tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184879562024-03-07T13:17:36.361+08:00Faith of a CenturionHomilies for Risk-TakersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-87349230843032251152014-02-18T19:17:00.000+08:002014-02-18T19:17:15.739+08:00Bless the Lord by Giving Thanks!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">Fr. Jboy
Gonzales SJ</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">Ateneo
High School’s Thanksgiving Mass<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">18
February 2014<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">The
point of the mass today is to bless the Lord, by giving thanks. Let me first
tell you a story:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">One afternoon a
college student felt the need for a coffee break, so she went to Starbucks
Katipunan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bought herself a
little bag of cookies and put them in her bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then got in line for coffee, found a place to sit at one
of the crowded long tables facing the glass window, and then taking the lid off
her coffee and bringing out a magazine she began to sip her coffee. Beside her
a man sat reading a newspaper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">After a minute or two
she reached out and took a cookie. As she did, the man beside her reached out and
took one too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This put her off,
but she did not say anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">A few moments later
she took another cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
again the man did so too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she
was getting a bit upset, but still she did not say anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">After having a couple
of sips of coffee she once again took another cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So did the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was really upset by this - especially since now only one cookie was left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the man also realized that
only one cookie was left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">Before she could say
anything he took it, broke it in half, offered half to her, and proceeded to
eat the other half himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
he smiled at her and, putting the paper under his arm, rose and walked off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">Was she steamed! She
was so angry! Her coffee break ruined, already thinking ahead of how she would
tell this offense to her family, she folded her magazine, opened her bag, and
there discovered her own unopened bag of cookies!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">I like this
story because it reminds us how well God has treated us, even if we have not
treated Him well, or even if we harbor bad feelings towards Him especially when
we blame Him for all the disappointments, frustrations and the problems we are
undergoing, whether in the family or in school. The story also makes me think
how we can be so unappreciative of him, or act as if all that we have comes
from ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">A
passage from Deuteronomy (8:7-18) tells us about what Moses wanted to remind
the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: white;">Do not say to yourself, "MY power and the might of MY own hand
have gotten ME this wealth!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get
wealth, so that He may confirm his covenant that He swore to your ancestors,
and as He is swearing to you today."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">I
believe this is the reason why we have a school-wide mass in thanksgiving to
the Lord today. I remembered what Mr. Gabby Mallillin, our principal, said to
me last school year as we prepare to calendar our school-wide masses. This is
the change: Our mass for our social institutions was moved earlier to January,
and February, our last school wide mass is now dedicated in thanksgiving. As
the Gospel tells us today, this mass is in the spirit of the sole leper who
returned to Jesus to give thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">Why this
mass? Because we are acknowledging the Giver, the one who gifted us with what
we already have, what we are having, and what we will have in the future. It is
a tendency for many of us to think what Moses feared the Israelites would
think: that whatever achievements, successes, and insights we acquired this
year has been from OUR OWN HANDS! No, it is not from ourselves! We would like
to avoid being like the 9 other lepers who were healed, but never returned to
the Lord to give thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">How do
you know that you are turning into the nine unappreciative lepers? When you
think you are sufficient enough; when you think you are far better than the
rest of the batch; when you think that you do not need to consult others
because you are greater. But look again, you do not win all contests, you do
not have all the class banners, you do not have all the talents others have,
when you think the bag of cookies you have comes you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">St.
Ignatius said that the deadliest sin, he said, is ingratitude. It is “the
cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins.” The idea that we sin
because we’re not sufficiently aware of God’s goodness, in ourselves and in
others, probably wouldn’t occur to too many people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">If I were to ask you now: “If you
could be granted one wish that will come true right now – what would that be?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">I asked this question once to a
group of high school students. One of them said, “I have been envious of
others, but I wish the Lord will grant me the ability to appreciate all that I
have right now!” When we thank the Lord for what He was given us – in fact all
of what we have, including being here in Ateneo HS – we sanctify or make holy everything
we have. Just like the gift you have given to your crush or to your girlfriend
on Valentines Day, you want them to remember you when they see your gift. And
thus, loving you MORE! Love becomes better when we remember our beloved often,
all the time! The same thing with God: when we see our gifts, we are invited to
remember God who gave it to us!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">David Yuhico composed our communion
song today. The chorus says: “You are the one, who showed my way, who cast the
shadows away, You took my hand and light flooded in; when I’m with you, I find
my way.” This to me is what gratitude is: We thank the Lord for showing us the
way, who casts all the shadows away, so that we may find OUR way!” (Thank you
David!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">What would happen if all of us here
today become more appreciative and thankful? It is beautiful to watch the faces
of people when we acknowledge them. They radiate; they light up! Suddenly, we
feel 100% better about them, about ourselves, and the world becomes a better
place!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">So let us say 'thank you' to our classmates, our teachers and parents. Greet the person next to you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: white;">And so if you find yourself with a
bag of cookies, even if the bag of cookies is truly yours, an Atenean is
trained to share it: not just because of the possibility that it belongs to the
person next to you, but even if you bought it, it is God’s gift – yes it is
yours, and also NOT yours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-17543289762813506032014-02-18T16:37:00.001+08:002014-02-18T19:18:07.043+08:00Paanong Magbigay ng Halimbawa sa mga Bata<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/N9o7a_tO2PQ" width="480"></iframe><br />
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A good story on giving examples for values to be embedded in the life of our children. Hope you like this episode.<br />
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Paano ba magpakita ng mabuting halimbawa sa ating mga kabataan – o kahit sa hindi na<br />
kasing bata? Meron po akong kuwento. Pinagmamasdan ng Tatang Alimango si<br />
Pedrito, isang batang alimango na naglalakad sa tabing-dagat. Naglalakad si<br />
Pedrito nang patagilid, gamit ang kanyang mga maliliit na paa.</div>
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Pinagtawanan ni Tatang Alimango ang paglalakad na ito ni Pedrito. Wika Tatang, “Saan ka ba<br />
pupunta?” “Doon po sa maraming bato kung saan nandoon ang aking mga kapatid,”<br />
tugon ni Pedrito. Sabi ng matandang alimango, “Paano ka makakapunta doon kung<br />
patagilid ang iyong paglalakad? Dapat tuwid at diretso upang makarating ka sa<br />
iyong paroroonan!” Walang magawa si Pedrito, iyon lang ang paraan ng paglalakad<br />
na alam niya. Kaya, hinayaan na lamang nito ang tawa ng matandang alimango.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Pagkaalis ni Pedrito, </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">umahon si Tatang at naglakad nang patagilid! Mga kapamilya, kung nais nating </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">maisabuhay ng mga bata ang ating mga tinuturong mabubuting asal, kailangan din</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
nilang makita itong ginagawa sa ating buhay. Pagdasal natin na ang namumutawi<br />
sa ating bibig ang siya ring nakikita sa ating gawain. </span><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-47604779978196398812014-01-29T23:08:00.001+08:002014-02-18T19:19:20.264+08:00Para sa Trolls at Haters<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XfTdivGripA" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Do you have trolls and haters? I have. A lot! Here's how to deal with them: be like the grapes. :D Please forward to your haters, and then block them. :D<br />
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Here's the script of my episode.<br />
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May mga naninirang-puri ba sa iyo? Sa social media, tinatawag natin silang trolls or haters. Ano ang maaaring gawin sa mga walang magawa kundi siraan ang buhay nang may buhay? Meron akong kuwento. May isang alamid na nagawi sa isang ubasan. Nakita niyang hitik sa hinog na bunga ang mga sanga nito.</div>
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Lumapit siya sa mga puno ng ubas at sinubukang abutin ang mga bunga. Ngunit kahit anong<br />
gawin niya, hindi niya maabot ang matatamis na ubas. Napagod siya sa katagalan. Kaya lalung tumindi ang kanyang gutom. Wala siyang makuhang ubas. Kaya sabi niya sa mga ubas, “Bakit ko kayo paggugugulan ng panahon, ang aasim niyo naman!” Ngunit kahit anong sabihin ng alamid, nanatiling hitik at siksik sa tamis ang mga ubas.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Sa katotohanan, ang pag-uugali </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">ng alamid ang tunay na umasim. Mga kapamilya, tandaan: Laging may kokontra sa </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">atin anuman ang gawin natin. Kahit ang Santo Papa natin o mismong si Kristo ay </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">hindi ligtas sa mga haters, tayo pa kaya? Huwag natin silang hayaang sirain ang</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
mabuti nating ginagawa. Ipagdasal nating lalung lumago at tumamis ang ating magagandang bungang nakaugat sa Diyos. </span><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-38585947831013371152014-01-12T22:03:00.001+08:002014-01-12T22:03:11.337+08:00Masarap ang Buhay, kapag Maayos ang Bahay<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IiQCfeHilDs" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Panahon ng paglilinis at pag-aayos ang unang buwan ng bagong taon. Nabuksan na ang mga regalo ng nakaraang Pasko at nadagdagan na muli ang ating mga gamit. May bagong damit o sapatos. May bagong kagamitan sa bahay. Dahil dito, may mga bagay-bagay na hindi na natin kailangan at dumadagdag lamang ito sa mga nakakagulo sa ating puso’t isipan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sinasabi ng mga nakatatanda na ang pag-aayos ng bagay-bagay ay nakakatulong sa pag-aayos ng ating buhay. Maraming sakit ang nangagaling sa alikabok. Iwas-sakit ang tahanang maaliwalas. May epekto ang ating kapaligiran sa ating pag-iisip. Magulo ang ating isipan kapag magulo din ang ating tirahan. Masarap ang buhay kapag maayos ang bahay.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nakakatulong sa pagpapalago ng ating buhay espirituwal ang paglilinis. Kapag nasusuri natin ang mga gamit na hindi na natin kailangan, maaari natin itong ibigay sa mga makakagamit nito. Sa gayon natututo ang ating diwa na maging mapagbigay at maging maalalahanin. Sa ating mga panalangin, magpasalamat sa Panginoon sa bagong pagkakataong ito, na maayos natin muli ang ating buhay. Magandang umaga po.</span><!--EndFragment--> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-45819680414024326682013-11-03T13:13:00.001+08:002013-11-03T13:13:57.130+08:00The Perspective of Zacchaeus<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3 November 2013: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDNdywjwVHIbtfF4eRcG-mgOT7CadqZfoDXjDrFm3qNqhxRG9AdLjpjLab3vUGLTmDDiRlh3C_n6QoQ4YqUoanRDQebU5_r4Tx2tmyp6Zcyj24eYxx5Pjn1qwRq4HWjpA9AFA/s1600/CSC_1277bago.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDNdywjwVHIbtfF4eRcG-mgOT7CadqZfoDXjDrFm3qNqhxRG9AdLjpjLab3vUGLTmDDiRlh3C_n6QoQ4YqUoanRDQebU5_r4Tx2tmyp6Zcyj24eYxx5Pjn1qwRq4HWjpA9AFA/s320/CSC_1277bago.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Bok Pioquid, Ateneo High School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Wisdom 11:22-12:2; Psalm 145; Thess 1:11-2:2; Luke 19:1-10</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For this Sunday’s reflection, may I suggest that we take the position of Zacchaeus in the Gospel today? By identifying with Zacchaeus, we will find ourselves desiring to see Jesus personally, not just hearing about Him. And if that desire grows in us, we will eventually find ourselves climbing our sycamore trees in order to see Him among the crowd.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Zacchaeus climbed the tree to gain a perspective. Sometimes when we are “in the crowd” our vision is limited: we will not be able to see where we’re going or whom we are following. In a profound way, we need to see the world in another angle. We use the phrase, “to see the bigger picture” but that phrase is not enough because it lacks an important element found in the Gospel today: Who do you want to see? Here, Zacchaeus was clear: He wanted to see by his very own eyes Jesus whom people have been talking about.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Jesuits use a slogan: “Finding God in all Things.” This phrase is indeed an attitude of seeing things in the perspective of Zacchaeus: to encounter Jesus personally in the maddening crowd. A recent document of the Society of Jesus adds: “To find divine life at the depths of reality is a mission of hope” (General Congregation 35, Decree 2). It says that we have to “trace the footprints of God everywhere” since we believe that God is in all places, situations, activities, events, and in every nook and cranny of the world. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom affirms this: “You spare all things, O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!” (Wisdom 11:26-12:1) And therefore, if we are able to see God in all these, we are living out a culture of hope. We are proclaiming to the world that in the road of death, we can still see the footprints of God!</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Zacchaeus would eventually make a 360-degree turn when Jesus looks up to him and calls him by name. And what would make it more personal than to invite Himself to his house? Someone who has the audacity to invite himself to another is the friend of the unsuspecting host! It is like saying, “Why don’t you treat me to lunch!” You don’t say this to your boss or to a total stranger! And that was what Jesus was declaring: I am a friend of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, the one all of you regard as a sinner!</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This attitude of Jesus puts many moral police of today to shame! Pope Francis said that what the world needs today are shepherds, those who would accompany the flock in their journey home. He would also encourage all --- not just priests --- to go out to the flock and not wait for them to come!</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If we take the position of Jesus, we can say that it was Jesus who “heard” about Zacchaeus (that’s why He knew his name!) and thus wanted to be with Zacchaeus once He reaches Jericho! He came for Zacchaeus and recognized him right away when he climbed the tree. Both Jesus and Zacchaeus have been searching for each other! And Zacchaeus made it easier for Jesus by placing himself at His very route.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The young of today are like Zacchaeus --- just like us. They are also searchers. In the midst of the rapid change of technology, the availability of information, the many distractions that abound, they are in need of finding the ‘divine life’ in the very depths of the times. Among the piles of information, which among them is true and meaningful? In the changing world, what are the things that are forever? Among all digital friends, who among them are my real friends? When we look for meaning, purpose and direction, we are discerning Jesus among the crowd!</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We are therefore missioned to accompany the young, and many others, as shepherds led by the Shepherd. To be with them in their journey means that we are physically present, caring and calling them by name! People need to encounter us, not just virtually but most importantly, face-to-face. The present generation loath to be one among the anonymous; we need to feel and taste that we belong concretely to someone and to Someone! And to do that, we should find ourselves in the sycamore trees among all the “Zacchaueses” of the world. Because, we too are one of them.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-49843358193428965262013-09-30T22:22:00.001+08:002013-09-30T22:22:52.845+08:00May Kapangyarihan ang Ating mga Salita<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IyxffHn2g28" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
Have you been inspired by kind words? Or destroyed by malicious talk? This might be of help.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-14010602925605682662013-07-09T17:46:00.001+08:002013-07-09T17:46:48.634+08:00Paanong Papalakihin ang Anak sa Buhay Pananampalataya<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XKxtNEjpBNc" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
How to Raise Faith-filled Kids. My episode of Kape't Pandasal, ABS CBN's Monday morning show. This was aired on 8 July 2013.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-57917478222799161322013-07-01T12:11:00.001+08:002013-07-01T12:11:59.848+08:00Respetuhin ang Karapatan ng Bawat Isa Kahit sa Internet<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vg_DYLp7ke4" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
How do we conduct ourselves on the internet? This video is about cyberbullying, but an emphasis on the more important value of respect for people even virtually. Please RT and Share. Thank you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-45888014259746288312013-06-10T11:47:00.000+08:002013-06-10T11:47:00.561+08:00Developing a Sense for the Other
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJiUY8YBujOmGz-GxQiE5N-kxcskqQJp7PwW_X6jYeY3qdkFXAxQ3mYWhxhS9ov1D5OiUT7SbDLNA8167DMdG-fwpCoXY8PNdL27sB3RniLL41cSw9I5_xGE9MEiH2uw14USY/s1600/BOK_3344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJiUY8YBujOmGz-GxQiE5N-kxcskqQJp7PwW_X6jYeY3qdkFXAxQ3mYWhxhS9ov1D5OiUT7SbDLNA8167DMdG-fwpCoXY8PNdL27sB3RniLL41cSw9I5_xGE9MEiH2uw14USY/s320/BOK_3344.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Bok Pioquid<br />Christian Service Involvement Program<br />Ateneo de Manila High School</td></tr>
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9 June 2013.
10<sup>th</sup> Sunday in Ordinary Time</div>
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1 Kings
17:17-24; Psalm 30; Galatians 1: 11-19; Luke 7:11-17</div>
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The story of
the widow of Nain is found only in the Gospel of Luke. And just like the
stories of Jesus who raised the dead to life, narratives such as this Sunday’s
Gospel amaze us. Luke proves to his Gentile audience that Jesus is indeed the
Savior. Who else can raise a person to life but God Himself? Restoring life
therefore proves that Jesus is indeed God; the taking and giving of life is
reserved to God alone. </div>
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The response
of the people declares who Jesus is: “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and
“God has visited His people” (Luke 7:16). Returning the son to the widow is a
sign of God’s action in Jesus and at the same time, the willingness of God to
intervene in our history. </div>
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Luke,
however, demonstrates that though Jesus is indeed a prophet like Elijah, He was
more than a prophet. In the first reading, Elijah intercedes for Yahweh in
restoring to life the son of the Zarepath widow. The Gospel, on the other hand,
tells us that Jesus used His own power to restore life. He said, “Young man, I
tell you get up!” (Luke 7:14).</div>
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But before
we get out of focus, Jesus need not perform miracles to prove Himself as the
Messiah or as the Son of God. Jesus performed miracles because He was “moved
with pity.” He raised the daughter of Jairus because he empathized with her
parents. He restored to life the young man, because he felt pity for his
mother. He raised Lazarus to life because He was a close friend of the family.
Mercy and compassion are life-giving gestures.</div>
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But the
varying degrees of death are striking if we compare the three incidents when
Jesus raised a person to life. The daughter of Jairus was still at her
deathbed. The son of the widow of Nain was about to be brought to the grave,
while Lazarus was in its 4<sup>th</sup> day in the tomb and was in a state of
decomposition.</div>
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It is said
that we die every day. It is said that our journey to our ultimate physical
death begins on the day of our birth. Physical growth is a product of numerous
cell divisions, a process when cells die and divide in order for it to give way
to more cells. Spiritual and emotional death also happens when we experience
pain, suffering, rejection, discouragement, and even emotional distance. We die
when we feel like being “divided” or “diminished” like the widow who has lost
both her husband and her son. And therefore the Lord can always restore us to
life at any stage of our “deaths.”</div>
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Psychology
tells us that all we have to do is to adapt to all our experiences and live
with it. However, our faith life invites us to surrender. In Filipino we call
it, “pagpapaubaya” o “pagpapasa-Dios.” We are called to entrust to the Lord all
our lives, both our positive and negative experiences. There are many human
experiences that encompass human control. Death is one. Only God can take and
restore life. Thus the response to the miracle was a confession of faith: A
prophet is amongst us! God has visited His people! No explanation needed; just
a gesture of adoration!</div>
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The good
thing is this: we ARE God’s children. We have in ourselves a life-giving power.
In more ways, we can be channels of God’s life-giving touch. We can be
life-enhancers. We can bring joy and ease to our surroundings; we can help,
listen, and share knowledge, burdens and sufferings with one another. We can
express our compassion through gestures of care and concern: akbay, kalabit,
yakap, halik, mano, beso, haplos, tapik, sandal sa balikat, akay, hawak-kamay,
atbp.</div>
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There is a
Jesuit slogan for this: it’s called <i>cura
personalis</i>, care for the entire person. And <i>cura personalis</i> entails a physical presence, a person who is
actually there. In Jesus’ miracles, He is physically present to those who
needed it: Jairus’ father, the widow and the sisters of Lazarus. </div>
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We celebrate
the 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the speech of Fr. Pedro Arrupe SJ to a group
of students from a Jesuit school in Valencia, Spain. He said that the mark of a
Jesuit-educated person is “being a man for others.” Today, we use the more
inclusive slogan, “persons for others.”</div>
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To be a
person-for-others means to be life-enhancers; to live that slogan personally
and concretely.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-90226322744539225922013-06-08T22:04:00.000+08:002013-06-08T22:05:07.734+08:00Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLu2VgUyd-Xo-Yf3JxXTKJIgFM7YoUHU2U1Go_1nQxikq3Xb4uUae5o_dtR_EnUKe2gM7Phcty3Lb9J_c-4BNcBwCo3L1LPP2S6ewMQ4aTHENwnE8hrAQ8YjFPw8yi32eO1ciw/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLu2VgUyd-Xo-Yf3JxXTKJIgFM7YoUHU2U1Go_1nQxikq3Xb4uUae5o_dtR_EnUKe2gM7Phcty3Lb9J_c-4BNcBwCo3L1LPP2S6ewMQ4aTHENwnE8hrAQ8YjFPw8yi32eO1ciw/s400/IMG_1218.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The statue of Mary at the St. Scholastica's Center of Spirituality, Tagaytay City, Philippines</td></tr>
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Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and tender Mother of all people, I consecrate myself to your Immaculate Heart, and recommend to you my family, my country, and the whole human race.<br />
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Please accept my consecration, dearest Mother, and use me as you wish, to accomplish your designs upon the world.<br />
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O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and earth, rule over me, and teach me how to allow the Heart of Jesus to rule and triumph in me and around me, as it has ruled and triumphed in you. Amen.<br />
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Hail Mary, full of grace...<br />
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(You may choose to pray the rosary especially today, Saturday, 8 June 2013.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-55000161515657203042013-06-04T12:16:00.001+08:002013-06-04T12:16:24.128+08:00Prayer for Administrators and ManagersBy <i>Fr. Raymond C. Baumhart, S.J.</i><div><i>Former President of Loyola University Chicago</i></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Blessed are You, Lord our God, Creator of all that exists.</div><div>Source of life and growth, of peace and joy, we bless</div><div>You for all Your sons and daughters.</div><div><br></div><div>The gift of administration is Yours, and You share it</div><div>In Your goodness with persons like us.</div><div><br></div><div>Please give us Your vision and wisdom to those engaged in government;</div><div>Good judgment and courage to supervisors;</div><div>Faith and a sense of justice to all who work as managers.</div><div><br></div><div>Help us to remember that You share with us the power to administer;</div><div>And that the work we do is Your work.</div><div>Give us the satisfaction and joy in the performance of this work.</div><div><br></div><div>Bless us always with your presence, Your insight, Your compassion.</div><div>Then we will recognize You anew, and praise You as You really are:</div><div>Master of all that we are and do, the mighty and revered God.</div><div><br></div><div>Blessed are You, Lord God, who share with us the gift of administration.</div><div><br></div><div>Amen.</div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ssKT4KgzYKCgQzQkLIMGl374NL93735OtQkV6xRSbW-5NCwXLE74HTtvYexYNN6p8xMVdhCVoNXRaMyV4bccY_G9n4Jt_01bISmE1Xl2jOT-SC9hTbpbTseagNlk-ZO5dNaW/s640/blogger-image--1821105365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ssKT4KgzYKCgQzQkLIMGl374NL93735OtQkV6xRSbW-5NCwXLE74HTtvYexYNN6p8xMVdhCVoNXRaMyV4bccY_G9n4Jt_01bISmE1Xl2jOT-SC9hTbpbTseagNlk-ZO5dNaW/s640/blogger-image--1821105365.jpg"></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Loyola Heights Quezon City14.643449 121.080838tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-16091151860276523742013-05-19T03:51:00.001+08:002013-05-19T14:19:27.354+08:00Breaking Fences<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnAzapSqy_lsY7mcoAmTlFf8vyA5Rci7MaW5sUpZSXnow2UHlDN0l_2UyV0FsRHlVZ-PjKHEyI8Nb7tZqU6pNBqnzwF9IOjctX9O68yjIlGhYQrs8rX1nBiy0ODmWO68usJmg/s640/blogger-image-1088503389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnAzapSqy_lsY7mcoAmTlFf8vyA5Rci7MaW5sUpZSXnow2UHlDN0l_2UyV0FsRHlVZ-PjKHEyI8Nb7tZqU6pNBqnzwF9IOjctX9O68yjIlGhYQrs8rX1nBiy0ODmWO68usJmg/s320/blogger-image-1088503389.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me praying in Spanish.</td></tr>
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<div>
19 May 2013. Solemnity of Pentecost</div>
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Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Cor 12:3-13; John 20:19-23</div>
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When I was missioned to the Kino Border Initiative at the US-Mexican border in 2011, I didn't know how to speak Spanish. I could glean a few words here and there, owing to the Spanish colonial history of the Philippines. But that's about it. Every day, I would pray the <i>Padre Nuestro</i> before breakfast at the <i>comedor</i>. Fr. Alfeo Nudas SJ, my Juniorate professor advised us, "If you are not sure, say it with confidence." And so I tried speaking in Spanish with great <i>confianza</i>, but I knew understanding was not just about speaking. "Communication," John P. Kotter said, "comes in both words and deeds, and the latter are the most powerful form." (Leading Change)<br />
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And so I tried communicating and understanding the plight of undocumented migrants, not just through words, but in deeds. It was <i>muy dificil</i>, however it became less and less difficult as the days progressed. In theater, actors before the play internalized their roles. Eventually, they became the character they played. This theater background of mine was a good starting point. Embracing and internalizing my responsibility, I began to open my heart to be transformed by them.</div>
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Eventually, cooking frijoles and tortillas, praying in Spanish, washing dishes and providing assistance to both migrants and volunteers, I gradually understood. Beneath both words and deeds that seemed disconnected, we come to gain a sense of oneness, a spirit that connects us all. The women who have been victims of violence and rape need not describe to me the gory details, or the men who had been separated from their families need not explain to me their experience for me to get it. I just understood deeply. Their plight had become mine.</div>
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I believe this is Pentecost. Our discovery of humanity's connective tissue is what we celebrate today. The disciples who have been disappointed gain new hope from renewed understanding. The barriers of division, brought about by a variety of languages, have collapsed. People from different places, began to understand the disciples who were speaking in tongues, their own tongues. No one was lost in translation. </div>
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We remember the Tower of Babel which was unfinished. There was division because they did not understand each other. They wanted to be like God so they thought they could reach God in the highest heavens. That was their folly. And so God's punishment was to scatter them throughout the world. This was the myth that explained our different tongues, and why union among nations had been elusive.</div>
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Pentecost then is the antithesis to the Tower of Babel. We need not build a tower to reach God. It was God's decision to come down to us and be one of us. We need not quarrel in disagreement, because the Holy Spirit that is given to us allows us to understand each other, both in words and in deeds.</div>
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And thus Pentecost celebrates communion. And people who are united in heart, mind and spirit, naturaliy becomes a church under one God-head, Jesus Christ.</div>
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This is therefore not the time to build fences. This is the right time for us to destroy them.</div>
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Globalization destroys physical divisions. The internet has broken boundaries. There are emerging global languages that would allow more people to understand each other better, beyond the division of creed, color and culture. Human categories of division such as nations and subdivisions are illusions. There are no superior races, we are all human beings, wrought from the same earth, loved by only one God.</div>
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And thus it is time. It is time to rethink what does it mean to be a parish. In the past, parishes were territorial. If one resides within the territory of the parish, then the parish priest can demand that all your faith and sacramental practices were spent within the parish. </div>
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But to assert authority today, as a feudal lord to his serfs, is not the way to go. Parishioners can now choose where they want to worship. Because modern transportation, roads and bridges have broken down boundaries. Twitter and facebook statuses and posts have popularized recommended churches with the right ingredients - short and substantial homilies, great music (which our brothers and sisters from different sects exploit to its maximum potential), and a warmer community. Today, we priests sell our wares, hoping people will buy them; before, when the next church requires a long travel by karitella, parishioners were stuck with whoever they got.</div>
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And thus on the Solemnity of Pentecost, we dream that wherever our parishioners go, they will always feel at home in whatever church they choose. In wherever part of the globe they visit, they will feel this oneness and unity. They will always get a good pastor who gives substantial inspiring homilies, good music that brings them to the lofitier ideals of meaning, purpose and division, and a warm welcoming community that embodies the one and only love of all, Jesus Christ. Is this the new Jerusalem?</div>
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After all, we all reflect on the same Scripture; we share the same stories of faith; and we are all united by one Love. Within our own differrent traditions, we Catholics are united by the Pope.</div>
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There is no reason for us then to build fences.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Loyola Heights Quezon City14.641089 121.081965tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-40176927812153657402013-05-13T22:51:00.001+08:002013-05-13T22:51:35.496+08:00The Time Has Come<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu02xiIAtWHKbPfG9bD_9616Ng8ItH-yPpYnmcAiQPb4smBfvkSnUYYTujYSugtX0K_RziSNnCV_tXDuJBcgJPEgVCu4tH0dgwKt351i7cDpJda5iEXOTEer1Jgs4zidz0ZbzE/s1600/Julius+Caesar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu02xiIAtWHKbPfG9bD_9616Ng8ItH-yPpYnmcAiQPb4smBfvkSnUYYTujYSugtX0K_RziSNnCV_tXDuJBcgJPEgVCu4tH0dgwKt351i7cDpJda5iEXOTEer1Jgs4zidz0ZbzE/s320/Julius+Caesar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julius Caesar at the banks of the Rubicon River</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue;">12 May 2013 The Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 47; Heb 9:24-28; Luke 24:46-53 </span><br />
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The Solemnity of Ascension of Jesus Christ is a celebration of the end of His earthly ministry. It is when Jesus know that the time has come for him to let go. It is the perfect time to trust his disciples that they too will be able to continue His mission on earth.<br />
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The time has come. Great decision-makers possess a sense of the ripeness of things. They know when the time has come, and it is this knowledge that drives the decisions they make.
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There is a river that passes modern Savignano, in Northern Italy called the Rubicon River. It is unimpressive today as it was during the time of Julius Caesar, when he stood on its northern bank in 49 BC. It is small to attract attention. With a little drought, the river dries up. To cross it is simple: there is a little bridge that would allow you to reach the other bank.<br />
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But during the time of Julius Caesar it was significant. The Rubicon divided Northern Italy. The Northern state was governed by Rome’s senate and the Emperor Pompey. Caesar controlled the other side, called the Cisalpine Gaul. Pompey was once Caear’s ally, but now he was his archrival. To bring an army to the other side would mean civil war. It was forbidden by the <i>Lex Cornelia Majestatis</i>, that a Roman general should lead an army out of his province to which he was assigned. But not to cross means to bring the whole nation into calamity. Rome was misgoverned. To remain on his side means to condone corruption.<br />
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According to the great historian Suetonius, Julius Caesar, after some thought, crossed the Rubicon River. Knowing that to cross he would have to conquer Rome or be killed, he called out, “Let us accept this as a sign from the gods, and follow where the beckon, in vengeance on our double-dealing enemies. Alea iacta est!” The die is cast!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8fNRjrmy3YFPNSls5JEboXKx8Pqc8sjO8ZckEQM_-Gy5lECrxcTBeRsj4SUYUxr5iT2yVzf5mYf9gvZ6oz5D8yNUZl1gjz7jEGoNJoR0hL2nqapl7Cn2xcIhkYTZkw1wi3PX/s1600/Alea+Iacta+Est.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8fNRjrmy3YFPNSls5JEboXKx8Pqc8sjO8ZckEQM_-Gy5lECrxcTBeRsj4SUYUxr5iT2yVzf5mYf9gvZ6oz5D8yNUZl1gjz7jEGoNJoR0hL2nqapl7Cn2xcIhkYTZkw1wi3PX/s1600/Alea+Iacta+Est.jpg" /></a></div>
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Julius Caesar’s audacity gave to the Roman state and to the Greco-Roman civilization, four more centuries of life in the West and six more in the East. He gave to the world a heritage that is greater than history. Until today, the influence of the Greco-Roman civilization is undeniable. It continues to educate us, inform our cultures and evaluate our governments. Crossing the Rubicon river was a great decision. Knowing when was the mark of Julius Caesar.<br />
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Like Jesus, great leaders knew when the time has come. Columbus would decide to take the risk to venture into the new world in 1492; Galileo would decide to rethink reality and the universe in 1633; Beethoven would decide to overcome deafness in 1802; Lincoln would emancipate slaves in 1862; Gandhi would decide to choose non-violent revolution in 1893; and John F. Kennedy would decide to let humankind leave the earth in 1961. Many great decision-makers know when it was time.<br />
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The same thing for us as we go out and vote tomorrow, 13 May 2013. We must know which candidates know when the time has come for them to let go and let others take their place. We must know which candidates possess the Rubicon factor, those who can decide in a moment of crisis, when to venture into the new global world, when to decide on the light of conscience in a world which tests our moral norms; when to decide to risk everything; and when to decide on the side of peace and hope.
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Our mothers do possess the Rubicon factor. My mom used to say, “I have gathered you, in order for me to let you go.” Motherhood is knowing when is the ripe time to gather her brood, and when is the perfect time to let them go. It is about knowing when to decide for their good, and when to let them decide for their own good. Motherhood is about great decision-making. We have seen decisions, when not done wisely and carefully, how it has affected their children, who in turn, because of their misdemeanour, affects others they encounter.<br />
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But the Solemnity of the Ascension has another point: it is during his Ascension that the Lord also promised his disciples the Holy Spirit. In other words, leadership is not just about knowing when is the time to entrust, but to also ensure that those entrusted are equipped to carry on the mission they are to perform.
Clearly understanding the weakness and challenges of his disciples, the Lord has promised them the gifts of the Holy Spirit that will allow them to preach the Gospel of the Lord as He preached them. By doing so, the Lord has made his disciples his witnesses, to represent Him in contemporary time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFESpoHo1cfpEwDpGfaIi34oxYtxTi72ArK9Uz-vQPIDU9UsqFJj3g1fop7lnEkpfP1wALZvmJXWyzb5La0oOXZ7yYTuXvpAwGUyCOyF_RF7NoRg3Uams7rKKdCaiDT27benw/s1600/Rubicon+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFESpoHo1cfpEwDpGfaIi34oxYtxTi72ArK9Uz-vQPIDU9UsqFJj3g1fop7lnEkpfP1wALZvmJXWyzb5La0oOXZ7yYTuXvpAwGUyCOyF_RF7NoRg3Uams7rKKdCaiDT27benw/s320/Rubicon+River.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rubicon River</td></tr>
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Therefore, all of us here today, as we live in the here and now, are called to be witnesses of the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness.
The Gospel of repentance includes a knowledge of the evils in our world, an acceptance that we too have been part of it, and a remorse that we have destroyed God’s goodness. For example, it is knowing that we are not yet free from the clutches of greed, as we’ve seen in the APECO scandal and the greed of the Angaras in Quezon Province. I have also witnessed the greed of Rudy Banico and the Crown Regency as they drive the Ati Community of Boracay from their ancestral domain. I am sure that you too have your own personal experiences of the ills of our nation.
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Therefore, we are now like Julius Caesar who contemplated to cross the little bridge of our own Rubicons. And we know it is now the time.<br />
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But unlike Julius Caesar, we have been given what we all need: the Holy Spirit. We can do it.<br />
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All we need to do is to do it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-88043831189758476542013-03-28T20:34:00.001+08:002013-03-28T20:34:08.373+08:00POPE to Priests: Go out to the Outskirts<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Homily of Pope Francis</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">St. Peter's Basilica</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">28 March 2013</span><br />
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Dear Brothers and Sisters, This morning I have the joy of celebrating my first Chrism Mass as the Bishop of Rome. I greet all of you with affection, especially you, dear priests, who, like myself, today recall the day of your ordination.<br />
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The readings of our Mass speak of God’s “anointed ones”: the suffering Servant of Isaiah, King David and Jesus our Lord. All three have this in common: the anointing that they receive is meant in turn to anoint God’s faithful people, whose servants they are; they are anointed for the poor, for prisoners, for the oppressed… A fine image of this “being for” others can be found in the Psalm: “It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down upon the collar of his robe” (Ps 133:2). The image of spreading oil, flowing down from the beard of Aaron upon the collar of his sacred robe, is an image of the priestly anointing which, through Christ, the Anointed One, reaches the ends of the earth, represented by the robe.<br />
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The sacred robes of the High Priest are rich in symbolism. One such symbol is that the names of the children of Israel were engraved on the onyx stones mounted on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, the ancestor of our present-day chasuble: six on the stone of the right shoulder-piece and six on that of the left (cf. Ex 28:6-14). The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were also engraved on the breastplate (cf. Es 28:21). This means that the priest celebrates by carrying on his shoulders the people entrusted to his care and bearing their names written in his heart. When we put on our simple chasuble, it might well make us feel, upon our shoulders and in our hearts, the burdens and the faces of our faithful people, our saints and martyrs of whom there are many in these times…<br />
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From the beauty of all these liturgical things, which is not so much about trappings and fine fabrics than about the glory of our God resplendent in his people, alive and strengthened, we turn to a consideration of activity, action. The precious oil which anoints the head of Aaron does more than simply lend fragrance to his person; it overflows down to “the edges”. The Lord will say this clearly: his anointing is meant for the poor, prisoners and the sick, for those who are sorrowing and alone. The ointment is not intended just to make us fragrant, much less to be kept in a jar, for then it would become rancid … and the heart bitter.<br />
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A good priest can be recognized by the way his people are anointed. This is a clear test. When our people are anointed with the oil of gladness, it is obvious: for example, when they leave Mass looking as if they have heard good news. Our people like to hear the Gospel preached with “unction”, they like it when the Gospel we preach touches their daily lives, when it runs down like the oil of Aaron to the edges of reality, when it brings light to moments of extreme darkness, to the “outskirts” where people of faith are most exposed to the onslaught of those who want to tear down their faith. People thank us because they feel that we have prayed over the realities of their everyday lives, their troubles, their joys, their burdens and their hopes. And when they feel that the fragrance of the Anointed One, of Christ, has come to them through us, they feel encouraged to entrust to us everything they want to bring before the Lord: “Pray for me, Father, because I have this problem”, “Bless me”, “Pray for me” – these words are the sign that the anointing has flowed down to the edges of the robe, for it has turned into prayer. The prayers of the people of God. When we have this relationship with God and with his people, and grace passes through us, then we are priests, mediators between God and men. What I want to emphasize is that we need constantly to stir up God’s grace and perceive in every request, even those requests that are inconvenient and at times purely material or downright banal – but only apparently so – the desire of our people to be anointed with fragrant oil, since they know that we have it. To perceive and to sense, even as the Lord sensed the hope-filled anguish of the woman suffering from hemorrhages when she touched the hem of his garment. At that moment, Jesus, surrounded by people on every side, embodies all the beauty of Aaron vested in priestly raiment, with the oil running down upon his robes. It is a hidden beauty, one which shines forth only for those faith-filled eyes of the woman troubled with an issue of blood. But not even the disciples – future priests – see or understand: on the “existential outskirts”, they see only what is on the surface: the crowd pressing in on Jesus from all sides (cf. Lk 8:42). The Lord, on the other hand, feels the power of the divine anointing which runs down to the edge of his cloak.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90caoIIP9zwUs6Fi8-NwA4r7jdTgwSJBcVrU3KoopA6kJw_go2qsP8tiqoYk0xw4aP3Cf6CiB9gtUEIL15LDGxMXTao2iWhmhNYnMV6JvuuxP99NH2cH_OL18TUTH-S1ShucK/s1600/Pope+Francis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90caoIIP9zwUs6Fi8-NwA4r7jdTgwSJBcVrU3KoopA6kJw_go2qsP8tiqoYk0xw4aP3Cf6CiB9gtUEIL15LDGxMXTao2iWhmhNYnMV6JvuuxP99NH2cH_OL18TUTH-S1ShucK/s1600/Pope+Francis.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We need to “go out,” then, in order to experience our own anointing, its power and its redemptive efficacy: to the “outskirts” where there is suffering, bloodshed, blindness that longs for sight, and prisoners in thrall to many evil masters. It is not in soul-searching or constant introspection that we encounter the Lord: self-help courses can be useful in life, but to live by going from one course to another, from one method to another, leads us to become pelagians and to minimize the power of grace, which comes alive and flourishes to the extent that we, in faith, go out and give ourselves and the Gospel to others, giving what little ointment we have to those who have nothing, nothing at all.
A priest who seldom goes out of himself, who anoints little – I won’t say “not at all” because, thank God, our people take our oil from us anyway – misses out on the best of our people, on what can stir the depths of his priestly heart. Those who do not go out of themselves, instead of being mediators, gradually become intermediaries, managers. We know the difference: the intermediary, the manager, “has already received his reward”, and since he doesn’t put his own skin and his own heart on the line, he never hears a warm, heartfelt word of thanks. This is precisely the reason why some priests grow dissatisfied, become sad priests, lose heart and become in some sense collectors of antiques or novelties – instead of being shepherds living with “the smell of the sheep”, shepherds in the midst of their flock, fishers of men. True enough, the so-called crisis of priestly identity threatens us all and adds to the broader cultural crisis; but if we can resist its onslaught, we will be able to put out in the name of the Lord and cast our nets. It is not a bad thing that reality itself forces us to “put out into the deep”, where what we are by grace is clearly seen as pure grace, out into the deep of the contemporary world, where the only thing that counts is “unction” – not function – and the nets which overflow with fish are those cast solely in the name of the One in whom we have put our trust: Jesus.<br />
<br />
Dear lay faithful, be close to your priests with affection and with your prayers, that they may always be shepherds according to God’s heart.<br />
<br />
Dear priests, may God the Father renew in us the Spirit of holiness with whom we have been anointed. May he renew his Spirit in our hearts, that this anointing may spread to everyone, even to those “outskirts” where our faithful people most look for it and most appreciate it. May our people sense that we are the Lord’s disciples; may they feel that their names are written upon our priestly vestments and that we seek no other identity; and may they receive through our words and deeds the oil of gladness which Jesus, the Anointed One, came to bring us. Amen.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-79755646770046917782013-03-14T22:13:00.001+08:002013-03-14T22:13:28.137+08:00Statement of the Superior General of the Jesuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuKp-NnFTapXAZmt8INtL6OV9y29JZHPslQuddPp3xU14kwNsgn65IE6SF_cvVFxDnkJrCGdxzA55RQ6yvG63NYrCY9X0Uiu-mybYPicYccNz8IcZY0BhbkPM2qsitEkFuLNq/s1600/pope+francis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuKp-NnFTapXAZmt8INtL6OV9y29JZHPslQuddPp3xU14kwNsgn65IE6SF_cvVFxDnkJrCGdxzA55RQ6yvG63NYrCY9X0Uiu-mybYPicYccNz8IcZY0BhbkPM2qsitEkFuLNq/s1600/pope+francis.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">In the name of the Society of Jesus, I give thanks to God for the election of our new Pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., which opens for the Church a path full of hope.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">All of us Jesuits accompany with our prayers our brother and we thank him for his generosity in accepting the responsibility of guiding the Church at this crucial</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> time. The name of "Francis" by which we shall now know him evokes for us the Holy Father's evangelical spirit of closeness to the poor, his identification with simple people, and his commitment to the renewal of the Church. From the very first moment in which he appeared before the people of God, he gave visible witness to his simplicity, his humility, his pastoral experience and his spiritual depth.<br /><br />"The distinguishing mark of our Society is that it is . . . a companionship . . . bound to the Roman Pontiff by a special bond of love and service." (Complementary Norms, No. 2, § 2) Thus, we share the joy of the whole Church, and at the same time, wish to express our renewed availability to be sent into the vineyard of the Lord, according to the spirit of our special vow of obedience, that so distinctively unites us with the Holy Father (General Congregation 35, Decree 1, No. 17).<br /><br />P. Adolfo Nicolás S.J.<br />Superior General<br />Rome, 14 March 2013</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h8_M7-2j0Iw7cRKBw9n-eWdq57PboQbiAu48DHUFKg-BJZfY5AewQI7GCJC_7VLetbZGLWlwqwQpx-jmJY7iJA3get-TZrg0rCHmeSWwS6l37TuEdUSPVSd9zM2tdPVMLMUr/s1600/nicolas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h8_M7-2j0Iw7cRKBw9n-eWdq57PboQbiAu48DHUFKg-BJZfY5AewQI7GCJC_7VLetbZGLWlwqwQpx-jmJY7iJA3get-TZrg0rCHmeSWwS6l37TuEdUSPVSd9zM2tdPVMLMUr/s1600/nicolas.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-56366879834784995832013-01-28T16:09:00.000+08:002013-01-28T16:12:29.412+08:00How Can We Grow in Faith and Friendship<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-7khu5uEM1Jw5BjtVk_V3qcjRDD4_hsvjgSt2pGgKFEA5ZzdIkNt-XuV81xbS5GG9jNbPpkggxzjsa4M_VW4zNWuBzxa5bJ3gJYd6Lr5RHBF7N5c-KJzRF_P1Etl39HNWFkT/s1600/P1120553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-7khu5uEM1Jw5BjtVk_V3qcjRDD4_hsvjgSt2pGgKFEA5ZzdIkNt-XuV81xbS5GG9jNbPpkggxzjsa4M_VW4zNWuBzxa5bJ3gJYd6Lr5RHBF7N5c-KJzRF_P1Etl39HNWFkT/s320/P1120553.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ, Sinulog 2013, Cebu, City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">3<sup>rd</sup>
Sunday in Ordinary Time</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Nehemiah
8:2-6,8-10; Psalm 18:8-10, 15; 1 Cor 12:12-14,27; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Filipinos seem to be fixated with the Christmas Season. The
Sinulog, Dinagyang, and the Ati-Atihan Festivals are celebrations of the Child
Jesus. These festivals do not just commemorate the beginnings of Christianity
in the Philippines; they also show the piety and devotion of the people to El
Nino Jesus --- and they are all celebrated after the end of Christmas. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We seem to have difficulties in letting the festive season
go. Is it symptomatic of our faith as Filipinos? Does the faith continue to
remain juvenile that it has not been significantly a “leaven of transformation”
(PCP II) to our daily lives? Are we missing out on the “mature” Jesus?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today, we hear about the beginning of the ministry of Jesus
in the Gospel of Luke. History tells us that He is 30 years old. He returns to his
hometown, Nazareth, and begins preaching in the synagogue. He opens the scroll,
reads a passage from Isaiah about the Year of the Lord’s Favor and declares
that the passage is now fulfilled. Imagine yourself listening to a man you know
as a kid, now all grown-up and proclaiming that He is their long-awaited hope?
Most probably, you will be surprised, if not shocked.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A certain degree of shock and surprise is valuable in waking
us up. I believe the proper way to regard the devotion to the Child Jesus is to
value growth. Growing is both a business of the past, the future, but most
importantly, the present. We look back to commemorate, but we also look forward
to a new direction. The Child grew in God’s favor. Are we growing in the grace
of the Lord in our daily lives?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What happens then in the ordinary? We forge relationships.
We transform our connections so that the bonds in the relationship become
stronger. By doing so, they cease to be just a connection but a communion. We
move from mere acquaintance to intimacy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In their book, Tender Fires, Fran Ferder and John Heagle,
said that there are three ways to understand the everyday experience of
closeness with our family, friends and significant other. First is
“Face-to-Face Intimacy” or our direct ways to communicate with another person.
The most obvious form, and often the most neglected, is talk. People in a
relationship do not necessarily talk about the deeper things. Spiritual
conversations, for example, do not necessarily land on the table as topics. If
we are able to share our aspirations and hope, why can’t we talk about our
faith, for without it, can we actually hope? Do we have someone whom we can sincerely
and honestly talk to or someone whom we are not afraid to reveal the deepest
recesses of our souls? St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “Love consists in the
communication of the lover to the beloved, and vice versa.” We become close to
someone because we can talk to them and at the same time, they also reciprocate
our disclosure.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Moreover, relationships often begin in an encounter, whether
in a class, workshop, or an event. Many friendships deepen because they studied
and worked together, or shared and loved a common interest. This is called,
side-by-side intimacy. Friends often enjoy eating or sharing a quiet moment
over coffee. Lovers go on a trip or cherish walking side-by-side while holding
hands. We experience deep connection when someone accompanies us and shares a
very comfortable emotional space with us. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally, we rely on our close relationships especially in
the darkest moments of our lives. We expect them to be with us no matter what
happens. We turn to them for support in the most difficult challenges in our
lives. They may be our family members, our best friends, or our significant
other. We want them to back us up when the going gets tough. In the Garden of
Gethsemane, while Jesus anguishes over his impending death, He desired that His
disciples would just “stay awake” even for just awhile. This is called,
back-to-back intimacy. Fran and John also called this faithfulness: all we need
to alleviate our suffering is to be with those whom we are faithful to, and
those who have been faithful to us.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Spiritual conversations, accompaniment and the support of
people in our life’s journey are excellent grounds for our faith to grow and
mature. The most effective way to appropriate the Gospel is by showing our love
in the most ordinary of days.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-86905777678303169882012-12-24T12:12:00.000+08:002012-12-31T23:44:13.065+08:00A Season of Dreams, Surprise and Change<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NqxuyvJRnb4" width="400"></iframe>
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<br />
<i>Video: This is the rehearsals of the Hark! Ateneo High School Christmas concert. Paskong Pinoy Medley was the finale of the concert held at the Church of the Gesu, 14 December 2012.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
19 December
2012</div>
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Christmas Mass Homily</div>
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Ateneo de Manila High School</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Note: This has been in given to the Ateneo High School community, but the points can speak for all. Use if it helps.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have a
story: While Joseph and Mary were on their way to Bethlehem, an angel had a
secret meeting with the animals to choose which of them was to help the holy
family in the stable. Naturally, the lion volunteered first. “Only a king,”
said he, “is worth to serve the ruler of the world. I’ll tear to pieces anyone
who gets anywhere near the child.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“You’re too
overpowering,” said the angel.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Next the sly
fox sidled up and with an innocent face remarked, “I’ll see to it that the Baby
Jesus gets the sweetest honey and I’ll steal a chicken each morning for His
mother to cook.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“You’re too
devious,” the angel told him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Next the
peacock came up and unfolded his marvelously-colored tail feathers. Said he,
“I’ll decorate that little barn better than Solomon did his temple.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“You’re too
vain,” said the angel.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Many others
came up and offered their services. Not one was chosen. The angel took a final
look around and then saw a donkey and an ox out in the field working with a
farmer. The angel called them over, “What have you got to offer?” he asked the
pair.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Nothing,”
said the donkey as he dropped down his long ears. “We just do what the farmer
commands us to do.” Then the ox added bashfully, “Well, maybe there is some
little thing we could do, like keep the flies away by swinging our tails.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Right on!”
said the angel. “You are the two we want.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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From then
on, the Christmas belen will not be complete without the ox and the donkey.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The story of
the ox and the donkey tells us what Christmas is all about. Looking closely at
the story of the Christmas will actually jolt us to what we have been used to
think and feel.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First, it is
a season of dreams. Of the impossible becoming possible. The angel Gabriel has
said this to Mary, “With God, nothing is impossible.” Christmas allows us to
dream with God, and God’s dream is far beyond what we think we are or can do.
In fact, the bible says that God’s ways are not our ways. What is impossible for
us to accomplish, may not be impossible for God. And therefore, Christmas
allows us to dream.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For St.
Ignatius of Loyola, dreams are not fantasies. The difference is in the
rootedness with reality. Fantasies are not rooted in what is. Dreams are deeply
rooted in who we are, what we are and what we can become based on the
individual graces or blessings that the Lord has given us. To fly like Superman
can be fantasy; but to fly using technology was once a dream that has turned
into reality. Through Fr. Jett Villarin, our president, the Ateneo de Manila
University has been dreaming with the 3 Strategic Thrusts of Mission and
Identity, Nation-building and Environment and Development. Under
Nation-building, Ateneo has explicitly said that we would like to “defeat
poverty.” To me, this is not a fantasy, but a dream. If we put together all our
efforts and as a community begin a lifestyle of honesty and generosity, we can
eradicate poverty. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The class
banners are an example of dreams. We dream of a character change. A metanoia or
a change of heart. The very virtues which we have drawn into a symbol should
remind us of what we want to become. The coat-of-arms of St. Ignatius with the
two wolves eating from the pot is a symbol of generosity. Until now, it reminds
us that if we want to be marked as Ateneans, one trait that we have to live by
is altruism, or an other-centered life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What then
are your dreams? For yourself. For your family. For the country and the world.
At Christmas, we are reminded that the fulfillment of those dreams of yours is
not impossible despite the many barriers that seemingly bar the way. We dream
with the ancient Israelites who dreamt of freedom from their bondage in the
book of Isaiah. And it is also in the book of Isaiah that the Lord continued to
promise them a Messiah. And it is with Jesus that this promise has been
fulfilled. Dreams are God’s promises to us if we cooperate and participate with
His grace. Christmas gives us that very hope, that one day, we too will find
our dreams turn into a reality. And it may not be how we think it should be
accomplished, but eventually, how God would like it to be achieved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Second,
Christmas is the season of surprises. Fr. Horacio de la Costa SJ wrote that
Christmas is a shocking event because it overturns all our expectations: A
mother who is a virgin; a child who is God; a King in a filthy stable and
wrapped in swaddling clothes. The Christmas story is an embodiment of a radical
shift, a shunning away of the usual, a trashing of what we are used to know, a
vigorous rocking of our boat, almost at the point of being thrown out at sea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The story of
the ox and the donkey is not a paradigm shift. It is not a change of
perspective, but an overhaul change of how we do things so that what should not
change is highlighted and placed on the forefront of consciousness. The king of
animals is rejected; the intelligent and wily is faulty; the display of
affluence and wealth is unacceptable to serve the King of Kings. Totally not
the values of the world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But it is
the simple, as the ox and donkey, that is the most appropriate character
for the King of the Universe.
Isn’t this the story of the Little Drummer Boy who had nothing except his
drums? And it is to him, that the Baby Jesus gave his most beautiful smile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Third,
Christmas is a Season of Change. It is the story of God intervening into
history and changing its course. In the meditation of the Incarnation in the
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the retreatant is asked to imagine the
Holy Trinity looking at the world with love and concern. And speaking to each
other, the Holy Trinity decides that it is time to insert themselves in the
course of history, because at that point, humanity was on a self-destruction
spree. The announcement of the angel to a simple woman began God’s work to
change the world. That is why history, is HIS Story, Christ’s story. Christ
becomes the hinge between the BC (Before Christ) and the Anno Domini (In the
Year of our Lord). We are in the year of our Lord. Christmas then celebrates
this change while it also challenges us to change.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At
Christmas, it is profitable to remind ourselves of our “raison d’être” or the
rationale of our existence as the Ateneo High School. Our mission says
“inspired by the Ignatian tradition and guided by Ignatian pedagogy, we aim to
form young men into future leaders who will serve the Filipino society and
contribute to the global community.” In order to achieve this dream, then it is
imperative that we acquire the core values in the spirituality of St. Ignatius:
the value of openness to change, the virtue of flexibility and adaptability to
a discerned strategy. John P. Kotter in his Harvard Business Review article,
“What Leaders Really Do” distinguished between managing from leading. Managers
cope with complexity and bring order and predictability to a situation. But in
order to succeed, you need leadership, which is about learning to adapt with
rapid change. Thus, leadership will need setting a new direction and providing
new ways of doing things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And this is
within the Christian tradition. Jesus teachings at his time was radically
shocking, but refreshing. It was shocking because he was a teacher, but taught “with
authority” not in the usual synagogues but in the field; He taught loving one’s
enemies; and He ate with the sinners and outcasts shocking the so-called
“rabbi’s” or “teachers” of His time. St. Ignatius and the Jesuits have always
been marked as radical and shocking. Mateo Ricci, discovering that the Chinese
did not listen to him when he wears is garb, discerned to change his dress into
a rich merchant’s clothing that earned him a place in the Emperor’s court and
gained for him the respect he needed to teach about Jesus. St. John de Brito, also threw away his
priestly garment, and wore the orange garb of a monk in India because people
listen to them better. In the Paraguay Reduction, the Jesuits used music to
evangelize, the same way St. Francis Xavier used music for catechism in India.
And finally, the Jesuits were known to have used theater for education. In all
of these, we got flak and worse, we were expelled. We’re used to it. Centuries
later, the Church affirmed these innovations in the radical council of Vatican
II. She called these innovations, “Inculturation.” Innovation is the mark of
a Jesuit school. Finding God is an active act: finding what is the most
effective means in the spread of the Gospel even to the point of “going where
there is greater need” – where most people fear to thread.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This is
precisely the point of Hark, the Ateneo High School Community Christmas Concert.
Hark means to listen. In the Christmas Season, to hearken is to listen to the
angels’ sing and move towards its direction.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How have we
responded to change during the school year? Are we stuck with the past? Are we
afraid to innovate? Or in any changes in school, have you ever contributed to
activities whether it is within your class or school-wide, or have you
complained but have never lifted a finger to help out? Remember a talent as
that of the ox and the donkey is all you need. It is as small as words of
encouragement. Notice that the only thing that should and will never change is
Jesus. He is the Big TRADITION. The rest are small traditions that can come and
go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In Lent, you
will see Jesus reacting to those who can’t accept that new wine should be
placed in new wineskins. He said this verbatim, “Woe to you, Pharisees!” If
this shocks you, so much the better: remember, that those who eventually killed
Jesus were Pharisees.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So this
Christmas we celebrate the Season of Dreams, Of Shock and Surprise, and most
importantly, Of Change.<br />
<br />
Have a meaningful Christmas and a discerning New Year!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City 1108, Philippines14.639718 121.0780770000000114.624355 121.05790700000001 14.655081000000001 121.098247tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-86117769255408436282012-10-04T12:04:00.001+08:002012-12-28T09:13:32.599+08:00Pahalagahan ang Maliliit na Hakbang<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wwTWd2LAHtI?fs=1" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<div class="Body">
Makakatakbo ka ba ng higit sa isang daang metro? Isang kilometro? E, kung limang-libong kilometro? Palagay ko marami tayong magsasabing, “Hindi ko kaya. Mahirap yan.” At itatanong natin sa ating sarili kung may kakayahan ba tayong gawin ito.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Dahil kakatapos pa lang ng Olympics 2012 sa London, pupulot tayo ng aral sa mga manlalaro tulad ni Meseret Defar ng Ethiopia na nanalo sa 5,000-meter race. Bago pa man tumakbo ang atleta, inalay ni Meseret ang gagawin niya sa Dios at inilabas niya ang larawan ng Madonna and Child nung nakarating siya sa finish line.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Ngunit iba ang takbo sa buhay. Madalas hindi natin nakikita ang kasukdul-sukdulan ng ating buhay. Kaya, para hindi mawalan ng loob, kailangan nating tuparin ang mga maliliit na hakbang hangga’t makarating tayo sa paroroonan. Sabi nga, hinay-hinay pero kanunay. Slowly but consistent. Manalangin tayong laging makita si Hesus na kasama sa mahabang takbo ng ating buhay. </span><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-70406562209772021902012-08-14T23:17:00.001+08:002012-12-28T09:14:11.127+08:00God Says 2U, "Thank You"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBmCLXFdHZowzlQfZ4Nj1YgxRkPjJCFu-mtBfOs8USuW1WgMCe3YgGcJZZ15YLaxuQNogJQsMhnmLgmi8GukoxwvJh-7dgFEse9cWojU-mIWq4olyoQx19Ms42bSGxTEiqnnS/s1600/P1110761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBmCLXFdHZowzlQfZ4Nj1YgxRkPjJCFu-mtBfOs8USuW1WgMCe3YgGcJZZ15YLaxuQNogJQsMhnmLgmi8GukoxwvJh-7dgFEse9cWojU-mIWq4olyoQx19Ms42bSGxTEiqnnS/s320/P1110761.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ateneo HS Relief Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #073763;">12 August 2012 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;">1 Kgs 19:4-8; Psalm 34; Eph 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51</span><br />
<br />
We have said what the prophet Elijah uttered in the first reading, “Lord, this is enough.” On his journey to Mount Horeb, he was broken, tired, weary and dispirited. At the lowest point in his life, the Lord’s angel comes to his rescue by feeding him with miraculous hearth bread and a jug of water. His dying hope was restored by this bread from heaven and continues his journey to Mt. Horeb where God will give him a new vision in the form of a gentle, silent breeze. This will give Elijah much courage and faith to move on and to face the challenges of his mission.<br />
<br />
Our life as Catholic Christians is never a sweet smooth ride. We often find ourselves, like Elijah, in our bleakest moment, dispirited and crushed, helpless and hopeless. And I am sure, this is the same experience of those affected by the flood, from the past Ondoy disaster to the recent monsoon deluge. But we know why they would still return to their homes. They have nowhere else to go nor do they have the resources to put up residence on higher ground.<br />
<br />
To keep going in our own life-disasters, we need the assurance that we are not alone in our lives. We need the guarantee that God will give us relief by carrying our crosses, and rescue us from every predicament that befalls us. The Gospel today reminds us that Christ is the bread of life, the one who feeds us, sustains us, and rescues us from our wounded souls, our wearied spirits, our broken bodies.
<br />
<br />
We call ourselves, the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit resides in us. We are profoundly “Jesus” in the world today. That is why, we bear His name. We are called “Christians” - Of Christ. And what we have seen with our own eyes reminds us that Jesus indeed feeds us.<br />
<br />
We know who we are. We know our limitations. We are never perfect. But in our “small-ness,” we know we can contribute something. A photo in Facebook says, “The Filipino spirit is water proof.” Let’s see:<br />
<br />
a. We have made more than 27,402 food packs, thus feeding more than what we expected we could.<br />
b. We have sustained the life of people in the evacuation centers.
We have rescued them from hunger and from their wearied souls.<br />
c. Through us, the Lord has been the Bread of Life to them.<br />
d. And conversely, we have been nourished too by our very service.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yb-zONKZj71cQ8O398n369T2e8VvtBdtoI0JtLBuGHRioPLYZvxmRYjADM_Zx4DSKlD7QeedkL3Sny3Stm4skT-isbgafbpNdqwYLTgyIYtes5Bqka8QUXnC_Ee-fVLiMZ1h/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-11+at+10.57.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Yb-zONKZj71cQ8O398n369T2e8VvtBdtoI0JtLBuGHRioPLYZvxmRYjADM_Zx4DSKlD7QeedkL3Sny3Stm4skT-isbgafbpNdqwYLTgyIYtes5Bqka8QUXnC_Ee-fVLiMZ1h/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-11+at+10.57.30+PM.png" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When we are at service, we are fully and truly who we are and what we were meant to be. St. Ignatius said that only God can give peace. Miraculously, after all our work, we are peaceful, happy, and fulfilled - These are God’s gifts. We are at peace when our hearts are aligned to His.<br />
<br />
And why are we here today? We are here in thanksgiving. We thank the Lord for many things in our lives, including the opportunity to serve others, to give back, and to pay it forward. We would call it, “doing the magis” or “practicing charity and generosity.” Remember, we would pray St. Ignatius’ Prayer for Generosity at every shift while running the Ateneo HS #reliefPH kitchen.<br />
<br />
But today, we would also spend some moments in great silence. To cease “doing something” but to let our inner souls be receptive to God’s voice. Fr. Jett Villarin SJ, President of the Ateneo de Manila University, asked the following question last night at the closing mass of the relief operations of our university: “Have you ever trained your ears, your souls, to also listen to God saying to you, ‘Thank you?’”
<br />
<br />
This is the reason why in Ignatian Spirituality, we spend a few moments in silence, like the one-minute silence bell. It is to train our inner ears.
You see, centuries ago, Elijah heard the voice of the Lord not in the roaring wind in Mt. Horeb, but in a gentle breeze. We are uplifted with a simple word of thanks. The Lord says that to us now. Perhaps, the people who received the bread you cooked, made, packed in the last three days of disaster is saying too, “Maraming salamat.”<br />
<br />
We spend a minute in silence to train our ears.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MId5YRKerE8" width="400"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-39755663446541542242012-08-05T14:57:00.000+08:002012-12-28T09:14:48.119+08:00Ang Sukatan ng Tagumpay Ay Nasa Lalim ng Naratnan<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixv65RH_nMo2zZLV6sekCW99AKe5WRvXaBhvrfXJ3oNEoiOI-GY_WUlj_ia7wvzg54OO1yPyPsIns1l6aXP5VDR_0KN6ZjEpLCoq6TiXOtGECFpW47Qgf29bmlE7aGLq68mBAS/s1600/P1050688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixv65RH_nMo2zZLV6sekCW99AKe5WRvXaBhvrfXJ3oNEoiOI-GY_WUlj_ia7wvzg54OO1yPyPsIns1l6aXP5VDR_0KN6ZjEpLCoq6TiXOtGECFpW47Qgf29bmlE7aGLq68mBAS/s320/P1050688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="color: #073763;">Ika-18
Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="color: #073763;">(St.
John Baptist Marie Vianney Sunday)</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="color: #073763;">John
16, 24-35</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="Body" style="tab-stops: 35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 5.0cm 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Ano
nga ba ang tagumpay? Nasusukat ba ito sa taas ng iyong pinag-aralan, o sa
posisyon na iyong hinahawakan? Sino ba ang matagumpay: ang isang mayor na
nangungurakot o ang isang janitor na may malasakit? Sino ang tunay na magaling:
ang nasa honors class o ang nasa seksyong regular? Kanino ka ba humahanga: sa
taong kilala ng lahat, o ang taong kilala lamang ng iilan nilang tinulungan?</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Sa
mata ng mundo, walang narating na tagumpay ang buhay ni San Jean-Baptiste Ma.
Vianney. Pinanganak sa Lyon, France noong 8 Mayo 1786 at nag-aral sa paaralang
eklesiyastiko na tinayo ni M. Balley noong 1806.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Bagaman
walang pagdududa sa kanyang bokasyon, hindi rin lingid kay M. Balley ang
kahinaan sa pag-iisip ni S. Vianney. Hirap na hirap siya sa Latin, Matematika,
Kasaysayan at Geograpiya. At dahil hirap siya sa wikang Latin, hindi na rin
siya kumuha ng Pilosopiya sa wikang Pranses. Sa unang pagkakataon, hindi rin
siya pumasa sa entrance exam sa Mataas na Antas ng Seminaryo. Sa kalaunan
lamang siya naka-pasa.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Sa
mata ng mundo, puno rin ng kabiguan ang buhay ni Kristo. Namatay siya bilang
isang kriminal. Noong unang panahon, simbolo ng mga katiwalian sa gobyerno ang
krus. Kung isusukat natin ang pag-unawa ng tagumpay ngayon, ang buhay ni Kristo
ay hindi kailanman maituturing na tagumpay. </div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Ngunit
sa mata ng Diyos at ng mga nananampalataya, ang sukatan ng tagumpay ay wala sa
layo ng narating kundi sa lalim ng naratnan.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Wika
ni Kristo, Walang hihigit pa sa pagmamahal ng isang kaibigang handang ibuwis
ang buhay para sa kanyang katoto. Ang handang ibigay ang lahat ang siyang may
malalim at tapat na pag-ibig sa atin. Wika ni Mother Teresa ng Calcutta,
“Nakakalimutan natin na ginawa tayong lahat para sa isa’t isa.”</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Nakilala
si S. Vianney dahil sa kanyang malasakit at pagganap sa kanyang gawain bilang
isang kura ng Ars, isang maliit na lalawigan malapit sa Lyon. Nakilala siya sa
lalim ng kanyang pagmamahal sa mga taong inaalagaan niya bilang kura ng
parokya. Tinatag niya ang “The Providence” isang bahay-ampunan ng mga batang
babae. Nagsimula siyang nagbigay ng katesismo sa kanila upang makilala nila ang
walang-katumbas na pagmamahal ng Diyos. </div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Hindi
nagtagal, naging popular ang kanyang mga turo. Napapaliwanag niya ang
pananampalataya sa mga salitang madaling maunawaan ng tao. Nabibigyan niya ng
linaw ang Salita ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng mga halimbawa na galing sa
pang-araw-araw na buhay. Pinapalalim niya ang turo ni Kristo sa pagbabahagi ng
kanyang pinagdadasalan. At dahil dito, kailangang lumipat sila sa malaking
simbahan upang makasali ang iba pang nais matuto sa larangan ng
pananampalataya.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Tinuring
niya ang paggabay sa buhay-espiritwal ng mga tao bilang kanyang katangi-tanging
responsibilidad. Kung ano ang kulang sa kanyang napag-aralan, binawi niya nang
mas higit pa sa laki ng kanyang puso. Nakilala si S. Vianney dahil nagbibigay
panahon siya para sa pakikinig at pagbibigay payo sa mga lumapit sa kanya lalo
na sa Sakramento ng Pagbabalik-loob. At ito ang mga bagay na hindi
nakakalimutan magpakailanman. Ang kadakilaan ay hindi nakukuha sa dami ng
diploma kundi sa lawak at lalim ng pag-aruga sa iba.</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
Sa
Ebanghelio, hinihimok tayong isabuhay ang Gawain ng Diyos: ang pagpapalalim
lamang ng ating pananampalataya sa Kanya. Ipagdasal natin na ating magawang
ituring na tagumpay ang isang bagay kapag ang ating gawain ay nakatulong sa
pagkakaisa at pagbubuo ng sambahayan ng Diyos. <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-66166038345819926922012-07-23T01:40:00.001+08:002012-07-23T17:02:04.690+08:00Good Leadership According to Jesus, Jeremiah and Paul<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcTgYU7TM8KSx49fKN1jN-h_HkwWiT2BdC2n5F_oPdM4j1Nglz7jyftjZeLD8OubOhDzTIdYVK0wBWZ_4RAqw7RarPZGLpe45CqnFIzf9D0-ghLad9_VejOMxJLhz1LEdqOCX/s1600/P1070251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcTgYU7TM8KSx49fKN1jN-h_HkwWiT2BdC2n5F_oPdM4j1Nglz7jyftjZeLD8OubOhDzTIdYVK0wBWZ_4RAqw7RarPZGLpe45CqnFIzf9D0-ghLad9_VejOMxJLhz1LEdqOCX/s320/P1070251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ateneo de Manila's Strategic Planning Conference</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">22 July 2012 The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Jer 23:1-6; Psalm 23; Eph 2:13-18</span><br />
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Jeremiah, who lived from 627-586 BC, was called at the early age of 23 to the prophetic office. He prophesied at the most critical period in the history of Judah. The 'shepherds' such as the kings, priests and people were more interested in politics than with Yahweh, their God. Since they were subject to Babylon in 700 BC, they had to pay an annual tax to them, and so they would like to rebel against Babylon, through the help of Egypt. Abuses in the temple and in the city was rampant. Jeremiah opposed them predicting that it would only bring about the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people to Babylon. So he spoke fearlessly against the disloyalty of the Chosen People of God. In the first reading, Jeremiah criticized the 'shepherds' or the leaders of the people of Judah. Their neglect of the flock given into their care and their neglect of God was bringing exile on their people.<br />
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The Gospel today also spoke about the effects of weak leadership when Jesus saw that they were like 'sheep without a shepherd.' They needed someone to teach them about God's love and His interest in their eternal welfare. During Jesus' time, they had no one to give them the news of forgiveness and hope. They were simple unlettered villagers. No one but the local rabbis were there to teach them, but they too were not every educated at that time. The great theologians were all in Jerusalam were they got the respect, popularity and financial reward they felt they were entitled.<br />
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In situations of weak leadership, today's Sunday readings speak about hope. God, in the first reading, promised to gather back those who were scattered under the tutelage of a good shepherd. The Gospel now tells us about its fulfillment, with Jesus as the Good Shepherd who finally responds to the needs of those who wanted to listen to the word of God. The effect of which is the arrival of the Kingdom of peace which St. Paul writes to the Ephesians. The second reading therefore tells us about who are now entrusted to become good shepherds in the establishment of the Kingdom of Peace.<br />
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Obviously, St. Paul articulates that we are today's shepherds. Because of our baptism, we are now called to tend to the flock the Lord has entrusted to us: our families, our students, our co-workers in our offices, even our circle of friends. We shepherd one another. We are responsible for each other's formation.<br />
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How do we go about good leadership today? Allow me to share a simple formula: Know where we are and where we want to go, and see how to get there.<br />
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First, where we are means knowing our context and the skills we have, not what we don't have. It is 2012, we are in the digital age. People use social media to connect to one another. We know we can write well, and we have a distinct interest. For example, people in the world uses Facebook, and we know we can write or share our love for cooking healthy food.<br />
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Second, where we want to go means stating clearly and concretely our goals. So you want to help people acquire a healthy lifestyle by eating the right food.<br />
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Finally, you decide how to get there by devising the strategy or the methodology to fulfill your goal. Thus, knowing your present context, you began a blog that is shared on Facebook. <br />
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After some time, you find that your posts are shared by many followers, and they give you feedback about how you have helped them. In your own way, you are able to be a good shepherd to many people in cyberspace. Pope Benedict XVI called all Catholics to this new mission in his letter in 2010 for the World Communications Day.<br />
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We pray that we become creative in tendering the flock that the Lord has given us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-86106159989015417612012-07-02T08:00:00.000+08:002012-12-28T09:15:25.037+08:00Kailangang Lawakan ang Ating Pananaw sa Buhay<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PYsuGqB__AI" width="400"></iframe><br />
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Malayo at malawak ba ang iyong pananaw sa buhay? Nakikita mo ba, hindi lamang ang gagawin mo bukas, kundi ang direksyon na iyong pupuntahan, o ang mga bagay na kailangan bago pa man makita ng iba?<br />
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Sa pelikulang, Titanic ni James Cameron, malinaw ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ng higit na isang libong tao. Hindi nila nakita sa malayo ang isang malaking yelo na naging sanhi ng paglubog. Hindi nakita ng mga tagapangasiwa ang malaking iceberg upang maiwasan ito o kaya’y maniobrahin ang malaking barko para hindi nila ito mabangga.<br />
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Bagaman mahalaga na alam mo kung anong gagawin mo sa darating na mga araw, mas mainam na nakikita mo rin ang mas malawak mong layunin sa buhay. Sa gayon, mapagpaplanuhan at mabibigyan ng direksyon at kahulugan ang anumang ginagawa natin.<br />
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Ipagdasal natin na liwanagan at gabayan tayo ng Panginoon upang makita natin ang ating direksyon at maging ligtas ang ating paglalakbay sa buhay.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-51619304751877045472012-06-30T01:12:00.000+08:002012-12-28T09:18:18.927+08:00Walang Maibibigay, Kung Walang Natanggap Mula sa Dios<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aj7DRQuj_TM" width="400"></iframe><br />
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Merong isang panalangin si San Ignacio de Loyola. Ito ang “Panalangin sa Pagiging BukasPalad.” Marahil alam ninyo ang kantang nagsisimula sa ganito: Panginoon, turuan mo akong maging bukas-palad, turuan mo akong maglingkod sa iyo...” Ano nga ba ang pagiging generous o bukas-palad?
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Marahil nauunawaan natin ang generosity bilang isang pagbibigay. Ang taong may donasyon sa eskuwelahan o simbahan, ay bukas-palad. Ang taong nagbabanat ng buto para may maihahain sa mesa ay bukas-palad. Oo totoo, pero may isang angulo ang pagiging mapagbigay. Sinasabi, nakakapagbigay lamang tayo ng mga bagay na MERON tayo. Ibig sabihin, may nagbigay muna sa atin ng talento, abilidad o kakayahan, kaya MERON tayong naibabahagi.<br />
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Kaya ang pagiging bukas-palad ay ukol sa taus-pusong pagtanggap sa mga biyaya ng Dios sa atin. At bilang pagkilala sa ibinigay ng Dios, gayon din ang pagtanggap na ito rin ang maaari nating ipamahagi. Ang Dios na nag-alay sa Kanyang sarili, Siya rin ang nagbibigay ng lahat ng biyayang kailangan natin upang makapagbigay naman tayo sa mga nangangailangan.<br />
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Magpasalamat po tayo sa Dios na unang nagbigay sa atin!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-85941702539602012752012-06-30T01:09:00.000+08:002012-12-28T09:16:50.180+08:00Bangkang Kahoy<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GYW7Vem0F5M" width="400"></iframe><br />
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Meron akong kuwentong narinig ko sa isa sa mga guro sa high school. May isang batang gumawa ng bangkang kahoy. Sa labis ng pagkagusto sa bangka, inukit niya ang kanyang pangalan sa ilalim nito. Araw-araw nilalaro niya ang bangka at habang tumatagal, sobrang itong napamahal sa kanya.<br />
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Isang araw, pinaanod niya ang bangka sa ilog. Wari niya, handa na ito sa agos ng ilog. Sa kasawimpalad, tinangay ng malakas na agos ang bangka, at nawala na ito sa kanyang paningin. Hinanap niya ito sa mga nagdaang araw, hanggang nakita niya ito sa isang tindahan. Ngunit ang hindi niya ito makuha, dahil mahal na ang presyo ng kanyang nilikhang bangka.<br />
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Wari niya sa sarili, mag-iipon siya ng pera hangga’t matubos niya ang bangka. Inipon niya ang kanyang pambaon sa eskuwela hangga’t natubos niya ang bangkang siya rin ang lumikha. Mga kapamilya, tayo ang bangkang-kahoy. Nilikha at minahal tayo ng Dios. Naka-ukit sa ating palad ang kanyang pangalan. Ngunit nawala din tayo, at upang tayo’y iligtas, ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay. Pagdasal nating suklian ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong mailigtas ang kapwa sa kahirapan o kaya’y sa pagkamangmang.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18487956.post-31535471151842919332012-06-18T08:00:00.000+08:002012-06-18T08:00:02.701+08:00Awe and Wonder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">17 June 2012. 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Ezekiel 17, 22-24; Psalm 92; Corinthians 5,6-10; Mark 4, 26-34 </span><br />
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Parables are stories taken from ordinary life to explain a truth. Jesus uses parables to explain not just a truth, but a greater reality - that of the Kingdom of God. He uses parables in order for people to understand the Kingdom of God.<br />
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The parable of the farmer who throws seeds on the ground and wonders how the seed grows is a story unique in the gospel of Mark. The point to reflect on therefore is what we are losing in this day of science and empirical thought: the sense of awe and wonder.<br />
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The imagery of the farmer sowing seeds is a familiar image. My dad was an agriculturist who would give lectures to farmers during the time of President Marcos’ Masagana 99. He would bring home huge sweet potatoes, new varieties of rice, and sacks of peanuts. I would watch rice paddies turn into gold and delight in the harvest. Every time I listen to Sting’s “Fields of Gold” I would remember my dad.<br />
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At a very early age, I wondered about life itself and the processes involved in growing. I love science. I took up Marine Biology in college, until I was told to shift to Philosophy because it was an ecclesiastical necessity. But the priesthood did not kill my interest in biology. It was wonderful to learn about life forms.<br />
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When everything is almost explainable with science, we lose that sense of wonder. This sense of wonder blinds us from seeing the mystery that is happening between every cell division that contributes to the re-shaping of the seed to the tree that allows the birds of the air to nest on it.<br />
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Walt Whitman puts it nicely:<br />
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When I heard the learn'd astronomer, <br />
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me, <br />
When I was shown the charts, the diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them, <br />
When I, sitting, heard the learned astronomer<br />
Where he lectured with much applause in the lecture room, <br />
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How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick, <br />
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself,<br />
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, <br />
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.<br />
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On Father’s Day, we have to re-claim our child-like sense of wonder. “To look up in perfect silence at the stars” - Today, those stars are our fathers. We honor all fathers, including those who have functioned as fathers to us. We stretch its meaning, and not be constrained by gender, into all those, including women, who single-handedly care for children in many “father-like” ways. I would like to think that the commercial celebrations of both Father/Mother’s Day are only two ways to honor our parents.<br />
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We know that our parents are not perfect. They commit a lot of mistakes. They hurt us, and some, even inflicted more than just a gash, but a deep-seated wound. But somehow, even in their flaws, they have raised us to what and who we are. Like the seed, the father wonders how it grows and he does not know how. Even as you peer into the microscope and see how cells multiply, you often wonder what makes them move. Isolate the nucleus and mitochondria of a cell, the basic structural unit of life, and then put them all together, you can’t bring the cell back to life.<br />
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On Father’s Day, we re-claim this sense of awe and wonder. Wonder how your dad has raised you. Wonder how your mom has brought you to who you are today. We sleep and rise and go on our daily routines, and then suddenly and especially when milestones happen like a birthday, a graduation, a wedding or even death, we wonder what happened: how our children has grown, despite or because of us.<br />
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To me, as a priest, I often wondered how one student, with all of his mischief, suddenly calls me to officiate their wedding; and to see how they have grown is to me one of the most rewarding moments of priesthood -- you can say, my fatherhood.<br />
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When I was a child wondering how rice paddies turn into gold, I would sometimes catch my father looking at me. I would like to think and I believe that he was wondering too how I was maturing so fast.<br />
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Now, it is my turn, looking at my students in high school, and wondering what they would be in the future. That business of the future, is ours and not ours.<br />
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The parable says, it is also God’s. We do what we can now. And then we entrust to the Lord what we can’t.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Quezon City, Philippines14.6760413 121.043700314.553157299999999 120.8857718 14.7989253 121.2016288