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Tag: genesis

  • Transformed by God’s Care

    Transformed by God’s Care

    April 10, 2025 – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041025.cfm)

    In a relationship, when we express our care for each other, then, it helps us to grow and become mature. Through mutual care, we are able to give emotional support and understanding, express affection and assurance. In times of difficulties and challenges in our relationships, it is in showing how we care for each one that we too find strength, develop our closeness and intimacy.

    We realize how “care” can significantly transform us as individuals and our relationships. This would express the capacity in us to go beyond our comforts and fears in order to care for others. Such capacity as it grows in us make us life-giving.

    The readings we have today also remind us how care brings and inspires transformation. So, let us discern the readings we have today.

    In the Book of Genesis, we have heard about the transformation of Abram to Abraham. This transformation of name is not just merely by name but it has a deeper transformation in the very person of Abraham. Let us remember the story of Abram who was from the land of Ur. He was called by God to journey to a land God promised to him.

    Abram had to leave behind many things which included the comfort of his home, familiarity of the place, affection from his family and friends. Yet, Abram trusted God despite the many insecurity he felt. He took the risk despite the uncertainties ahead.

    That trust in God must have been founded in his faith that God takes care of him. The Lord who has called him cared so much about him. That divine care desires an abundant life for Abraham.

    Indeed, his relationship with God earned him a transformation of his person. Abraham became the Father of many nations because of his faith. Through God’s care, Abraham was assured of God’s presence and faithfulness. God said to Abraham, “As long as your descendants keep the covenant, I will be their God and they shall be my people.”

    This is an assurance of God’s care and faithfulness in us. This is a promise that God will and shall never abandon us. This is a relationship that does not float in abstract form or a mere product of a “ideological and theological treatise” of the past. Rather, this is something that we experience in concrete ways as people of God.

    This is manifested and fully revealed to us through the historical person of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus provocatively proclaimed that he is “I AM.”

    What does it mean? “I AM” is YHWH’s sacred name which also means “I am always there for you.” This is God’s name that also expresses that divine care for us.

    Indeed, this is provocative and sounds insulting to the Jews because they could not accept that God is truly with us in flesh. For them, God should only remain in the heavens where nobody can go and no one can touch. God for them is very far, remote and distant from His people. They could not imagine that God cares so much about us to the point of being with us not just in spirit but also in flesh, in human form.

    What are the invitations for us then? And to you, graduates of Caregiving?

    First, like Abraham, God also calls us to take the risk, to trust God despite our uncertainties, insecurities and questions. God sends us to a situation we do not expect or even to places and events we avoid. Do not resist and let God’s desire be your desire too. Like Abraham we may learn to trust God and be confident in Him. Moreover, be comforted also at the words of God, “I am your God and you are my people. I AM will always be there for you.”

    We may surely encounter many discomforts, moments of confusions and times of difficulties in our relationships and in your work and professional life. Yet, never retreat from others and from yourself, but rather, be daring like Abraham, always trusting in God.

    Second, God is truly with us here at the present moment (in the here-and-now). Be confident today because Jesus is “I AM”, he who is there for you and me always. Thus, be conscious always of the present because this present moment is God’s present – gift to us. By being present to people whom you love, you too express in the best way your care.

    Third, be transformed by caring. Express care as your expression of love and affection. In your relationship with your family and friends, express caring and gentle words; make your touch always a form of care. In your professional life as caregivers, let your hands and your very person be an expression of true care that support and understand those who are sick and old. By your care, you will not only be the one who will be transformed but also those who are under your care. Hinaut pa.

    (A homily addressed to the graduated of Caregiver Professionals)

  • AN ENVIOUS HEART CORRUPTS

    AN ENVIOUS HEART CORRUPTS

    March 21, 2025 – Friday of the Second Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032125.cfm)

    Having siblings makes our home more fun. During our childhood days, our siblings were our first playmates. They too become our protectors at school whenever someone would bully us. Being in any home, we too experience quarrels and tensions with our siblings.

    Moreover, when some kind of competition would arise, it also breeds jealousy and even envy among siblings. To us children, in some occasions we could have felt that we are more loved by our parents than the rest of our siblings. However, it could also be the other way around. We might have felt we are receiving lesser love and attention from our parents.

    When we are being compared to the one who is more responsible than us, or more talented and intelligent, etc., this can be painful. A deep emotional wound is created deep within our heart because of constant comparison and discrimination that we receive at home. Hence, relationships among our siblings are being stretched until a gap of indifference and mutual bitterness and hatred arise.

    In the first reading, Book of Genesis told us that “Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age.” These are the first words from the first reading today. Yet, that love of Israel towards his youngest son, became the reason for deep envy and hatred of his other sons.

    The envious hearts of Joseph’s brothers became cruel and vicious. The older brothers must have believed that their brother did not deserve such love and attention from their father. In that culture before, the youngest was considered to be the least and the less important.

    Thus, the brothers must have claimed that they deserved more than him. This was how their envy consumed them to the point that their thoughts and actions became violent and corrupted. Their youngest brother became the victim of those envious hearts.

    Though Reuben and Judah tried to save the life of their brother, yet, not one of them stoop up and confronted the evil that they were planning. They could not because they were into it already.

    This tells us that when we become envious of others, we will tend to get aggressively what we wanted. Our selfish ambitions and intentions will lead us to corrupt and evil practices, such as in deceiving and manipulating others. 

    Such attitude only portrays a self-image that is dominating, powerful and that must be considered a master who is above everybody else. However, this attitude would consider others as lesser and not important. It is in fact a boastful self, arrogant and vain, but deep within, insecure and filled with bitterness.

    This is what we have heard also from the Gospel. The parable was not actually about labor issues. It was about the bitterness and aggression showed by the tenants against the servants and to the son of the landowner. The tenants, who were actually the chief priests and Pharisees, became self-entitled and believed that they were the only deserving people of God’s grace and favor. Their envious and ambitious hearts also became unwelcoming, greedy and vicious.

    Like the brothers of Joseph, they too began to plan evil things against Jesus. They wanted to arrest and kill him. Indeed, this happened to Jesus. But then, their evil thoughts and plans cannot and will not defeat God’s power to bring salvation and freedom to all.

    As Joseph became the savior of his own brothers during the great drought and famine, Jesus also through his resurrection proved that evil has no match with the wonder of what love can do.

    As we continue to journey in this Season of Lent, let our hearts be overwhelmed, not by our envy towards others, but by our love and affection towards one another. Let us also recall and acknowledge the conflicts, tensions and misunderstanding we have with our siblings. Have the courage and humility to repair any gap of indifference and to heal any mutual bitterness with our siblings and friends. Hinaut pa.