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Tag: Homilies

  • A Contradiction

    A Contradiction

    November 23, 2022 – Red Wednesday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112322.cfm)

    A friend who believes in integrity and honesty in his work, who is filled with passion to be at the service of others found himself in an environment of conflicts and contradictions. In his desire to be fair and be always honest, the more he got into trouble in his company. This started when he found anomalies and dishonest transactions within their department. And so he called the attention of the person and warned the workmate of such anomaly. Yet, he was brushed off. He reported it to their superiors, presented the evidence and his workmate was terminated. However, after that, his other workmates in that company turned sour to him. He was even blamed for being harsh and cruel because his workmate lost a job whose family will struggle. And so, this friend got confused and felt guilty for being honest and upholding integrity in his work. What a contradiction!

    Indeed, the values he upholds and his commitment to be honest are signs of contradictions to a group, organization, a society or a nation that does not believe in such values and commitment but condones and tolerates dishonesty, corruption and abuse of power. And those who would stand up against such culture, are being persecuted, unwanted and reviled for being a contradiction.

    This is what happened as well to the many martyrs in our Church and of those brothers and sisters all around the world who became a contradiction because of their way of life as Christians. This is what we remember today on this Red Wednesday. And so, for a little bit, allow me now to break the Word of God with you so that we may be able to see and discover God’s invitation for us on this Red Wednesday.

    Our Gospel from Luke, certainly, sounds a bit disturbing and discouraging for us especially when we only tend to seek and aspire for comfort and security in life. In many ways, we usually choose the easiest, the fastest and relaxing ways. Our parents would hope and do their best to provide the best security and comfort for their children. I would also rather take what is easy for me rather than choosing a difficult one, in taking the less challenging and less self-sacrificing. However, Jesus tells us differently.

    Jesus tells us, “if you decide to come and follow me, then, you will experience difficulties, conflicts, contradictions and even persecutions from those who deny me and do not believe in me. Friends and family members will not understand you and even insult you for choosing me. You will be hated by all because of my name.”

    Is it not, that what Jesus is saying to us and inviting us to do is foolish? Why would we take the risk of being hated and abhorred by friends and family members and by those who have power? Why should we take that risk of believing in him, only to suffer and be hated?

    Indeed, to believe in Jesus is a risk. This was the experience of the first disciples who endured persecutions not just from the Roman soldiers or fellow Jews but even from their own families and close friends. The Apostle John, who wrote the Book of Revelations, suffered oppression. He was exiled and imprisoned in a Greek island called Patmos because of the anti-Christian persecutions under the Roman emperor, Domitian.

    Moreover, this reminds too us of the many Christians who suffered from persecutions. Obviously, many of them had become confused and afraid because of the difficulties of being a Christian, of being a believer of Christ.

    Remember, to believe in Jesus is a contradiction; to believe in Him was against the prevailing belief and culture of the people. Because we are supposed to take revenge and hate our enemies but Jesus tells us to love and forgive our enemies. Because we are supposed to aspire wealth and power, to be famous and successful but Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor, the sorrowful and the persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus also promised us that “by our perseverance, we will secure our lives.”

    This reminds us of what we commemorate today, the Red Wednesday as our way of remembering and recognizing the martyrdom of many Christians until today. Truly, Christians are being discriminated, violated, oppressed, tortured and murdered in many countries of which we are not aware and even here in our own country.

    Thus, as we remember all those persecuted because of the Christian faith, this calls us too to become true Christians, no matter what. And let us remember, a real Christian is always a contradiction to what the world wants us to be. Therefore, we might be hated and become unwanted in the midst of culture that condones and tolerates violence, dishonesty, corruption and cheating. Yet, the Lord calls us to persevere in being true and honest Christians even in our daily and common affairs. That is – to be honest in our relationships with others, to be just to the people we work with, to have the integrity in serving others even in the midst of corrupt practices in our institution or community, to be dedicated and self-sacrificing, to be generous and life-giving. Kabay pa.

  • Who do we follow?

    Who do we follow?

    November 22, 2022 – Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112222.cfm)

    Who do we follow? What do we follow? What matters to us most? These are three questions that brings us into the message of the readings today. These will allow us also to see what is in our heart as we are about to close the Liturgical Calendar of the Church and begin a new one.

    Thus, on today, John in his Book of the Revelations tells us of the end of time. It will be a time of gathering and harvesting what God has planted. Yet, it will also be a time of throwing away what were not of God’s harvest. Moreover, the Gospel of Luke today speaks as well of the end of time. However, Jesus warns us to beware with whom we listen and follow. Though the Gospel speaks of destructions and other horrifying events, yet, as Jesus assures us, this is not the end.

    This is why, Jesus comforts us, “Do not be terrified! Do not be afraid!” The end of time and God’s time will be a moment of truth, a moment of joy, a moment of everlasting peace to all who listened and followed Jesus. This is a moment of contentment and fulfillment of what we desire most and long for because the presence of God will rest upon us.

    As we await Jesus’ second coming, we are invited to evaluate our life and change our way of life according to the way of life of Jesus when we called. Hence, we ask ourselves, who do we follow? Is it the Spirit of God or the Evil spirit? What do we follow? Is it our personal desires, whims and wants? Or God’s plan and desire for us? What matters to us most? Is it success and wealth? Comfort and self alone? Our contentment and happiness? Our relationships and faith?

    May these questions brings us closer in the mind and heart of God who longs for us and desires that we will be in communion with the divine. Kabay pa.

  • A King at our side

    A King at our side

    November 20, 2022 – Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112022.cfm)

    What is your image of a king? How does he look like? What does he do? With so much influence from the cartoons, anime and movies that I watched since I was young, I would imagine a king who wears a golden crown, covered in a golden robe, sitting on a golden throne and living in a big palace. In fact, in the middle ages, a king is a powerful man who has thousands of armies, defeated countless enemies, or conquering other territories by waging bloody wars. Yet a king is untouchable. Commoners, slaves and servants cannot talk to him directly. Everyone serves him and pays tribute to him. His throne is too far from the ordinary people.

    Even up today, in other countries in the world some have kings, or emperors or sultans who give identity to their people and serve as a symbol of unity in their own kingdoms. They may not anymore engage in bloody wars unlike before, but still they have enormous wealth and riches. The royalties are reserved and ought to be served by the people.

    This is not far from how we imagine Jesus Christ our King. Influenced by the western culture of royalties, we also imagine Jesus Christ the king who wears a golden crown, wrapped in a golden robe and sits on a golden throne. However, this image, for me, seems to be a distant king who does not know the daily affairs of his people. A king who merely shows greatness, triumph and wealth, but has no concern and no close relationship with his own people.

    Indeed, the kingship of Jesus is not one who stays in a comfortable throne and pampered situation, but in a humiliating and humbling position, there on the cross. Yes, the Gospel speaks nothing of a king who is intoxicated with comfort and riches. What we have is a powerless king, crucified on the cross. This is Jesus’ statement that he is not an earthly king who only shows grandeur, control and domination over his subjects. He is a king who became like us, who lived with us and journeyed with us in every story of our life especially in those difficult and dark moments of our life. He is a king who knows your pain, who understands your struggle and who desires you and me, no matter what.

    He is not an unreachable king sitting there on the high golden throne but he is a God-with-us (Emmanuel). He is a king who knows us and our deepest secrets and desires. But he is a king who does not control and impose himself on us. He only calls and invites us to come to him. “Come to me and be embraced by my friendship,” this is the invitation of our King to us.

    This is the very reason why Jesus’ determination to call us and to gather us brought him into that difficult situation. Despite the danger and the suffering he would endure as king, he is always ready to take the risk to offer his life for our sake, that we may have freedom and healing. We find now his invitations for us through the three different people in the Gospel and their individual response to Jesus. So, let us look at them once more and discover how we are all called today, young and old alike.

    The first was the group of people such as the Jewish authorities and soldiers. These people refused to recognize Jesus as King and Messiah because he was a threat to them, a threat to their comfort, a threat to their influence and threat to their earthly power. Their hostile rejection of Jesus was a decision they made despite the invitations of Jesus for them to believe in Him. Jesus did not condemn them, he even asked forgiveness on their behalf. God’s offer of salvation and life is for all. Yet, our rejection of God’s friendship is our self-condemnation.

    The second was one of the criminals who insulted and reviled Jesus. He was actually confused and did not make any stand. He was lukewarm. He neither condemned Jesus nor accepted him as Lord, King and Redeemer. Despite the closeness of God in him on the cross, he did not recognize God in Jesus because he was still full of himself. He was unrepentant. Indeed, the Lord never imposes himself on us, but he waits for us.

    The third was the other man on the cross. He was the one who recognized God in Jesus and decided to accept Jesus as his Lord. This made him say, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Being powerless on that cross, he was able to recognize the face of the Lord, his king. This person felt a God who accompanied him in his suffering and even towards death. Through his very suffering, he found God to be so close to him. In his shame and guilt, he found God at his side forgiving him. Jesus indeed, is the image of the invisible God, as Paul told us in his letter to the Colossians.

    This tells us now of a king who is close to us. Jesus is not a king who is distant from our sufferings and fears but a king who patiently and lovingly walks with us. God, indeed, meets us where we are and he is ready to be at our side in order to encounter us in the saddest and darkest part of our life.

    Yet, let us also remember that Jesus requires our participation, our response. To every person that Jesus met, he gave them the chance to recognize him but the hardness of their hearts and because of their arrogance, they refused to see Jesus. But with this other man on the cross, in recognizing his sins and failures in life, that brought him into that realization that he was in need of God. This means that when we humbly recognize our weaknesses and sins we also recognize God’s love for us. This becomes, then, an opportunity for God to transform our life. And so let that redeeming love, that un-imposing and self-sacrificing love of our King who hangs upon the cross to embrace us, to renew us and to empower us as young people and as God’s people. Kabay pa.

  • Our Witnessing of HIM

    Our Witnessing of HIM

    November 20, 2022 – Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112022.cfm)

    Usually during Eucharist, after the homily, we stand up and renew our faith by saying the words: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty..” These words are the very foundation of our Christian faith and of our Eucharistic celebration. By professing our Christian faith, we renew our Christian commitment and we articulate our witnessing to God’s salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    There are moments, however that we express our faith without any serious intentions and commitments. There are moments that some would even say these words halfheartedly and without sense & spirit at all. Like a memorized formula, saying those words without meaning it. Worse, others cannot even memorize those words. I remember once, during Baptism and Easter Vigil Mass, where we usually renew our faith, when the priest: “Do you believe in God the Father?”, rarely you would hear a loud response: “I do believe”. Others would not even respond at all, as though they don’t care if we and they believe at all.   

    Today, we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King. We honor the kingship of Jesus Christ in our lives today. However, we hear from our gospel today that Jesus, our King is not only a crucified king but also a king who is rejected, insulted, dishonored, and humiliated by the people. We cannot deny in our gospel today that Jesus Christ is a harassed, rejected, disgraced, maltreated, and persecuted King. Indeed, they proclaimed Jesus as King, but a Redeemer king who cannot even redeem and save himself – a king without a throne, and worse crucified on a cross. 

    We do need to seriously reflect our gospel today, for it challenges us to deeply understand our faith not only on his Kingship but most of all our faith in Jesus himself. We might ask ourselves: “Do we really acknowledge and believe Jesus as Christ the king?” or “Are we like, Pontius Pilate who admits or not, because others say so?” “Before me, who is Jesus? Who do I say Jesus is?”. Or perhaps ask ourselves: “who and what do I believe and worship? Is it God whom we believe and worship? Or we rather believe and worship our life, work, honor, wealth, and others than God himself?”

    This is a concrete call for us Christians to look deeply into our own personal commitment to what and who we really believe in. We honor Jesus today, our Christ and our King whom people have persecuted, humiliated, maltreated and rejected. “Would you still consider him as your King? Would you recognize and bear witness to Him as your king? Or would you reject, dishonor, and persecute him again like what others did and are doing today?”

    God’s kingdom then does not rest only the kingship of Christ but on our authentic witnessing and commitment of our faith in Jesus Christ. As His Witnesses now, we consider Jesus as our King, not only because of what he has done but most of all on His own commitment towards the Father and for the salvation of all. God’s kingdom and the kingship of Jesus Christ do not only mean name, power, and prestige of Jesus but moreso our heartfelt and wholehearted profession, proclamation, witnessing and commitment to God’s salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God then requires our total and authentic commitment to Christ, as Christ commits himself to us & our Father.

    Again, here in our celebration today, we Christians are called to proclaim and witness our faith in Jesus Christ. As Jesus bears witness to his great love to the Father, we are also invited to the same total and wholehearted dedication and faith in Jesus. Brothers and sisters, as Christians, we should not be ashamed to express and proclaim our faith to ourselves, to each others and to others. As Filipino Catholics, we look also forward now to the next 500 years of our Christian faith & witnessing here & abroad.

    As we end and about to begin a new liturgical year, let our eucharist today be  another beginning to renew our faith, that is to make our faith better than ever.  Amen.

  • Sweet and Sour

    Sweet and Sour

    November 18, 2022 – Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111822.cfm)

    One of the popular Filipino dishes is “Sweet and Sour” which could be of fish, pork or chicken mostly. Even in any celebration, one could have this dish. Its sweetness and the sourness and the balance of the two would usually what gives us satisfaction in our appetite. However, there is another “Sweet and Sour” that is neither of fish, pork or chicken, but the Word of God. This is the sweet and sour that John in his Book of Revelation talked about.

    John had this visions where he took and swallowed the small scroll which contains the Word of God. Its taste was sweet as honey on the mount but sour on the stomach. This tells us about God’s word and God’s desire for us as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

    God’s word may sound nice and wonderful to our hearing yet when we are called to absorb and practice it into our life and daily affairs, God’s word many become sour or even bitter. Why? Because God’s word would challenge us, disturb us and reprove us of our wrongdoings, of our wrong beliefs, of our selfish tendencies or our evil intentions.

    This was what John was told to do – to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings. The call to prophesy is not to tolerate any evil deeds or pamper powerful people with flattery words but to disturb them, their indifferent hearts and from their comforts.

    This is what we witnessed in today’s Gospel. Jesus entered the temple area and saw the disgrace and desecration done to the holy temple. Jesus could not tolerate it anymore or turn a blind eye once more to the corruption and abuse going on perpetrated by the merchants and temple authorities.

    The temple became “a den of thieves” where merchants imposed high prices of temple commodities such as the animal-sacrifices. Because of their monopoly and connivance with the temple authorities they had the control of the supply and demand and thus can easily manipulate the prices and exchange rates of foreign coins to temple coins.

    This was corruption and abuse against the ordinary people whose main intention was to pray to God. Thus, these money-motivated merchants and temple authorities desecrated the holy temple through their corrupt and unjust practices. Jesus stood up against this and drove them out of the temple area. Because of this also,  the chief priests, scribes and leaders of the people became more hostile against Jesus. They wanted to kill him because he was bad for their business.

    Today, the Lord calls us now – to take the Word of God be integrated into our life. This tells us that our Christian faith is not just a segment or a mere part of our life. Rather, our faith in the Lord encompasses our whole life and whole person.

    Thus, we are called to integrate it into our daily life, thoughts, actions, dreams and hopes. With this, we too are called to let the Word of God challenge us and to disturb us when we have become cold, indifferent and unjust. We too are called to uphold honesty, justice, fairness and compassion in our work, business, studies and relationships that we may become true Christians today. Kabay pa.