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Tag: Freedom

  • The danger of being possessed by greed

    The danger of being possessed by greed

    October 19, 2020 – Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101920.cfm)

    Homily

    To possess material wealth is not evil. Material wealth is God’s gift to us. However, material wealth becomes a problem if we would allow this to possess us. This becomes problematic especially among families who have wealth to inherit. This causes conflicts and misunderstanding that would even reach to lawsuits and broken family relations. This is something we have heard in today’s Gospel from a man who asked Jesus to help him so that he too will have a share from his family inheritance. Indeed, we might believe that to possess so much wealth will give us security and joy.

    However, this is not the case because the more we possess things, the more we also become insecure and anxious. Just observe ourselves. The more a person possess wealth, the more the person becomes defensive. High walls are built to protect a rich house, sometimes with electric current running 24/7 on barb wires and with a 24-hour security personnel. And when the person becomes unaware of his/her unquenchable desire to possess more, then, the heart turns greedy and insecure, and even corrupt and oppressive.

    Jesus warns us of our tendency to be greedy and the danger of being possessed by greed. Greed comes from a heart that believes in self-containment and self-satisfaction and that desires total independence from God. But then, material things could never quench our greatest desire to be satisfied and fulfilled. Thus, a person will tend to accumulate more and possess more even at the expense of others.

    This is how the cycle of corruption and oppression happen. When our desire becomes unsatisfiable, we become greedy of many things, who will tend to collect as many material things and wealth us much as possible.

    Such attitude will not just appear in our heart out of nowhere. Sometimes, this has something to do from our childhood memories. A child who has been deprived from many things particularly of essential things in the child’s development such us food, shelter, toys and clothing and even affection and love from parents, may become a form of emptiness in the heart of a child. When the child becomes adult, that kind of experience could give the person the anxiety to be deprived again. Hence, in order to gratify such anxiety, the person could become a hoarder who accumulate things and possessions.

    When this happens too, a hoarder or a greedy person is blinded to see the needs of others. It will be difficult for the person to open up and be generous to those who are in need around him or her because the person feels insecure every time he or she gives.  The person would only look at his/herself and never to others. This is now an attitude of the heart that is truly being possessed by possessions.

    Thus, Jesus said, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Jesus tells us that our life is more than our possessions.

    Be mindful, then, of our possessive attitudes because these may affect and endanger our relationships with our families, friends and colleagues.

    We may ask, what is it that possessed me? What are those that kept me from being free? We do not have to think of millions of pesos because even a single smartphone may possess us. Remember, when we put so much focus and attention to a material thing, it could make us indifferent, greedy and unkind towards others. Our attachment to a single smartphone may indeed, prevent us from giving more time, attention and focus towards our studies (for the students), or may prevent us from giving our affection and presence to our loved ones.

    We believe that what gives us true satisfaction, freedom, joy and contentment is a life with God. Jesus calls today to have a life with Him and to let go of whatever that possessed us because this is the way of making ourselves free and happy. Then, by being free, we shall be able to let ourselves be satisfied truly by the Lord himself. In response, our self-satisfaction from the Lord will lead us to recognize that everything we have is God’s blessing that must be shared to others. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • The difference between a demon-possessed and ego-possessed person

    The difference between a demon-possessed and ego-possessed person

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    October 9, 2020 – Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100920.cfm)

    Homily

    What is actually the difference between a demon-possessed person and an ego-possessed person? Today’s Gospel tells us of the encounters of Jesus between these two. There is a much interesting response between these two groups of people.

    The “demon-possessed person,” because of God’s presence in Jesus, was driven out. The demon cannot withstand the power of God. The mere presence of Jesus was too powerful that they become restless. At Jesus’ command they come out at once and free the person.

    The person who was being possessed by a demon is not himself/herself anymore. The person’s mind and heart was being hijacked and taken over by the demon. Because of the possession, the person does things to harm the self, yet, not of his/her own freewill but according to the dictate of the demon. This makes, indeed, the person a prisoner, manipulated and controlled.

    In such situation, when we are being possessed by a demon, then, we are being denied of freedom, denied of joy, and denied of the light. Thus, we cannot help or save ourselves alone. Only through the help of another that we will be saved and be healed.

    Thus, what is more interesting is, a demon-possessed person recognizes God because demons fear God. A demon is afraid of the light because demons hide, becomes insecure with joy because demons are always sad, and losses its grip and control when the person realizes that he/she has the freedom to be freed and to be healed.

    The very presence of Jesus is the light that uncovers and brings into light those sins and pain hidden. Jesus is the joy that takes away our sadness. Jesus empowers and gives us the freedom to choose God and be freed.

    Consequently, a demon trembles at the presence of Jesus and frees the person from its control. This tells us that, indeed, a demon-possessed person recognizes God and kneels before the Lord because he/she is aware of God’s tremendous power of love.

    However, an “ego-possessed person” is filled with self-importance and self-entitlement. An ego-possessed person worships the ego. This kind of person only thinks what is good, what is beneficial and what is profitable for himself/herself. This person constantly seeks approval and praise from others. This person too believes that everything around him/her must serve him/her. He/she is more concerned of his/her personal importance.

    Accordingly, an ego-possessed person acts violently to people around him/her who will try to confront the failures and the wrong in him/her. When we become ego-possessed person, we become always suspicious, malicious and vicious towards the presence of those who will try to confront us. Ego-possessed persons feel threatened at the goodness and honesty of others. Ego-possessed persons feel threatened at the goodness and honesty of others.

    “Ego-possessed persons feel threatened at the goodness and honesty of others.”

    This was the treatment received by Jesus from those who were ego-possessed people. These people who pretended to believe in God through their elaborate prayers and meticulous observance of the law, were more concerned of themselves and not of those in need and even of God’s presence. Jesus’ presence was a threat to them that is why they tried to destroy Jesus, to eliminate God from their life, and Jesus knew their thoughts (Luke 11:17).

    No matter how much Jesus wanted their conversion but their denial of God’s presence and power, prevented them. Their arrogance blinds and paralyzes their awareness of God’s presence.

    Nonetheless, the Lord never surrenders to reach out to us whether we are demon-possessed or ego-possessed persons. Remember what Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians, “Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal 3: 13).

    It is God’s initiative by offering us eternal life. God actively confronts us and offers us the light, the joy and the freedom of living in God and with our community. We, who have been gifted with faith like Abraham, may always allow Jesus to confront us, to disturb us and to liberate us from whatever possessions we are being possessed. Hinuat pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • When our words give life and freedom

    When our words give life and freedom

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    September 1, 2020 – Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090120.cfm)

    Homily

    Our words to another person can become destructive or can become uplifting and life-giving. Those who silently suffer from verbal abuse at home, at school or at work would look at herself or himself terribly. The emotional stress and psychological trauma could affect the entire perspective of a person about himself or herself and about others. Such negativity makes a person to have a low self-esteem, to be depressive, angry and hateful towards himself/herself or/and towards others.

    However, a person who receives enough affirmations, constructive corrections, good counsel and advises from credible and people of good example would tend to become more hopeful and positive in life.

    This tells us how our words play an important part in our development in emotional or psychological and spiritual aspect of our life. Thus, the readings today convey to us how our words can transform the lives of others and of our community.

    The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians tells us how the Spirit of God inspires us to understand the Word of God, “to understand the things freely given us by God.” As a community of faith, we speak on the mysteries of God revealed to us not with words taught by human wisdom, which is limited and can be self-centered, but with words taught by the Spirit which is life-giving and liberating.

    This is how we find the words in the Bible to be always uplifting and inspiring because they are filled with the Spirit of God. In the same way, a parent who lovingly corrects a child for the wrongdoing the child does and without condemnation and insult, builds the character of the child to become a good and better person.

    Such powerful and life-giving words are also heard in our Gospel today. The Gospel of Luke tells us of the experience of the people from Capernaum, a town in Galilee. Jesus who taught the people in the synagogue found him different from the Scribes and Pharisees. Jesus spoke with authority not just with knowledge and familiarity of his teachings. Jesus spoke from the heart, from the wisdom of God that intends to give life to the people.

    Hence, the people found life in his teachings, in his words. This was more manifested when Jesus encountered a man with the spirit of an unclean demon. Through the words of Jesus, that demon was made quiet and was commanded to come out of the man. That demon was surely oppressive to the man by taking out the voice of the person. The person was made a slave by that demon. Yet, through his encounter with Jesus the man was given a chance to be freed and to be healed. Indeed, this is the effect when words give life and freedom.

    Thus, at the words of Jesus, the demon came out of the man without doing any harm to the person. This tells us again how those words of Jesus truly brought life, freedom and healing because Jesus’ intention was of kindness and his words were out of generosity.

    Today, Jesus also calls us to find healing, life, and freedom in his words and presence in the scriptures and in our Sacraments. Hopefully, what we find and receive will also be transmitted into our life that we ourselves will become life-giving and instruments of freedom.

    It would be good then to examine our words and our encounters with people today.

    Let this be the object of our discernment today. Are my words and presence life-giving or condemning? Am I giving freedom or condemnations? Are my words filled with hatred and anger or peace and kindness?

    If we find that our words and presence express more of condemnation, and judgments, of hate and bitterness, allow Jesus to transform us. Allow Jesus to cast out the demon in us that oppresses us and oppresses other. Allow Jesus’ words to make free and at peace so that we too shall learn in giving words to others that are filled with love, life and freedom. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • Grace and Freedom in letting go

    Grace and Freedom in letting go

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    May 21, 2020 – Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter

    Click here for the readings (http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052120-day.cfm)

    When a thing or a person becomes important, essential and vital in our life, we also find it hard to let go of it when time calls us to. Moreover, there are also cases when a thing or a person, or an experience, though not so important and vital in our daily existence, that it becomes inseparable from us. Thus, when it becomes so attached to us emotionally/psychologically, we find it then, so difficult to let go.

    When I was already about 6 years old, I would still carry my baby bottle with me and drink any liquid – milk, coffee, water or soda out of that. Once, I brought it with me at school during my Kindergarten and then my older sister found it out. The next day as I searched for my baby bottle in its usual place, I could not find it. The baby bottle was gone. My sister threw it away. So cruel! 🙂

    I was so mad and cried really hard for throwing that away. Perhaps, I thought the world was about to end at that time of losing my “dear baby bottle.” Yet, the day after that and the next day and the following days seemed to be just okay without that baby bottle.

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    Now, I realized, I must have been so attached to that baby bottle that letting go of it was surely difficult. In one way or another, others may find it challenging also those that have become so attached to them. These are not just limited with material things but also our dreams and aspirations in life, relationships and even our memories.

    Thus, when we talk about letting go, we certainly find it  difficult especially with those that we love so much or so attached to our emotions. Our basic tendency is to keep those closer to us because we do not like them to leave from us. That is why, when we are confronted with the reality of loss, then, we experience pain. It breaks our heart. We become anxious and fearful because life may not be the same.

    As a response, we may refuse to let go and in the process become controlling, suffocating and manipulating particularly towards those people we do not want to let go. Moreover, we could become paranoid and obsessed because we continue to linger and attach ourselves with a painful memory, or to a material thing or in a desire.

    What really is the concern here?

    Going into the process of letting go and the letting go itself is what makes our life wonderful. It is in letting go that we actually find more life and express life, to find love and express love. This manifests grace and freedom in us.

    This is what Jesus was asking from his disciples. The disciples who thought that they have lost Jesus when he was crucified rejoiced at his resurrection. However, when Jesus told them that soon, he will no longer be with but will go back to his father, the disciples also became anxious and fearful. They wanted to keep Jesus closer to them. The disciples believed that they were more confident if Jesus was nearby. They were not willing to let him go.

    However, this is not what God wants. Jesus had to go so that he will be able to join and be one with his Father in heaven. It will only be in this way that Jesus will be able to bring us closer to the Father. By returning to the Father, Jesus will open a way for us to the heart of the Father. By this also, Jesus will become ever closer to each one of us, closer than what we can imagine because Jesus will be in our hearts and minds.

    Hence, the words of Jesus to his disciples, “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me,” means that Jesus becomes ever present in each of us.

    In this process of letting go of the Lord, then, the disciples also allowed God to work in them. This was how the early Church found grace and freedom in letting go.

    Today, we are also asked to let go whatever is hindering us to encounter the Lord. We may ask ourselves, “What is it that I continue to linger? What is that attachment that I find difficult to let go for me to grow?”

    In identifying these, let us also ask the grace to courageously let go of those that hinder us so that we may find the grace for more life, more love and freedom. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

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  • Am I being imprisoned too?

    Am I being imprisoned too?

    April 22, 2020 – Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

    Click here for the readings (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042220.cfm)

    I remember a friend inside the prison when I was still a Seminarian. In today’s language the inmates are called, Persons Deprived of Liberty. They have been deprived liberty because of a crime committed or suspected to have done a crime. In one of our Prison Visits, as a group of Seminarians, I asked how was he and his life inside the City Jail. Great was his dismay for the crime he did. He violated the law and so deserved to be punished. Because of this, he felt deep longing and loneliness. He had many fears but for him, he said, he had to face them because he had to pay the crime he did.

    In our first reading, Peter and John were also deprived of liberty. This was not their first imprisonment. This was, in fact, the second time they were brought to the prison. They were imprisoned because the Jewish authorities were filled with jealousy. These authorities were jealous because of the many good things the apostles did. 

    As the Apostles preached about Jesus and His resurrection from the dead, they too healed the sick and helped the poor and the needy around them. They responded with generosity to those who needed their help. What the Apostles did were concrete expressions of what they believed and held in their hearts, and that was, the person of the Risen Jesus.

    As Peter and John were imprisoned, they must have been afraid and worried on what will happen to them. However, at this time, they had enough trust and faith in God. The constant invitation of Jesus, “Do not be afraid!” has grown in their hearts. Thus, the two were freed from prison so that they may be able to continue their good deeds and preach the goodness of God.

    These are just two kinds of physical imprisonment. One is imprisoned because of a crime committed and the other because those in authorities were just filled with jealousy and malice towards those who did good and preached the Gospel.

    However, there is also another form of imprisonment which is not physical. This was the case of the Jewish authorities. The Chief priests, Sadducees and Pharisees who continued to persecute the Apostles and felt jealous towards them, were truly imprisoned by their blindness and hardness of heart. They were imprisoned by their greed and envy, by their fear and doubts and by their refusal to believe in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

    Thus, they have self-imprisoned themselves with their own jealousy and unbelief. The Gospel portrays these kinds of people, of those who preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.

    With this, we may also ask ourselves. In what way am I also being imprisoned? Or what is it that imprisons me today, or that prevents me to be free and to be truly who I am?

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    When we become fearful and try to hide our actions, these are just signs that our heart is not free. When we become ashamed of ourselves, ashamed of what happened to us, of our past experiences, these are also signs of an imprisoned heart. When we tend to control others, dominate and abuse the weak, or in our arrogance, in deceiving others, by becoming indifferent to the needs of others, or thinking that our possessions in this world will make us happy and contented, or to think that we need to become somebody else to be recognized and to be praised, then, these are also signs of a person who is imprisoned in the darkness of fear and insecurity. 

    Thus, let us be more reflective and discerning of these things and ask the grace from the Risen Christ to enlighten us. Pray, that we may be able to see and recognize the areas of our life where we are being imprisoned. Pray, that we may be free and become the person and community that we are called to be, and that is to be “light,” especially in this great and dark crisis today. Hence, believe in the Risen Christ, in Jesus who brings us light because Jesus was sent by the Father to redeem us and not to condemn us to death.

    Let us also join our prayers to Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help so that she may help us in recognizing better ourselves and to see the light of the face of her Son, Jesus. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

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