Give Me Humility and I Will Give You Focus

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 30, 2008)

At length it was Job who spoke, cursing the day of his birth.
From the First Reading, Job 3:1-23

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.
Response to Psalm 88

Lord, do you want us to call fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes? Jesus turned and rebuked them.
From the Gospel, Luke 9:51-56

What sort of prayers do I lift up to God?


Scary gospel. This gospel talks about anger being lifted up to God as if it is a righteous prayer. I believe I am guilty of this, and subtly at that. Every time I visualize someone else's disgrace, isn't that a prayer? We yearn for it. By yearning for it we summon unknown powers to work on it. Then, when it finally happens, we celebrate. Then we attribute someone else's disgrace as the answer to our prayers. Don't we worship someone else here? Isn't this...idolatry? Scary.

My Recent experience with Self-Righteous Anger. My recent experience on this was the well-publicized crisis in Couples for Christ (CFC) last year. The former CFC Director, whom I considered my light, began talking on a different tune. In his very own website, I saw stuff that made me want to throw up. When I searched for documents to help me in my moment of decision of whether to support him or not in his cause, I felt betrayed...by him, no less. Anger clouded my senses and when he was not nominated back to the International Council, I heard myself saying, "dapat lang, buti nga sa kanya" (as it should be, he deserved that).

Jesus showed humility. In the midst of the anger that his disciples felt when the Samaritans refused them entry, Jesus showed humility by going instead to another village. Some things were small compared to the size of the Mission, and Jesus did not allow himself to get distracted. Jesus did not show anger. He simply looked for an alternative way.

Humility in the Face of Accuser. The former Director did, and still does, a lot of things to discredit the International Council and woe more members into his side. I respected the decisions of those who supported him after some thought, but I felt sad for those who went with him unsuspectingly. In the face of all this, the newly elected International Council issued enlightened guidance to the members and did not respond in kind to the anger and hate that seemed to characterize the former Director. The International Council declared the year's theme as "Love One Another" clearly responding to fire, not with fire, but with water.

A humbling realization. This is not the first time that I have observed true Christian behavior in the leadership of Couples for Christ. The first time was in 2000, when CFC made a stand against the moral standards of a former President of the Republic. It joined the rest of the country in rallying at the EDSA-Ortigas intersection. The former President stepped down in that episode of our country's life, everyone rejoiced, some went home. But CFC elders stayed behind to clean up the area. The moral recovery episode was over, it was time to move on; and move they did. Cockiness was absolutely absent. That made a great impact on me.

Humility vs Focus. Humility is an essential ingredient for focus. Pride is a great distraction. Humility in the face of setbacks. Humility in the face of victory. Amazing how humility allowed the leaders to maintain their Focus. May the living saints who exhibit humility in the face of their Mission multiply here on earth.

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.

If You Have No Idea Who Christ Is, You'll Hate Yourself Later

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 29, 2008)

They conquered him by the blood of the lamb.
From the First Reading, Revelation 12:7-12

In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises.
Response to Psalm 138

Truly...you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. 

From the Gospel, John 1:47-51

Who is Christ to me?

I have searched my heart on how I really know Christ, and I mean, come on, really. Based on my Catechism classes, the Holy Mass, the Bible, the books about Christianity, the and the people who have influenced me in my faith, this is how I have come to know Jesus:

Do You Make This Mistake About Truth?

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 28, 2008)

After turning from the sins he committed, he will save his life.
From the First Reading, Ezekiel 18:25-28

Remember your mercies, O Lord. 

Response to Psalm 26

I beg you to make me very happy: have love, one spirit, one feeling, do nothing through rivalry or vain conceit.
From the Second Reading, Philippians 2:1-11


John came to show you the way of goodness but you did not believe him, yet the publicans and prostitutes did. 

From the Gospel, Matthew 21:28-32

Am I doing what is good in the eyes of God?False humility. This type of humility often creeps into my psyche when I try to decide whether what I am doing is good or not. I say things like, "only God knows" or "When I get there I'll find out." On the surface this kind of thinking shows some acknowledgement that there is an ultimate Judge above. But then, taken to the extreme, this kind of thinking can waylay us to false doctrines that abound abundantly today.

Four Fundamental Characteristics of a Personal Mission

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 27, 2008)

Rejoice, young man, in your youth and direct well your heart...Be mindful of your Creator.
From the 1st Reading, Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Response to Psalm 90

The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands.
From the Gospel, Luke 9:43-45

Am I aware of my mission? the price? and the prize?

Whatever one's mission in life is, I believe in the following:

1. The mission is something you really want - there's a fire in your belly that burns like coal, slow but naggingly persistent, and in unguarded moments it blazes
2. The mission is bigger than you are - it drives you to uncharted territories of your being, constantly disrupting your comfort, and it gives you a great deal of adventure
3. The mission contributes something good to mankind - it drives you to create something that is not there before, from which mankind benefits
4. The mission by itself is a legacy for others - it drives others to pursue the same mission, even when you're already gone

See the Signs of the Times as Jesus Does

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 26, 2008)

There is a given time for everything.
From the 1st Reading, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Response to Psalm 144

The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders...and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.
From the Gospel, Luke 9:18-22

Am I mindful of the stage I am in?

Jesus had the Divine Plan clear in his mind. At 12 years old he knew it was time to be with his heavenly Father in the Temple.  At age 30, he knew it was time to start his ministry with the Baptism at the Jordan River. During his ministry, there were attempts to silence him, but then, it wasn't the time yet so he dodged them all. When it was finally the time for him to suffer and die, he knew.  Then he knew he would rise from the dead. Jesus was well-versed of the divine plan and he was in control.

Five Reasons Why I Want to Know Jesus

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 25, 2008)

If they say to you, See, it's new! know that it has already been centuries earlier
From the 1st Reading, Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Response to Psalm 90

As for Herod, he said...who is this man about whom I hear such wonders
From the Gospel, Luke 9:7-9

What is driving my desire to know Jesus? Wonders. That's what drove Herod's desire to see Jesus. He knew he beheaded John, so the "man" couldn't possibly be John. At first I thought that, when Herod mentioned John's name in the Gospel today, Herod wanted to hear Jesus just as he wanted to hear John before Herodias tricked him into beheading John. But no, it turned out, Herod wanted to see Jesus because of the "wonders." Herod's behavior when he finally met Jesus right before the crucifixion would confirm this.

What Everybody Ought To Know About the Catholic Church

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 24, 2008)

Every word of God is true, he is a shield in whom man can find refuge.
From the First Reading, Proverbs 30:5-9

Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Response to Psalm 119

They set out and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news.
From the Gospel, Luke 9:1-6

Do I seek counsel from the Word of God?

Roots of something big. Christians now number more than two billion across the globe, around half of whom are Catholics. To realize that these Christians start with the 12 apostles--common people at that time--is simply breath-taking. What went into these apostles that gave them the power to proclaim the good news of salvation and grow a Church that is so big today? It's nothing but the Word of God, sola verbum dei.

Run Like a Champion

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

To do what is upright and just pleases Yahweh more than sacrifice.
From the 1st Reading, Proverbs 2:1-6,10-13

Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Response to Psalm 119

My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.
From the Gospel, Luke 8:19-21

How obedient am I to the Word of God?

GK777. In my earlier post I mentioned the volunteer work I do with Gawad Kalinga. I also mentioned the procrastination that I realized I was doing. In this light, let me mention here that GK is being implemented with a vision of 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years. I believe this is a God-given mission, and the sense of urgency is really apparent. Procrastination is almost a sin.

Serve Like Saint Paul

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 22, 2008)

Do not hold back from those who ask your help, when it is in your power to do it.
From the 1st Reading, Proverbs 3:27-34

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Response to Psalm 2

Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more.
From the Gospel, Luke 8:16-18

How well do I listen to Christ?

Open mouthed. At this time I am not sure what to answer here. As I write this post, it has been weeks since the last time we conducted work in the Gawad Kalinga site in Quezon City where I have volunteered to serve. What hurts is, I am the Program Manager for the Community Infrastructure Component a.k.a. Tatag.

Twelve Decisions to Follow Christ

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 21, 2008)

My ways are not your ways, says Yahweh.
From the 1st Reading, Isaiah 55:6-9

The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
Response to Psalm 145

Try, then, to adjust your lives according to the Gospel of Christ. May I see it when I come to you.
From the 2nd Reading, Philippians 1:20-24,27

The last hardly worked an hour, yet you have treated them the same as us...The owner said to one of them: Friend, I have not been unjust to you.
From the Gospel, Matthew 20:1-16

What efforts do I exert to follow Christ?

Decision is a domain that you own, and even God does not seek to mess with it. There's a space inside you that you and you alone control: your gut. From this gut flows your decision.

Ten Persons Who Led Me To Christ

I count at least ten people who led me to Christ. Today I thank them, and more besides, for bringing them into my life. Who are in your list?

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 20, 2008)

We shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.
From the 1st Reading, 1 Corinthians 15:35-37,42-49

I will walk in the presence of God, in the land of the living.
Response to Psalm 56

The seed is the word of God...the good soil are people who receive the word and...bear fruit.
From the Gospel, Luke 8:4-15

REFLECTION:
What kind of soil am I?

Once again, what a tricky question. Self-righteousness can easily creep in, and we defeat the exercise. But it's worth asking still. What kind of soil am I?

Am I an open ground along the way? one who's constantly in the look out for what's "in" and whats' "not"; what's "boom" and what's "bust"; what's "low" and what's "high" day in and day out? Indeed, no sooner than the Word of God land on this "open ground" do I judge it as "out" and there it goes out of my life.

The Lesser Known Way to Heaven

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 19, 2008)

Christ has been raised from the dead and he comes before all those who have fallen asleep.
From the 1st Reading, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Response to Psalm 17

The Twelve followed him, and also some women.
From the Gospel, Luke 8:1-3

REFLECTION:
Am I a Christian? Will I remain a Christian on my last breath?

Tricky Question. I do not know why that question came up in my mind as something to reflect on. Really, the first question is enough. To feel the need to answer the second can negate the affirmative answer to the first; because you will be led to swear. God does not want our promises. God wants our heart.

Have a Life You Are Grateful For

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 18, 2008)

Christ died for our sins.
From the 1st Reading, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Response to Psalm 118

Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But to the one whom little is forgiven, loves little.
From the Gospel, Luke 7:36-50

How much forgiveness have I sought from the Lord?

Joy is greatest for those who have been forgiven the most. I can see this during community gathering and members share their own testimonies. Former drug addicts praise the Lord. Former criminals praise the Lord. Ex-convicts praise the Lord. Former neighborhood thugs praise the Lord. Former operators of prostitution dens praise the Lord. Former die-hard gamblers with 600 cock fighters in his backyard praise the Lord.

Live Like the Child of God

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 17, 2008)

Now we have faith, hope and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
From the 1st Reading, 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Response to Psalm 33

But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work.
From the Gospel, Luke 7:31-35

REFLECTION:
What makes me tick? Is there Love in my heart?

Click Clock Click Clock. Watches before run because of a mechanism that you have to "wind" every now and then. When you hold the watch close to your ears, you'd hear the regular ticking sound click clock click clock click clock click clock. Owners of big clocks at home didn't need to strain the sound. They'd hear the ticking when everything was silent in the neighborhood late in the evening (when the TV is off, of course).

A thought to make your day

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 16, 2008)

As the body is one, having many members ... so it is with Christ.
From the 1st Reading, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27-31

We are his people; the sheep of his flock.
Response to Psalm 100

On seeing her (the dead's mother), the Lord had pity on her...Jesus then said, Young man, awake.
From the Gospel, Luke 7:11-17

What have I shared with the Church?

God looks at us with compassion. The Lord's heart is obviously for us. He took pity on the widowed mother of the dead young man, so he commanded the dead to wake up. In the olden times (and, to a certain degree, in the present times too), women are not as economically well off as men. To be a widow was to be poor. To be a widow and losing a young son was to be really poor. Jesus saw in the widowed mother of the dead young man the pain of losing two loved ones and the prospects of begging to survive.

You Don't Have to Look Beyond Your Nose to See the Cross

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 15, 2008)

Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was.
From the 1st Reading, Hebrews 5:7-9

Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
Response to Psalm 31

He will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction.
From the Gospel, Luke 2:33-35

What does the cross mean to me?

The meaning of the cross evolved in my life.

The wall decor. When I was a toddler, the cross was a wall decor of some significance. I noticed that people always looked at it with some reverence that was beyond my understanding at that time.

Who Else Wants to Feel God Inside?

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 14, 2008)

Whenever a man was bitten, he looked towards the bronze serpent and he lived.
From the First Reading, Numbers 21:4-9

Do not forget the works of the Lord!
Response to Psalm 78

He humbled himself by being obedient to death...that is why God exalted him.
From the Second Reading, Philippians 2:6-11

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
From the Gospel, John 3:13-17

Do I believe and exalt Jesus Christ in my heart?

There is God. He gives us guidance, but our impatience keeps on creeping in, and then we disobey. Then because of our disobedience we fall, not by God's intent, but by our own intent. We do not always fully realize the consequences of our thoughts and actions. This is what happened to Eve, then to Adam, and then to everyone else. Sin is to disengage from the Father by our own deliberate will.

The Little Chap Who Follows Me

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 12, 2008)

I run knowing where I go. I box but not aimlessly in the air.
From the 1st Reading, 1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-27

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Response to Psalm 84

Can a blind person lead another blind person? Surely both will fall into a ditch.
From the Gospel, Luke 6:39-42

Who am I leading? Who am I following?

The real rude question is, am I a blind man leading another blind man? or am I a blind man following another blind man?

I cannot help but be reminded by a poem that really caught my attention in Christmas of 2005. By then I was already a father of one very cheerful and energetic kid, Maurice John. He was 2-1/2 years old that month and for some reason, I was asking myself, what sort of a Father was I going to be?

You Can be Godly and Wealthy

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 11, 2008)

There is one Lord, Christ Jesus, through whom everything exists.
From the 1st Reading, 1 Corinthians 8:1-7

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Response to Psalm 139

Forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you...full and running over.
From the Gospel, Luke 6:27-28

Do I seek the ways of the Lord?

If Christ were in business, how would he conduct it? If Christ were a CEO, how would he make decisions? If Christ were an executive, how would he conduct himself?

Strange questions, you might say. Sarcastic even. Or even outright blasphemous.

We are used to look at businessmen, CEOs and corporate employees...and all their counterparts in government...as beholden to the dictates of the world. They make money by serving the whims and caprices of society, and the government is bound to support them for national economic gain. It scares me to realize I still have remnants of these thoughts in my mind.

The Church cannot save us

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 10, 2008)

The order of this world is vanishing.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
Response to Psalm 95

Fortunate are you when people hate you...because of the Son of Man...for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.
From the Gospel, Luke 6:20-26

What reward from God do I look forward to?

At first I tried to intellectualize on this question, but that led me nowhere. As the First Reading says, "the order of this world is vanishing." Christ was telling us that things are no longer what they seem to be, and that we have to be prepared. We may be celebrating when in fact or we should be mourning; or we may be mourning when in fact we should be rejoicing. We think we're rich when in fact we are poor; and we think we are poor when in fact we are living in abundance.

Five Early Warning Signs of "Cancer of the Mind"

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 9, 2008)

You have been cleansed and consecrated to God.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

The Lord takes delight in his people.
Response to Psalm 149

They gathered to hear him and be healed of their diseases; likewise people troubled by evil spirits were healed.
From the Gospel, Luke 6:12-19

Do I see that God delights in me?

This is not an easy thing to see. How can God possibly delight in me? I am ... fill in the series of blanks.

No one is exempt from the diseases of the mind that plague us all the time. I remember the phrase "cancer of the mind" which blurted out of my mouth to amuse some of my fraternity brothers during one drinking session way back in college. I remember a sister laughing heartily at such an amusing thought, wondering where in the brain will the overgrowth of this "cancer of the mind" occur? She really found it very funny.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 8, 2008)

The LORD says: You, Bethlehem-ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.
From the First Reading, Micah 5:1-4a

With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
Response to Psalm 13

"She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
From the Gospel, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Do I celebrate Christ's birth in my life?

Let us go beyond the usual Christmas carols and bells and Christmas trees and the usual cozy Christmas air that wraps our family reunions and parties and many other things we do in the Yuletide Season. Personally, do we celebrate the coming of Christ? When no one's watching and no one's expecting you to, do you say a prayer of thanks for the coming of our Lord in the form of a humble infant lying in the manger, one lonely and sleepless night in a stable in Bethlehem?

Where two or three are gathered in my Name

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 7, 2008)

You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel.
From the First Reading, Ezekiel 33:7-9
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If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Response to Psalm 95

Love cannot do the neighbor any harm; so love fulfills the Law.
From the Second Reading, Romans 13:8-10

Where two or three are gathered in my Name, I am there among them.
From the Gospel, Matthew 18:15-20

Are my prayers centered on love?

We have a teacher prophesied by Scripture to be watchman of Israel. This teacher teaches us about Love being the core message of God; and this teachers says that where two or three are gathered in my Name--His name being Love Himself--there shall the teacher be.

Five Ways of Making the Son of Man Lord

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 6, 2008)

You may have ten thousand guardians in the Christian life, you have only one father.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 4:6-15

The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
Response to Psalm 145

The Son of Man is Lord and rules over the Sabbath.
From the Gospel, Luke 6:1-5

Is the Lord the ruler of everything that I do?

Members of the Catholic Church are stewards of two millenia of legacy that dates back to the Pentecost. As lay Catholics, we are co-bearers with the clergy and the religious in the propagation of the gospel among families in the world.

There are five ways by which we, members of the laity, can make the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord over the Sabbath, over each day that we labor for economic gain, and over each day we spend for ourselves, our families, our country and the world in general:

No one puts new wine into old wineskins.

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 5, 2008)

Let everyone see us as the servants of Christ and stewards of the secret works of God.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

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

No one puts new wine into old wineskins.
From the Gospel, Luke 5:33-39

Does Christ have a room in my heart? How big is the room?

What a question to ask, isn't it? In other words, are we a new wineskin? Have we considered Christ actually residing in our heart, much less provide a room?

Master...at your command I will lower the nets.

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 4, 2008)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.
Response to Psalm 24

“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
From the Gospel, Luke 5:1-11

Do I seek God's counsel?

We make decisions everyday, some consciously, others subconsciously. Do these decisions bring us closer to our Creator? You see, one knows one is in sync with the Creator because there's joy that wells up from within.

But he said, I have to go to other towns

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 3, 2008)

The one who plants and the one who waters work to the same end.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Response to Psalm 33

But he said, I have to go to other towns to announce the good news of the kingdom of God.
From the Gospel, Luke 4:38-44

Do I see God's hands reaching out to me?

Clearly, the "end" St Paul mentioned in the First Reading was the flock. That means, us, Christians. He happened to have addressed it to the Corinthians, but the message applies as much to us now, Christians of the 3rd Millenium.

He spoke with authority

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 2, 2008)

We speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 2:10b-16

The Lord is just in all his ways.
Response to Psalm 145

They were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.
From the Gospel, Luke 4:31-37

How much authority does Christ exert in my life?

"Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:34)

No prophet is accepted in his own native place.

Reflection on Today's Gospel (September 1, 2008)

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Lord, I love your commands.
Response to Psalm 119

No prophet is accepted in his own native place.
From the Gospel, Luke 4:16-30

Of all things that occupy my mind, which ones matter most to me? Are these things of God?

This is a tough question. You know why? It is easy to say that, "I love the Lord." People said that since time immemorial, and what happened in the end? Jesus lamented, "No prophet is accepted in his own native place." So what does that make of me? A noble exception?