Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Tag: Healing

  • THE MIRACLE OF HOPE

    THE MIRACLE OF HOPE

    December 2, 2024 – Monday First Week of Advent

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120224.cfm)

    We make prayer requests every now and then for our personal and communal intentions. We believe in the power of prayer because we also believe that the Lord is merciful and good to us. Such ways are already expressions of faith filled with hope which this Season of Advent is all about.

    In fact our readings express such faith filled with hope. This is what I would like emphasize today. The first reading from the Book of Isaiah envisions a future where there will be peace and harmony. Wars and violence shall end, hatred and anger in the hearts of many shall vanish. This is captured by Isaiah in his words where swords and spears that were meant to kill one another will be transformed into agricultural tools. People will begin to come together despite the differences to support and help each other, to nurture and cherish one another. This is how peace and harmony will dwell in our hearts, homes and communities.

    In those times of war and violence, this was proclaimed that expressed faith filled with hope and this is because we all belong to God. This calls us now this Season of Advent to examine our hearts, are we also ready to put down our biases and prejudices against each other?

    This is what the disciples of Jesus were invited to do the same. The Roman centurion (meaning a commander of a hundred soldiers) approached and beg Jesus to heal his servant. This Roman soldier represented the foreign power which dominated Israel at that time. He was an image of an oppressor, an enemy who brought pain and suffering to the people.

    Yet, this very encounter challenged the disciples to recognize the faith of another person different from them. Hence, the humility and faith of this Roman soldier was praised by Jesus because of the concern he showed not for himself but for his sick servant, for another person.

    This is where we find the familiar words of the Roman soldier which we also pronounce almost word for word as we receive the Body of Christ, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof, but only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

    This is where the miracle of hope was unfolded, the sick servant was healed, biases and prejudices as well as hatred and anger towards one another vanished. This means that when our faith is filled with hope, it heals not just our physically illness but as well as our fearful hearts, bruised hearts, traumatized hearts, hearts filled with anger and hatred. This is how the miracle of hope transforms us into a people invited to live in peace and harmony. Hinaut pa.

  • To be Touched by the Grace of the Holy Spirit

    To be Touched by the Grace of the Holy Spirit

    October 19, 2024 – Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101924.cfm)

    Do we find it difficult not to move forward from our past? Does our past experiences affect greatly how live today? Indeed, some might find themselves trapped in this kind of situation when one cannot let go of our past.

    Our thoughts and actions and even our perspectives in life may have been tightly tied up by our painful memories or by our glorious past. When this becomes our way of life, we also become detached from the realities of the present.

    Our perception of the reality in the present may become distorted because what we see and recognize were always in the past. Our relationships could suffer greatly because we will fail to appreciate and affirm what we have at present. We would always compare what was before or we could also be suspicious with an air of mistrust to others because of something ugly that happened in the past. It will be a challenge also to correct our misconceptions and wrong practices because we are so disconnected with reality. We refuse to listen, to believe to what others see and thus, refuse to change.

    This is the image of finding ourselves in the difficult situation of moving forward, finding healing, peace and freedom. When we are trapped in the cycle of the past we might believe that we are beyond hope. This is precisely how a psychological trauma can also affect a person.

    Now, the invitation for change and transformation, for healing and forgiveness can be quite challenging because such actions can also be interpreted as threats to what we have been used to. This was how Jesus’ call for conversion was actually treated by those in power and the influential. The Pharisees and the scholars of the law were threatened by the call of Jesus and so they too denied him and did not recognize the presence of God in Jesus. In fact, they too became hostile towards his presence.

    Yet for Jesus, this  kind of reaction can still be forgiven. But, when one blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, then, this is beyond forgiveness.

    What does it really mean? Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a conscious denial or rejection of the presence of God. This is a willful act of rejecting God. This is not even about the belief in the non-existence of God. In fact, the person believes in the presence of God but deliberately denies God’s presence and also of God’s grace.

    The person chooses to be separated and alienated from the grace of God, thus, becoming indifferent towards God. This surely is blasphemy because such decision and action worship not God but something or someone else. It cannot be forgiven because the person does not ask or welcome the grace of forgiveness. Total indifference, indeed! However, being separated from the grace of God will only bring us into oblivion and endless misery, to meaninglessness and hopelessness.

    However, the Lord does not want this for us. God’s desire for us is to live life in its fullness. This will only be possible when we too our open and welcome the Divine Presence to work in and through us, to challenge and change us.

    This is what Paul means in his letter to the Ephesians, as he said, “ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…”

    The call and invitation for us today is to allow the Lord to reach out to us and so allow our hearts to be touched by the grace of the Holy Spirit. May our hardened and callused hearts caused by pains and hurts, anger and hatred, be renewed by the power of the Spirit that we may be able to bring transformation and healing, forgiveness, freedom and peace. Hinaut pa.

  • A Touch may kill, A Touch may heal

    A Touch may kill, A Touch may heal

    January 30, 2024 – Tuesday 4th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here foe the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013024.cfm)

    Human touch depending on our intention may bring death or may bring life. When our human touch is filled with malice, hatred and violence, then, it will surely bring destruction and pain to others around us. However, when touch is filled with grace, with love, affection, concern, and compassion, then, our touch may bring healing, peace, freedom and life.

    This is the case that we have heard in today’s readings. In the Second Book of Samuel, we were told of the tragic event of the death of Absalom, the son of David. Absalom led a rebellion against his father, King David. He wanted the throne for himself. Yet, his rebellion did not come out of the blue. There was already a steaming tension of hatred and violence within the house of David. His first-born son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar. Indeed, the touch of Amnon towards the beautiful Tamar, was filled with malice and lust.

    Though, the full brother of Tamar, Absalom did not also speak out, but kept quiet, leaving Tamar to suffer in silence. Yet, this became a venue for Absalom to foster hatred towards his half-brother Amnon, and also towards his father King David who turned a blind eye on this. This was the beginning of more violent actions within the house of David.

    Later, Absalom plotted to kill his half-brother and rebelled against his father. Even though, Absalom was able to get some army and territories of his father, yet, at the end, he was killed as told to us in today’s reading. With his death, David mourned over the loss of his son. Nevertheless, David’s grasped and insecurity over his throne and power led to the death of his sons and destruction of his own family.

    However, in the Gospel of Mark, we have heard different forms of touch. This time, the touch brings healing, freedom and life. There were two forms that I would like to emphasize.

    First, humanity’s touch to the Divine. This was the experience of the woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. In hope and faith she  reached out in order to touch even the cloak of Jesus. And indeed, her touch of the Divine brought her healing. Jesus affirmed her “courageous and daring faith.” She did not give in to desperation and hopelessness but to faith. This made her to touch the Divine and became a recipient of grace.

    Second, God’s touch to humanity. This was witnessed by Jairus, his wife as well as Peter, James and John. Jesus “took the child by the hand” and said to her, “Talitha koum!” At that, life was given back to the dead girl. The touch of Jesus was more powerful than death and grief transforming them into life and joy.

    This reveals to us now how our touch can actually become a channel of grace and blessing. We too are reminded that the Lord would always allow us to touch him. Let us not be ashamed or fearful in reaching out to God. The way we touch sacred and holy objects in our church is even our way of expressing it already. The sacraments we have in the church are God’s way of making us aware that we are welcome to touch the Divine and be touched by His grace.

    Let us also see and evaluate the way we touch others if this is filled with malice, insecurity, selfishness or hatred. Such intentions will only bring violence and death. Rather, let our touch be more of faith, love, concern, mercy and compassion so that we too may become channels of grace, blessing, healing and life. Hinaut pa.

  • Open to be Opened

    Open to be Opened

    September 5, 2021 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090521.cfm)

    In proclaiming us the Good News of God’s salvation, Jesus performed lots of healing miracles. Our gospel today is one of the greatest healing miracles ever told about Jesus. Here, Jesus cured a Gentile who have hearing and speech impediments.

    Somehow hearing those miracle stories sometime makes us wonder how does it feel to be healed by Jesus? In a sense, if that deaf & dumb Gentile is with us now, how he would tell us today his story? And what would be his message for us today? Does he have something to say to us today about him being healed by Jesus?

    Once, I came across an account of Jesus’ healing ministry, which is worth reflecting on. It is called: the healing of a deaf and mute man as may have been told…by himself. It goes like this….

    “My name is James. I was once completely deaf. I was deprived of so much that others have taken for granted, i.e. the gift of hearing. I could not hear the shouts of children at play, the singing of the birds, the sound of the wind in the trees… I could not hear words of comfort, encouragement, or advice. Most people find it tiresome to communicate with me. This made me usually feel terribly isolated. Worse, because also of my speech impediment, I could not express myself – the more I felt deprived and isolated. Usually insensitive people just laughed at my stammering.

    Also because I could not communicate and contribute anything to the community, I also felt useless and discriminated. People don’t like to communicate and touch me because I am disable and different. And when you are handicap and different, people are afraid of you. Worse, I sometimes believe that my disabilities were God’s punishment. I was full of self-pity. I longed for compassion. I was convinced that no one understood and felt sorry for me.

    That was until the day I learned about Jesus. Even though he was a Jew and I was a Gentile that did not stop me from seeking his help. And what an experience! The first thing he did was to take me aside from the crowd and gave me his undivided attention. This made me feel important. He did not speak to me as it would have been a waste of words. Instead he touched me. It was a tender, patient and loving touch. He made me feel what I could not hear. He put his fingers into my ears. Then spitting his finger with some of his ‘laway’, he touched my tongue with his finger. Next he looked up to the heaven to show me that what will happen is God’s saving help. Then he said to me, Ephphatha “Be opened” And suddenly my ears were opened and my speech became normal. I was cured.

    He then told me not broadcast what he had done for me. But I was unable to keep quiet. There was so much bottled up inside me that made me talked too much – non stop. I could not pass anyone in the street without saying “hello”. I couldn’t remain silent in the presence of someone in pain if I felt a word would help. I couldn’t bear to see an injustice done without denouncing it.

    But soon I realized that I talked to much, and was not listening, which is also hurting others. So I try to really listen to others, which meant that I had to stop talking. I listened to the sound of nature, to music, to laughter and crying. With this I discovered that everybody has certain disabilities that prevent them from making full use of their gift of speech – shyness, insensitivity, apathy…Impediments that prevent them from hearing well – prejudice, inattention, refusal to listen.

    Why am I telling you all this? It is to save you from the fate of those who have ears but cannot hear, and tongues but cannot speak. What I discovered from my experience is this: The greatest tragedy is not to be born deaf or dumb, but to have ears and yet fail to hear; and to have tongues and yet fail to speak. That is why Jesus words were: Be opened…. Open my ear to hear His words. Open my tongues to proclaim my faith.

    Hearing and speech are indeed great means of communication. But without heart that is able to feel compassion, we will never be able to use these gifts well. It is only with the heart that we can listen rightly, and it is only with the heart that we can speak rightly. Jesus, who touched my ears and my tongue, also touched my heart. It was when he opened my heart above all that made me new.  For me, that was the real miracle. He opened my heart so that I can love him and love one another. So, be opened in ears, in tongues and in above all, in heart.”

    From this testimony, we learn that whatever then is our disabilities & impediments in life now – especially during these pandemic times – & beyond, Jesus wills for our healing & well-being in life. But all these happen according to His own will, ways & purposes than ours, and usually happen not in public & hullabaloo, but privately & in silence as well. And above all, our healing & well-being are meant to make us more OPEN & receptive to God’s offer of better life & love with Him.

    Heal us, O Lord, from our self-centeredness that make us sick & isolated from your love & grace. Open our closed ears, mouths & hearts that we may fully be opened to enjoy our life with You and our Father now & always.

    Hinaut pa unta. Amen.

  • LOOK AND FIND

    LOOK AND FIND

    July 7, 2021 – Wednesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070721.cfm)

    Egypt as a wealthy nation at that time, responded to the needs of the known world. Many nations and peoples came to Egypt for they have prepared themselves to face the great famine in that age. Joseph played an important role for the world at that time and for Egypt in particular.

    Despite the bitter and painful experiences of Joseph of being sold by his brothers as a slave, being maltreated and imprisoned in Egypt, Joseph remained free. His heart was free of bitterness and revenge. If Joseph had remained his heart imprisoned in bitterness and anger, he would not be able to gracefully and generously help Egypt and all other people. Because of such grace in his heart, Joseph became a dispenser of grace.

    Through him, God worked miracles and wonders so that people will be saved from the suffering of famine. And Joseph proved this as he met his brothers who committed a grave sin against him. Though he appeared unmoved by the situation of his brothers, but deep inside Joseph missed them.

    The tears in Joseph’s eyes as he wept could have been from the pain in his heart of being hurt by his brothers, but he must have understood also that that painful memory in his past, became God’s way to work wonders through him. Indeed, this happened. Joseph became the savior to his brothers, to the entire family.

    As Joseph was able to share their abundant resources to the refugees at that time, Jesus also sent his apostles to go and gather to lost sheep of the house of Israel. The apostles whom he called were given authority to drive out demons, to cure every disease and illness. This means that they were about to give freedom and healing to those burdened by sin and sickness and oppressed by the power of evil.

    Through Joseph, the people found sustenance in the midst of food and economic crisis and through the apostles those who are lost, sick and oppressed shall find healing and freedom.

    God’s invitation for us today is to look and find that will give us true sustenance in the middle of our crisis and difficulties. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist may become our source of spiritual nourishment then. Look and discover too that will bring us back closer to the Lord, that will give us healing and true freedom. Let the celebration of the Word of God become our help to bring healing and freedom in our hearts.

    In return, we may also become like Joseph, to become graceful and generous in sharing what we have to the needy for everything that we have are not ours but gifts from God. May we also become daring as the apostles to take the risk in going as the Lord invites us – that our person and presence will become God’s sign of grace to bring freedom and healing in our homes and communities. Hinaut pa.