Ash Wednesday in English

25 February 2009 Ash Wednesday
Joel 2, 12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Cor 5, 20-6,2; Matthew 6, 1-18

Note: I wrote this homily also for Sambuhay, a publication of the Society of St. Paul. The Filipino version is in the previous post.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. We are reminded that we should be reconciled with God in view of the salvation completed in Easter with the Resurrection of Christ. How do we then celebrate Ash Wednesday?

First, the sorrow of Lent in the symbol of the ash. In the Old and New Testament, a repentant sinner wears sackcloth and covers himself with ashes. The ash that is placed on our forehead symbolizes repentance. But these are outward signs of repentance. The Lord tells us in the first reading that we should rend, not our clothes, but our hearts. We should return to the Lord with all our hearts, with fasting and weeping, begging on our knees for the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy. The kind of heart that is asked in the Lenten season is a contrite heart; its sorrow is deep and inward. We can call this feeling as a holy and blessed sorrow because this is about our relationship with God. It is not the tears that comes from an actor’s eyes, or from a broken-hearted, or from our experience of death and hurt. This time it is not about us as victims of pain; but us as the cause of another’s pain. It is about another, and this time, it is about God. It is a sorrow because we have hurt someone else and we would like to repair the damage that we have done. We cry because our relationship with another has been severed and it is constantly bleeding. We weep because we have contributed to the injustice of our society. Years ago, the Australian government acknowledged the injustice their ancestors caused against their indigenous people, and so they declared a “National Day of Sorrow”. When Christians --- yes, not just Catholics --- put ashes on their forehead, we, as a community, declare a worldwide day of repentance. We acknowledge that our sins affect others.

Second, the joy of Lent. This may come as a surprise, but it isn’t. We look at our sins in the background of the love of God. We are sorry for our offenses because God continually loves us despite our unfaithfulness. That means when we repent, we know that God will forgive us because God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and rich in kindness.” Psalm 51 is a celebration of God’s mercy towards us. Mercy and a renewal of heart are guaranteed to those who sincerely asks for forgiveness. The Anglo-Saxon word for Lent is spring. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of our transition from winter to spring! Psalm 126 says, “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!” Thus, our joy comes from contrition and penance. In our lives, this is illustrated by the joy we experience when someone forgives us; when having offended our parents and being forgiven, we weep with comfort, relief and joy!

Thus, the meaning of Lent becomes profoundly true in view of spring, in view of Easter. The Gospel reminds us that we should not appear fasting like the hypocrites. Our faces should be washed clean like those with assured joy. It is a tragedy that many of us remain in Lent, and forget the joy of Easter. We think Christianity is centered on sorrow, and not on joy. This is why we have contributed to a dark and gloomy Christianity. We must not miss the point of repentance. We repent because we want to return to the embrace of God, as the son returns to his loving father in the parable of Jesus. It is therefore not an accident that we call the Season of Lent a celebration. Like all celebrations, the most successful event is a result of thorough preparation. Lent prepares us for the overwhelming joy of Easter.

Finally, the role of the community. Paul exhorts us that we should work together to receive the grace of God. Thus, we should help each other create the environment for repentance. It can mean physical space like dried twigs on church altars, simple music for masses during Lent or communal participation in reconciliation services. It also means that we can encourage one another, that indeed this is the “acceptable time” to return to God. Many people come to Ash Wednesday mass because the hope in the possibility of returning to God is enkindled. There is in our hearts parts that we hold back and needs to be re-joined to God. Or for many, the time to once more strengthen one’s faith is created when members of the Christian community work together to make the Lenten Season meaningful. Ash Wednesday then is an acceptable time, the day of our salvation!

Ash Wednesday in Filipino

25 February 2009 Ash Wednesday
Joel 2, 12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Cor 5, 20-6,2; Matthew 6, 1-18

Sinisimulan ng Miyerkoles ng Abo ang Panahon ng Kuwaresma. Pinapaalala sa atin na kusa tayong magbalik-loob sa Diyos dahil iniligtas tayo ni Kristo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang muling pagkabuhay. Paano ba nating ipagdiriwang ang araw na ito?

Unang-una, ang lungkot ng Kuwaresma ay makikita sa paggamit ng simbolo ng abo. Noong unang panahon, ang taong nagsisisi sa kanyang kasalanan ay nagsusuot ng sako at naglalagay ng abo sa buong katawan. Dahil sa kaugaliang ito, simbulo ng pagbabalik-loob ang krus na abo na inilalagay sa ating noo. Ngunit ang sako at abo ay pawang panlabas lamang. Sinasabi ng unang pagbasa na kailangang punitin ang ating mga puso, at hindi ang ating mga damit. Niyayaya tayong baguhin ang ating mga puso, magsisi sa ating mga kasalanan at humingi ng tawad sa Diyos.

Ang lungkot sa Kuwaresma ay galing sa isang banal na pagsisisi. Ito ay banal dahil maka-Diyos ang ating pighati. Humihingi tayo ng tawad sa ating mga personal na kasalanan dahil nakasakit tayo sa iba. Pinagsisisihan natin ang ating mga kasalanan sa kapwa-tao tulad ng mga pagkakamaling ginawa natin sa ating lipunan. Halimbawa, ilang taon na ang nakalipas nang ideklara ng pamahalaan ng Australia ang kanilang “National Day of Sorrow” bilang pagpapakita ng kanilang pighati sa pang-aaping ginawa nila sa kanilang mga katutubo. Tulad nila, tinatanggap natin sa araw na ito na kasangkot tayo sa maraming kapariwaraan sa ating lipunan.

Pangalawa, may kakaibang saya ang Panahon ng Kuwaresma. Sa kabila ng mga pag-aayuno at pagsisisi, panatag ang ating kalooban. Alam nating mahal tayo ng Diyos at patatawarin Niya tayo. Hindi tayo nagsasakripisyo sa wala; nag-aayuno tayo sa meron --- may pinatutunguhan ang ating mga ginagawa para sa Diyos. Sapagkat, sabi ng unang pagbasa, ang Diyos ay mapagpatawad, walang hanggan ang kabaitan at hindi kailan ma’y mabilis magalit. Pinapangako ng Maykapal ang kapatawaran at pagbabagong-buhay sa mga taong tunay ang pagsisisi. Sa kuwaresma pinagdiriwang natin ang ganitong ugali ng Panginoon.

Ang Kuwaresma sa Anglo-Saxon ay nangangahulugang, spring o tagsibol. Ibig sabihin, ang Miyerkoles ng Abo ay simula ng pagusbong ng bagong dahon pagkatapos ng tag-lamig. Ang saya ay isang resulta ng pagsisisi at pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos. Nararanasan natin itong kakaibang saya. Pagkatapos patawarin tayo ng ating mga magulang o mga kaibigan, magaan ang ating pakiramdam. Sa kabila ng ating mabigat na kasalanan, pinatawad pa rin tayo ng Diyos pagkatapos ng kumpisal. Naiyak tayo sa tuwa at para bagang nabunutan tayo ng tinik sa dibdib. At sa tuwang ito, alam nating nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataong magsimula muli at umunlad tungo sa bagong-buhay.

Nakikita ang halaga at kahulugan ng Kuwaresma sa abot-tanaw ng tuwa sa muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus. Kaya sinasabi ni Hesus sa ebanghelio na ang mga ginagawa natin bilang patunay ng ating pagsisisi tulad ng pag-aayuno o pagpapakita ng awa sa kapwa ay itago na lamang; at ipakita lamang ang kakaibang tuwa na dala ng mga taong alam na may nagmamahal sa kanila.

Higit sa lahat, sabi ni San Pablo, may kinalaman tayong lahat sa pagbabalik-loob ng buong sambayanan. Kailangan nating magtulungan upang lalong ma-enganyong gawing tunay na makahulugan ang Kuweresma. Maraming tao ang nais magbagong-buhay. Pakiramdam ng nila na malayo na sila sa Diyos. Naghihintay lamang sila ng pagkakataong magbalik-loob. Maaari nating himukin silang makibahagi sa mga kumpisalang-bayan, pagninilay sa buhay ni Kristo, atpb. Kung magka-isa tayo matutupad ang sinabi ni San Pablo, ang araw na ito “ang siyang tunay na panahon ng ating kaligtasan!”

Help My Unbelief

23 February 2009 Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Sirach 1, 1-10; Psalm 93; Mark 9, 14-29

The message of the Gospel is simple: Anything is possible for those who trust God (v. 23) and trust is deepened by prayer (v. 29). In the story, the disciples were unable to drive out the demons. They have done everything in their power to heal the possessed boy, but they failed. The boy’s father was frantic and desperate. If everything has been done, what and who could cure his son? Jesus tells the father to trust God and when He was able to heal the boy, Jesus adds, that this case can only be brought about by prayer.

The striking thing about this story is what the father cried out in his desperation: “I do believe, help me in my unbelief!” This is a faith moment or what scripture scholars called, a profession of faith. In reality, there are times when we are both a mixture of belief and unbelief. When we are in the situation of the father in the story, when the doctor’s prognosis is gloomy, or we are almost sure of a poor outcome, we often battle with the issue of resignation or to continually hope for a better turn of events. There is that part of us that continually hopes despite the helplessness of the situation.

However, we have proof that trust is worthwhile. We have heard of cancer survivors, or abuse victims who have succeeded in rising up from their tragedies. We have heard those who rose from the ashes of natural calamities. Somehow there is a part of us who wants to believe despite the doubts that populate our minds. The father then asks Jesus to help his unbelief. By the very fact that the father trusts and acknowledges that he too needs assistance is the start of a deep faith. Faith is dynamic. It grows. And thus, we must not be afraid of the doubts that often come to us. Questions move us to find answers. When faith questions are answered, the result is a faith that is well-informed. And when we have a well-informed faith coupled with a regular prayer life, our faith deepens.

The “demons” in our lives that possess our spirit are those that haunt us when we sleep. But they are defeated by prayer. To those tormented by the past, prayer allows us to believe that we can free ourselves from it. To those troubled by sins, prayer allows us to seek forgiveness from the Lord and to move us to confession. To those who are plagued by problems, prayer makes us seek out a solution or at least assure us that soon we will find a way to fix them. 

Prayer has its own power. It has changed people’s lives.

The Healing We Need

22 February 2009 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 43, 18-25; Psalm 41; 2 Cor 1, 18-22; Mark 2, 1-12

The readings today are all about healing. Our physical bodies have been damaged by disease. Our psycho-emotional state have been disturbed by a painful history. Our spiritual lives have been injured by sin. Healing is about restoration from illness, distress, or undesirable situations to health, wholeness, and integrity. Healing allows us to have a new life!

I have three points today. First, we take from the first reading. The book of Isaiah says: “Thus says the Lord: Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” Sometimes we are unable to heal because we are stuck in the past; or we are controlled and determined by the things that haunt us. Even physical illness is caused by what we uncontrollably eat -- the foods we crave and are addicted to. We are not to deny what had happened (or what we ate); in fact, we have to learn from our experiences. But what has been is done. We move on. But to move on, the Lord tells us to leave the past behind (and learn from it), and be convinced that the Lord has something in store for us. To be able to heal is to accept what has been and face the future with hope and optimism. Every day is another chance to start anew.

Second, we take from the second reading. The reason why we are able to hope for a new life is the truth God is faithful to us. He has promised us in the first place. Jesus said that He will be with us until the end of time. And because Someone promised to accompany us, the future becomes brighter and we become less frightened. Our experience has it that when we face a challenge or a cross-road in our lives, what assures us are the words of comfort, consolation and support from our family and friends. We may not know what will happen, the future is uncertain, but with the assurances of loved ones, it acquires a shape: at the very least, we definitely know who will be with us. Our parents prayed to the Lord and at the same time promised each other during their wedding day: “Grant us, O Lord, to be one heart and one soul, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” Whatever the future brings, God’s love and our love for each other are our assurance.

Third, we take from the Gospel. The second point is illustrated in the story of the paralytic. The paralytic was brought to Jesus by his friends. Jesus saw the faith of his friends, so He was able to stand up and walk. The story of the paralytic tells us that our prayers for our friends are effective. Many people ask the question: “If the sick we are praying for is an unbeliever, immoral, wicked, corrupt, criminal, scandalous and deplorable, will God still listen to our prayers?” The answer is yes. God sends the rain to both the weeds and wheat. God’s mercy does not depend on the state and amount of sin the person has committed; He is not punitive. Good parents say that whatever happens, their children will remain their children. However, it would be better if the ailing also desires the healing hand of God.

The Responsorial Psalm sums our prayers today: We implore God for healing. God heals us by giving us many opportunities to live anew. God heals us by assuring us of His faithfulness and love. And finally, God heals us by giving us people who nurture and pray for us.

The Tower of Babel

20 February 2009 Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Gen 11, 1-9; Psalm 33; Mark 8, 34- 9,1

The first reading is the famous story of the Tower of Babel. The people builds a city with a tower to “make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered” (v. 4). The story, commentators say, is Babylonian where brick-making is famous in Mesopotamia. Most ancient cities are built with watchtowers, to overlook the order in the city and at the same time, to protect it from marauders. The story may have been an explanation of the diversity of languages and nations. But to many biblical scholars, the Tower of Babel, is a symbol of pride and rebellion against God. Pride because the people wanted a tower that reaches the sky. The sky is believed to be the dwelling of Yahweh --- and of gods in other religions. That is why the mountain is always a place for prayer: as Mt. Sinai to Moses, Mt. Olympus for the Greek gods, or the mountain where Jesus went to pray. Pride makes a person feel that he or she is like God, over and above another. It is also a symbol of division: instead of being united in building the tower, they were “confused” because they did not understand each other and thus they were ‘scattered’.

This story becomes the background of the call of Abraham, to whom God promises to choose one nation where all other nations will be blessed. In saving love, God uses Israel to call all peoples back. Commentators believe that the promise of God is fulfilled during the coming of the Holy Spirit. Through Israel where Jesus comes from, all other nations ---we, the Gentiles, are blessed. The Responsorial Psalm says, “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own.” During the coming of the Holy Spirit, despite the diversity in language, the apostles speak different tongues, but the people understand them. God brought people together through communication and understanding, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God brought people together through Jesus, our common love. We come from different backgrounds and cultures, but we understand each other in our common love of Christ. Wherever we meet other people in the world, we all share a common memory, a common story: ask them about Noah, about Moses, about the Tower of Babel; ask them about Jesus and His story; they all know by heart these stories because they are also Christians. In the letter of St. Paul, we are one bread, one body, and we are united in our common love for Jesus. This is what we do at mass. We just show who and what we are.

In our lives, we know that pride can set us apart. Forgiveness brings two warring people together. When we refuse to admit our guilt, or reject another’s reconciliation, the gap between us widens. How many relationships have been destroyed by pride?

We also know that many relationships have been strained because of miscommunication --- or no communication at all. There are less instances when talking, listening and having an open heart becomes detrimental in a relationship (sometimes it becomes detrimental when the person is at the peak of pain or anger that they are not yet ready to talk. So we let the heat simmer down first).

I believe relationships acquire depth when two people in love communicate not just the good things, but the issues that span their life and their friendship. The bible contains the good and horror stories of people, including the misguided decisions holy people take. We communicate our stories. Relationships become closer because there is a shared memory. How many times we regret having said harsh words to someone when we begin to know their stories? Or how many times we regret our anger at someone who hurt us, until they tell us why they have been obnoxious or sensitive at that particular time: and common experience tell us that often, the root not about us, but about something else like a family or financial problem that affected their work? When we share our stories with each other, like friends and lovers, it is easy to forgive or to let a mistake pass because we know our loved ones are undergoing perhaps a difficulty or a crisis in their lives.

The ancient stories of the Tower of Babel and the Pentecost still continue to have an effect on us.

Identifying God in the Midst of gods

19 February 2009 Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 9, 1-13; Psalm 102; Mark 8, 27-30

In the first reading, God establishes a covenant with His people, namely Noah and his children. A covenant, in ancient times, was a way of regulating the relationships between individuals and groups. God initiates the covenant: the rainbow is its sign and reminder. It is a reminder to God of the pledge to preserve the world; and at the same time, a reminder to us of God’s faithfulness and mercy. Despite our violent nature, God in His mercy, assures to keep the order of creation. He reiterates His blessing given at creation: “Be fertile and multiply”.

In the Gospel, Peter is able to identify and articulate Jesus as the Son of God. The context of his identification is amazing. Many people thought that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. It would be easy for Jesus’ disciples to be swayed by what people say. There were also other ‘distractions’. The event occurred in Caesarea Philippi which was once a center of Baal worship. It was then called, Balinas; now, it called, Banias. There was also a mountain with a cave that was believed by the Greeks to be the birthplace of Pan, the god of nature. In a place where there were various beliefs about different gods, Peter was able to identify God in a wandering carpenter as Jesus.

Jesus, on the other hand, was looking at the future --- His impending suffering and death. The future suffering was guaranteed with the rising opposition against him. He was in the crossroad of His life. And thus, in facing His future, He must know who He was to His followers. In our life, we often ask our loved ones who we are to them; so that when we face our uncertain future, or encounter the necessary suffering the future demands, we can go through it with meaning and in peace. It was a relief for Jesus to know that at least Peter knew who He really was.

I would like to interpret the word “multiply” not just to mean a continuation of procreation in the sense of the ancient world, but also to connote growth and development. “Multiply” may mean that there is an addition to a thing or a creature, twice, thrice, fourfold. But we have seen that those who multiply their possessions tend to be selfish and greedy. To me, “multiply” may also mean an added value, an improvement towards our becoming “created in the image of God”. Thus, it can mean becoming better in virtue; or an advancement in our gifts and talents by diligent practice; or maturation in our moral lives.

And how do we “multiply” in this sense? We take the answer from the Gospel. First, focus: we mature when we are able to see the real God, despite the distractions of other ‘gods’ in our lives --- popularity, power, possession. We are able to focus on what is valuable and important despite the many distractions that characterize modern living. We are able to deepen our relationship with God, establishing a healthier image of God, and entering into mature covenants or commitments.

Second, foundations: we mature when we are able to face our crosses with a faith that is solid and grounded. We know who we are and what we stand for. We know whom we love and who love us. Our support systems help us face our challenges. When we develop our talents: we need to begin learning the basic skills first. Without it, we would not reach excellence --- or we would not risk at all.

Gradual Healing

18 February 2009. Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 8, 6-22; Psalm 116; Mark 8, 22-26

The stories of the readings today is about seeing a new creation, and thus starting anew. Genesis is about Noah and those in the ark finally experiencing a new earth after the flood. God has given them a new lease on life. The Gospel is about the first blind man to be healed. But his seeing happened in stages.

During the time of Jesus, there was great belief in the medicinal properties of our saliva. Jesus spat on the eyes of the man to cure him. This is not too surprising for many of us Filipinos. When gashed, we would take a few guava leaves, masticate it and put them on the wound. We think that our saliva would help stop the bleeding. With the advent of science and medicine, we know that our spittle contains bacteria that can aggravate any wound.

St. Augustine once said that grace builds on nature. God begins from where we are to bring us to where He want us to be. Jesus’ healing was subtle: He began from the context of the patient. This is used by medical practitioners: to explain the diagnosis, we use a language that is familiar to the patient. By doing so, the patient easily understands his or her condition. The same thing with Jesus: He moved the man away from the crowd to avoid embarrassment, and used spittle to cure. Jesus’ considerateness gave the blind man the opportunities to return to his relationships.

Finally, healing happens gradually. There are stages. Sudden miracles usually happen, but Frederick WH Myers wrote a poem called “Saint Paul”. It says:

“Let no man think that sudden in a minute
All is accomplished and the work is done.”

We do not discover God’s truth wholesale, in one single sweep. We learn about God little by little, incrementally, in stages. When we were baptized as infants, we learn that life unfolds and thus, we form the child until it reaches the age when they are finally ready to decide on their own in Confirmation. We should believe that our faith grows and is never static. That we need continual conversion. That we need space to improve. We need to see that life is movement and process.

Learning from Experience

17 February 2009 Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 6: 5-8 and 7:1-5, 10; Psalm 29; Mark 8, 14-21

An old adage say, “Experience is the best teacher.” But it is not true to many of us. We have not learned from our experiences! Genesis tells us about our wickedness that motivated God to command Noah to warn the people about the Great Flood and to build the ark that would save many creatures. But the people did not listen.

The Gospel tells us about Jesus’ greater concern for his disciples. He was afraid that they would be influenced by the evils of Herod and the Pharisees.* However, the concern of the disciples was trivial: they brought with them just a loaf of bread that was not sufficient for all of them. And yet, previously, Jesus fed thousands of people in two incidents with only a loaf of bread and two fishes.

We are very stubborn. If we have learned from all of our experiences, we would have lesser problems today. We would be able to filter what is good and what is bad to us. We would have distinguished what is detrimental to our health and what contributes to our well-being.

*leaven means evil. Leaven was a piece of dough from a previous baking. It is usually left to ferment. It is later added to a new piece of dough to make it rise. Thus for the Jew it is like evil: It is a pervasive influence that modifies or transforms someone to be also evil. However, modern use of the word now means a transformation for the better.

Of Love and Lepers

15 February 2009 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lev 13, 1-2, 44-46; Psalm 32; 1 Cor 10, 31-11:1; Mark 1, 40-45

Let me put two things today: the Gospel readings and Valentines Day. So we talk about love. The Gospel talks about Jesus’ healing of a leper. During his time, a leper is ostracized by the community. It means that he has to leave all of his meaningful relationships. In many ways today, we still feel what many lepers felt before cure has been discovered. When He healed the leper, Jesus restored all the leper’s hurts and wounds --- physically, emotionally and socially. By His loving, He gave the leper new life.

Many things have changed in the course of our loving. We have a long history of heartbreaks, of rejections, and of being abandoned. We have our pasts: those people whom we met, we found, and we lost. And yet, despite all the changes in our hearts, one thing remains constant: that we are worthy of love, that we have been truly loved by God. We are made by the love of God, and thus it is our nature to love and to continually love. That is the reason why we wear red: the color of passion, the color of blood, the color of life itself. It is the color of the fire of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love. By wearing red, we tell everyone that as long as we live, we will nurture this fire in our hearts.

Those who love promises forever, promises to journey with each other to eternity. Kaya, banal ang lahat ng ating mga pangako: isang simbulo na nagpapahiwatig na meron mas mahalaga sa ating buhay, maliban sa atin. Ito’y isang misteryong bumubuhay ng isang katotohanang may ibang taong bumubuhay sa ating puso, sa ating kaluluwa; nagbibigay kahulugan at kulay sa ating mga pangarap. At sa bawat pangako, tulad ng lahat ng sumpaan, mayroon itong sariling panahon, sariling dahilan, at sariling kahulugan, na ang nakakaalam lamang ay ang mga nag-iibigan, ang magkaibigan, ang magka-ibigan.

Kailan tayo nangangako? Nangangako tayo sa bawat panahon ng ating buhay. Ang salitang paalam, nangangahulugang may pinapahiwatig, pina-paalam: na ang pagkakaibigan ay hindi napapawi sa paghihiwalay. At ang bawat paalam ay isang pangakong hindi mamamatay ang pag-ibig kailanman.

At bakit tayo nangangako? Dahil hindi maliwanag ang kinabukasan. Kaya mahalaga ang lahat ng alaala: ang mga litratong tinatago natin habang lumilipas ang panahon. Ang mga alaala ng unang tagpuan, ang unang halik, ang unang yakap. Ang alaala ng unang pangako at ng unang sumpaan. Ang mga alaalang nagbibigay ng pag-asa. Kaya tayo nangangako: sa pangako nagkakaroon ng pag-asa ang kinabukasan. Sinasabi natin, “huwag kang mag-aalala, ako na ang bahala sa iyo.” With another’s promise, the journey to eternity becomes real and true.

Nagiging posible mangako dahil may nanguna nang nangako: “Sasamahan kita magpakailanman.” Ito ang pangako ni Hesus sa atin. Ang kanyang pag-ibig ay kasama natin sa ating paglalakbay, hanggang matagpuan natin ang magpakailanman, ang langit. Hindi ba ito ang dahilan ng pag-sisimba. Ang misa ay isang alaala, a memorial, na bumubuhay sa atin, nagbibigay pag-asa.

When was the last time you loved forever? Kailan ang huling panahon na minahal mo ang magpakailanman? Being a Christian means loving forever, every day, every moment of our lives. And thus, if God is love, then love is who we are.


And so I believe this is how to celebrate Valentine’s Day: It is our nature that we remember the things that stay, that we remember in our hearts moments about love and the pain that goes with it. Carl Jung once said that what the heart hears are the great things that span our whole lives, the experiences which we do nothing to arrange, but which we ourselves suffer. And so when you go on a date today, talk about those heart experiences, those things that stay, those things that keep your relationship strong and unwavering. Celebrate the heart.

To end, let me share to you a poem by my bestfriend, Atty. Cerilo Rico Abelardo, who wrote it on Valentine’s Day.

Mangyari Lamang


Mangyari lamang ay tumayo
Ang mga nagmamahal
Nang makita ng lahat
Ang kagandahan ng mukha ng pag-ibig
Ipamalas ang tamis
Ng malalim na pagkakaunawaan
Sa mga malabo ang paningin.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo rin
Ang mga nagmahal at nasawi
Nang makita ng lahat
Ang mga sugat ng isang bayani
Ipadama ang pait ng kabiguan
Habang ipinagbubunyi
Ang walang-katulad na kagitingan
Ng isang nagtaya.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo
Ang mga nangangambang magmahal
Nang makita ng lahat
Ang kilos ng isang bata
Ipamalas ang katapatan ng damdamin
Na pilit ikinukubli
Ng pusong lumaki sa mga engkanto at diwata

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo
Ang mga nagmahal, minahal, at iniwan
Ngunit handa pa ring magmahal
Nang makita ng lahat
Ang yaman ng karanasan
Ipamalas ang mga katotohanang nasaksihan
Nang maging makahulugan
Ang mga paghagulhol sa dilim

At sa mga nananatiling nakaupo
Mangyari lamang ay dahan-dahang tumalilis papalabas
Sa nakangangang pinto
Umuwi na kayo
At sumbatan ang mga magulang
Na nagpalaki ng isang halimaw.

At sa lahat ng naiwang nakatayo
Mangyari lamang ay hagkan ang isa’t isa
At yakapin ang mga sugatan
Mabuhay tayong lahat
Na nagsisikap na makabalik sa ating pinagmulan

Manatiling masaya
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What We Can Bear for the One We Love

12 February 2009. Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Gen 2, 18-25; Psalm 128; Mark 7, 24-30

There were two things that made the story of the healing of the daughter of the Syro-Pheonician amazing. The mother was a woman and a Gentile. For many Jews, women were secondary citizens, almost the possession of men. Gentiles were non-Jews, outsiders. For the Jews, Gentiles were unclean. One should not mingle with them. Jesus was in Gentile territory when the women begged and pleaded on behalf of her daughter.

The story calls us to action today.

First, we are invited to imitate the persistence of the mother even when things seem hopeless. Despite the social restrictions, Jesus was her only hope. She would bear even insults just to have her possessed daughter healed. Jesus said that “it is not right to give food to the dogs.” In the olden days, the dogs were not regarded as man’s best friend. The word, dog, was used by the Jews to refer to the Gentiles. How far would we go in finding the cure for a loved one? What degree of pain are we willing to bear in order to ensure a bright future for our family? As Jesus allowed for the persistence of the woman, often God allows us to repeatedly asked for what we desire. The extent of our pleading tells us the depth of our desires.

Second, we are invited to imitate Jesus’ breaking of the rules on behalf of compassion to an outsider. Here we see a pattern: human rules are not as important as the law of love. Jesus would break Sabbath laws if his disciples would go hungry like King David for his troops. Jesus broke the law on food restrictions by declaring that nothing defiles us from what we eat but what comes from our heart. And now, Jesus removes what separates the clean (the Jews) and the unclean people. He has opened the doors of God’s compassion to all peoples. That God shows mercy, not just to the first chosen people, but to all peoples regardless of ethnicity, race, belief or gender.

Third, we are challenged to examine our openness to other faiths. Every Easter we pray for the Jews who are the first sons and daughters of the ‘household’. We endeavor to dialogue with other religions in order to understand each other. We strive to welcome those who are members of other Christian faith traditions in order to appreciate what binds us than what divides us. How comfortable are we working with people of different faiths? How do you handle those who would insists on converting you to their beliefs? What are the difficulties you encounter in being ‘open’ to others?

What Renders Us Unclean

10 February 2009 Our Lady of Lourdes
Genesis 2, 4-17; Psalm 104; Mark 7, 14-23

Have you ever wondered why there are no food restrictions for Catholics? Muslims are not allowed to eat pork; members of the Iglesia ni Kristo are prohibited from eating blood. But Catholics can eat anything. The reason is the Gospel today. A parenthetical statement is in the Gospel of Mark, “thus rendering all foods clean.”

The teaching of Jesus was revolutionary during His time. Jesus said that nothing from outside that enters our bodies defile us; but what comes from our heart renders us unclean. The first reading from Genesis tell us that all that the Lord created are good. The Jews religiously followed Leviticus 11 which has a list of unclean animals. They would rather die than eat them and be impure. This is illustrated in the Book of Maccabees. The Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes wanted the Jews to renounce their faith by asking them to eat pork, but many --- hundreds in fact --- chose death than desecrate themselves. There is even a story of a widow with seven sons. She even encouraged them to die than be dishonored: her sons were roasted, limbs cut, flogged, killed in front of her. And thus, when Jesus said that nothing one eats cannot render a person impure, He was, in effect, saying that the reason --- eating pork --- was irrelevant.

What can make us unclean? Jesus gave many examples. We know our evil thoughts could lead us to do evil. There are people who like to do harm to others. We have seen the effect of greed that traces its roots from our penchant to own; our love for having and coveting. We have experience the effect of pride, of feeling that we are above all others. Let me zero in on those we are not so aware of.

First, envy. Envy takes different forms. In general, an envious person is never happy with the success of another. He or she will always try to bring down the person. They call envy, “the Evil Eye”. Remember, Lord of the Rings: the evil eye would control even those with a good heart. I hear this often: when a neighbor’s son got a job abroad, many attributed his success from the ‘connections’ the family has, than his qualifications, achievements and educational attainment. When Mickey Rourke won best actor in “The Wrestler” at the Screen Actors Guild, people of the press noticed his look and dubbed him as the ‘worst-dressed’. Mickey Rourke made a good come-back. Why can’t we be happy for the success of another?

Second, licentiousness. The Greek word used is aseigeia, meaning, “wanton wickedness”. It is the disposition that resents all kinds of discipline and self-control, who hates constraint, check, control, moderation, and dares to do whatever the heart desires. These are the people who lost their sense of decency and shame. They do not value self-discipline, moderation, prudence, and judiciousness. They are unmindful of their effect on others. It is true that there are boundaries to privacy, but we cannot deny that our lives influence other people’s values also. Jesus said that we should not dis-edify or cause scandal to others. We must help in the formation of other people’s conscience. We must educate, cultivate, develop behavior that respects one’s dignity and other people’s honor.

Third, the Greek word used is ‘dolos’ meaning a bait. We often used this to misguide others and to cause them harm. It is guile: a sly and cunning intelligence that is the center of trickery, deception, and deceit. Those with guile are the people who lie and to whom we do not trust with our secrets. They might used them against us. They are scheming and manipulative. They live in duplicity and deviousness. The value opposite guile is honesty and trustworthiness.

We must therefore be aware of our hearts. What contaminates our heart can lead us to sin, cause harm, mar our character, or break our relationships.

Jesus' Daily Schedule

8 February 2009. 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Job 7, 1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147; 1 Cor 9, 16-19, 22-23; Mark 1, 29-39

We continue to get to know Jesus and His public life during the Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time. The Gospel today gives us a glimpse of a day in the life of Jesus. It has three parts: preaching, healing and praying. He preached in the synagogue. Then, He returns to heal people who are sick, gathered in the house of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Finally, after a tiring day, retires and begins early in the day, with prayer.

Let me reverse the order.

“Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed.” Jesus begins his day with prayer. He marks a specific time and place where He could commune with God. To regularly rise very early before dawn is not easy for many of us. Some of us would rather catch up on sleep, and even spend some time to snooze. It takes will power to rise early, that is why, those who attend the Filipino dawn masses at 4 AM for nine consecutive days, consider it a challenge. Moreover, Jesus would look for a place that is conducive for prayer. St. Ignatius would call it, the composition of place. The ambiance is important as an aid to prayer (Of course, we can pray anywhere, anytime). To go to a deserted place where no one can disturb Him tells us the importance of His relationship with His Father.

During the day, He preaches in the synagogue and when animosity starts growing towards Him, He uses the countryside as venue for His ministry. His preaching are both in words and deeds. The power of His words can be attributed to His credibility and style: He does what He preaches and He teaches with authority. He reminds people of the Scriptures but at the same time, showed them the compassion of God by healing the sick and forgiving sinners.

Allow me to use my imagination. It is probable that Peter’s mother-in-law ‘waited on them’ meaning she runs the household for her guests. But she cannot serve Jesus and His friends well if she’s sick. People are gathering in her house; hospitality is a highly regarded virtue for the Jews. And she wished that she can do more if she is well. And so, when Jesus grasps her hand, helps her and cures her, she is able to serve Jesus as she wished. Around Jesus’ daily ministry are the support of family and friends.

But Jesus continues to work even after sunset. “When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was at the door.” One does not need imagination to see how crowded the house is. And Jesus does not stop even if He is tired. His heart goes out to those who are miserable. With Jesus, there are no office hours. The door is always open, even for the whole town. To those who are afflicted, as Job articulates the sufferings of those who encounter evil and pain, the presence of Jesus gives them hope. The brokenhearted, as the responsorial psalm, are granted a whole new heart by Jesus’ healing touch.

Late in the evening, Jesus retires (He also needs sleep!), but His weariness never prevents Him from starting the day praying. I believe in His hours of prayer, He brings all the needs of the world as He sees it daily. He brings to the feet of His Father the deepest desires of the world. It is also through prayer that He discerns the will of His Father. The Gospel today ended with Jesus telling His disciples, that though there are many who still need him in the home of Simon’s mother-in-law, there are other towns who beckons to Him too. And they must leave.
We pray that we pattern our lives according to Jesus.

Jesus Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

6 February 2009. St. Paul Miki, Joan Soan de Goto, James Kisai and companions
Hebrew 13, 1-8; Psalm 27; Mark 6, 14-29

The reading from the letter to the Hebrews is taken from Chapter 13, which are various exhortations and practical instructions. It tells us about the importance of brotherly/sisterly love, hospitality, concern for prisoners and the suffering, fidelity in marriage, and avoiding love of money. The list tells us about living a holy life. Practical Christian conduct flows from one’s understanding of the person and saving work of Christ. We cannot be indifferent; it is pro-active.

And no matter who teaches Christian life, whether in the past or present, the content of their proclamation, Jesus Christ, remains forever. This is the reason of verse 8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Martyrs, like St. John the Baptist (Gospel today) and Jesuits’ St. Paul Miki and companions, are remembered by the faithful. They may have passed away, but their lives remain as example of faith. Generations of church leaders may come and go, but their teaching about Jesus remains the same.

Does this mean that our teaching is static? In our relationship with persons, our knowledge of them develops and deepens as we continually reflect on what they say, how they do things, their reasoning, their decision-making process. As our relationships move on in time, we get to know about them more and more. This knowledge may be articulated and expressed in language like bio-data facts, events, family background, likes and dislikes. But there is another type of knowledge that is wrought by constant companionship. This knowledge is called, “tacit knowledge”. For example, we can give a person a step-by-step procedure on how to bake a cake, but the person does not learn unless he does it. What cannot be articulated is tacit knowledge --- we know our friend, because we have spent time with them. But that person is the same person as yesterday, today and tomorrow. That is why, when we reflect on Jesus and apply his teaching to our practical lives, we ask “What would Jesus do if He were present today?” This question involves two things: a deep knowledge of the person and saving work of Christ, and a knowledge of the present. Vatican II calls all of us, to ‘read the signs of the times’ --- to look at the world as God sees it.

God Disciplines His Children

4 February 2009. Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Hebrews 12, 4-15; Psalm 103; Mark 6, 1-6

The first reading strikes me today. It tells us that the Lord disciplines us, like a father who disciplines his son.

My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, He disciplines;
He scourges every son He acknowledges.
Endure your trials as "discipline";
God treats you as His sons.
For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.

The image is very familiar to us.

First, the phrase involves a memory of pain: every disciplinary act is hurting. Parents, teachers or our work company punish us in order to correct disobedience. It is a practice to train people to obey rules or a code of behavior. When we were kids, we got a beating in the buttocks when we ignored rules of ethics, such as refusing to do our responsibilities at home. We get reprimanded when we lie. We get a disciplinary action, such as being grounded or detention, when we did not fulfill school assignments or we were caught misbehaving. We get a suspension when we deliberately neglected our work, or we’re fired if we do not do our job satisfactorily. But, discipline is not only about reprimand or punishment. It is also about training ourselves physically and mentally such as the discipline needed in higher education or in developing stamina and strength, including the goal of having an admirable physique. Nevertheless, all disciplines involve pain. The child who is disciplined is hurt, as well as the parents who disciplines. Ask any parent: they would tell you how much they hesitate to rightfully carry out the punishment; many have been afraid to discipline their children.

Second, discipline is a means towards the life and character we desire. We become better in our relationship with others. We improve our manners, social skills, and our behavior at social gatherings and parties. We become knowledgeable about a subject because we have put in hours of hard work. We acquire a healthy body because of our regular exercise. Many excellent singers reached higher levels because they trained habitually.

Third, the discipline of God is given to us, not out of anger, selfishness or envy. God disciplines us for our good (Hebrews 12, 10): To get our attention to what is wrong and unacceptable human behavior or to get the most out of our lives. God disciplines us because He loves us; our parents discipline us out of love, thus for our good.

When our parents reprimand (often read as ‘hurting’ us), they never ceased from loving us --- though sometimes their sense of reprimanding might be too harsh on us. But it doesn’t remove the fact that they do care about us. I will personally doubt that love, if I have never received any discipline. We can observe that with children who were tolerated of their childish behavior because their parents were not present in their developmental years, or their parents were too afraid to ‘hurt’ their children. We call these children, spoiled brats --- they throw tantrums when the don’t get what they want. Unfortunately many of these are in college or are already in a relationship.

Finally, disciplinary action is given to the immature, the unproductive, the unethical and the uncouth. Disciplinary action is not given to a person who is already mentally and emotionally advanced, or possessing the developmental characteristic of an adult. The same thing with God. Our lives become miserable so that we get to be aware that there is an aspect worth noticing: a sinful pattern, an addiction, an unethical behavior, inappropriateness, or laziness especially in training. Once we have accepted God in our lives, it is but natural, that we get a ‘beating’ when our lives does not manifest the characteristic and the heart of a child of God.

Simeon and Anna

2 February 2009. Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord
Mal 3, 1-4; Psalm 24; Heb 2, 14-18; Luke 2, 22-40

Mary and Joseph were devout Jews, fulfilling the prescriptions of presenting or offering the first-born to the Lord, because the first-born sons ‘belong’ to the Lord. Remember, the Lord saved and spared the first borns of the Israelites, when the first-borns of the Egyptians died at the Passover (Exodus 13, 15). There is another: the ritual purification of the mother forty days after giving birth (Lev 12, 1-8) where she was to offer a lamb and a pigeon or turtledoves. But since Mary and Joseph were poor, they were allowed to offer two pigeons instead. Biblical commentators said that Luke confused these two rituals and placed them into one story.

In the longer form of the Gospel, we encounter two individuals: Simeon and Anna. So for our reflection today, we take our cue from them who have been open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to recognize Jesus. You see, how can Anna and Simeon recognize Jesus as the Anointed One of Israel among all other babies being presented in the temple? What prepared their hearts to recognize Jesus? I have two points.

First, desire. Their desire was clear: they wanted to see God’s salvation. Simeon and Anna were old. They waited in the Temple for this day. There were humble and faithful Israelites waiting in the temple for the revelation of God’s salvation. They were just, pious and devout. And after years and years of waiting, their desires had been purified. I would not be surprised if they had doubted whether they would be able to see the fulfillment of God’s promise in their lifetime. But the never lost hope. And as Simeon said, he may die in peace after seeing Jesus.

In our lives, we sometimes find ourselves directionless because our desires are unclear. Desires provide the inspiration, meaning and direction in our lives. We can see that in many of our reality talent searches: they know what they want, and so they prepared themselves for that very day --- even if they were not sure if that day would come, like the contestants of American Idol or Pinoy Dream Academy.

Second, unceasing prayer. Simeon and Anna have been praying in the temple faithfully. In their prayers, their hearts have been attuned to the heart of God, that they acquire a certain way of seeing. With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, their eyes have been opened to recognize Jesus, among all other first-borns in the temple that day.

Constancy forms our hearts: the way lovers who have spent years together recognize each other through a whiff of perfume, the peculiar sound of their voice, even what they need --- without their beloved articulating them. They said, with one look, they know if something is troubling them. So constant prayer makes our hearts receptive to God.

We can find God in everything. We need new eyes and hearts. We can attune our senses to find God in the world today if our desire is clear and our hearts have been attuned to God through unceasing prayer.