To all of my friends,
In a few hours, I will begin our 8-Day Philippine Province retreat in celebration of the Jubilee Year of the Society of Jesus. We are celebrating the 450th Year of the Death of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the 500th Year of the Births of St. Francis Xavier and Bl. Peter Favre, all founders of the Jesuits. The retreat will end on the evening of the 26th of May. So I may be back on the 27th.
Therefore, I will resume blogging after May 27, 2006. I am sorry I was not able to update because of work --- I gave a retreat to the Grade 4 and 5 faculty of the Ateneo Grade School.
Hope you stay with me. Be assured that I will pray for all of you as I spend these days solely for God.
With all my love and affection,
Jboy SJ
The Church in Transit
9 May 2006. Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter
Acts 11, 19-26; Psalm 87; John 10, 22-30
The first reading tells us how the Gospel was spread like wildfire. The Greek-speaking Christian Jews fled
The news reached
Both the first reading and the Gospel thus agree that the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the community both in
Fr. John P. Delaney SJ said that the church should be open to all kinds of people: no gates no walls. Those who come to the UP church are diverse. Here we have a cross-section of society: university personnel (students, faculty --- the academic community), the people from different areas. People from different economic and social brackets. People of different temperaments. Those who come in veils and those who come with much to show. Do we rejoice over the diversity of people who come to our Church to worship and to pray? These are the people who find God in our parish. Are we happy that they come?
Second, there are people who come to this church with many questions. In the advent of books, movies and television programs such as the Da Vinci Code and the Judas Gospel, many people are asking questions about our faith. In a way, we are like the
Finally, Fr. Delaney built this Church in a transitory period: between
*plane shot by Neo Saicon SJ
Keeping Ourselves in the Flock of the Shepherd
7 May 2006. The Fourth Sunday of Easter
John 10, 11-18: The Good Shepherd
Note: I wrote this for Sambuhay, Sunday missalettes published by the Society of St. Paul
The shepherd holds a central image in the history of
There is however a certain nuance in the image of the Good Shepherd. We affirm that there is only One Good Shepherd and we are all members of His flock. Church leaders --- and even ourselves with the ‘little flock’ we have such our families --- are symbols of the Good Shepherd. Symbols provide tangible experiences which we need. It does not replace Jesus: Jesus is always present, taking care of us, and we as symbols of the Good Shepherd make this truth more felt. In the Second Book of Samuel, Nathan tells the story of the poor man who took care of a ewe lamb, growing up with his children, eating and drinking with them, and even sleeping with him. The lamb was like a daughter to him. This is precisely what the Good Shepherd means to us: it suggests that our relationship with Christ is close and intimate. When we take care of our flocks lovingly, intimately and closely, Christ’s expresses His love with our love to the people we are entrusted to keep.
This image therefore evokes two things: First, the picture of the Good Shepherd is a depiction of pastoral care. Our misgivings, our fears, our unworthiness may lead us to doubt the care of the Good Shepherd. At Easter time, we are therefore invited into this kind of deep assurance, confidence and trust that Jesus will always be present, constantly taking care of us, as the poor man of his ewe lamb. Second, the picture of the sheep is a portrait of maintenance. We also have to maintain ourselves within the fold. We must remain in Christ. We must be faithful and loyal to Him because we can lose sight of God easily in a world full of distractions. We can also lose our perspectives and values when we are hurt, angry or pressured. There are many things that we can do, but let me suggest some simple things to keep ourselves in the flock.
We must take an honest prayer life. When we find ourselves too busy, the more we need to pray. But what type of prayer? I have some suggestions:
First, the snooze time: it is the time between waking up and getting out of the bed. At least two minutes in silence to center yourself in God no matter how late you get up or busy you are (although more time is generally good, this brief constant prayer period will ensure a faithfulness to being centered on God).
Second, the daily travel to work or school. This can be done while on the way to work or home, in the jeepney, train or bus. Reflect for a few seconds quietly on the presence of God in your life. We can be quiet in the crowd.
Third, read sacred scripture at least once a week for five or ten minutes so that God remains a real concrete presence in life rather than a vague entity. In fact, if you are early in church you may want to pick up one of those Sunday missalettes like Sambuhay.
Fourth, keep symbols of our faith with you. Carry a rosary or a cross in your pocket or a picture of Jesus or a favorite saint in your wallet. Be conscious of churches along your route and make the sign of a cross as a sign of reverence. You may want to enrich your life with one of the many devotions in our Catholic life.
Finally, speak about your faith informally with a friend. Our spiritual life is also a legitimate topic to talk about. When you talk about your hopes, your fears and what keeps you strong, you are already talking about your spiritual journey. Talk about it at any time, any casual place.
As we are assured of Christ’s care for us, we also assure Him that we too value being in his flock. As children of Easter, we too take personal care for our faith.
The Way, the Truth and the Life
3 May 2006: Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles
John 14, 6-14: The Way, the Truth and the Life
One of the greatest things that Jesus said which have become a very popular slogan is that “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” In fact, you see this in billboards and signs. But it is also the most misunderstood. Like love. Everyone desires it. Everyone pursues it. Everyone is willing to die for it. But it is not fully understood. And so, we ask the question: What does Jesus mean when He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? Let me tackle the question using examples from my experience with those who are young.
First, the Way. The Jews talked much about the way in which men must walk and the ways of God. Isaiah said, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). The Jews knew the ways of God, but Jesus said, “I am the Way.” What did he mean?
As a moderator of a class in
When we are young, we always get lost: It is a time of countless mistakes, a million misses, a thousand hurts, innumerable bruises, deep pains. It is a time when we lose directions. It is a time when we do not know the way. It is a time when we simply are confused. Conversely, it is also the time when parents make countless mistakes, a million misses, a thousand hurts, innumerable bruises, deep pains. It is a time when parents lose directions, when parents do not know the way. Because when we are young, and when we take care of the young, the way is dark and dangerous.
And when Jesus said, “I am the Way,” he meant that “I will accompany you.” And maybe this is the reason why we get lost: We refuse to be accompanied; we shun another person’s hand; we would like to look for our home ourselves; we would like to find the way without another. We simply want the directions. That is why the young look for ways in magazines like Candy, Glamour, etc. There you find recipes “How to keep your boyfriends excited about you.” “Checklist in order to know that your partner loves you.” “Ten interesting ways to attract the opposite sex.” But we soon find out that that is not the best way. We discovered that we are at the losing end: we experience rejection, break-ups, and goodbyes even if we have faithfully followed the directions. Most of life’s truths is learned with someone around. And I guess this is what parents and friends should do: the best way is Jesus’ way. To have Jesus accompany us in the dark and dangerous way. To have our parents and friends take us by the hand and say, “Come. I’ll take you there.” And soon, you will find your way.
Second, the Truth. Many people have taught us the Truth: parents, teachers, friends, and mentors. Education teaches the truth. But none have embodied the Truth. Only one person has done that: Jesus. When one teaches about moral truth like parents, their character makes all the difference because it would lend credibility to the ones they teach. A selfish person who teaches the value of generosity, a proud individual who teaches the virtue of humility, a hateful person who teaches the beauty of love and an unethical teacher who teaches Ethics are bound to be ineffective. Moral truth cannot be conveyed solely in words; it must be conveyed by example. And thus parents, who disrespect their own parents, cannot teach their children to respect them. Truth and virtue is not learned in the classroom, but mostly imbibed from example. The truth we all know, even when we are young, are learned from what we see. There is an ad “Sa mga mata ng bata” that strikes me. A woman, who gets her plate full, with ice creaming dripping from her mouth, is witnessed by a child. If we teach proper etiquette but we do not do it, we cannot expect our young to follow suit.
Finally, Life. In the last analysis, what we are looking for is life. Our search for the proper road, our search for knowledge, and our search for our identity are not sought for their own sake: but what will make life worth living. When we fall in love, suddenly life finds meaning and direction. The dead parts of ourselves suddenly bursts with vigor. Love had brought life. That is what Jesus does. Life with Jesus is life indeed. And the proper way to love is the way Jesus loves. It is not what you read in magazines. A large part of loving is sacrifice; a large part of loving is experiencing the hurts and pains of relationships.
For the young, we believe that when we are enjoying ourselves, when “natutuwa ako sa kanya”, when roses and chocolates are given, when love texts are sent, our relationships are alive and kicking. But when we stop enjoying ourselves, when true colors show, when roses and chocolates cease to be given, when love texts are seldom sent, we say that our relationship should end. But love isn’t like that: when the romantic part of loving ends, we end the fantasy. When the fairy tales of our loving relationships either with friends or lovers end, we begin to see reality, the truth. That love is not all feelings. That is commitment. That commitment is a decision. That commitment is pain. That commitment is the cross on which Jesus was nailed. And today, on the Feast of Philip and James, the apostles, that commitment reached its peak on the Philip’s preaching
Jesus Secures and Gives us Peace
30 April 2006: Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 3, 13-15, 1 John 2, 1-5, Luke 24, 35-48
If we have parents or siblings who are lawyers, we feel secured when we have legal problems. If we have relatives who are doctors, we feel safe when we are sick. We know we have someone to run to when we are unwell. If we have relatives who are policemen, we feel protected. For many Filipinos, a friend at the governor’s office is a source of tenability and pride: “may kakilala ako diyan.” We invite these experts and solidify our ties with them by making them godparents of our children. Sooner or later, we hope that in our need they will help us because --- kumpare ko yan! Kasangga ko yan! We feel aided, secured and at peace.
In the first letter of John in the second reading, he tells us that “we have, in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ who is our intercessor.” John tells us we are secure with Jesus. And the Gospel tells us that we are at peace with Jesus. Jesus is our hope --- like the lawyers, doctors, the policemen, and the friend at the governor’s office who are close to us.
But our lives tell us differently from our belief. Though we believe that Jesus is our hope, our security and our peace, and yet we find ourselves insecure, hopeless and without the peace of mind we long for. Often we find our security in our possessions, our professions and our popularity. But though some of us may have them, we still do feel empty, anxious and unsure of ourselves.
There are other sources of security. If we are penniless and we find ourselves in a mall, we feel insecure. In UP, if we find ourselves in class with those who came from prestigious schools, we become apprehensive. If we find ourselves at a gathering of famous people, we often find ourselves dropping names in order to be at par with them. Our low self-esteem can leave us insecure.
I guess we feel this insecurity because we doubt the truth that Jesus is a tangible and real source of security. The resurrection was not a hallucination or a dream concocted by the disciples as many of the present books claim. This is why Jesus showed Thomas his hands, his feet, and his wounds. Luke’s Gospel tells us that He asked for food and he ate. We’ve got to believe that Jesus is worth clinging on to. Pwedeng makapitan sa kagipitan.
A friend of mine fell in love with a girl who comes from a famous and wealthy family. He wanted to woo her, but couldn’t because of the gnawing question about his worth. So he dismissed the thought, and settled for friendship. After a few years, he learned that someone rich and famous have proposed to her. He decided to put a stop to his dreams. Two weeks ago, they were able to talk. The girl is planning to get married, so he told her the truth. She said that it was too late: if he proposed to her the first year they became friends, she would have said yes.
I guess my friend forgot to believe in himself and that his dignity lies in Jesus at his side. Jesus is our intercessor. Then we are secured. We should be at peace.
*My two brothers: Jesse (youngest, in yellow shirt) and Jayson (fourth, in red).
Back Issues: Late reflections
Note: I have decided to post all of these reflections of the past week. Just in case they too might help. These are Simbahay Articles which I did for the Paulines' publications.
April 20, Thursday
Luke 24, 35-48
PAGSASADIWA
May paraan ng pagtuturo si Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad. Nagpakita siya kay Tomas, at nagpakilala sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng kanyang mga sugat: “Tingnan ninyo ang aking mga kamay at mga paa, ako nga siya. Hipuin ninyo ako at unawain ninyo na walang laman at mga buto ang isang espiritu.” Pinahipo niya ang kanyang mga sugat upang manalig si Tomas, at pinakita niya ang kanyang mga sugat upang makilala siya.
Isang katotohanan na ang bumubuo at nagpapanday ng ating sarili ay ang ating mga sugat. May mga taong matigas ang mga puso, dahil ayaw na nilang masaktan muli. May mga tao namang patuloy na nagmamahal at nagpapatawad, pagkatapos iwanan. Ngunit sinasabi ni Hesus na huwag matakot magpatuloy magmahal dahil kaisa siya sa ating mga sugat. Sa ating mga sugat, makikilala si Hesus.
PAGSASABUHAY
Anu-anong mga sugat mo ang nagbuo ng iyong sarili--- ang iyong mga pasya, pangangailangang emosyonal, o mga personal na pananaw sa buhay? Paano nasabi mong binuo nito ang iyong pagkatao?
April 21, Friday
John 21, 1-14
"Sinabi kay Pedro ng alagad na iyon na mahal ni Jesus: 'Ang Panginoon siya!"
PAGSASADIWA
Muling nagpakita si Hesus sa kanyang mga apostol sa Lawa ng Tiberias. Nakatayo si Kristo sa isang tahimik na baybayin sa Lawa habang nagbubukang-liwayway. Hindi nakilala ng mga apostol si Hesus, ngunit si Juan lamang ang nakakilala sa kanya, at ang wika, “Ang Panginoon siya!” At nang marinig ni Pedro na ang Panginoon iyon, ibinigkis niya ang kanyang damit at tumalon sa dagat. Nakahuli sila ng 153 malalaking isda: ibig sabihin, masagana at pangkalahatan. Dadalhin ng mga apostol ang lahat ng mga tao kay Jesus.
Upang maging masagana ang ating mga gawain para kay Kristo, at upang madala natin ang mga tao kay Kristo, mahalagang makilala natin si Kristo. Sabi ni Yves Congar OP, “We are first disciples of Jesus before we are ministers.” Mahalaga sa paglilingkod kay Kristo ang kakayahang makita siya sa lahat ng bagay. Sabi ni San Ignacio de Loyola, “see God in all things.”
PAGSASABUHAY
Masuwerte sina Pedro at ang mga apostol dahil kay Juan. Itinuro at ipinakita ni Juan sa kanila si Hesus na nakatayo sa baybayin. Tulad natin na minsan ay hindi makita si Kristo lalung-lalo na sa mga karanasan na masakit, may mga nagpapaalala sa atin kay Kristo --- mga Juan sa ating buhay. Sila ang nagbibigay ng payo na patuloy pa ring magpatawad, maging malakas ang loob, at umasa sa Diyos. Sino sino ang iyong “Juan” sa buhay? Paano nila itinuro at ipinakilala ang Diyos sa inyo?
April 22, Saturday
Mark 16, 9-15
"Sa dakong huli, nang nasa hapag ang Labing-isa, napakita sa kanila si Hesus at pinagsabihan sila dahil sa kawalang-paniwala nila at katigasan ng puso: hindi nga nila pinaniniwalaan ang mga nakakita sa kanya matapos siyang buhayin."
PAGSASADIWA
Nagwakas ang buhay ni Hesus sa pagkadiskubreng sa libingang walang laman. At nabanggit sa kuwento sa Ebanghelio ang iba't ibang mga taong nakakitang buhay si Hesus: si Mariang Magdalena, Mariang ina ni Jaime, Salome, sa dalawang sa mga alagad ni Hesus ngunit hindi naniwala ang Labing-isa sa kanila. Ngunit nabuksan ang kanilang mga mata, at nakilala si Hesus sa hapag-kainan. Hindi nakapagtataka na nakikilala natin ang isang tao dahil sa kanyang mga gawain o pag-uugali. Bago si Hesus namatay, nakakasama ng mga alagad si Hesus sa iba't ibang uri ng kainan: nang pinarami ni Jesus ang tinapay at isda, sa hapag nina Marta at Maria, sa bahay ni Zakeo, at higit sa lahat ang huli nilang hapunan. Hindi nakapagtataka na naniwala ang Labing-isa nang magpakita si Hesus sa hapag-kainan.
May mga bagay na mahirap paniwalaan lalung-lalo na ang hindi mabigyang paliwanag ng agham. Ngunit maraming mga bagay sa ating buhay na kusang dumarating na walang kadahilanan--- at hindi tayo makapaniwala. Marami ring mga karanasan na nagkakaroon ng kahulugan dahil nakikita ito sa pamamagitan ng mga mata ng pananampalataya.
PAGSASABUHAY
Kung nakikilala si Hesus sa hapag-kainan, makikilala siya sa Eucharistiya o misa. Gaano mo nakikita ang kahulugan ng pagsisimba sa ating pananampalataya? Nagsisimba ba ako dahil kailangan? O nagsisimba ako dahil gusto kong magsimba?
April 24, Monday
John 3, 1-8
Nicodemo: "Paano maisisilang ang isang taong matanda na?"
PAGSASADIWA
Si Nicodemo ay isang lider ng mga Judio, maaaring miyembro ng Sanhedrin. Pinahayag nito na ang mga salita at kilos nito ay nagpapakita na tunay na guro si Hesus. Maka-Diyos si Nicodemo at nais niyang makilala ang Diyos at ang kanyang kalooban. Sinabi ni Hesus na walamg makapapasok sa kaharian ng Diyos kung hindi siya isisilang mula sa tubig at Espiritu. Paano? Ang mga matatandang tao ay nahihirapang magbago: nagiging matigas ang kanilang puso at isipan, dahil sa lawak ng kanilang karanasan at kaalaman. Ngunit ang Espiritu ay tumutulong upang muling mapansin ang mga pagbabago sa sariling buhay, nagiging bukas uli ang puso sa mga bagong paraan, layunin at hangarin. Nagiging bukas muli sa panibago tulad ng mga bagong isinilang.
PAGSASABUHAY
Ang ating binyag ay nagbibigay sa atin ng panibagong buhay. Nagkakaroon tayo ng kapangyarihang makita ang galaw ng Espiritu sa ating buhay. Ang kakayahang magbago ay bigay ng Espiritu ngunit kailangan nito ang ating pagiging bukas sa kanya: hindi ito nababatay sa ating kabataan o katandaan. Lahat maaaring magbago, kung pagsisikapan natin. Ngunit handa ba tayong magbagong-buhay? Ito ang tanong ng muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus: handa ka bang magbago?
April 25, Tuesday
Mark 16, 15-20
“Pumunta kayo sa buong daigdig at ipahayag ang ebanghelyo sa buong sangkinapal.”
PAGSASADIWA
Ang habilin ni Hesus sa mga apostol at sa ating lahat na ipahayag natin ang Magandang Balita sa buong sambayanan sa buong daigdig. Itatanim ng mga apostol ang binhi ng pananampalataya at palalaguin ito hanggang sa nakatakdang araw. Ang mga maging alagad ni Kristo ay magbibinyag, magpapalayas ng demonyo, at magsasalita sa pamamagitan niya. Si San Marcos o John Mark ay namuno ng bagong Simbahan, at kinikilala siya bilang nagtayo ng Simbahan ng Alexandria sa Ehipto.
PAGSASABUHAY
Sa pamamagitan ng ating mga salita at gawa, pinahahayag ba natin ang ebanghelio sa buong sangkinapal? Nagiging modelo ba tayo ng tamang pagiging Kristiyano? Kung hindi, ano ang mga humahadlang sa iyong pagiging mabuting Kristiyano? Nagbabahagi ba kayo ng ating mga kakayahan upang mabuo ang Simbahan? O nakita natin ang mga ugaling nakapipinsala sa Simbahan, pero wala tayong naitulong man lang.
April 26, Wednesday
John 3, 16-21
"Ganito kamahal ng Diyos ang mundo! Kaya't ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na anak upang hindi na mawala ang bawat nananalig sa kanya kundi magkaroon ng buhay magpakailanman."
PAGSASADIWA
Pinapaliwanag ng Ebanghelio na ang buhay na walang hanggan ay bunga ng pag-ibig ng Diyos sa atin sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakilala ni Hesus sa atin. Dahil dito, ang tugon natin ay ang pagkakaroon ng pananampalataya, at pagiging bahagi ng liwanag. Ang liwanag na ito ay si Heus. Unang-una ang layunin ay ang buhay na walang hanggan. Kaya inihahanda natin ang mga tao upang makiisa sila kay Kristo. Turuan upang lalung tumingkad ang pagiging anak ng diyos; Hubugin upang maging mga tao para sa ibang tao. Pangalawa, ang daan ay ang daan ni Kristo, ang Liwanag ng Sanlibutan. Kung nais mong makamit ang buhay na walang hanggan, iisa lamang nga susunduin: si Hesus.
PAGSASABUHAY
1. Ang mga nabasa natin ay nakakagaan ng loob, at nakakabigay ng panibagong buhay. Magandang isipin na higit na mahal tayo ng Diyos.
2. Dahil dito, lalasapin ko ang katotohang mahal tayo ng Panginoon. Magbalik-tanaw at alalahanin mo ang mga panahon kung kailan mo naramdaman ang pagmamahal ng Diyos sa iyo.
April 27, Thursday
John 3, 31-36
Juan Bautista: "Walang kapantay ang naparirito mula sa itaas."
PAGSASADIWA
Ipinahahayag ng Ebanghelio si Hesus bilang naririto mula sa itaas. Ang mga salita ni Hesus ay ang mga salita ng Diyos. At ang Diyos ang bukal ng walang kapatay na biyaya ng Espiritu. At ang lahat ng kapangyarihan ng Ama ay ipinagkatiwala kay Hesus na anak Niya. Ibig sabihin, si Jesus ay Diyos. Ngayon, inaanyayahan tayo na sariwain muli ang katotohanang nakikibahagi sa ating buhay ang mismong Diyos --- ang Siyang mula sa itaas ay walang kapantay.
PAGSASABUHAY
Nakasulat sa Salmo 8, “Kapag minamasdan ko ang langit na gawa ng iyong mga kamay, ang buwan at mga bituin na 'yong inilagay--- ano ang tao upang 'yong alalahanin, ang anak ni Adan upang 'yong kalingain?” Sino nga ba tayo upang mahalin ng mismong Diyos? Parang mataas ang pagtingin ng Diyos sa atin. Sabi ng manunulat sa Salmo 8: “Kaunti na lang at diyos na siyang ginawa mo... at sa kanyang paa, ipinailalim mo ang lahat.”
Balikaan ang mga pag-uugali at pakikitungo natin sa ating sarili at kapwa. Nararapat ba ito sa dangal ng isang taong minamahal ng Diyos?
April 28, Friday
John 6, 1-15
PAGSASADIWA
Nagsasabi ng dalawang bagay ang kuwento ng pagpaparami ng tinapay. Una ang tugon sa pangangailangang-pantao. Nahabag si Hesus sa kanila. At pangalawa, ang tugon sa mga bagay. Sabi ni Felipe: Limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda lamang. Ano ito para sa pagkarami-raming tao?” Sabi ni Hesus, “paupuin niyo ang mga tao.” Tama si Felipe, konti lamang ang dalawang isda at limang tinapay. Ngunit ang konti sa tao ay marami sa Diyos. Kadalasan, mababa ang pagtingin natin sa ating sarili dahil laging hindi sapat ang lahat na ibinigay sa atin. Kung gagamiting lubusan ang ibinigay na kakayanan, ang konti naging mas marami. Sa kamay ng Diyos, ang konti na meron tayo naging sapat upang mapakain ang limanlibo.
PAGSASABUHAY
1. Sino ako sa mga taong nasa kuwento: ako ba ang batang may limang tinapay at dalawang isda? Ako ba ay si Felipe na nabigo? Ako ba ang karamihan na gutom sa mga salita ni Hesus?
2. Maaring kulang o konti ang limang tinapay at dalawang isda. Ganito ba ang tingin ko sa aking sarili? Ano ang puwede kong gawin upang mapalago ko pa ang mga ibinigay na kakayahan ng Diyos sa akin?
April 29, Saturday
John 6, 6-21
Napansin nilang naglalakad si Hesus sa dagat at palapit sa bangka. Nasindak sila. Ngunit sinabi niya sa kanila: "Ako siya; huwag kayong matakot."
PAGSASADIWA
Gamitin natin ang ating imahinasyon at ilagay natin ang ating sarili sa bangkang sinasakyan ng mga apostol. Malakas ang ihip ng hangin, madilim at magalaw ang dagat at wala pa si Hesus. Pagmasdan natin ang takot at pangamba sa mga mata ng mga apostol dahil hindi nila kasama si Hesus. Pagmasdan mo rin ang iyong nararamdaman: nangangamba ka rin ba at natatakot? At nang makita si Hesus na naglalakad sa dagat, tingnan natin ang kanilang pagkasindak dahil di pa nila lubusang kilala si Hesus.
PAGSASABUHAY
Masuwerte tayo dahil ngayon alam natin na si Hesus ay ang ating tagapagligtas sa anuman sakuna sa ating buhay. Ngunit, tunay nga ba tayong naniniwala nito: "Ako siya; huwag kang matakot." Sa mga oras ng pangamba at takot, matindi ba ang tiwala natin sa Diyos, o di nawawala pa rin ang ating pagkabahala?
Easters can be Small Time
23 April 2006. 2nd Sunday of Easter
John 20, 19-31 Easters can be Small Time
As we celebrate Easter each year, we are urged to show this gesture of joy. In UP, after suspending the clapping of hands as we traditionally and mechanically do every mass during Lent, now we are asked to revive this jubilant gesture. In the liturgy, after suppressing all songs that are lively, we are urged to sing the alleluias and songs of joy in this Easter season. Even the use of percussion and bless are once again allowed to emphasize the peak and joyful season of the church year.
However, I have often wondered how many of us feel that deep joy genuinely in our hearts: that happiness that allows you to jump for joy! We know intellectually and by faith, that this season is a wonderful time to celebrate because Jesus has been raised from the dead, but in spite of that truth, our joy is diluted with a tinge of sadness and doubt, grief and shame, anxieties and worries. We cannot just totally celebrate the season! This is the picture that is painted in the Gospel today. Raymond E. Brown tells us in his book, Reading the Gospels with the Church, that various Gospels mentioned doubt when Jesus appears to his followers after the Resurrection (Matthew 28, 17; Luke 24, 37-38; Mark 16, 14), but John in our Gospel today dramatizes doubt in an individual. There is something in our hearts that doubts this hope and peace that becomes real in the Resurrection.
Let me give you some examples. First, I have friends who did not pass the bar exams. These are not “faithless” individuals. They know that there is hope, but they cannot put themselves totally up for it. They ask the question “Why?” and I do not have answers. Second, I have two couples who have waited for several years for a child, and when God finally granted them, their child is diagnosed to need special treatment. Third, I have a friend who was recently salvaged. Fourth, I have just arrived from Cagayan de Oro and I was able to meet my former students. Many of my favorite “couples” have separated and now they are nursing a broken heart. Fifth, with the leadership we have in our country, is there hope and peace? Easter is a season that many of us find difficulty to enter completely and totally? How can we therefore rejoice in the midst of these doubts and dilemmas? Can we still celebrate Easter? Perhaps we can.
Easter is not just a feeling moment. That we are to celebrate only when we are feeling happy bigtime! Like winning a million pesos that would finance a house and lot or passing the bar and board exams or being accepted in a university you dreamed to be or finally finding someone whom you can spend your life with. These “great events” happen once in a lifetime, but not all the time. Easter is not just a feeling moment, but a faith moment: when we come together to celebrate together like this mass, or when we bond with our friends over a pulutan of chicharon bulaklak, or recently finding a wonderful place in the Philippines such as Bohol. Easter can be celebrated not bigtime, but small time: "little Easters" Joyce Rupp calls it. These are the times when we do feel joy, surprise, amazement, hope, change, newness. As I spend time with my former students, I am amazed at how much they have matured. Their ideas have somehow changed. Easter is recognizing that life moves --- I experienced it when one of my first year student whose ultimate desire was to grow taller, is now tall and will enter college this year. Or receiving a text or email from a friend whom you haven’t heard for decades. Or maybe, the experience of a cold buko shake in the heat of summer!
What makes them Easter experiences? Well, I guess they have provided us with quiet assurances that God keeps raising little dead parts in us to new life. Raymond Brown remarks, that though John have dramatized doubt in Thomas --- and we have dwelled in that doubt so as to name Thomas, the doubter --- we forget that it was also the “doubting Thomas” who has the highest confession of faith in all Gospels when he finally acknowledged Jesus, “my Lord and my God!” Thomas affirmed that the Word indeed was and is and will be God! The Word made Flesh is God.
Note: With Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico SJ, newly-ordained.
The Eyes of Faith
23 April 2006: 2nd Sunday of Easter
John 20, 19-31: The Eyes That See
Note: I gave this homily last year in UP, also during the 2nd Sunday of Easter.
The Gospel today speaks about grief, remembrance and surrender. Just as Jesus taught Peter to hope, He too taught Thomas to believe. I call this, the “School of the Upper Room.”
First, grief. Thomas expected death. In fact, when Jesus proposed to go to
This is understandable. When we are so caught up by our grief, when we are gripped by loneliness, when we are clobbered by conflicts in our families and communities, when the demands and hazards of work zap our energies, when there is too much on our plate, when gossip and intrigues choke out our integrity, when democracy loses its face, when scandals threaten the very center of our faith, and when all our hopes are gashed to death--- we, like Thomas, begin to doubt, to despair and to become disheartened. Not that we lack courage. Not that we have not loved enough. Not that we are unwilling to do the task. Maybe, we are just too wounded or we are enjoying our pain.
But Jesus has a way to teach His disciples. He appears to Thomas and identifies himself by his very wounds: Look at my wounds. Put your hands into my side. I am He! For Thomas to believe, Jesus shows his wounds as proof of his identity.
This is consoling for all of us. Our very wounds, our very despair, our very grief forms us into who and what we are. The many failures in life can make a person courageous and strong; while in another can make him negative and pessimistic. The many injustices experienced by a person in one’s family and friends as in the case of bullies, can make a person an angry individual or seeker for justice. Numerous heartaches a person encounters might make a person calloused and unable to love; or make a person mature in the experience of loving. Who we are now tells us how we have reacted or responded to many of life’s difficulties. Many have declared themselves atheists, but are actually people with unanswered questions about faith, or has been too wounded to believe in a loving God.
And what is asked of us, Christians, is to see Jesus in our very own brokenness and the woundedness of others: “To fight and not to heed the wounds.” To say, as Thomas said centuries ago, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28) To affirm one’s faith.
Second, remembrance. Thomas’ movement from doubt to faith had to happen in the midst of a community of disciples. If Thomas only sought companionship in the Christian community instead of keeping his grief to himself, he would have seen Jesus the first time He appeared. The community or our own small group celebrates memories. Memories dispel doubts. Memories are palliatives to our grief. Community allows remembrance of friendships and the sharing of struggles. In remembrance, our faith is rekindled, our love blazes with passion, and our fellowship deepens when each of us affirms to each other, “We have seen the Lord!” (Jn 20:25) in our own lives. That is why our Church is a
Finally, surrender. Just as Jesus taught Peter to stretch out his hands to hope, He too asked Thomas to stretch out his hands and put it at his side to believe: “Do not be faithless but believe.” And when Thomas did believe, his surrender was complete. Jesus then challenged him, not just to see with the eyes of sight, but with eyes of faith.
Let me end with a story about grief, remembrance and surrender.
Bishop Chito Tagle tells us of his encounter with an old woman who used to be a prostitute. In a sharing during the graduation ceremonies of the rehabilitation run by nuns, she began by saying, “I started as a prostitute but when I started aging, I shifted careers. I became a recruiter of prostitutes. I become prosperous. I was able to set up prostitution houses.” And then she said, “I don’t know why I had to meet that nun.” It was an ordinary event, an ordinary meeting. She paused and started crying. For the longest time, she was crying and then she said, “This evening I’m leaving for
That old woman began as a wounded, broken and grief-stricken prostitute. Her community at the rehabilitation center had helped her in her wounds. And now, with the call of Christ, she surrenders to his will. She would use her very brokenness to give new hope to countless prostitutes whom she will recruit in General Santos to this new school and this new life. We, like that old woman, are given the responsibility to teach heaven because in our grief we have yearned for it; in our memories, we know deep in our hearts what it is; and in our surrender, we know Who it is.
And if this is of great consolation for all of us tasked to teach heaven, I quote CS Lewis in his book, “The Problem of Pain”: “There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven, but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have desired anything else.”[1]
[1] CS Lewis, The Problem of Pain [N.Y.: Macmillian, 1944), p. 133.
Lester's Thanksgiving Mass Homily
19 April 2006. Wednesday of the Easter Octave
Luke 24, 13-35 The Road to Emmaus
Note: This is the homily I gave at the Thanksgiving Mass of Fr. Lester Maramara SJ, a newly ordained priest and close friend at Xavier University Main Chapel, Cagayan de Oro City. Both Lester and I have been assigned to Xavier University.
The Gospel is one of the most beautiful Resurrection stories: the story of two disciples making their way from
First, restrained from recognition. It is at this stage that we are “restrained from recognizing Jesus” as the Gospel words it. On their way to Emmaus, the two disciples were discussing the events that happened in
Second, remembrance. Stories have power: they make us remember. On their way to Emmaus, Jesus retells the stories of Moses and the prophets, interpreting the scripture which referred to Him. During the Easter Vigil, the liturgy of the word recalls the stories of how Yahweh saved his people with five or more readings from the Old Testament to the epistles of Paul in the New Testament. These readings help us make sense of the story of Jesus.
This mass is about gratitude for all of Lester’s significant stories that led him to the priesthood. I too have plenty of stories to tell about him. When we were here in
But it is not just his prayer life. It is also his personal disposition that made Lester endearing to me and many of us here celebrating with him. Lester’s joyful disposition and simplicity is contagious. And those who were unfortunate enough to fall in his charms fall flat on their faces --- and I tell you, I personally know some of them, both men and women. Lester is loveable, they said, because he is easily pleased by simple pleasures: fish, dogs, food, music, arts and the movies. He has exquisite musical taste. Moreover, Lester also likes stories, a voracious reader of fantasy books, from Harry Potter to the Lord of the Rings, and recently Eragon, the dragon. Furthermore, my story meets with Lester’s at many times. Albus Dumbledore in the book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, said, “Happiness is found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Lester is like that to me and to many others: like Jesus, he helps us remember the light, and then he makes us happy once again!
But this ability to shed light was witnessed by those who were formed by him. Years before ordination, Lester had been assigned in houses where young men were guided in their search for God’s call to them. It was in these houses that new stories were forged, and new persons were formed. He had been in the prenovitiate in Haggerty House here in Cagayan de Oro City, in Arvisu House in
Finally, recognition. Jesus used words --- stories --- to help the two disciples remember. But it was in a familiar gesture that they finally recognized him: at the breaking of the bread. You see, Jesus loves eating at table, whether in the house of Zacchaeus or Lazarus, whether at the wedding feast at Cana or sharing the Passover meal with his disciples in
I believe, the vocation of Lester to the priesthood had been enriched by table fellowship, just like Jesus. And some of these memories, I also cherished. Just as we have two friends, two disciples, both loving Jesus, my vocation, my priesthood and my Jesuit life have been enriched by my friendship with Fr. Lester. We remember the conversations with Fr. Mike Bernad about the history of the Society or of his students at table, the banter and corny jokes of Fr. Jorge Hofilena, Cal Poulin and Jim McKeough, the personal care of Fr. Balchand our rector, and the companionship of varied personalities of the Jesuit community of XU. We remember the places we frequent with friends especially from the high school or the young Jesuits of our age like Bro. Noel Cantago --- Bigby’s, Vienna Kaffee Haus, Bo’s and Taza Café. We remember Ms. Bombeo, the chair of the Christian Humanism department, who bought foodstuff for us while we travel to Bukidnon for the high school retreat: I would look at the label of the wrapper to know what I was about to eat, while Lester would put it in his mouth first, before asking what it was! Indeed, in friendship, at table, while eating, we recognized Christ.
But nothing beats the
Today, our hearts are grateful for the gift of Lester’s person and the Lord’s gift of the priesthood. As a priest, Lester will also accompany others in their Emmaus journey. And just as the Lord walked with him and with us at all times, even in our inability to recognize Him, we too pray for Lester, Buboy and Jonjee, newly ordained, that they may be able to recognize Christ in their new assignments and help others see Him too in their lives. Let me end with Mother Teresa of
Days of Absence
Dear Friends,
I will be away for two weeks. And so I blogged homilies which I already have. These articles will somehow keep you busy and interested while I am gone. Check each date and entry.
Please pray for me. I will be back on the 7th of April 2006.
Thank you very much for supporting this blog especially those who use this for prayer and reflection. I will remember all of you who read the articles.
Please click on the blog My Book Shelf to check on the sources of my homilies. It is under the Narrow Gate icon. Some books on my bookshelf have not been entered in the blog yet. My apologies.
Alin sa mga Mabubuting Gawa?
7 April 2006, Friday
John 10, 31-42
Note: I wrote this article for Simbahay, a Scripture Diary of St. Pauls Publications
"Maraming mabubuting gawa mula sa Ama ang itinuro ko sa inyo. Dahil sa alin sa mga ito at binabato n'yo ako."
PAGSASADIWA
Sa Piyesta ng Pagtatalaga sa
PAGSASABUHAY
1. Nakikita ba natin ang kamay ng Diyos sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay? O kaya'y nararamdaman ba natin ang Diyos bawat araw?
2. Madaling lumapit sa Diyos kapag tayo'y batbat ng paghihirap. Sa mga oras ng kasiyahan at biyaya, nakapagpapasalamat ba tayo sa kanya? Kung may utang na loob tayo sa ibang tao, may utang na loob ka rin ba sa Diyos?
3. Sa Piyesta ng Hannukah, pinagdiriwang ang muling itinalaga ni Judas Macabeo ang Templo sa
Hindi Ninyo Papansinin ang Kamatayan
6 April 2006, Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8, 51-59
Note: I wrote this article for Simbahay, the Scriptural Diary of St. Pauls Publications
"Talagang-talaga sinasabi ko sa inyo, kung may nagsasakatuparan ng aking salita, hinding-hindi niya papansinin ang kamatayan magpakailanman."
PAGSASADIWA
Sa Ebanghelio ni Juan, paulit-ulit itong sinasabi ni Hesus: Ang sinumang sumampalataya sa Kanya ay magkakaroon ng buhay magpakailanman (Juan 3); ang sinumang nananalig sa Kanya ay nakatawid na mula sa kamatayan tungo sa buhay (Juan 5). Kaya sa lahat ng ginagawa, nais ng Diyos magbigay-buhay at ang pinaka-dakila nito ay ang Muling Pagkabuhay ni Kristo. Ito ang karanasan ng mga taong hindi pinapansin ang kamatayan: kapag nagkakasala, ito'y nagbabalik-loob sa Diyos; kapag nadapa, ito'y bumabangon muli; kapag nasaktan, ito'y nagpapatawad. Kahit ilang beses nagkasala, nadapa, nasaktan, patuloy nitong hindi pinapansin ang sugat, at muli itong umaasa.
PAGSASABUHAY
Balikan ang mga karanasan ng kamatayan: mga panahon ng kawalang-pag-asa, pagkadapa, labis na sama ng loob, etc. Ano ang mga binigay ng Diyos na dahilan o inspirasyon upang magkaroon ng lakas upang bumangon uli, magpatawad, at magpatuloy sa buhay?
Kung Mamalagi Kayo sa Aking Salita
5 April 2006 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8, 31-42
Note: I wrote this article for Simbahay, a Scriptural Diary published by St. Paul Publications.
"Kung mamamalagi kayo sa aking salita, totoong mga alagad ko kayo, at maiintindihan ninyo ang katotohanan, at palalayain kayo ng katotohanan."
PAGSASADIWA
May kasabihan tayo na kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga. Pinapakita natin sa ating mga gawa ang tunay nating pagkakilanlan. Sa ebanghelio, sinasabi ng mga Judio na ang kanilang ninuno ay si Abraham. Ngunit, sinabi ni Jesus na hindi ito nakikita sa kanilang mga gawa. Nakikita ang ating pinanggalingan kapag tayo'y nagkakasala. Inaalipin tayo ng kasalanan: habang tumatagal mahirap tayong lumaya dito, at paulit-ulit itong ginagawa. Halimbawa, kapag nalulong na sa droga, mahirap na itong lumaya.
At kung sino man ang nagnanais na lumaya sa pagka-aliping ito, kailangang mamalagi sa katotohanan, ang Salita ni Kristo. Halimbawa, ang unang hakbang sa pagbabangon ay ang pagtanggap sa sarili, pagharap sa sariling katotohanan. At ano ang katotohanan? Na tayo ay mga anak ng Diyos at hindi bagay sa ating pagkatao ang kasalanan.
PAGSASABUHAY
1. Ano ang mga bagay na umaalipin sa akin?
2. Ano ang mga katotohanan na hindi ko matanggap sa aking sarili? Bakit?
The Failure to Believe in Jesus
4 April 2006: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Numbers 21, 4-9; John 8, 21-30
As we have just heard from the Gospel of John, the cardinal sin and root of all sins is the failure to believe in Jesus. And therefore to be saved, one must believe in Jesus both in words and in action. However, experience has it that it is easy to believe in Jesus when we are at the highest and lowest points in our lives. At our highest and happiest moment, our hearts are suddenly filled with thanksgiving: for passing the entrance exams in UP, for getting high grades, for answering difficult questions correctly, for making it in the bar or board exams, for graduating, for finding a good job, for closing a deal, for winning in a contest, for winning a girl or boy’s affection, for having found a good friend. We gush with gratitude. We are filled with joy. We believe, “Yes, there is a God!” On the other hand, at our lowest and saddest moment, we cling to the Lord: when we fail exams, when we lose a job, when someone dies, when losing someone, when our hearts break, when our hopes are gashed to death, when rejected, when beset by problems, when victimized by calamities. We put all hopes in God. We cry out for mercy. We still believe, “Lord, please help me!” In both cases, we affirm God.
Believing becomes challenging and difficult not at those extreme experiences. Believing becomes difficult when in the middle of these two extremes. It is like the experience of the Israelites in the first reading. They are in a caravan trudging through the desert. The thrill of the escape from
Same thing with us. When we have forgotten all the graces the Lord has given and we have forgotten that the Lord has saved us in our lowest moments, and we cannot see anything on the horizon, when everything is sand, and we lose sight of where we are going, believing becomes all the more difficult. Often these are the experiences when one is in the 2nd and 3rd year in college: the excitement of passing UP has worn off, and graduation is far from being considered; when one has landed a job and is now just going through the regular times, and finding another job has not yet presented itself; when you are at the middle of your thesis and you do not know how it will end; trusting and having confidence in God and in oneself, often becomes difficult. At these times, you don’t feel excited; everything is “as usual”, “regular”, “fine”, “ganito pa rin”, “heto, what else is new”, “boring”, “walang kabuhay-buhay”, “colorless”, “loveless.” At these moments, we find ourselves complaining about this and that, and it is easy to see the faults of others, and then we, like the Israelites, blame God and others for our unexciting life.
Believing means remembering. There is a song that goes like this: “Do you remember the times of your life?” When I forget where I have come from and lose sight of where I am going, what thoughts and feelings rise up in me? How can I renew my sense of trust in God and confidence about my particular journey? Maybe as we spend Holy Week, let us begin to recount, rekindle, and remember God in the times of our lives.
Bakit Mo Kami Inilabas sa Ehipto?
April 2006, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Numbers 21, 4-9
Note: I wrote this article for Simbahay, a Scriptural Diary published by the St. Paul Publications.
"Bakit mo kami inilabas mula sa Ehipto para mamatay sa disyerto."
PAGSASADIWA
Nagpapatuloy ng paglalakbay ang mga Hebreo patungo sa lupang ipinangako. Walang tubig at tinapay, at sawang-sawa sa manna na ibinigay ng Diyos. Nawala na ang tuwa na galing sa pagligtas nila sa Ehipto, at ang nakikita lamang nila ay ang walang-hanggang buhangin ng disyerto.
PAGSASABUHAY
May mga panahon ba na nakakalimutan mo ang iyong pinanggalingan at di mo makita ang iyong patutunguhan? Ano ang mga naiisip at nararamdaman mo sa mga sandaling ito? Paano mo maibabalik o muling pag-alabin ang pagtitiwala sa Diyos sa iyong paglalakbay sa buhay?
Ang Babaeing Naki-apid
April 3, 2006: Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8, 1-11: Simbahay Articles
Note: Articles with a format like this is published in SIMBAHAY, a weekday diary of St. Pauls Publication. I am the author of these articles.
"Ang walang sala sa inyo ang unang bumato sa kanya."
PAGSASADIWA
Pinakita ng Ebanghelio ang magandang-loob at awa ni Hesus sa babaeng naki-apid. Ayon sa Deut 22, 23-24, binabato ang mga nakikiapid. Hinamon ni Hesus ang babae at ang mga nagbintang na isantabi muna ang tanong kung sino ang may sala o wala. At pumasok sa isang pananaw na ang batayan ng ating sarili at ng ating mga ugnayan ay ang awa ng Diyos. Kaya hindi hinatulan o isinumpa ni Hesus ang babae.
PAGSASABUHAY
Hindi tayo hinahatulan o isinusumpa ng Diyos dahil labis ang Kanyang pagmamahal sa atin. Ngunit kakabit ng pagpapatawad ay ang pangako ng pagbabago. Hinahangad ko ba ang tunay na pagbabago at pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos? Anu-ano ang mga kasalanan o nakasanayang gawain ang mahirap kong iwanan?
Ang Babaeing Naki-apid
April 3, 2006: Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8, 1-11: Simbahay Articles
Note: Articles with a format like this is published in SIMBAHAY, a weekday diary of St. Pauls Publication. I am the author of these articles.
"Ang walang sala sa inyo ang unang bumato sa kanya."
PAGSASADIWA
Pinakita ng Ebanghelio ang magandang-loob at awa ni Hesus sa babaeng naki-apid. Ayon sa Deut 22, 23-24, binabato ang mga nakikiapid. Hinamon ni Hesus ang babae at ang mga nagbintang na isantabi muna ang tanong kung sino ang may sala o wala. At pumasok sa isang pananaw na ang batayan ng ating sarili at ng ating mga ugnayan ay ang awa ng Diyos. Kaya hindi hinatulan o isinumpa ni Hesus ang babae.
PAGSASABUHAY
Hindi tayo hinahatulan o isinusumpa ng Diyos dahil labis ang Kanyang pagmamahal sa atin. Ngunit kakabit ng pagpapatawad ay ang pangako ng pagbabago. Hinahangad ko ba ang tunay na pagbabago at pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos? Anu-ano ang mga kasalanan o nakasanayang gawain ang mahirap kong iwanan?
Homily 2: Unless the Grain of Wheat Dies
2 April 2006: Fifth Sunday of Lent
John 12, 24-26
Homily No. 2 (Note: The previous post is an alternative)
There are certain things which are lost by being kept and saved by being used. The essence of life is in risking life and spending life, not in saving it and hoarding it.
- Book by “What makes you Filipino”: when the new sofa is covered with plastic.
- When newly-acquired equipment such as the LCD projector is kept displayed at the Audio-Visual Room, and hardly used because of very strict rules. Some appliances are mostly underutilized.
- Talents that we possess: if we use it, talents develop into something greater. If not used, the person loses it in the end.
- Heroes, saints and martyrs: People, who risked their lives for our sake, have gained freedom and independence for us. St. Laurence (deacon) which we commemorate today.
- Love: How do I find true love? By doing it, as 1st
- St. Ignatius: Love ought to find expression more in deeds than in words.
- To put to action our lives, means to risk being hurt.
God gave us life to spend and not to keep. If we live carefully, always thinking first of our own profit, ease, comfort and security, if our sole aim is to make life as long and as trouble-free as possible, if we will make no effort except for ourselves, we are losing life all the time. But if we spend life for others, if we --- like the seed that dies --- forget health and time and wealth and comfort in our desire to do something for Jesus and for the men and women for whom Jesus died, we are winning life all the time.
It is indeed a very difficult dilemma for many people, especially parents who protect their children all the time. If a son or daughter asks permission to volunteer to help poor people in a barrio, would you give permission? On one hand, we are saved from anxiety by keeping them in our house, but on the other hand, we have lost the opportunity to help them learn the value of volunteer work, of caring for the poor. On one hand, parents claim it is to protect them from danger, but on the other hand, losses the opportunity to help their children risk their lives for others, and protect themselves from the more dangerous thing in life --- saving and hoarding life. It is no wonder when volunteer programs such as our Pahinungod, suddenly die.
The very essence of life is in risking life and spending life, not in saving it and hoarding it. True, it is the way to weariness, of exhaustion, of giving to the uttermost ---- but it is better any day to burn like a candle in the dark, than to rust like a metal chair in the stockroom without use.
Homily 1: Unless the Grain of Wheat Dies
2 April 2006: Fifth Sunday of Lent
John 12, 23-26: Unless the Grain of Wheat Dies
Alternative 1
I. On Death: Gospel: unless the grain of wheat dies = produces much fruit.
DYING – that produces life.
A. Death always has been and always will be with us. It is an integral part of human existence. Kubler-Ross: “The key to the question of death unlocks the door of life.”
B. This truth is glaring only if we open our eyes: to awake to all dimensions of life.
In fact, we teach it, not tragically, we are not so aware of this reality.
- Biology: all divisions pave the way for new growth: a flower then is a product of death.
- History: our present civilization is an off shoot of ancient centuries.
- Literature: Thomas Mann said: without death there would scarely have been poets on earth. The 1st epic, The Babylonian Gilgamesh and
The 1st known lyric poem, by Sappho was about death
- Music: The songs of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Verdi, Mahler have death as a theme.
- Relationships: the fear of the death of the friendship, of love both inspires us and determines our attitude towards life, and towards our love ones.
--the depth and authenticity of our friendship tested by the numerous “deaths” we have shared and endeavored.
--the depth and genuineness of love and determined by our selfless sacrifices for our loved ones.
--if one dies, we produce much fruit: growth and development—whether physically, continually, emotionally, socially—is made possible by death.
--- our heartaches, that is experienced like dying, has given us a bigger hearts. All heart pains expands our hearts; it has more room for more loves.
II. Commitment: to die in order to produce much fruit: we die for a higher value that giving meaning.
A. Story Pig and Chicken
B. My story of HS teachers: we forget the content of what our teachers taught, but we remember:
a. who sacrificed much in how they teach: we know who among them prepared their lessons well.
b. who struggled with us in school, spent time beyond school time.
c. taught by example, their values.
C. The best teachers are those who died for us—not “donated the chickens who taught out of mere work.
D. Dec. 27, Science Oriented High School, Aquinas University, Legazpi City-
III. Prayers: reflect on one’s death: then you will know what good thing you should do now, lest you die alone and meaningless.
(viewed as catastrophic, as distinctive, as constructive, creative elements of culture and life.)
Relenting our Punishments
30 March 2006: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Ex 32: 7-14
In the first reading from the Exodus, Moses is the intercessor of
In the Gospel, Jesus is our intercessor; stepping on our defense that we are more important that Sabbath laws. The call of human suffering is more important than following stiff structures. Jesus defends us, despite our sinfulness.
In life, we have experienced such mediation. The mother protects her children from the anger of their father; or the father protects his children from the possible judgment of others. We also have experienced friends coming to our aid, protecting us from possible bullying of others. We have experienced being mediators and intercessors.
In all episodes, in the Old and the New Testament, we have seen God’s love: despite his anger towards us, or his resentment because of our unfaithfulness, the Lord has relented in punishing us. In fact, he does not.
We too are called to relent and not to pursue seeking revenge or letting out our wrath on others, not just our enemies, but those our loved ones. In fact, most of us get more angry and hurt by people whom we love because they are closer to our hearts than anyone else. We are called to step back a little, because our burst of anger at people whom we love, do not yield a good result. Often, when we realized that we have committed a grave mistake, it is already too late --- the persons whom we loved, who have been hurt by our malicious comments and outbursts, have already decided to break away from us.
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