Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Tag: Faith

  • As PROMISED

    As PROMISED

    November 17, 2024 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm)

    Corrie Ten Boom, a Nazi concentration camp Christian survivor, now a well-known inspirational writer, once said: “If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within yourself, you will be depressed. If you look at God, you will be at rest.” These words of wisdom are learned from her life-experience of the cruelty of war and racism, not only before her captivity in Amsterdam while her family were helping in hiding escaping Jews, and during her captivity in the concentration camp of Germany, and after her release and liberation, but also based from her experience of life struggles and faith journey in general, as Christian.

    If and whenever we reflect on these words, we somehow can relate with her on how we also experience our life-struggles and faith-journey as Christian in general. Though we may not share the same experience of life with her, but her words offer us a realistic but still hopeful view of our Christian life:

    “If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within yourself, you will be depressed. If you look at God, you will be at rest.”

    True indeed, distressing it is to look at world today. With a lot of things going on – war, racism, discrimination, alienation, poverty, moral decadence, corruption, crisis, natural and human disaster, migration, pandemic and other, we cannot help but be distressed, upset, worried and be bothered with life nowadays and in near future. And while looking at our world today with distress, we cannot also help but be depressed, helpless, and hopeless within ourselves as we try to adjust, adopt, and respond to our troubling world. Addiction, crimes, sex, violence, drugs, suicide, abortions, marital breakdowns are just mere manifestations of how depressed & depressing we are and we can be within ourselves, due to the reality of our world outside and our life within. These are the common pains we are experiencing life as it is.

    Worse, Jesus in our gospel today even warns us of these on-going and coming distressing and depressing realities of life in the world to happen. We cannot help but be bothered of Jesus’ cosmic depiction of the end-time, “Sun will be darkened, moon will give not its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” We may not have yet experienced end-time as Jesus described it, but with our experience of our life’s common pains nowadays of increasing fatality & sickness, easy for us to see that at most we are already on our way towards destruction and end-game of life (even to a point we say, nahugno na ang kalibutan)

    We might have been experiencing life at its worse these times, however, Jesus promises us a life, not as how we look and experience it, but Eternal Life with God. Jesus proclaims and promises us: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Lilipas man ang Langit at Lupa, ngunit ang aking mga salita ay hindi lilipas: Mahanaw man and langit ug yuta, apan akong pulong dili gayud mahanaw).

    Here Jesus is teaching us that eternal life is not about life without end, or endless life, or our life/world now not passing away. For Jesus, eternal life with God is not the extension and expansion of our life as we look and experience it. Surely, we desire not the extension and expansion of our common pains & struggles in life. But what Jesus promises us is eternal life with God that gives us meaning and purpose as we experience life’s common pains & sufferings.

    In & with our experience of life’s common pains, Jesus is thus offering us eternal life of common purpose. He is offering us Himself as our Way, Truth and Life that would give us meaning, direction and purpose as we struggle with life and journey in faith amidst our common pains of life. Jesus wants us to live our Life In & With Christ. In other words, Jesus offers us common purpose and meaning amidst common pains of life.  Pains & sufferings thus take place and will happen in our life here on earth, but rest assured, Jesus -God’s word and love for us remains for us and with us forever, as promised. Ika nga: (Matupok man lahat ang buong daigdig, hindi magmamaliw ang aking pag-ibig. And so, Jesus is calling & directing us to focus & center our life on Him, to prioritize Him, Our Lord & Savior, the Son of God in our daily lives than our world & selves.

    True enough, though Corrie’s experience happened few decades ago, but still we can also say, based on our experience & what is going on in our life today…. Distressing it is to look at our world… Depressing is our helplessness to look into ourselves…. But promising, assuring & hopeful it is to focus our gaze & look to God for meaning & sense in life.

    So, whenever we find our life distressing and depressing, and as we long for rest and peace in life, just be reminded of and learn from the wisdom-shared to us by Corrie ten Boom: “If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within yourself, you will be depressed. If you look at God, you will be at rest.”

    Siya Nawa. Hinaut pa unta. Amen.

  • In GENEROSITY

    In GENEROSITY

    November 10, 2024 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111024.cfm)

    Once on a Sunday mass, after I preached in our Redemptorist church in Dumaguete about the boy  in the gospel on the multiplication of Loaves (our so-called accidental hero), a small boy went up in the sanctuary during the offertory bringing with him his offering. He did not quite know where to put his fifty pesos offering. So, when I noticed him coming up, I postpone preparing the altar. Instead, I fetched the boy and led him to our collection box.

    For me, it was a moving experience. Here I was, preaching about the boy in the gospel who gave up everything (his two loaves of bread and five fishes) to Jesus as his generous contribution for the people’s need, and calling people to share something themselves for the mission of the church. And right there after, a little boy coming up in the sanctuary, offering his everything generously (n.b. for a four year old boy, a fifty pesos bill is not only something but everything) for the mission of the church. Such gesture for me is not only something (because that little boy and his family heard my homily and responded to it), but EVERYTHING because it is Good News manifested right before my very eyes. Gospel preached & responded as witnessed right before me.

    As you might notice, for the past Sundays, we have been reflecting about Christian Values fitting for Christian discipleship.

    Blind Bartimaeus reminded us of the importance of seeing again & anew God’s will in our lives. Then, Jesus emphasized the commandment of loving God, others and ourselves as our right faith response to God’s grace & blessings. Then, particularly today, we reflect about Generosity.

    Moving from the whole issue of what is the greatest commandment, here in our gospel today, Jesus discussed with his disciples about the whole issue of who or what can truly please God. By comparing the rich and the widow’s offering, Jesus pointed out to His disciples that what matters most is not what but HOW we give our offerings to God.

    The rich people gave from the excess or surplus of their plenty – out of duty & obligation as well as  others may notice them, while the poor widow contributed from her poverty and helplessness everything that she has as her sacred offering & humble contribution for others.

    As Jesus upholds, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more that all those who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty, but she gave from her poverty and put in everything she had, her whole livelihood.”

    For Jesus then, what could truly please God is our Generosity. God is please with generous people who wholeheartedly contributed and gave up & share everything they got for the betterment of others, (if not all).

    This is clearly portrayed by the poor widow who gave her family’s food to Elijah in our first reading; by the temple offerings of the poor widow in our gospel, by that boy in the multiplication of loaves, by that little kid who offered his five pesos for the mission and by Jesus who laid down his life for the redemption of many. They all wholehearted gave up and share everything they got to the point of denying themselves for the good of others. Well, that is Generosity, that is Christian charity and love.

    And generosity usually happens whenever we have sympathy & empathy towards others. Whenever we have the heart to feel with others (sympathy) & to feel for others (empathy), generosity happens in our lives & grace abounds. We give credit to the spirit of generosity as we face the challenges of pandemic & natural disasters (like the recent typhoon Kristine). In our generosity via our sympathy & empathy with one another, somehow we are able to withstand in faith these trying times.

    And so, what truly pleases God is not what we offer Him but How we generously offer Him our gifts with others. We have much to learn from the window’s mite for in her gratitude for God’s graces, she generously offers & shares her everything in empathy & sympathy with others. Remember then: God appreciates a grateful beneficiaries & acknowledges generous sharers of His Gifts with others.

    We pray then with St. Ignatius of Loyola as he described what Generosity is, through his Prayer for Generosity.

    Dearest Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to serve You as we should. To give and not to count the cost. To fight and not to heed the wounds. To toil and not to seek for rest. To labor and ask not for reward. Save that of knowing that we do Your Most Holy Will.

    Amen. Hinaut pa unta.

  • LONG In Faith

    LONG In Faith

    October 27, 2024 – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102724.cfm)

    We cannot deny Life during Covid pandemic times had rendered our lives unstable, unclear, and unknown. With the challenging reality upon us then, we found ourselves  disable & limited. Somehow someway, not unlike Blind Bartimaeus in our gospel today, if not blinded by the overwhelming difficulties we were facing, we were sightless & without a vision.

    And when the Lord would ask us then, “What do you want Me to do for You?” without a doubt, we do have a lot of wants and needs from Him, to at least save our day. But over & above our urgent needs & wants from the Lord, we do want always some clear vision & direction as we face the life-challenges. Like Blind Bartimaeus, our difficult condition calls for more than just sympathy, concerns & assistance but most of all, a new clear set of meaning, ability & purpose in life. Like Bartimaeus, deep inside we cry before the Lord praying: “Lord, I want to see”. Somehow this is what we want the Lord to do for us: “Lord, we want to see.”

    Without question, the Lord will show us & reveal to us life amidst, behind & beyond challenging realities. He will give us sight, direction & vision in life as we struggle with it now and ahead. But we also have to do our part for the miracle to happen & blessings to be revealed to us, for us to see not only in sight, but in Faith. And we have much to learn from Bartimaeus here.

    First, same way as he listens of the Lord’s arrival, we do need to be sensitive of the Lord’s presence in our midst. Second, we do need to call the attention of our Lord & others about our own presence: “Lord, have pity on Me.” Third, we need to throw ourselves on His mercy & express our needs & intentions, praying: “Lord, I want to see.” And above all, we must trust & have faith in Him with His plans, ways & will for the grace of sight, vision, inspiration & direction to happen.

    The LORD’s Presence, OUR presence, our Needs & His Graces with our Faith are somehow the essential ingredients for us to taste & see God’s greatness in our lives despite challenging times. Same as Bartimaeus, somehow we are to (L.O.N.G. : L-ord’s, O-ur presence, in our N-eed of His G-races) LONG in FAITH for miracles to happen in our lives.

    Lord, as we look in sight what is going on with us & ahead of us, make us also long to SEE in faith what better You in store for us now & always.

    So May It Be. Amen.

  • IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD

    IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD

    October 21, 2024 – Monday 29th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102124.cfm)

    Reaching a higher status or position in life could make us demanding and entitled to what we have achieved. A child who has been better than his siblings may demand more love, praises and attention from his/her parents for doing more and better. An authority figure or a colleague promoted to a higher position may also demand that he/she should be addressed according to the position he/she has gained, to be treated extra-special than others. A priest or nun may also demand from people or parishioners that he/she must be given this and that for his/her personal use and ministry because of his/her role in the church.

    A heart that has grown to be (self)-entitled demands from others because of the belief that “I have become this! I have become that! – and so I deserve and must be treated and pampered this way and that!”

    When we ourselves become this kind of person, this can be very irritating and tiring to people around us. Consequently, we become demanding in our relationships. Our work or ministry is merely grounded on what we can gain and benefit from others. Our good works and performances are always counted as our way of gaining favors. Yet, the heart is in danger of being corrupted by greed. Jesus said in today’s Gospel, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

    The tension and the conflict between those two brothers in the Gospel tell us how greed divides and destroys our relationships. The one who inherited the wealth from his father was the eldest who demanded that everything should only be for him because he was the eldest son. This was the culture before that reinforced the eldest son to be more self-entitled and indifferent.

    Jesus pointed this out also as he presented the parable of the rich man who after being contented only with that he possessed in this world had also become intoxicated by his own wealth and success. The rich man without any concern for others only saved for himself alone. His heart that has also grown entitled has become indifferent and unconcerned of the suffering of the people around him.

    However, Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians reminds us of this tendency in us. This comes from the “desires of our flesh, following the wishes of the flesh and impulses.” Yet, God who is rich in mercy, brought us to life with Christ – because of God’s great love for us.

    Paul continued to remind us that this freedom is not caused by us or by any good works we have done. Paul said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.”

    This means that we are actually not entitled to this gift. Such gift of life and freedom, forgiveness and peace, even our talents, achievements and success, power and wealth we enjoy are God’s gifts! These gifts are God’s initiative because God loves us and kind to us.

    Our Psalm for today even reechoes of who we truly are before God, “The Lord made us, we belong to him.”

    It is only right then, that we are actually called to give thanks to the Lord. The Psalm reminds us too, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving. Give thanks to him; bless his name, for he is good: the Lord, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations.”

    From here, the Lord reminds us that the antidote to our self-entitled and demanding hearts is gratitude! No one is deserving and entitled to the graces and blessings from God. What the Lord grants to us, the life, healing and freedom that we received through faith in Jesus, is not caused by our merits or good works. Everything is God’s grace, because God is good, loving and faithful to us.

    We ask for this grace today, that we become more grateful to the Lord and to the many people around us. Let our gratitude be our ground as we do good things for others. Let our grateful hearts express concretely our faith in Jesus. Let us come near Jesus through the Sacraments of the Church, not because we are obliged, but because we are grateful. Hinaut pa.

  • OUR DESIRE TO BE SECURED

    OUR DESIRE TO BE SECURED

    October 20, 2024 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102024.cfm)

    What motivates me most these days? What drives me to do my best? What is it that I desire for myself? What is it really that I am looking for? – these few questions bring us into more awareness of where we are at the moment and how our actions and decisions are molded by what we nurture in our heart and mind.

    It is basic and natural to each of us to seek what would give us security and assurance in life. In every stage of our life, since our infancy until towards our older adulthood, having a sense of security and assurance is a must. This is the very reason why we do things and aspire to make our life comfortable, easier, and independent. We want and we need security in terms of material things in life and also security in our relationships. We seek security in our studies and jobs as well as in our friendship, family and marriage. We want a secured future for ourselves and for people whom we love.

    People, because of this nature in us, would also risk to invest their time, talent, treasure and whole person in order to achieve and gain a return of investment. In fact, just this month, political aspirants have just filed their certificate of candidacy. And as early as the first quarter of this year, there were already hundreds or even thousands of big tarpaulins with the over-sized photos of politicians along the streets and highways, in every corner and post. Such move is a way of securing themselves a seat in the political arena. And what drives and motivates our political aspirants? Public service? Political manipulation? Self-giving to the people? Or selfish political agenda?

    These are just few examples of our need and reality of wanting security in life. This reality is what this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time has also reminded us. And so, allow me to reflect with you how the Lord calls and challenges us to become better Christians.

    James and John, who were close relative of Jesus, cousins actually, dared to ask favor from Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” What they actually wanted was to have a secured seat when Jesus reigns in his kingdom. Each of them asked that each one will be able to sit one at his left and one at his right.

    The two actually imagined that Jesus’ kingship is like of this world filled with political power and manipulation, wealth and influence. Having a seat at his side will make them superior above other disciples. Why not? They were close relatives of Jesus. These two used this closeness with Jesus to secure their future and to advance such a selfish desire of being comfortable and staying in power.

    In our culture today, we call this “Padrino System.” This is value system in our Filipino Culture that gains favor, promotion, or political appointment because of family affiliation (called as nepotism) or through friendship (called us cronyism).[1] And this happens even if the person has no qualifications or not deserving at all.

    Nevertheless, this is motivated by selfishness. That is why, Jesus confronted the two that such selfish desire cannot be possible in the kingdom of God. To be entitled to it is futile because only God knows and only God grants.

    This irked the other disciples of Jesus because of the selfish intentions of the two. They wanted security in their life by securing a seat of power, thus, leaving the others behind. Indeed, it was expected that they must have compared each other as to who was better, brighter and closer to Jesus because each one also wanted security and assurance of what was to come.

    However, this became an opportunity for Jesus to teach the disciples of the value of the kingdom of God. What matters most is not what one can gain, or what we will be able to achieve, not even the influence, power or wealth that we gather and possess. In the Kingdom of God, to be great is to be able to give oneself for others. Greatness then is not measured as to how much people adore or praise us, but with our capacity to serve and to love. It is by being able to give oneself for the sake of others.

    Our security then is found not with the comforts and riches we have in this world, but with our relationship with the Son of Man, with Jesus. The Lord himself is our true security and assurance that above all else, the Lord gives us true comfort and contentment in life who first gave himself to brings to the fullness of life.

    This is what Prophet Isaiah told us in the first reading that through the life of the Suffering Servant (Jesus), we shall see the fullness of light and life. The letter to the Hebrews also reminds us of such security with Jesus as our High Priest for with him and in him we are given “confidence to approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace.”

    Hence, as we celebrate World Mission Sunday today, let Jesus himself be our true security and assurance and our contentment  through our capacity to serve and love others without any selfish intentions to seek praises and favor.

    Let our Christian faith then be a true expression of that capacity in us to serve and love others even when we called to make a sacrifice, for giving and in loving that we are already secured and assured in the kingdom of God. Hinaut pa.

    [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padrino_system#:~:text=The%20padrino%20system%2C%20or%20patronage,as%20opposed%20to%20one’s%20merit.