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Tag: God

  • TO FOLLOW AND OBEY

    TO FOLLOW AND OBEY

    March 26, 2025 – Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032625.cfm)

    When we are told to only “do this” and to “do that” as well as “don’t do this” and “don’t do that,” how do we react? How do we respond? Wherever we are, whether at home, at school at work or in an organization or community, we find rules and regulations being implemented. Our nation and the church is also being guided by laws and decrees that we have to follow. With all of these, are they restricting and limiting us? Do they give us rather more freedom and protection?

    When I was also younger especially in high school and college, I would always look at rules and regulations as something that put limitations to what I can do. These were mostly expressed or stated like, “you shall not,” or “don’t.”

    These rules and regulations were reinforced by my strict parents, siblings and teachers at schools. I was taught indirectly to be fearful. If ever I disobey, then, there will be a consequence, a corresponding punishment whether corporal or verbal.

    This formed me be to obedient. Yet, I was also a very fearful boy. I followed every rule. I was never been late in school and had only one absent in my entire high school. And that was when I was very sick. I was obedient to the rules and regulations, to teachers and other persons of authority. And it was because I fear them. Only later that I realized that I was relating in a very unhealthy way. I felt so unfree because of my fear of being punished. I saw authority figures as merely who executed and deliver painful and shameful punishments.

    Yet, I also realized that this was not the right attitude. Rules and regulations, or even Church laws are originally designed to make us free. As we relate with one another, laws and decrees are meant to protect us rather than harm us. We feel them restrictive to our freedom only when we lack the right attitude. Self-expression suffers if we do not respond properly to laws or rules and regulations.

    Our Gospel today reminded us of the right attitude towards laws. Jesus himself told us that he has come not to abolish the law and the teachings of the prophets. Jesus was to fulfill them.

    Hence, it is in fulfilling the law or commandment of God that we find joy and peace, security and life.

    So how, what kind of attitude then? We find it in Jesus’ relationship with his Father in heaven. Jesus trusts completely the Father. He never doubted his intimacy with the Father and the Father’s love for him. He is indeed secured in the Father’s love. This was manifested and clear when Jesus was on the cross, in pain and was about to die. Despite his confusions and questions in his own suffering, he trusted the Father as he offered his life.

    The invitation for us now is to take confidence in God’s tremendous love and affection for us. It is only by being confident that we also learn to follow God’s commands because we know that we respond in love and not in fear.

    To follow and obey out of love will make us Christians who are free; Christian who live not in the fear of being punished or being limited by many restrictions and “don’ts.” We are rather, Christians who are confident and assured of being loved and cherished by God. Hinaut pa.

  • HOPE? Only If & When….

    HOPE? Only If & When….

    March 23, 2025 – Third Sunday of Lent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearC.cfm)

    How do we make sense of a lot of things going on with our lives nowadays? Still adjusting from the life-threatening COVID pandemic, we are also now amidst violence, terrorism, disasters, and killings along with the imminent threat of world war, oil price hike, dwindling geo & national politics. On the jubilee year of Hope, as pilgrims of hope amidst challenging life-situations, we also ponder & discern the question: “Is there and can we still HOPE in life?

    As some people reported to Jesus about disasters and killings happened to Galileans in our gospel today, the central issue raised is also about Hope in life. “Can we still hope for God’s salvation? Is there still a hope and meaning in life now & ahead?” Sometimes with a lot of miseries happening in our world today, like calamities, wars, poverty, disasters, exploitation, corruptions, electioneering and injustices, we do find life at times hopeless and meaningless.

    This reminds me of a story about a beggar who had a rice bowl to beg. Every time he asks for some food or money from others, he would just stick out his rice bowl and beg for something. At times, he is too ashamed to beg – he cannot even look at them at the eyes. But many at times, he could be too rude to force others to give him some scraps of food or some coins.

    Like other beggars, he dreams that someday he will become a millionaire. But he knows that such dream is impossible and just a wishful thinking because he got nothing but a mere dirty battered rice bowl he inherited from his family of beggars. Sometimes he would blame God for his life’s misery. He considers himself a hopeless and useless case.

    One day, while begging, a merchant noticed his rice bowl and asked if he could have a look at it. The merchant then examined his rice bowl and concluded, “You must be stupid begging for  scraps. You should not be asking for others help because you are one of the most fortunate persons in the city. This rice bowl of yours is a priceless antique made of pure GOLD. Just wash it clean and it will cost you a fortune. Why don’t you sell it to me? I could give you five million dollars for it.”

    But the beggar just laughed off what he heard from the merchant. He simply could not believe that his useless rice bowl is worth a fortune. He dismissed everything the merchant said and continued to beg for some food or money using his dirty battered but priceless golden antique rice bowl. What a waste. What a shame.

    Sometimes, we are like that beggar. God has already given us a lot of His graces. He almost gave up everything for us – His life, His love, His salvation, His only Son. God has already endowed each and everyone of us enough of His blessings. He has given us not only a chance but a lot of chances to live life, and a golden rice bowl of faith in Him.

    But like that beggar, we rarely recognize God’s precious gifts to us. We rarely recognize our Faith. Sometimes we are not contented with our simple faith. Instead, we look for signs. We look for other substitutes. We beg for other scraps of beliefs. We dream for miracles but in vain. Then, we find life useless, and get hopeless with life.

    Like in our gospel however, as the gardener assured his master that there is always a hope for a dry fig tree to bear fruits again – only if and when given a chance, Jesus also reassures us that there is always hope in life, if & when we change our ways. Jesus in our gospel today reminds us that God has given each and everyone of us a chance to live life to its fullness.

    He calls us to see all life miseries are not signs of a vengeful God, but a constant wake up call & pruning for us to repentance, conversion and Christian life. For Him, there is still hope for those who repent and believe in the Gospel – for those who cleans up their golden bowl of our Christian faith.

    We began the Lenten season last Ash Wednesday, with the words: “Repent and Believe in the Gospel.” It simply means that the season of Lent is the time for us not only to prepare ourselves for the Easter but also to examine and purify our rice bowl of faith, and then to recognize and accept the preciousness, fortune, and chance it brings. In other words, there is hope only if and when we repent, we change our ways and believe in the Gospel – in the good news, in our golden bowl of chance to live God has already given & blessed us. Otherwise, there is no hope and meaning at all.

    Perhaps more than saying that “We are Filipinos for nothing”, more so we should believe & proclaim to ourselves & others that “We are Filipino Christians for nothing.”

    As we struggle with our life-journey nowadays during these trying times, help usO Lord to acknowledge & responsibly accept Your Gift of faith in us, for us to discover meaning, hope, strength, & direction through the life-challenges ahead of us.

    So be it. Amen.

  • 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.       

  • GIVE WITH A CHEERFUL FACE

    GIVE WITH A CHEERFUL FACE

    March 4, 2025 – Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030425.cfm)

    Peter, after realizing the many sacrifices and risks entailed in following Jesus, said, “We have left everything and followed you.” When I too will face such concern, I would also ask, “What will there be for me?” and “Where will I be then?”

    The disciples of Jesus, as they were called to follow the Lord, left the comfort of their homes, families and livelihood. Like Jesus, they became itinerant, traveling from one place to another. They were dependent on God’s providence manifested in the generosity of people whom they encounter.

    With this concern, Jesus assured his disciples of the wonder of giving up oneself for the sake of Gospel and of Jesus himself. The reward is in gaining more friends, families and communities along the way in their ministry. The relationships and friendships being developed will truly ease and comfort a troubled heart.

    This is how we also find that when we are able to generously give ourselves or our talents and resources for the sake of others and for the sake of the Church that we are being enriched all the more. Although, the material reward may not be that great, but the spiritual graces abound all the more.

    To generously give something from us is not just a simple invitation for us. In fact, this is also a moral responsibility for us especially when we know that there is someone more in need.

    The Book of Sirach reminds us of this. Our expression of charity is also an expression of worship and praise to the Lord. By giving in order to respond what others need the most is an act of doing justice.

    Sirach says, “To refrain from evil pleases the LORD, and to avoid injustice is an atonement.” This means that it is also not enough to not just do evil against others. We might think that as long as I won’t do anything bad to others, that’s enough. However, not doing anything for the sake for others even though we have the capacity to help, can also be a form of doing injustice.

    Thus, “appear not before the Lord empty-handed.” Realize then, what we can offer and give to the Lord and for the sake of others. It does not matter if that something is small or insignificant in the eyes of others, because as Sirach says, “for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.”

    What is more important then, is to give with a cheerful face and not with a grumbling heart. “With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,  and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.”

    Giving with a cheerful face and in a spirit of joy makes us truly joyful and generous givers.  In this way, God finds more delight in our heart. In God’s wisdom and providence, the Lord shall bless with wonders and fill us with surprises. Hinaut pa.

  • LET THE CHILDREN COME

    LET THE CHILDREN COME

    March 1, 2025 – Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030125.cfm)

    In our liturgical celebrations, we find the children most noisy. Some would be running around making their parents or guardians running around as well. There would be some of who feel annoyed at this, some are more tolerant. Yet, despite the children’s seemingly annoying behavior to us adults, it is our call as a church that our children find a welcoming and embracing church for them.

    Children are very special to Jesus because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Although at that time, people believed that children had no social status. Children did not have anything to play in the Jewish society. This was the reason why the disciples tried to stop those who brought the children near Jesus. The disciples believed that there was no reason for Jesus to waste his time with these insignificant children.

    Yet, what we have heard from the Gospel was the other way around. Jesus became “indignant” at the treatment his disciples showed to the children. Jesus despised that kind of treatment towards children because in his heart, the children takes a very special place.

     Thus, Jesus made that event to teach something very important to the people at large. The Lord said, “Let the children come to me, do not prevent them!” This expressed the affection of Jesus towards the children. It also showed His affection towards all those who had been despised and mistreated by others. Jesus knew that the very innocence of the children desires nearness with God. Children who are most dependent to adults also manifest our dependence to God.

    This is how Jesus teaches that children are more open and trusting, hence, “the Kingdom of God belongs to them.” Children are open to the surprises of God. Their humility, simplicity and innocence make them sensitive to God’s presence.

    This is the invitation and call for us today, as Jesus reminds us, “whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

    Let us make our hearts be free from hatred and indifference. Let us remove discontentment and condemning attitude towards others. Let us also allow ourselves be surprised by God because we become open and welcoming of God’s presence. Our sensitivity to God’s presence shall move us too to become welcoming and aware of the needs of others. These childlike attitudes make us self-giving and life-giving to others where the Kingdom of God grows in us.  Hinaut pa.