And so his restless heart was in searched of what could give him peace and fill him with constant love.

    Augustine was later found by the Lord and converted to Christ. His study of the Holy Bible made him realize so much about life. It triggered a desire and a deep longing from his heart. Augustine’s famous words from his Confessions remind us, “My heart is restless until it find rests in You.”

    St. Paul in his Letter to the Thessalonians echoed the same call and challenge to the people, “increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” Paul reminded the people that as they wait for the second coming of the Lord, not to forget the presence of each one. Each member of the community will only be more conscious of God’s coming when each one also is mindful and loving towards each other. This is the very life of the Christian community founded in the redeeming love of Christ.

    In fact, Jesus in today’s Gospel calls us too, “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Indeed, the Lord may come in a surprise and in ordinary ways we do not expect. Yet, when our heart is filled with other things rather than our desire and longing of His presence, then, we may forget, take it for granted or become indifferent.

    And so we hope that our heart may indeed be filled with love. In that love, may we be more confident and assured that we have the support and affection of our loved ones, our family members and friends, and of the Lord whose love is constant.

    We pray, “Lord, fill my heart with your love. Make my heart ever mindful of your loving presence. When I become cold, distant and indifferent – disturb, call and challenge me to come closer to you and find peace in your love.” Hinaut pa.

  • GOD AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE

    GOD AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE

    August 27, 2025 – Wednesday, Memorial of St. Monica

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082725.cfm)

    Our appearance can be deceiving. What we see could merely be a façade. Facial make-up is used to hide blemishes and enhance our facial appearance. The idiomatic expression “sugar coating” is an attempt to make something better or less unpleasant.

    However, when this becomes an attitude of the heart, a person’s way of relating with others, such attitude leads us to hypocrisy. No matter how one could look so nice and beautiful. One could appear stunning and mesmerizing to the human senses. When appearance only covers the inside, we remain shallow and hollow within.

    This is what Jesus criticized so much about those who loved to appear so well before others, yet, corrupt and evil in their very hearts. Jesus compared them like the “whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.”

    The words of Jesus expressed contempt that also called for change and renewal among these kind of hearts.

    However, this has been contrasted to what Paul showed in all his honesty and kindness as an apostle of the Gospel. Paul who was transformed by the grace of Christ became a father and a mentor of the faith to the Thessalonians.

    Through the apostle Paul and his companions’ toil and drudgery, they have worked hard to earn their living while preaching the Gospel. They have done it in order not to burden the people to support them in their needs. The generosity in their hearts brought so much fruits in the life of the people.

    Indeed, the Thessalonians were converted to Christ and were growing in their faith. And Paul affirmed how God was at work in them who believed in Christ. The life of Paul and his companions was straightforward and honest. Similarly, the Christian Community in Thessalonians displayed no sugar-coating or pretensions in their lives. They were willing to hear the word of God. They sought to be transformed by the grace of the Lord. This made the relationship among them nourishing.

    We realize that when the heart is open, humble, and willing to be touched by the Word of God, the grace of the Lord works in us. The grace of the Lord transforms us. This is manifested in the quality of our relationship with one another. Appearance does not matter anymore because the heart is anchored in Christ. Yet, those hearts that remained pretentious and selfish make their relationship toxic and destructive.

    And so we pray and ask God’s grace, “Lord, make my heart sincere and humble, honest and free from pretensions. Grant me the grace to change from my sinful ways and selfish tendencies.” Hinaut pa.

  • How do you treat others?

    How do you treat others?

    August 26, 2025 – Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082625.cfm)

    How do you treat others? What kind of attitude do you show to your friends and strangers alike? Does your faith influence your ways and attitudes in relating with others?

    St. Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians expressed his gentleness, kindness as well as his thoughtfulness and affection towards the Christian Community in Thessalonica. Paul wrote this letter not to boast himself of what he had done, but an expression of Paul’s faith and conviction as an apostle.

    “God is witness.” This is what Paul declared as he manifested that there was no intention to be praised or to become greedy in their relationship with the people. In fact, Paul expressed the joy and generosity in his heart as he too declared, “With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.”

    This tells us that sharing of the self is an expression of the Christian Faith. When we become a gift to people around us, we too proclaim Christ in us.

    Yet, when the self also turns to be corrupt and self-absorbed, entitled and plunderous, the self becomes toxic and a curse to people around us.

    Jesus pointed this out in our Gospel today. The words of Jesus were quite strong in criticizing such kind of persons. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.” Jesus said this twice in the Gospel verses today showing the severity of the selfishness and greedy hearts of these people.

    “Plunder and self-indulgence” made such persons to be numbed at the realities of suffering of the people around them. They were concerned only on how they will become more comfortable and advance their self-interest. The self turns inward. It does not know how to share and so it is removed from what joy and love truly are.

    Such kind of self and attitudes of the heart make us treat others harshly and sometimes violently. We could treat others indifferently especially when we don’t get or receive anything from them.

    Having such contrasting attitudes of the self, calls us now towards the transformation of ourselves. Like Paul, who at first was also filled with bitterness and hatred was transformed by the grace of Christ.

    We ask today that grace that our heart and person may also be transformed. Knowing that the Lord has searched us and knew us, as the Responsorial Psalm proclaims, may we be more daring and courageous enough to ask the grace of the Lord.

    And so we pray, “Lord, make my heart as well as my words and actions gentle, kind and generous. Through your grace, may I become a gift to my friends and community as an expression of my faith in You.” Hinaut pa.