Whatever has come to be, found life in him

Whatever has come to be, found life in him, life which for humans was also light.

- From the Gospel Today, John 1:1-18

Life, flowing from Christ.

Sometimes even Christians have a hard time grasping the concept. After all, life as we see it is the ability to breath air, drink water, eat food, think, move, and things like that. Then, we say we are above all other creation because of our ability to think. We share the rest of the listed abilities with animals.


Image is from staticyouth.wordpress.com.

Is there more to it than that?

Yes, says Christ.

Have you grown in stature, strength and wisdom in the Lord?

The child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom.

- From the Gospel Today, John 2:12-17

The gospel today seems to give special focus on youth, starting with an exhortation by Saint John in the first reading (though that reading addressed fathers too).

Then the gospel focused on child Jesus, ending with a brief verse about how he grew up in "stature and strength" ... things young people strive for.


Image was taken from TraditionalCatholic.net

Starting early in faith is really a good thing; though starting late isn't bad. In the end, when Christ comes as a victorious leader descending to us from the clouds, we're "in," you know what I mean?

But starting early in faith gives us more opportunities about living a life in the Holy Spirit, and reaping the benefits while we're still on earth.

Who does not recognize the light to the nations?

My eyes have seen your salvation...Here is the light you will reveal to the nations.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 2:22-35

Isn't Jesus the Light that Scripture keeps talking about? Yeah I've been told this. But I remember asking, when I was still a kid ... How could Jesus be a Light? Did he glow?


Image from christianshirts.us


I once thought I asked a silly question but later I found out that, yes, literally speaking, Jesus was Light.

There are at least three ways that this was so.

First, the transfiguration shows that. Jesus glowed, along with Moses and Elijah that night.

Nazareth...There the child grew in stature and strength

They returned to their town, Nazareth...There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 2:22-40

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family.

That refers to Joseph, Mary and Jesus, right? We often have pictures of the Holy Family in our walls, but when was the last time we reflected on the meaning of the image, and its continuing significance in our lives?

FAMILY: It is a sacred word among Filipinos, indeed. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a Filipino who is not passionate about his family, in one way or another.


Filipinos are fond of tracing their family roots.

I guess that's true to all cultures. But I can speak about Filipino's STRONG propensity to make a BIG DEAL about one's family relationship, especially with someone prominent. In fact, I read a news item about someone who was claiming to be So and so de Venecia; and, without question, the policemen let him go! Congressman Joe de Venecia was holding the reins of the House of Representatives at that time.

In fairness to the Congressman, he may not even know that So and so de Venecia from Adam! It just so happened that such So and so was smart! He knew how Filipinos think and pressed the right button.

Filipinos make a big deal out of family relationships, almost to a FAULT!

John saw and believed!

He bent forward and saw the linen cloths . . . he saw and believed.

- From the Gospel Today, John 20:1-8

Today is the Feast of Saint John, the youngest among the apostles, the apostle "whom Jesus loved." The first reading features verses from the letter identified with Saint John. The gospel reading features John himself.

Frankly, my hair stood up when I read today's gospel. I could not help but ask, what did John really see? Was there something more to what was written?


The image was taken from Per Caritatem.


Whatever else there was, for sure, they were overshadowed by the much greater reality of Christ's resurrection. Perhaps, that was all that really mattered, right? Then and now. I completely subscribe to that.

But John saw the linen...then he believed.

There's got to be something in that linen, or why would they bother mentioning it in Scripture?

It will not be you who speak!

It will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 10:17-22

I can name a number of so-called "Christian" sites whose sole aim is to sway unsuspecting Catholics out of the Catholic Church. These internet sites are clearly aimed at Catholics, and the approaches vary from subtle to upfront.

Cool!

You know what, they're not just in the internet. Two of them actually pressed our doorbell yesterday morning. Our car was parked right in front of the gate, and, unless they were blind, which obviously they were not, something in that car was telling them that I was (and is) a Catholic!

Cool!

One of these passionately anti-Catholic Christians used to be Scott Hahn, and I read his book Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by sheer accident. I was still single then and was staying in a boarding house. That book was on my roommate's bed one boring afternoon; so I took it and read it. I was stunned by his testimony.

Five Things People Forget About the "Light of the World"

The Light was coming into the world.

- From the Gospel Today, John 1:1-18

The Light of the World -- isn't that what Christ is?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12 NIV).
Image taken from http://christianity.about.com.

Why is he the Light of the world?

We do not have to intellectualize too much on the theology of this statement. Jesus Christ is the LIGHT to us in at least five obvious ways that a common believer can easily relate with:

1. Christ was unashamedly being himself. Shouldn't we be as well?
2. Christ was an icon of power thinking. We have that power too!
3. Christ was an icon of positive attitude. We can have that attitude too!
4. Christ was an icon of proper Christian behavior. He set an example for us to follow.
5. Christ is a King. He is leading us to His Kingdom!

He has raised up for us a victorious Savior

He has raised up for us a victorious Savior in the house of David his servant.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:67-79

It is humbling to be reminded in today's gospel about our victorious Savior, the King, the Lord of Lords.

Recorded history tells us that no monarch has ever been in command of over a billion people from all ends of the earth. No, not Alexander the Great, nor Julius Ceasear, nor Napoleon Bonaparte.

But Christians who now comprise a third of the world is undergoing revival! We're talking here about a King who has reigned for more than 2,000 years now, and whose Kingdom increasingly expands!

"His name is John"

Zachariah...wrote on it, His name is John. Immediately Zachariah could speak again.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:63

Clearly, God's hand was at work in Zachariah's and Elizabeth's life more than 2,000 years ago. By grace they were chosen to be the parents of John, the one who had the mission to "clear the way" for Jesus.

God does this all the time. He stretches His hand all the way from heaven to alter things here on earth. One of the great things He did was to send Jesus on earth.

Yet God continues to do so through the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, whom God sent to us on the Pentecost.

Do I see God's hand in my life? Do I cooperate?

All generations call Mary blessed

From this day all generations will call me blessed.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:48b

It appears to me that Luke 1:48 is Mary's prophecy of herself. Isn't it that Catholics through all generations throughout the world call her "Blessed"?

We call her "Blessed" every time we pray...

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you

Blessed are you among women

And blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus

He will rule...forever?

You shall name him Jesus...he will rule over the house of Jacob forever.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:26-38

The concept of a world led by a lone king still escapes me. After all, many have tried, and all of them have failed and failed miserably, haven't they?

Yes, failure befell ALL of them.

Alexander the Great? No.
Julius Ceasar? No.
Napoleon Bonaparte? No.
Adolf Hitler? No.



If history of the world were to be the reference, the concept of a lone king ruling all nations is an outrageous thought. No nation, or group of nations, will allow one man to wield power over them, much less the entire world.

But scripture is telling us another thing.

Let it be done to me as you have said

You shall conceive and bear a son ... Mary said, let it be done to me as you have said.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:26-38

Obedience to a divine calling. That escapes a lot, if not most, people. Does it happen in present times? when an angel appears to us and tell us to do something? Then, we obey?

The present generation has a word for it. It's something like going "nuts." Such label went to some saints who actually saw divine visions and conversed with angels.

Obviously that was not what happened to Mary. She knew exactly what was going in, and she conversed with the angel with all her mental faculties intact.

Then came the unthinkable...Mary obeyed. She said, "let it be done to me as you have said."

Barren women bore children

You wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall name him John.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:5-25

Elizabeth was a barren woman, but in God's grace she bore a child.

God works in strange ways, doesn't he? This is not the first time God did it. Remember Sarah? Abraham's wife? She bore a child at her late age. Then, generations later, Samson was born by God's grace from another barren woman, the wife of Manoah, a "man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites."

Zacariah, the high priest at that time, husband of Elizabeth, could not believe what the angel said. He was high priest for goodness sake! Certainly he knew about the story of Sarah and Samson's mother!

God saw that disbelief and muted Zacariah, not to punish him I think, but to protect Zacariah from his own disbelief, until God's will came true.

Would you marry Mary?

Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 1:18-25

Can we blame Joseph for how he felt? He loved Mary. But was he sure he was going to marry her?

Mary was with child! Wasn't she supposed to be a Virgin?

We can't blame him for sleeping one night with a very troubled mind.

Then, the angel appeared in his dream.

14 Generations of Righteous People?

There were...fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of Christ.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 1:1-17

The gospel today speaks of fourteen generations from Abraham to David, then another fourteen generations from David to Christ, who holds the scepter in the tribe of Judah.

Christ the King

Were these generations all made up of righteous people? Were those names befitting of mention in the genealogy of Christ?

Clearly they were not.

Funny question, isn't it? Has that question ever occurred to you? Why on earth should we even ask that?

It's because we're talking about God-made-man here. Can you imagine Christ having the genes of the unrighteous generations before him?

He thought better of it and went

The son answered I don't want to. But later he thought better of it and went.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 21:28-32

I wish I were the son who said I didn't want to, but later changed his mind and went anyway.

It feels more like I was the second son who said he would go, but didn't.

He thought better of it and went

Well, maybe I have been so harsh to myself there. You see, perhaps I have simply grown up.

What authority did Christ have to act like he did?

The Jewish authorities came to him and asked, "What authority have you to act like this?"

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 21:23-27

What authority...?

To Christians these days the question is a no brainer.

Or, is it?

What Authority?

I remember accepting Christ's authority--or shall we call it reaffirming Christ's authority--over my life when I joined the Christian Life Program for Singles for Christ. The fourth talk was about Repentance and Faith, and the statement that Repentance and Faith are two sides of the same coin really struck me.

Who is worthy to untie the Christ's sandal strap?

There is one among you whom you do not recognize...whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.

- From the Gospel Today, John 1:6-8,19-28

If John the Baptist is not worthy to untie the sandal strap of Christ, then who is?

John the Baptist

John the Baptist knows his place in the kingdom of God, and he does not waste words in saying it.

Humility ... that's what I see.

And this is notwithstanding the fact that he is known for his fiery words, which earned for him a reputation among the Jews.

Elijah has already come?

Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 17:9,10-13

With Elijah's faith lightning came from the sky and burned his sacrifices.

Who is Elijah in my life? Don't I recognize him too?

Let's admit it. Most, if not all of us, couldn't care less who Elijah was and what he did. Yeah, we know his story. In fact, his story was cool! No one else in Bible history ever asked God to send fire from heaven...and got it! Wasn't that cool?

But then why bother too much about Elijah? We already have the main cast of the story...Jesus Christ!

Wisdom is vindicated by her works

"Wisdom is vindicated by her works."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:16-19

How does my faith show in my thoughts and behaviors?

Prayer sometimes brings joy to my heart. But prayer sometimes brings tears to my eyes and wounds in my heart.

Still, I pray.

This is because prayer is a covenant, a commitment not subject to what I feel about it at every moment. To not pray is like to hold the air down my throat.

The Unyielding Seize Heaven

"The kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered and the unyielding seize it."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:11-15

We can reach heaven. The abundance of God is within our reach.

AND we have a God who is more than willing to let us into heaven and enjoy the riches therein.

Isn't that what the gospel is saying?

Then perhaps some of us may ask...
Why don't love and abundance happen in my life?

Come To Me And I Will Give You Rest

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." - From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:28-30

Life is hard, they say. It can be easy too! It is a choice.

"Oh, that's ridiculous! How can life be easy?" A voice inside you may say. But then someone in another part of the world will ask, "Why do people make life so complicated?"

I have seen happy people and miserable people in almost every corner...be it in the business districts, the Board rooms or the slums where I serve. I see both happy and miserable people in the same seat in the Church, as well as in the same wards in the hospital.

Which type are you?

Not One of the Little Ones Shall be Lost

"It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:12-14

I find this verse very touching.

Do the words "little ones" include me too? Do they refer to my brothers and my sisters too? How about my father, and my mother? my children?

We are little ones in the eyes of God; and oh how Christ would have wanted to keep us like little chicks under the wings of the mother hen, but we wouldn't.

Do we believe God will not let go of us, even if we let go of Him?

Let it Be Done To Me As You Have Said

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said..."

- From the Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38

What a reply! Only a man--this time a woman--with childlike and absolute faith in God will ever be able to say it.

Isn't it?

The Virgin Mary said it, straight from her heart. Surely God did not see any duplicity in her.

Think about it, shall God choose someone of lesser degree for His Plan to save mankind through Jesus Christ?

Do we emulate Mary's obedience?

Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?

"He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."

- From the Gospel according to Mark 1:1-18

Are you living in the Holy Spirit?

There is a great revival spreading across Christiandom today, especially the Catholic Church. It has been going on since Vatican II.

We are rediscovering Pentecost!

We are rediscovering the Holy Spirit in our lives!

That's the GREAT NEWS! Hallelujah!

Is the Kingdom of Heaven Here?

"Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

I remember watching the movie with horror at what happened during the Crusades. Indeed, Christians at that time fought wars just to save Jerusalem and the rest of Christian lands from the hands of the Muslims, who likewise considered Jerusalem as their "Holy Land" that should be freed from the hands of the "infidels."

Kingdom of Heaven
That's a title of a movie, right?

Unfortunately, the kingdom that Christians during the Crusades died for was NOT the kingdom of heaven God has proclaimed for mankind.

Let me explain.

As You Have Believed, So Let It Be

"'Do you believe that I am able to do what you want? Jesus touched their eyes and said, 'As you have believed, so let it be.' And their eyes were opened." - From the Gospel according to Matthew 9:27-31

Can you imagine all the good things happening in your life, simply because you believe?


In truth, this is one of the principles being taught in success books and seminars these days. Believe, and it will happen to you. They say this is a "natural" law. Of course they're also quick to say that there are other natural laws, such as gravity, human anatomy, mathematics, chemistry, etc.

Then they add that the principle works both ways. If you believe you're a failure, you then would act accordingly and end up being a failure. But if you believe you're going to be a success, then you will act accordingly and that's what you will become.

They often quote Henry Ford, and I may be paraphrasing his words here..."Whether you believe you can or cannot, either way you are right." In fact, they say, what you are now is the product of all your core beliefs before.

Is this what Jesus himself is teaching us today?

Here's How To Build Your House on Rock

"So, then, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man, who built his house on rock."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 7:21,24-27

What is it to build our house--our lives--on rock? Is it to live a life of comfort, far from the pains of life, away from the pressures and problems?

No, no, no. Far from it.

The gospel today is clear on the fact that the wise man and the fool both experienced the same thing..."The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house."

But the wise man's house "did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock."

What happened to the house of the fool? It "collapsed and was completely ruined."

The Dumb Speaking? The Lame Walking?

"All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking...so they glorified the God of Israel."
- From the Gospel according to Matthew 15:6-10.



Uncanny, aren't they? After all, they were the work of God, no less; through the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Healings like this happen these days in many parts of the world, as we speak. After all, Christ commissioned men to do even more than what He did when He was here on earth, mingling with men.

I saw the healing session of Bob Canton in the recent Kerygma Conference, and I prayed, "Lord, who am I not to believe what I am seeing?"

Have we claimed for ourselves the healing power of God?

Yet it is not just physical healing that God offers us, but a life full of joy in His divine kingdom.

Prophets and Kings Would Have Liked To See What You See

We may count among the prophets and kings who would have liked to see Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, in person.

But are we, really? Christ's presence even in today's world is clear to the eyes of whom Jesus has revealed himself. For if it's indeed a big deal that we haven't seen Christ in person, then what would Saint Paul say of us?

Isn't the Eucharist enough? It isn't just a centuries old ritual sustained by the Catholic Church. It IS the living body of Christ, then, now and in the near future! Jesus is alive!

What about the Catholic Church itself, and the Papacy that has led it for centuries? Isn't it that Jesus said that He will build His Church on this rock? Jesus is alive!

What about the Blessed Virgin Mary who unceasingly reveals herself to mankind? Isn't it that Jesus said to John, "Son, behold, your mother"? Jesus is alive!

Come, sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Abraham. At least three major religions in the world claim to be his descendants.

Isaac was Abraham’s son with his legitimate wife Sarah. Isaac became the father of Jacob who had 12 sons, who soon grew to become the 12 tribes of Israel, the Jews, whom God liberated from Egypt, and whom God claims as His own chosen people.

Isaac had a step-brother Ishmael, through Sarah’s handmain Haran. It is through Ishmael that Muslims claim to be sons of Abraham.

Christians claim a shared inheritance with the Jews through Jesus, whom Jews disowns. Christians are what Jesus refer to as the those coming from the east and the west, who shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Today, Jews are still waiting for the Messiah. But Christians say the Messiah has come, in the person of Jesus, and that Jesus will come again with great glory and honor.

You Don't Know When The Time Will Come?

Don’t Christians wait for the Time to come? the second coming of our Lord Jesus?

What makes us a Christian? Isn’t it because we believe in Jesus as God, that he died and resurrected, and that Jesus is alive, and that Jesus will return?

Many read the Bible, don’t they? But does that alone make them believers? Nope. Isn’t it that what makes one a believer is when one commits to what’s written in the Bible AND looks forward to what it promises?

Let Not Your Hearts Be Weighed Down

What weighs down our hearts?

Conversely, what lifts it up?

Great questions to ask, aren’t they? If we live our lives fully conscious of the answers to those two, we would travel far, very far.

God’s river of life is exactly that. It travels very far, reaching out to us--trees along its embankments.

My Words Will Not Pass Away

Definitely, man passes away.

Empires pass away. Think of the Great Roman Empire. Think Alexander the Great. Think Ottoman Empire. Think of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Even civilizations pass away. Think of the Mayan civilization. Think of the civilization that archaeologists are only beginning to understand.

Then here comes someone who says, “My words will not pass away.” Gosh, he better be God! And indeed he IS God. We know him as Jesus Christ. God the Father knows him as “my son.”

The Son of Man will come with power and glory

Can you imagine the sight of this? The clouds gather, then bright light emanate powerfully from within it, then it comes down gloriously to earth, then we realize that the center of the light comes has a shape of a man, and the man turns out to be Christ.


There is no detailed description such as this scene in the Bible, nor in the traditions of the Church. The closest description we have is the gospel today.

There will not be left a stone upon another

A stone on top of another. Isn’t this a symbolism of man’s creative powers?

By putting one stone upon another we build houses, buildings, skyscrapers, monuments...some of which are meant to provide necessary shelter, while some are meant to display one’s wealth, power and strength.

For whose glory?

Do you want to be in the King's inner circle?

There is a group of people that will make it to the inner circle of Jesus, the King.

It won’t be because of how they look, or how sweet a talker they are, or how they make people feel good...but how much they give back from their hearts.

How badly do we want to be around Christ?

Before him...all the nations will be assembled

“All the nations”

This is bigger than the present-day United Nations, isn’t it? Not all nations are part of this world-wide organization. I know at least one country who has bolted out of it.

Yet Scripture says, and in the words of Christ himself, “all the nations will be assembled before him.” It is a prophecy that still has to come true, yet definitely something to look forward to.

Isn’t it?

Those who are considered worthy...will be raised

Do you have any picture of the resurrection? How shall it look and feel when the dead will be raised?

(You may have thought of horror stories here. All of them were not about resurrection AT ALL.)

I went to the exhibit at SM Mall of Asia about the Shroud of Turin a year ago, and in the video presentation, experts who believed it was the image of Christ shared their view of how the resurrection took place. (Check this site for the scientific findings about the shroud; check also my postscript below).

There first was a light, and the light shot through the shroud.

The next thing we knew, Christ was up and about, in flesh, eating meals with his disciples, touched by Mary, touched by Thomas, walking in the country with two of his disciples...yet appearing and disappearing at will.

My house shall be a house of prayer

Isn’t it that if you’re a Christian, you are therefore a man of prayer? and doesn’t God looks at your soul as His house?

I can speak for myself. Israel is almost halfway across the globe. Yet, I am a Christian. I am counted among those whom John described in Revelations as “many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Are you one of these?

You did not recognize the visitation of your God

Isn’t it that Jesus claims His divine nature, His being God? And, isn’t it that more than just claiming that He’s God, Jesus speaks about man’s rejection of God?

Today’s gospel talks about it.

Isn’t it true now as it was true then?

Everyone who has will be given more

In society these days, we see those who already have plenty getting even more.

In college I used to join activists who complained, “One evil in our society is that the rich become richer, and the poor becomes poorer!”

Fast forward 20 years, I saw myself being an avid fan of Robert Kiyosaki who says, “If the rich does not become richer, they’re doing something wrong.”

Which argument does the gospel today appears to affirm?

Did Christ come for you?

Why did Christ come here on earth?

Oh, we know he came for the Jews, and the righteous, and...the lost ones. But hey, I was actually part of Christ’s itinerary? Come on, you must be kidding.

Christ came for me too? Why should he do that?

Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.

How many of us walk blindly in life, wishing for sight: a clear future, a certain future, a bright future...perhaps not so much for ourselves, but for our children. Oh, how we wish for light to shine brightly on the paths we tread.

Have we asked the Lord for that light?

Snippets of the November 17, 2008 Gospel

Remember from where you have fallen and repent.
From the First Reading, Rev 1:1-4;2:1-5

Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Response to Psalm 1

Jesus said, Receive your sight, your faith has saved you. At once, the blind man was able to see.
From the Gospel, Luke 18:35-43

To all those who have, more will be given

How many of us want to have more?

How many of us think we do not have enough?

Interesting questions, aren’t they? Indeed, there is a world of difference between the two.

Which camp do you belong?

He will speedily do them justice

Justice. What a word, isn’t it? So easy to pronounce and speak, yet so hard to attain.

Here in the Philippines, we say...Justice delayed is justice denied.

Shall we say God is denying us justice by allowing us to “cry to him day and night” until the time He comes?

Whoever Gives His Life Will Be Born Again

What is Christian life, but a life of love for God and for fellowmen?

That simple. But easy?

Hmmm

When something flows from the heart, can anything be difficult?

Snippets of the November 14, 2008 Gospel

This is love: to walk according to his commandments.
From the First Reading, 2 John 4-9

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Response to Psalm 119

Whoever tries to save his life will lose himself, but whoever gives his life will be born again.
From the Gospel, Luke 17:26-37

I used to think of Christianity in terms of laws and rules taught to us in Catechism classes. It took me time to understand what was underneath those laws and rules: LOVE.

See, the kingdom of God is among you.

God’s kingdom appears again and again in the gospel readings. But how does it really look like? Do we see ourselves among the people who really wondered how that kingdom looked like?

What was clear was, the expectations of people about God’s kingdom were way off the mark.

Snippets of the November 13, 2008 Gospel

I had great satisfaction...on hearing of your charity, because the hearts of saints have been cheered by you.
From the First Reading, Philemon 1:7-20

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
Response to Psalm 146

See, the kingdom of God is among you.
From the Gospel, Luke 17:20-25

I did not know myself how to figure out the kingdom of God, until I saw how people of different backgrounds and professions gather together in passionate worship for the same God. That at least was the impression I got during the worship done by 18,000 Couples for Christ members who jampacked ULTRA early this year. There were large gatherings of the same kind before this.

Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine?

When I say prayers of thanks, how long do I pray? Do I think that I deserve all those blessings?

Do I ask? or do I demand? Hmmm, there’s a world of difference there. Asking comes from the mindset of abundance. Demanding comes from the mindset of scarcity.

Jesus wants us to see the abundant world of God. Abundance is God’s nature.

Snippets of the November 12, 2008 Gospel

God...saved us, not because of good deeds we may have done but for the sake of his own mercy.
From the First Reading, Titus 3:1-7

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Response to Psalm 23

Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine?
From the Gospel, Luke 17:11-19

Am I of the one who returned? Am I one of the “other nine”?

Thank my servant. Are you kidding?

God is our Master. We are God’s servants. First, God laid down the ten commandments. Then Jesus clarified the objective of those ten commandments: LOVE, and service to one another.

Ohhhhhhh. All this fuss about living an upright life, what is this really for?

For whose favor do we do these things?

Snippets of the November 11, 2008 Gospel

He gave himself for us, to redeem us from every evil and to purify a people he wanted to be his own.
From the First Reading, Titus 12:1-14

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord
Response to Psalm 37

Do you thank this servant for doing what you commanded?
From the Gospel, Luke 17:7-10

Scandals will necessarily come, but...

The Christian communities since the early days have been besieged by scandals.

The Church remains, yes, but then...

What was my personal response to these scandals?

Snippets of the November 10, 2008 Gospel...

Since the overseer is the steward of God’s house, he must be beyond reproach.
From the First Reading, Titus 1:1-9

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Response to Psalm 24

Scandals will necessarily come...but woe to the one who has brought it about.
From the Gospel, Luke 17:1-6

The recent CFC crisis and the hostile attitude of our local parish priest towards our chapter in CFC are two of the on-going “scandals” that are tearing my heart right now. My heart is bleeding.

But what do I do? Make the problem worse than what it already is? do and say unChristian things to prove my point, and worsen the scandal by creating divisiveness?

It took me time to arrive at a humble stance. The key question to me was...

Am I a lover of what is good?

Did I pray for people? or judged people?

Did I ask for forgiveness for someone’s sins? or did I justify my own?

When I lead people in a Christian worship, do faithfuls see Christ in me? or someone else?

Share with us your answer

Two False Thoughts About Our Physical Body

Do we move about like our body is the temple of God?

Ever since I realized this, I was not the same. How can a tiny creation in the Universe created by God be a temple of God?

Snippets of Today’s Gospel, November 9, 2008
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
From the First Reading, Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
Response to Psalm 46

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
From the Second Reading, 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” ... But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
From the Gospel, John 2:13-22

It is not our physical size. It is the fact that, indeed, when we ask God to come to our lives, where would He stay? Certainly, when Jesus said the Father was in Him, he said it in the literal sense.

That really got me thinking.

What Everybody Ought to Know About Money

Does my money have a higher purpose? Are they the reason and the price for my existence? Or are they there because I am called to accomplish something through them?

Survival Mode. I can’t blame people for having “just enough money.“ That happens.

But what is “just enough money”? Saint Paul, during his time, certainly knew what having “just enough money” meant.

Snippets from Today’s Gospel, November 8, 2008

I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.
From the First Reading, Philippians 4:10-19

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Response to Psalm 112

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.
From the Second Reading, Luke 16:9-15

Self-Sufficiency. Saint Paul took care of his livelihood (tent making) while spreading the gospel. Then, later, the communities he built started supporting him on their own initiative. He defined for himself what “just enough money” meant, in any situation he was in, and then dealt with it. He was self-sufficient.

Fix it right away!

What matters most to me?

Before I answer that question, let me ask another one that relates directly with the gospel today...

Was the master of the dishonest servant out of his mind?

Why did the master commend the dishonest servant?

The Gospel Today, November 7, 2008

Our citizenship is in heaven...He will transfigure our lowly body.
From the First Reading, Philippians 3:7-4:1

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Response to Psalm 122

The people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
From the Gospel, Luke 16:1-8

The commentary from the Lectionary I am reading, as well as the personal insight of a methodist minister showed me a way to interpret the gospel that made real sense.

Get Rid of That Judgmental Attitude Once and For All

How intensely do I judge people around me?

What a tough question to answer. Fact was, I looked down on many people in my life. I ended up looking down at myself too.

The Gospel Today, November 6, 2008



Once I found Christ, all...that I might have considered as profit, I reckoned as loss.
From the First Reading, Philippians 3:3-8

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
Response to Psalm 105

There is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.
From the Gospel, Luke 15:1-10

I rejoiced at the losses of other people. I would say, “mahinang klase ito!” (This one’s not good).

Upon closer introspection, it was my desire for greater self-esteem that was at the root of these. It made me feel good that someone was in a worse situation than I was.

That kind of motivation was absolutely vain and certainly not helpful.

Whom Shall I Fear?

Whom Shall I Fear?

These words strike fear in my bones...

“If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)

The Gospel Today, November 5, 2008

God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.

From the First Reading, Philippians 2:12-18

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Response to Psalm 27

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple

Luke 14:25-33

The following words of Paul offered the consolation I needed...

God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.

Believing in and serving God is a personal decision, not a family decision. It takes nothing less than a personal dedication to finish what has been started.

I'll tell you my EXCUSE, then tell me yours

What’s my excuse?

In the gospel today, many of those whom the king invited to the banquet sent many excuses. One “purchased a field” while another “purchased five yoke of oxen.” Still another “just married a woman.” (Luke 14:18-20).

The Gospel Today, November 4, 2008

Brothers and sisters: Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus...he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness.

From the First Reading, Philippians 2:5-11

I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Response to Psalm 22

The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’

Luke 14:15-24

My excuse was, “I got busy!”

COMPLETE! Do not compete.

How do I regard others “less gifted” than I am?

Arrogance was my downfall in more ways than I was willing to admit. It damaged my being in more ways than I was willing to see and fix.

The Gospel Today, November 3, 2008

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.
From the First Reading, Philippians 2:1-4

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Response to Psalm 131

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
From the Gospel Reading, Luke 14:12-14

Fact was, I detested a lot of people whom I considered “inferior” to my abilities. That attitude affected my relationships with them and my ability to get things done through them.

Nobody wanted an arrogant man around who made everybody else feel small.

I also had too much expectations of myself, leading to overwork, fatigue, drudgery, etc. I was my own tormentor.

I also felt lonely. Very lonely.

Did this happen to you?

Or is this happening to you right now?

That definitely wasn’t God’s plan for me. Nor was it God’s plan for you.

God’s message today is about humility and reaching out to others as equals, despite their inability to repay.

Thought #1. Christians COMPLETE each other.
Thought #2. Christians DO NOT COMPETE with each other.
Thought #3. We are ONE BODY in Christ. We shall be ONE in LOVE.

These remind us of the song we often hear in the Holy Mass...

One Bread One Body

One Bread, One Body

John Foley

© 1978, John Foley & New Dawn Music

One bread, one body,
one Lord of all.
One cup of blessings which we bless.
And we, though many,
throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

Gentile or Jew,
servant or free,
woman or man
no more

Refrain

Many the gifts,
many the works,
one in the Lord
of all.

Refrain

Grain for the fields,
scattered and grown,
gathered to one
for all.

Refrain


I could not add words to what the readings already said.

May we be humble and loving, just as our God is humble and loving.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

All Souls Day: A Day to Be Grateful

This is a day to be grateful.

The Gospel Today, November 2, 2008 - All Souls Day

He will destroy death forever
From the First Reading, Isaiah 25:6-9

The Lord is kind and merciful
Response to Psalm 103

God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
From the Second Reading, Romans 5:5-11

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
From the Gospel, Matthew 11:25-30

God’s mercy is indeed on us.

He who believes in Jesus Christ will one day wake up, even in their sleep, to see Christ face-to-face.

Let us thank the Lord for...

• LIFE
• SALVATION
• RESURRECTION
• LIFE IN GOD’S KINGDOM

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Four Saints, Past and Present

Who do we look up to for righteous living here on earth? We are all in search for living examples of people who live righteously.

It’s a tough search.

The Gospel Today, November 1, 2008 - All Saints Day

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb
From the First Reading, Revelation 7:2-4,9-14

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Response to Psalm 24

We shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
From the Second Reading, 1 John 3:1-3

He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” From the Gospel, Matthew 5:1-12

Only one is good, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

This does not mean that we are devoid of examples of righteous living. We do have examples from the saints.

Thanks to the saints, we have an idea how to follow Christ in modern times. Their stories tell us great examples of how we can follow Christ.

I am touched by the example of Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, both of whom I consider to be saints, before and after they passed away. They were icons of devotion to the Christ and the Church. They awaken in the hearts of many the desire to live according to the statutes of the Lord.

Among the early saints, I look up to Saint Paul, not just because he propagated the Word among the gentiles (which is why a non-Jew like me is able to relish the Words of God), but because he did so while taking care of his own livelihood. He was a tentmaker. To me, he is a good example of good stewardship over both material and spiritual gifts.

There are many saints around.

I would consider the latest one to be Father Gallardo of the Claretian order. He was the priest that was captured by bandits in the south not too many years ago. He was murdered by the kidnappers. Accounts of his death showed that he led the other captives in praying the rosary, which made the kidnappers very angry.

There are also living saints around, too many to mention. You know them by their positive influence and zeal for the Word of the Lord.

Thank you Lord for the saints.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Three Rules We Follow Blindly

What stops me from showing compassion? Rules, rules, rules. We are being run by them. A lot of them are unwritten. Some of them makes perfect sense. Some of them we just follow blindly.

Blindly...that’s the thing.

The Gospel for Today, October 31, 2008


And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception.
From the First Reading, Philippians 1: 1-11


How great are the works of the Lord!
Response to Psalm 111


Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would you not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?
From the Gospel, Luke 14: 1-6

Then we wonder why the world is “cold hearted” and “indifferent” to the sufferings of people around us.

We say, “what can we do?”

The Jews are not the only ones guilty of undoing the Sabbath. Christians too!

What rules do we follow blindly?

I did a lot of thinking on this question, but as of now, I couldn’t write about any of them without opening a “can of worms” in my psyche.

But let me gather some courage to write down at least three of these rules, which really create conflict inside me...

Rule #111
Do not give money to street beggar

The first time I heard this was in college. A friend told me not to give money to the street beggars, because they were in fact part of a syndicate. Money collected would eventually go into the pockets of the head of the syndicate.

That really turned me off.

Then I heard later that there was a law prohibiting people from helping people on the streets. At that point I said, well that made sense.

Now, I don’t give money to people begging on the streets, no matter how good they were in acting out their hunger, or ...

Gosh, have I become one of those cold-hearted urban people?

Rule #222
Do not work with pharmaceutical companies in your work for the poor

Some leaders say pharmaceutical companies only want their products to be sold in slum areas, that was why they wanted to help.

Oh, really? If so, then that would really turn me off.

But what if these pharmaceutical companies just wanted to help in building houses for the homeless, without conditions?

The leaders had decided. No to pharmaceutical companies in Gawad Kalinga.

Never mind that Caritas accepts donations from these companies, and that these companies donate to Habitat II, which an overly critical former CFC Director is now supporting.

Rule #333
Respect people’s opinions, even those about morality

I used to be indifferent to discussions about birth control, reproductive health, etc. because, after all, my wife and I was practicing what the Church was teaching and we were happy about it. After almost seven years of marriage, we had two children and one miscarriage, but everything was God’s grace!

Children are a blessing!

Then here were people who had other ideas about birth control, and I used to just let them be.

But then, Pope Benedict XVI started talking about the “dictatorship of relativism” and I woke up! Catholics, especially those who received instruction, could not possibly be blind to the moral implications of artificial birth control in the name of population control. All we had to do was look at this site...

Mary’s Comfort Ministries: A ministry for widows and orphans
http://www.maryscomfort.org/

One would think that’s a Catholic ministry. No, sir!

Even non-Catholics would agree that the bigger issue is man’s attitude towards sex and marriage! An unhealthy attitude, compounded by artificial birth control, would lead to only one destination...

SUFFERING, an unnecessary type of suffering.

I wonder what Jesus Himself had to say about these rules had he been here now.

But then perhaps we did not need to wonder, because institutions like the Catholic Church is being guided by the Holy Spirit to speak truth on matters of faith and morals.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Who Else Wants to Fill the Empty Space (In Your Heart)?

Empty space inside your heart: do you have that? Or have you experienced any kind of emptiness, despite having achieved what you have always wanted?

I guess anyone who has reached the age of 40 has experienced it somehow.

I experienced it since I was 14.

Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.

From the First Reading, Ephesians 6: 10-20

Blessed be the Lord. My Rock!

Response to Psalm 144

Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!

From the Gospel, Luke 13: 31-35

Jesus felt it too.

Oh how the Lord wanted to embrace us like a mother hen wanting to warm her brood under its wings.

What’s stopping God?

Even as God is an all-powerful God, He gave us FREE WILL to accept him or not.

Do we really have that many option outside of God?

It appears to me that there isn’t. We want to think there is, but has anyone found out a life outside of God lately?

We insist on a life outside of God. No wonder we feel empty inside. We fight this emptiness by doing more of the same, only to find that it gets worse.

If so, then why don’t we all just become monks?

Hmmm.

It appears to me that we do not have to be. God desires obedience from us. Sacrifice or suffering is corollary to obedience. In fact, God has a plan for each of us. Some of us indeed are destined to be monks. But not all of us!

Some of us are meant to produce offsprings.
Some of us are meant to be celibate.
Some of us are meant to find riches in non-material things.
Some of us are meant to be prosperous materially.

God is a great billiard player. With whatever shape we take in God’s billiard table, he can shoot any ball he wants to and win the game, in His time, and in His own way.

But He wants a personal response from us regarding His plan.

There is an inner voice that prods us to move and produce results, an inner voice that tells us, “go there, do not go there, move fast, slow down, stop, look, listen, go!”

Are we listening to this inner voice?

Or are we caught up in what’s in or what’s not, what’s hot or what’s cool, what’s big and what’s tiny, what’s cute and what’s appalling...fully ignorant of the inner voice that speaks to us right within us?

Most of us are not listening. No wonder we feel empty inside. We fight this emptiness by doing more of the same, only to find that it gets worse.

I truly believe that there is a space within us that only God can fill, and which God longs so much to fill. But we have to allow Him. I believe further that such empty space has something to do with our search for an ultimate meaning, an ultimate reason for existence, our ultimate purpose for being.

Yes, we all have gifts and opportunities to grow them, and grow them we should because it is an exercise of stewardship. We marvel at the abundance of our material harvest; but the party is almost always momentary. There is an annoying silence after the trophy is stuck on the wall. We ask, “ok, what’s next?”

We often fail to ask, “why and for whom?”

We don’t know what these things are really for. No wonder we feel empty inside. We fight this emptiness by doing more of the same, only to find that it gets worse.

Jesus has that empty space too, and oh how He longs to fill that space in His heart, which only human beings can fill.

There’s only one way to fill that empty space in Jesus’s heart. Paul said it quite clearly: “Draw your strength from the Lord”

By filling that empty space in Jesus’s heart, we fill the empty space inside us too. That, at least, has been my experience.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

86,400 Ways of Working for Christ

Who do I work for? I used to have a very simple answer to this question. But somehow, things got complicated and what was once a simple heart became a confused one.

At work we have our bosses (who give us our salary).

In business, we have clients (who let go of the money in exchange of the value we provide), the banks (who lend us money) and the government (who get some of the money).

Servants, obey your masters of this world...with simplicity of heart, as if obeying Christ.

From the First Reading, Ephesians 6:1-9

The Lord is faithful in all his words.

Response to Psalm 145

Do your best to enter by the narrow door, for many...will try to enter and will not be able.

From the Gospel, Luke 13:22-30

At home, we have our family (to whom we give our love, passion, guidance, dreams, earnings, among many others).

Then, there’s the spiritual community we belong to and the ministry we have volunteered.

There’s Christ, who says, “obey.”

Things got clearer with the gospel today.

In all the things that we do, our whole object is to glorify God. It is more than praying to him, or attending Mass, paying tithes, though they’re all important.

It is working with Christ in all areas of our lives: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. There are 86,400 ways of working for Christ in just one single day. (The number is the number of seconds in a single day).

What does this mean? Let me illustrate...

We wake up in the morning...do we thank the Lord? Things were happening while we slept, and one of the best things that happened then was that our body repaired itself from the rigors of the previous day. It’s happening right inside our bodies but did we cause it? No.

We eat...do we thank the Lord? Yes, we worked to have the money to buy the food. But have we thought of the people who produced the food, packaged them and brought them to the market so that we would be able to buy them? Who did these people serve? Somehow I cannot help but think we’re privileged to have those army of people working so we can exchange our money with food on the table. Money is paper. We can’t eat it. We have to exchange it.

We work...do we thank the Lord? What would the Lord hear when we step into our work place? Does he hear gratitude? or complaint? What is our attitude to our officemates (this question is for me)? What is our attitude to our partners? What is our attitude to our subordinates? Do these glorify the Lord?

We think...do we thank the Lord? or do we get all the credit?

We influence people...do we thank the Lord? or we get all the credit?

We get results...do we thank the Lord? or do we get all the credit?

We get the money...do we thank the Lord? or do we get all the credit?

The list of things to thank for is endless.

The list of things to be responsible for is endless.

We go to the comfort room. We attend long management meetings. We attend brainstorming sessions. We face clients. We write reports.

Our brains are at work all day. Who gave us the brain?

Our hands and feet work all day. Who gave us our hands and feet?

What do we tell the God about how we used all these when our time is up?

Did we use them to glorify Him?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Seven Healthy Ways of Looking at Priests and Bishops

How do I look at bishops and priests? I want a healthy way of looking at our bishops and priests. That is the positive way of saying, I do not want any quarrel with them. Now that sounds too strong a word, almost sacrilegious to some. That is exactly why I want a healthy way of looking at them.

You are the house whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is Christ Jesus.

From the First Reading, Ephesians 2:19-22

Their message goes out through all the earth.

Response to Psalm 19

Jesus...chose twelve of them whom he called apostles.

From the Gospel, Luke 6:12-16

Priests and bishops are our pastors in the Church. But then I happen to belong to a trans-parochial private and international association of the laity recognized by the Vatican. In some parishes we are welcome. But in some, we are not! There is unity in the content of the message, even on how the message will be carried out. But there are still disagreements with them on the nitty-gritty of things. It is sometimes frustrating.

But this is part of the growth process.

Let’s have a fresh look at our priests and bishops.

Perspective #1 - They are human beings, guided by the Holy Spirit

Sure they are. Just like you and me. What does that mean? They are unique in their own human ways. Yes indeed, just like you and me. They have likes and dislikes, whims and caprices, biases. They have strengths. They have weaknesses. Yes, indeed, yes. Just like you and me.

But the Catholic Church has survived for 2,000 years amidst upheavals in the world and amidst the many times the map has been redrawn.

What does this mean to you? Let us review our expectations. Some of us expect them to be saints right away. Put yourselves on their shoes and then, if you’re really worthy, cast the first stone for all I care. What I suggest is you turn around and ask for the Holy Spirit to descend on you too. Then perhaps you may finally see.

Perspective #2 - They are servant-leaders

Oh, really? How do you call someone who pastors 10,000 families in one parish, teach the people about Christ and the Church, administer the sacraments, day-in and day-out, with no salary and everything for the love of God and God’s creations? How do you call someone who speaks truth even if the truth is not popular? How do you call someone who influences lives purely on the strength of the Gospel he represents? I call that person a servant-leader.

If you think the priest around you is not acting like a servant-leader, review Perspective #1 and report that priest to the Bishop. If you think the Bishop around you misbehaves, again review Perspective #1 and report that Bishop to the Pope.

What does this mean to you? The more you want to break the spirit of Bishops and Priests, the more you will strengthen them. It’s either you help them spread the Word of God and God’s works, or get out of their way.

Perspective #3 - They are the foundations of the Church that Christ has established and continues to build.

No need to explain this. It’s what the gospel today is all about, underlined by no less than Saint Paul himself. Only the Catholic Church can trace its roots back to the apostles. This is a fact not just in spiritual terms but also in historical terms.

What does this mean to you? If you’re Catholic, realize what you have. In my experience, it is much harder to evangelize someone who “already knows” everything about the Church. I’m 39 and this far, there is always something new to learn about the Church. At the rate I’m going, I don’t think at 88 I am going to learn enough to argue with anybody.

If you’re not Catholic, ascertain your assumptions. To me, it’s either Christ came here and built a Church, or He didn’t come at all.

Perspective #4 - They are the salt of the earth

I have come this far to see that priests and bishops are indeed the salt of the earth. Of course, it is something Christians in general claim. But to me, the bishops and priests are “it.” Why? Gosh, I can write a whole post about this. Suffice it to say that had the bishops and priests not carry out their mandate since the beginning of time until the present, the world in general is going to be in a worse state than it already is in. Christianity would have been a mere mention in history.

What does this mean to you? Just because Christianity is here for a very long time does not mean we can take our bishops and priests for granted. Far from it! The responsibility of carrying out the mission of the Cross of Christ has never been heavier, never been more crucial to the survival of the world...and humanity. We either pray for our bishops and priests and actively support them, or we get out of their way. They are the salt of the earth.

Perspective #5 - They are instruments of love, not of judgement

This is where many Catholics and most non-Catholics are completely wrong about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They think going to confession is like appearing in front of a judge and saying, “I am guilty, your honor. Do with me as you see fit.”

Wrong!

I’m 39 years old and, this far, my confessions are always an experience of LOVE, LOVE and LOVE. Here’s more...the priest commits his life to holding your confessions a secret between you and him. Not even the CIA or the KGB or the MI5 can break down the will of a priest to hold your confessions secret.

What does this mean to you? Confession is one of the “secrets” of the strength of the Catholic Church. But that’s not what’s absolutely shocking. Confession is one of the “secrets” to your strength as a Christian. Christ is waiting for you at the confessional box, wanting to tell you how much He loves you. The bishops and priests are there, ready to take you by the hand, and help you walk towards Christ if you’re limping.

Perspective #6 - They are married to Christ and stewards of God’s household, the Church

You wonder why they’re celibate? It’s a tradition that is an object of constant attacks. But the Church is sticking to it. Bishops and priests are married to the Christ and they take care of God’s household, the Church. Everything they have and do are for Christ and the Church, nothing else.

What does this mean to you? If you think the Church is meddling in state affairs, know where the bishops and priests are coming from and what they are doing everything for. If you find your position on an issue to be contrary to what the Church stands for, then at least understand where the Church is coming from.

Bishop Fulton Sheen, during World War II, warned the USA about communism as something as evil as Hitler. His warnings were not heeded. USA allied itself with the Soviet Union to defeat Germany and Japan. What happened? Cold War. Germany was divided. Korea got divided. Soviet Union disintegrated. Germany reunited. But we still have North Korea threatening the rest of the world.

In recent history, the Church has been warning the west about the evils of unbridled capitalism. Some have listened. Some have not. Now we are in the verge of a worldwide economic recession that could have been avoided by a simple exercise of prudence. The root of all these is greed.

Today, the Church is in the forefront of the pro-life campaign and is under attack once again. Soon the world shall fully realize the impact of divorce, same sex marriages and contraceptives on society.

Perspective #7 - They are the stewards of the holy traditions initiated by Christ

This is a fact that I take for granted as true. The holy tradition is right there in the Apostle’s Creed, which every Catholic recites.

I believe in God
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only son, our Lord.
Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

What does this mean to you? The Catholic Church has the formula for summarizing the entire gospel in one simple Apostle’s Creed. Are you reciting it with passion? or are you simply mouthing it? The Creed represents the entire catechism in a snap shot, which is being perpetuated by the priests and bishops across the world.

Reflect on each line and know that it has more to it than meets the eye.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Think and Live Like Christ

Reflection on Today’s Gospel (October 27, 2008)

Do I understand what laws are for? Are these laws made to enslave men? or to ensure liberty? How did Christ live out the laws of his times?

Follow the way of love, the example of Christ.

From the First Reading, Ephesians 4:32-5:8

Behave like God as his very dear children.

Response to Psalm 1

But the ruler of the synagogue was indignant because Jesus had performed the healing on the Sabbath day.

From the Gospel, Luke 13:10-17

There’s an earlier reflection that somehow relates to this, entitled, “’There is no God. There is only the Law’” that made reference to the classic novel Le Miserables.

God, Me and My Family. Who Else is Here?

Reflection on the Gospel for Today (October 26, 2008)
30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Outside of God, me and my family, who else count in my life? I have a confession to make. I’m afraid my answer is...not much else counts.

You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger.

From the First Reading, Exodus 22:20-26

I love you, Lord, my strength.

Response to Psalm 18

Others tell of how you responded to us...For you serve the living and true God.

From the Second Reading

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

From the Gospel, Matthew 22:34-40

Let me qualify my answer. If God wants us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, that makes them family, right?

The real question is...
Is that divine command acceptable to us?

We can understand loving God, or at least we think we do. Our minds are still programmed to think in terms of “vertical” relationships, which, more often than not, spells survival to us. We have parents in the family, teachers in school and bosses in our work places.

So indeed, we think we have a grasp of what loving God is.

But what if...
loving God is not about what a parent is to a child?
or not about what a teacher is to a student?
or not about what a boss is to a subordinate?

What if...loving God is to love our neighbor?

Are we to accept such understanding of “loving God”?

Love is “affection and concern for someone else.” What does loving God mean then? Is it “affection and concern” for God? That sounds like an oxymoron to me. How can the blade of grass have “affection and concern” for the sun that shines above it?

I do not intend to argue with anyone here. I am just expressing my take on this question.

To love God, in my current understanding, is to let the love of God flow to you, and then through you. To love God is to listen to Him, to let His Word sink into our hearts, and then to let our hearts convey God’s love for his creation.

There’s no need for years of Theology to get this. It is not rocket science.

We all understand the basic laws of physics, the laws in which a Supreme intelligence has created. (We have a name for this Supreme intelligence. We call him Yahweh, our God.)

We all understand that because of physics, the game of billiards has been made possible. We hit a ball, the ball rolls, the ball hits another ball, that second ball moves. Our minds determine the direction of the first ball and the intensity with which it rolls, so that the second ball goes to where we want it to. That’s Billiard. He who masters that craft makes millions!

God is a great billiard player, and we’re the balls on the table.

It is not difficult to understand.

But it can be difficult to accept.

To love God is to shape ourselves like perfect balls on the table, not for our sake, but so that God can use us well in moving others towards the direction He all wants us to take...to the Kingdom of God.

That makes everyone a family, to me, and to God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

What Everybody Ought To Know About God's Business

Reflection on Today’s Gospel (October 25, 2008)

Am I rebuilding my life according to the standards of Christ? That question comes with a hidden fear: will Christ cut me down? To which another part of me says, so what? If Christ really thinks I’m valuable, then he won’t cut me down.

But if he does cut me down, then what does that mean?

So the body builds itself in love.
From the First Reading, Ephesians 4:7-16

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Response to Psalm 22

He came looking for fruit on it, but found none. Then he said to the gardener...cut it down.
From the Gospel, Luke 13:1-9

When Christ cuts me down, there’s no one else to blame.

How much “business capital” has God infused in me? Am I giving him a good return on investment? Am I a profit center? or a cost center?

By the way, what business is God in to?

He is the business of spreading LOVE among humanity.

Can’t waste more words on that, lest I muddle the meaning.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ten Simple (I didn't say easy) Steps to Peaceful Living

Reflection on Today's Gospel (October 24, 2008)Do I address conflicts in a Christian way? I know at least ten steps to Christian peaceful living. I am striving to learn each step. This is where I am struggling a whole lot.

Keep among you the unity of Spirit through bonds of peace.
From the First Reading, Ephesians 4:1-6

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Response to Psalm 24

When you go with your accuser before the court, try to settle the case on the way.
From the Gospel, Luke 12:54-59

Step 1. Know your purpose

This your “judge” or the standard by which you could evaluate everything. When you know your purpose, you would know what is important and what’s not. A barking dog is not something a man with a purpose of reaching a destination would not pay attention to.

Step 2. Visualize Peace

Know what role peace plays in your purpose. Chances are, it is an essential part. It definitely plays a central role in operating with a team around you. Now, visualize peace. See it in your mind's visual faculties, and replay it again and again in your mind. We have a word for that...meditation. We experience something in advance, through the God-given power of our minds.

Step 3. Manage your Environment

Choose the place, people and circumstances very well. Move if you need to. Change friends if you need to. Influence your circumstances towards your purpose, with the path of peace in mind.

Step 4. Exercise Humility

This is huge. Yes, while you can manage places, people and circumstances, you influence them too. If everywhere you go the same problem crops up, chances are the problem lies with you. You need humility to establish and re-establish communication with people.

Step 5. Forgive and Let Go

The words “forgive and forget” do not tie up with recent understanding of forgiveness. People don’t forget. They let go. Wounds happen along the way, even after exercising humility. In some cases the intense feeling of resentment may be justified. But one thing is definitely true: you can move on only when you forgive and then let go. You cannot pursue peace, while holding on to hate. You cannot pursue success, while holding on to your failures.

Step 6. Forbear

This is when someone does the same thing again and again...to you, even when you have already forgiven that person in your heart. This is clearly the mark of a saint. This is clearly the mark of Christ. This is when, while someone is nailing you on the cross, you still manage to say, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Step 7. Appreciate Peace

When someone acts peace, respond accordingly. When someone acts in a nasty manner, do not react. Sometimes people just want attention. They need to earn it. Show them how by showing what you appreciate most. When you appreciate peace, really pour it on. When someone asks forgiveness, appreciate the act. When someone greets peace, return the greeting with a 100 times the passion.

Step 8. Talk Peace

Let your own speech testify to peace. The tongue is the most powerful muscle of man. It can build. It can also destroy, big time. Choose to build. Be an ambassador of peace.

Step 9. Act Peace

Walk your talk. Let your actions testify to peace. Smile sincerely. Shake hands firmly. Relax your body in the presence of others. Stiffness does not help.

Step 10. Choose your battles

There can be times when you may need to fight in order to attain your purpose. Choose your battles carefully. You can’t win every one of them, but you can still win the war. When I say “fight” this does not always mean “fight back.” There is a world of difference. Make sure you are on the righteous side; otherwise, go back to #1.

Lord, grant me
HUMILITY
to accept the things that I cannot change
COURAGE
to change the things that I can
and
WISDOM
to know the difference
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Five Questions About Love Everybody Ought to Ask Today

Reflection on Today's Gospel (October 23, 2008)

Five Questions:
        1.        How grounded am I in love?
        2.        Is love in my everyday language?
        3.        When was the last time I expressed love?
        4.        When was the last time I received love?
        5.        When was the last time I acknowledged love?


These questions may or may not be easy to answer. I would say that if your answer to the first question is tentative, your answer to the rest of the questions will help you clarify things in your heart.

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; may you be rooted and founded in love.
From the First Reading, Ephesians 3:14-21

The earth is full of goodness of the Lord
Response to Psalm 33

Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No...rather division.
From the Gospel, Luke 12:49-53

Why are the questions important? It is because love will bring you into situations opposed to the very people you care for, or have lots of respect for, or have lots of gratitude to---your very own family. Love is a language of the heart. What language is being used in your own family today?

How many families relate with each other on the basis of rules, or unwritten expectations? That may be fine when we were kids, as we guide them in their growth. But do these rules flow from love? But do we still relate with each other on that basis all the way through adulthood?

Many "victim" teleserye--which I personally despise--are based on this theme. It's happening. Children want to relate with their parents in love, but the parents insist on carved-in-stone rules. What are these rules?

• Never argue with parents. Obey and do not complain. We teach that to kids sometimes, but some parents go overboard. At age 22, they expect kids to still act similarly.
• Let the elder one marry first. Gosh, I still hear some people observe such rules today. People in Biblical times did this. Haven't we learned?
• Don't marry that guy or girl. You deserve someone better. This is controversial. I know some will disagree with me on this point. Some insist they simply care. Fine. Do you impose your will? Is imposition about love? or about rules?

This happens to rich families. This happens to economically-challenged families. This has nothing to do with one's material wealth or educational attainment. This has everything to do on people's understanding of the word "love" as it relates to everyday life!

A great example in real life. I personally know at least one father who could have imposed those rules on his eldest child. But no. He loved this child all the more and supported her in what others would have already judged as "wayward" choice in life, given the family's stature in society. This child is doing well now. The father is happy. My salutes!

That father is a Christian. Are you surprised? I wish I can write his name and write more about him, but I do not have his permission at this point. So let me mention his example that way for now.

The Kingdom of God is at hand. Are we surprised that children of today are different from the children a generation ago? Perhaps God was not joking when He said that. The children of today demand love from their parents more fiercely than a generation ago. I do not know why that is, but most of the people I know agree with at least one point: the ways of a generation ago do not work in the generation of kids today.

The Kingdom of God is pitting members of families against each other, because the Kingdom of God shall run on the veins of children. Parents of today must catch up, and children of today must be guided on what it is that's pitting them against the conventions of society today.

It's the seed of the Kingdom growing in our society, exerting itself, like a seed that pushes the soil above it. Because of this seed, laws and rules will be reviewed and modified and those without meaning in the context of love will be revoked.

Christ is about love. Christ is also about rules. But love is the basis of all these rules.

How many families relate with each other on the basis of love?

May your family be one in love.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.