EPIPHANY

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

Mt 2:1-12

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4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.

Lk 1:26-38

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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light.

Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

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We have in one of our schools a facility called “Joy Center”. It used to be the place where the students go during break time to play table games and board games such as ping pong, table football, pool, Games of the Generals and chess. It’s aptly called the “Joy Center” because the boys go there to have fun, to enjoy themselves.

In the same way the Third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday” or “Joy Sunday” because with Christmas getting closer, we feel happy. And to highlight the joyful spirit of this Sunday, the color of the candle of the Advent wreath and of the vestment of the priest is pink. An alternative color for the vestment is rose.

Of course, this Sunday is not the only Sunday that is joyful. The whole mood of Advent is joyful. And it is because the spirit of Christmas itself is one of joy.

The joyful spirit of Christmas is expressed in the holiday character of the season. Schools, offices, buildings, parishes and streets are adorned with Christmas lights, Christmas trees, lanterns, and Santa Claus. Christmas songs are heard over the radio. We hold Christmas parties in schools, and in offices. We give and receive gifts and Christmas cards. We wear new clothes. The 13^th month pay and Christmas bonus are awaited with eagerness.

All of these are good. But they are not enough to express the joy of Christmas. The joy of Christmas comes from giving. And this giving is to celebrate the giving that happened on that first Christmas: “God so loved the world that he GAVE his only Son that those who believe in him may not perish but have everlasting life.”

A Grade Six pupil experienced for himself the joy that comes from giving. It is a practice to hold a Christmas party in schools. Following the suggestion of their teacher, the class decided that they will share the joy of Christmas with other kids. And so they invited some children from an orphanage to attend their Christmas party in school. It was after this party that I met this Grade Six pupil. He couldn’t contain his pride and happiness. He said, “Father, I never thought I would feel this happy.” I asked him why. And he replied, “Because I saw the orphaned children very happy. That made me very happy.”

What I am suggesting is that you make your Christmas joyful by giving. Just like that Grade Six pupil, make your Christmas joyful by making others happy. Let’s see the ways.

1. Why don’t you share some of your Noche Buena or Media Noche with your neighbors?

2. I have seen street children who cannot go to school because they have to make a living by rummaging through garbage. Why not prepare sandwiches for them? Or buy some hamburger, for example, and give it to them.

3. You can also go to an orphanage or an old people’s home or the jail and give them gift packs or food, like spaghetti and ice cream. 

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)

And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals." 

Mk 1:1-8

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Do you know that they celebrate Christmas in Japan like we do here in the Philippines? Is there any difference? 

Yes, there is. Their Christmas is just a holiday. In the Philippines it is both a holiday and a holy day. What makes Christmas a holy day? We celebrate it with faith. The Japanese celebrate Christmas without thinking of Christ. We celebrate Christmas because of Christ. We celebrate the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world.

There are only three birthdays that we celebrate in the Liturgy: the birth of John the Baptist on June 24, the birth of Mary on September 8 and the birth of Christ on December 25. And the reason why celebrate their birth is their important role in the plan of salvation. John the Baptist prepared Israel for the appearance of the Messiah. Mary, of course, is the one through whom the Messiah was born into the world. Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

When we celebrate our own birthdays, one of the things we need to do is to think about is the role that God has given us in this world. That role is what gives meaning to our life on earth. That role answers the question: Why was I born into this world? So let us ask ourselves: Do I know what that role is? How well have I been fulfilling it?

Are there deeper reasons for celebrating the birth of Jesus? Yes, there are.

In the first place, when we celebrate Christmas, we are also celebrating the love of God for us. In St. John’s Gospel, we read: “For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son so that those who believe in him may not perish but have everlasting life.” It was because God loved us that he did not abandon us to our sins. It was because he loved us that he sent us a Savior.

Secondly, when we celebrate Christmas, we are also celebrating the “pagmamalasakit “ of Jesus Christ for us. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity agreed to become a human being so that he may suffer and die on the cross to pay the price of our redemption. In Romans 5:7-8 St. Paul declares: “Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Christ died for us – that is the “pagmamalasakit” of Christ that I am talking about.

There may be more reasons for celebrating Christmas, but I end with a third reason. When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of a promise made by God right after Adam and Eve sinned. He promised not to abandon them but to send a Savior. This was the promise: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; it will strike at your head, while you strike at its heel” (Gn 3: 15). Christmas then is a celebration of God’s keeping his promise. Our God then is a God who is true to his word. He is a God who has “palabra de honor”.

We have found at least three reasons for celebrating Christmas. How then should we prepare for  Christmas so that it does not become just a holiday but a holy day above all else? Again when we say holy day, we mean to say that our celebration is inspired by faith. And faith tells us that Christmas is about the birth of our Savior. So how do we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Savior?

The First Reading and the Gospel answer that question: “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.” 

What does this mean? It means remove anything and everything that is an obstacle to meet the Lord. There is really only one thing that can hinder us from meeting the Lord. Sin. But removing sin is a process. (We call this process “conversion”.) It is a process because it is not just about going to confession. Removing sin is also about removing the bad habits, correcting the bad attitudes and avoiding the people, places and things that cause us to sin. And all of these are not easily done. It takes time and effort. And that is why to prepare ourselves for Christmas, we are given four weeks. 

For some of us four weeks may not be enough. But at least come Christmas day, we can offer to the Lord together with the Four Wise Men, all the time and effort we have spent in removing our bad habits, in correcting our bad attitudes and in avoiding the people, places and things that cause us to sin.

Christmas is a holiday. But it is more than a holiday. It is a holy day. And it will become a holy day when our celebration is inspired by faith and centered on Christ. That is why our Christmas greeting should not only be “Merry Christmas” but a “Blessed Christmas”.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)

Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.

Mk 13:33-37

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The theme of the Gospel of the First Sunday of Advent is the end of the present age and the beginning of a new world, the end of time and the beginning of eternity, the resurrection of the dead, and the second coming of Jesus Christ as King and Judge.

Jesus Christ is king even now but it is not obvious. At the end of the present age, his kingship will be seen by everyone. He will also judge everyone who was ever born. Evil people will go to hell. Good people will go to heaven.

The resurrection of the dead means that body and soul will be re-united. But the body will be transformed so that it can no longer get sick, nor age nor die. And with the transformation of the body, the present world will also be transformed. How will the new world look like, we do not know. The transformation of good people will actually be the same as the transformation of Jesus Christ at his resurrection.

When Jesus returns, time will also come to an end and eternity will begin. Philosophy explains time as the succession of before and after. Eternity therefore means there will no longer be a before and an after. It will always be now. What does that mean? It simply means there will be no change. That is why if you go to heaven you will always be happy. Unlike here on earth, there is change. One time you are happy. At another time you are sad.

What is the teaching that Jesus gives us regarding his second coming and the end of the old word? He says that we should be on guard and stay awake. Be like the door keeper who is always ready to open the door no matter at what time the master of the house will come.

Why is this the theme of Advent when Advent is supposed to be a four-week preparation for Christmas?

First, Advent means coming. But the first part of Advent is about the second coming of Jesus as King and Judge at the end of time. It is the first part that is a preparation for his second coming. This second coming is called the Parousia. The second part of Advent is about the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem. It is in this second part that is strictly speaking devoted to preparing for Christmas.

Advent is a four-week preparation. That is why there are four candles in the Advent wreath. Except for one candle, all three are violet because violet is the color of preparation. But one candle is pink. This candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent. And it is called Gaudete Sunday or Sunday of Rejoicing because as we say in the Philippines, “Ilang tulugan na lang, Pasko na!”

The preparation of Advent is, of course, spiritual and it involves conversion. That is why the liturgical color of Advent is violet as I have said. The liturgical color of Advent and Lent is violet. Is there any difference? Yes, there is. While the period of Lent is low-key, the period of Advent is joyful.

How do we put into practice the teaching of Jesus to be on guard and to stay awake for his second coming?

I see a bit of a problem. While it is entirely possible that the second coming will take place in our lifetime, it is more probable that our death will come first. In other words, it is more practical to prepare for death rather than for the Parousia. However, the spiritual preparation for death is practically the same as the spiritual preparation for the Parousia. So that simplifies matters.

So how do we prepare ourselves spiritually for death and for the Parousia? Just follow this principle: live in such a way that you are always ready to face the judgment seat of God.

Are you living a good Christian life? Go ahead being a good Christian. Huwag pabayaan ang sarili na maligaw ng landas. Are you living a sinful life? Don’t wait for tomorrow to change. Don’t say: “Saka na lang.” Do it now. Now na! Is there someone that you are not at peace with? Take steps now to reconcile. Is there a grudge that you have been keeping inside you for so long? Let it go. Let it go. Move on with your life. Is there a bad habit that has taken hold of you? It may take you a long time to shake it off. But a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Take that step now. Are you not at peace with God? Take steps to return to him. Magbalik-loob sa Diyos. Take the first steps now to do that.

We go to the cemetery at least once a year on the occasion of Undas or Todos los Santos. In a cemetery somewhere in Scotland, a visitor saw this inscription on a tombstone: Consider, friend, as you pass by: As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, you too shall be. Prepare, therefore, to follow me.

How do we prepare for death and for the Parousia? Live in such a way that you are always ready to face the judgment seat of God. And if you are not yet ready, fix your life. Do it now. 

CHRIST THE KING (A)

When the Son of Man comes in his glory,and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne.

Mt 25:31-46

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33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

You wicked, lazy servant! Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

MT 24:14-30

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Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome

Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.

Jn 2:13-22

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ALL SOULS

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.

Jn 6:37-40

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“For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." We can identify two teachings here. The first is that God wants all of us to have eternal life. He wants all of his children to go to heaven. That’s why he sent Jesus. The second is about the Last Day. The Last Day is the end of time, the second coming of Christ, the end of the world. The end of the world is usually translated as “paggunaw sa mundo”. But this is a wrong translation because if you translate it back into English, it will be “destruction of the world”. But the end of the world is not about destruction but about transformation. This transformation is similar to the transformation that happened to the body of Jesus at the Resurrection. On the Last Day our bodies will be raised up, that is, transformed like the body of Jesus. Not only our bodies but everything that God created.

Today, November 2, is All Souls Day. Today we remember our beloved dead. We pray for them so that, if they are still in purgatory, they may soon enter heaven. Yesterday, November 1, was All Saints Day. We remember also the dead but the dead who are already in heaven. Because they are already in heaven, we do not pray for them. They no longer need our prayers. Instead, what we do is to honor them as Christians heroes in the same way that we honor our national heroes.

Behind the celebration of All Souls Day are several related teachings. There is an after-life. In the after-life, there is reward and punishment. There is heaven, hell and purgatory.

We should not think of purgatory as a prison sentence. When we pray for the souls in the purgatory, it is not to shorten that prison sentence. Purgatory comes from the Latin word that means “to purge”, that is to remove everything that is undesirable in a good Christian. Therefore, if we fail to on earth to remove unchristian qualities, we will have to remove them in the next life in purgatory. Purgatory should be seen as a sign of God’s love because God is giving us a second chance to make it to heaven. It is like a re-valida. If you fail in the finals, the teacher gives you a re-test so that you will not get a 5 in your subject.

In the Creed, we profess in our faith in the communion of Saints. Communion of Saints means that those who are still on earth can do something for those in purgatory. Thus, we pray for our beloved dead who might still be in purgatory. How do we know if they are in purgatory? We cannot know. That’s why we pray for their soul, just in case. Communion of Saints also means that those in heaven and in purgatory can do something for us who are still in this life. Thus, St. Anthony who is already in heaven can pray for our intention when we ask his help in finding lost things. Thus, we can also ask anyone of our family, relatives and friends who might be in purgatory or in heaven also to pray for us.

All Souls Day is on November 2. Why is it that in the Philippines we go to the cemeteries on November 1 which is All Saints Day? Is there some mistake? Actually in the evening of November 1 we are already celebrating the vigil of All Souls Day. It’s like Christmas. Christmas is on December 25, yet we can already celebrate the Mass of Christmas on the evening of December 24, the vigil of Christmas.

For us Filipinos, Undas is an expression of strong family ties. It is a family reunion in which the dead are also included! And just like any get-together there is eating and talking. It is a good thing that hard drinks are forbidden as they often lead to trouble in cemeteries. One thing that we should not forget is to pray for the dead. And this is what makes this family reunion different. You may want to pray the Rosary. You can also find other kinds of prayers for the dead in the internet.

For us who are still alive, Undas should also make us think of our own death. You should tell your family whether you want to be buried or cremated and where you want to be buried. You should also ask these hard questions: Am I ready to die? Am I ready to face the judgment seat of God? What have I done with my life? Are there things that I want to do before I die? Are there things that I need to set right? Do I still have unfinished business? And for parents. Make your last will so that your children will not fight over their inheritance.

All Souls Day then is a time to remember our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory. But it is also a time for us to remember that one day we too shall die. How are we to be prepared for it?

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

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.

Mt 22:34-40

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What is the greatest commandment? That question seems strange. But it becomes understandable when we realize that that there were at least 613 rules that were developed to implement the Law of Moses. It’s like today’s legal system. When the legislature makes a bill and the President signs it into law, there is the still need of making what is called IRR or implementing rules and regulations. Now some rabbis taught that all of them were of equal importance while others say that some were more important than the others. The question put to Jesus (what is the greatest commandment) was meant to ask Jesus to which side he belongs: to those who say all are of equal importance or to those who say some are more important than the others?

Jesus replied that the greatest commandment was the Law of love: to love God AND to love one’s neighbor. Both have to be obeyed. Moreover, he said that it is from this Law of love that all the other rules flow. In other words, all the other rules were just ways of practicing the Law of love in daily life.

PHARISEES. The Pharisees were the ones who posed this question to Jesus. The name “Pharisee” means “separated”. They were separated from others by their strict observance of the Law of God. It was a way of expressing their fidelity to God. They were held in high esteem by the people because they were hard working and yet found the time to study and meditate on God’s Law. But if there was one great defect of the Pharisees, it was not hypocrisy but their great reliance on what they do for God than on God himself. In other words, they were BSS (mga bilib sa sarili). Perhaps, we can imitate the work ethic of the Pharisees. We can call it “sipag at tiyaga”.

NEIGHBOR. In Old Testament times, neighbor was understood as the one who belongs to my family, or my clan, or my people. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us to widen our understanding of neighbor. Anyone who needs my help, even if he were an enemy, is my neighbor. And as a Christian, it is my duty to be a neighbor to him. I have to help him.

We have heard the expression, “charity begins at home”. There is nothing wrong with that. But charity should not end at home. It must expand outside the home. For example, an alumnus treated to coffee at Starbucks in Sydney. At the counter, I was pleasantly surprised to read this sign: “We have already forwarded your donations for the victims of Haiyan.” Haiyan was the international name for typhoon, “Yolanda”. Australia is so far from the Philippines, yet these Australians behaved like our neighbors.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. When Jesus said: “"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”, what he meant was that loving one’s neighbor is as important as loving God.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” has an important implication. We can rephrase it this way: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” That means that loving oneself is alright. What is wrong is to love only oneself. Charity begins at home is alright. What is wrong is for charity to begin and end at home.

Another important point. Jesus did not say that our love for our neighbor and our love for ourselves should be equal. What he said was that we should love them in the same way that we love ourselves. You do good to yourself; you should also do good to others. You don’t want bad things to happen to yourself; you also do not wish bad things to happen to others.

Maybe I should add a small note. The Tagalog translation of “Love your neighbor as yourself” is “Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng pag-ibig mo sa iyong sarili.” Neighbor is not kapit-bahay but kapwa tao. Nevertheless, let us remember that when we said that charity begins at home but should not end there, the nearest people to receive our charity outside our home is--our kapit-bahay! Remember further the question posed by Jesus at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” We can re-phrase it this way: “Which of these three behaved like a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Applying this teaching of Jesus to what he said about loving your neighbor as yourself, it will come out like this: “Love your kapit-bahay as yourself by behaving like a good kapit-bahay to them.”

The Cross is the symbol of Christianity. The first reason is that Jesus redeemed us by dying on the cross. But maybe we add a second reason. The vertical bar represents love of God. The horizontal bar represents love of neighbor. The cross cannot be a cross if the vertical bar and horizontal bar are separated. They have to be together. The second reason why the cross is a symbol of Christianity is because Jesus gave us the law of love: love God AND love your neighbor. That is the way Christians love.

29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.

Mt 22:14-21

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To understand the context of today’s gospel we need to look into the taxation system in Palestine in the time of Jesus. It is said that half of the family income went to taxes. Some of the taxes people paid were the following:

1.      Men and women, from 12 years old to 65 years old were taxed 20% of their income.

2.      Commercial transaction was 1%. It was 2% when slaves were bought and sold.

3.      There was a salt tax. Salt used by fishermen to salt fish was taxed.

4.      Professional tax. A shoemaker had to pay 1 denarius a month. 1 denarius was the average daily wage.

5.      There was a road tax. You had to pay a tax to move merchandise from one place to another.

6.      Anyone could be forced to render service to the State for 5 years without pay.

7.      Subsidy to the armed forces. People were obliged to offer hospitality to soldiers. They had to pay a certain amount for the support of the troops.

8.      There was also religious taxes.

a.      The shekalim was used for the maintenance of the Temple.

b.      The tithe (1/10) was for the support of the priests serving at the Temple.

c.       First fruits was a tax to pay for the worship at the Temple.

It is, therefore, easy to see why the question of the Pharisees and the Herodians was a trap. Jesus would lose the support of the people if he were to declare that it was the duty of the Jews to pay taxes to the Romans. Of course, he would get into trouble with the Romans if he were to declare openly that taxes should not be paid to the government. He would be considered a leader of a rebellion.

There is something strange also about the alliance between the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Pharisees were nationalists and anti-Roman. The Herodians were Roman collaborators. It is strange that they would join forces. Perhaps, it is a case of “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”, that is, they look at Jesus as a common enemy and therefore, their working together was something of a marriage of convenience. To the Pharisees, Jesus by his teachings was a threat to the Jewish religion. To the Herodians, Jesus was a potential leader against the Romans. Remember that in the multiplication of the bread, the people wanted to make him king.

What was the meaning of Jesus’ response: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”? They paid to Caesar what belonged to Caesar by using the coins that the Roman government issued. But they have not paid to God what belongs to God because of their hypocrisy. They have not practiced honesty and justice as demanded by the Law of God.

Giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God is called justice. Justice is a virtue, a good habit, which makes us give to everyone, God and man, what they have a right to. And because virtue is a habit, it means that someone, who possesses this virtue, constantly gives to everyone what they have a right to, constantly and not once in a while.

How is this virtue practiced in daily life?

Parents work to send their children to school. This is not only a matter of love but a matter of justice. Children take their studies seriously. This is not only a matter of gratitude, but a matter of justice.

Government officials do not overprice the purchase of medicine. This is not only a matter of honesty. It is a matter of justice.

Government contractors do not build substandard roads. This is not only a matter of honesty. It is a matter of justice.

When vendors in the market sell you 3 kilos of meat, you really receive 3 kilos of meat. It is not only a matter of honesty. It is a matter of justice.

Employees do not take home coupon bond from the office for the school reports of their children. It is not only a matter of honesty. It is a matter of justice.

Employers remit the SSS contribution of their employees together with their own. It is not only a matter of honesty and charity. It is a matter of justice.

We go to Mass on Sundays not only because it is the third commandment but because God has a right to our worship.

When we receive blessings from God, we should thank him not only because it is a matter of gratitude but because it is a matter of justice. God has a right to receive thanks from us.

Obedience to God’s commandments is justice. God has a right to receive obedience from his creatures. But as Christians, our obedience to God’s commandments goes one step further. Because God is also our Father in heaven, our obedience to his commandments is above all, an act of love. In other words, for us Christians the practice of justice is the basic step. Justice must always be followed. But it does not stop there; it must be made perfect by love.

We do not have the right to be forgiven by God after so many sins he has forgiven. But he forgives us all the same. Because he loves us.

A daughter, who had been a black sheep of the family, went one step further. She got pregnant while in college. She was already 5 years in college and she had been either shifting courses or transferring from one college to another. Her mother suffered in silence. Hindi siya sinumbatan. Was it because of justice on the part of her mother? Certainly not! It was because of a mother’s love.

Today’s teaching: christians practice justice that is perfected by love.

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey

Mt 21:33-43

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26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’

Mt 21:28-32

Click to go to << 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) 2011 >>

The parable is about a father and his two sons. He went to the first and told him to go and work in the vineyard. He refused to, but then changed his mind and went. The father, therefore, went to his other son who said he would go and work, but did not.

Take note that Jesus addressed the parable to chief priests and elders of the people. The parable, therefore, is about them. What was Jesus telling them through the parable?

They are like the second son who accepted the Law of Moses but rejected Jesus and his message. The first son is the sinners who disobeyed God’s Law, but on hearing the preaching of Jesus, repented.

What lesson can we learn from this parable, we who are living about two thousand years later?

The first son disobeyed but repented. We may disobey God’s Law. We may commit sin. But repentance is always possible. Remember St. Peter. He denied Jesus not only once but three times. But after the Resurrection, Jesus gave him the opportunity to repent by asking him three times: “Do you love me?” The thief, Hestas, was sinner. But at the end of his life, he repented. And Jesus accepted his repentance. It was only to him that Jesus ever said: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The second son was about to obey but disobeyed in the end. Even if we have been trying to be good and perhaps, have been successful, we should not be too sure about ourselves. We might find ourselves giving in to temptation later.

Let us go deeper and examine the issue of “sin” which is to say “no” to God, like the first son who said “no” to his father. Sin is also committed when we disobey God’s commandments, like the second son who after saying “yes” to his father’s command, disobeyed by not working in the vineyard.

Question 1: Do we commit sin because we disobey a commandment?

Answer: No. We commit sin when we do something bad.

Consider this. A doctor was commanded by the hospital director to perform an abortion. He refuses. Did he commit sin by disobeying the command of the director? Of course, not.

But take note. God commands us to avoid certain things precisely because those things are bad. For example, to steal is sinful because taking what belongs to someone else is bad. That is why he commands us: do not steal.

Question 2: Someone says: “I will lead a sinful life. But before I die, I will repent so that I will go to heaven.” Will he be forgiven?

Answer: Probably not. Why? Because someone who says that is not sincerely sorry. Now how can you be forgiven if you are not really sorry?

Question 3: There are some bad people who seem to escape punishment. Isn’t that unfair?

Answer: God rewards the good and punishes the wicked. If someone does not get punished here on earth, then he will surely receive punishment in the next life. Remember that God sees everything. There is no secret that can be kept from God. And no one can bribe God.

Question 4: Suppose you know someone who seems to be far from God. Is there hope that he will be converted?

Answer: Yes. St. Monica prayed for the conversion of her son. He did not change. But St. Monica persevered in prayer. Not only did her son become good, but he also become a Christian, then a priest, then a bishop and then a Saint, St. Augustine.

One Salesian shared this story. His father was far from God. When he entered the seminary, he prayed to God for the conversion of his father. He continued to pray for him until he became a priest. One day his father was hospitalized. In the ICU he asked his wife to call for a priest. He died at peace with God.

So, is there hope for someone who has been living far from God to be converted? Yes, there is. But we might have to pray for years to obtain his conversion.

To summarize:

1. We commit sin when we do something bad. 

2. If someone says that he will live a life of sin and then repent before he dies, he will probably be not forgiven because he is not sincere.

3.   Someone who escapes punishment in this life for his sins will not escape it in the next life.

4.    There is always hope that bad person will change and be converted. Our prayers will help. But sometimes we may have to pray very long for that conversion to happen.

25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?

Mt 20:1-16

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24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.

Mt 18:21-35

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I DON'T EXACTLY REMEMBER WHERE I GOT THIS TOUCHING STORY. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROM READER'S DIGEST.

The incessant drizzle outside the Ming Yang Correctional High School makes the reception room even more cold and empty. Lin Meiyun sits and waits at one end of a long table. 

The silence in the room of the juvenile detention centre in Taiwan is amplified by the sound of her heartbeat. Lin tells herself, “Calm down. No matter what happens, don’t get angry.” At last, the door opens. A teenage boy, escorted by a counsellor, appears. His name is Yang. The scrawny little boy she saw years ago has grown into a tall, young man. The honest and bashful look on his face reminds her of her only son, Teng De.

Looking at the boy in front of her, tears well up in Lin’s eyes. This is the person who had killed her son three years ago, stabbing him in the chest with a knife. No words are exchanged as they stare at each other in silence, their emotions frozen in the frigid air.

Breaking the silence, Yang stammers, “Mrs You,” referring to Lin’s married name. With tears streaming down his face, he continues, “Can I hug you?”

Lin nods. Yang hugs her tightly as pent up emotions give way to uncontrollable sobbing. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I am sorry,” Yang says over and over again. His words unlock the chains of hatred and misery that have bound Lin’s heart for so long. At that very moment, her shackled soul is set free.

It was difficult for Lin to give up her need for revenge. She wanted Yang and his family dead. She even started stalking his parents. That was when she saw Yang’s mother selling magnolias amidst the bustling traffic. His father, whose hand had been amputated in a car accident, was using his good arm to sell flowers, receive money and return change. In that moment, Lin felt empathy – Yang’s parents were as poor as she was. She remembered similar hardships when her husband had been bedridden for a long period of time. Back then, Lin held down two jobs washing dishes and cars to make a living. She also grew vegetables to sustain the family.

Yang’s parents were victims of circumstance, just like her. They were reduced to selling flowers by the road to pay the court-ordered compensation. Looking at them from across the street, Lin’s anger diminished.

“Even if I were to kill [Yang], it wouldn’t bring back my son. And my hatred would cause another family to suffer.” Lin thought to herself, “If my son were the one who committed the mistake, wouldn’t I also hope for forgiveness?”

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

“If your brother sins [against you]...."

Mt18:15-20

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This Sunday’s Gospel may be divided into two parts: (a) Steps to be taken when you are offended by a member of the Christian community; and (b) the power of the prayer of the Christian community. The first part begins with the words: ““If your brother sins against you….” The second part begins with the words: “if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray….”

To be a Christian is something between God and me. In other words, to be a Christian believer is a private matter. Agree or disagree? Many people will agree with this statement. That it is a private matter. But the gospel today disagrees. The two teachings of this Sunday assume that to be a Christian means to belong to a community. To be Christian means to belong to a church. In fact, the Greek word for church (“ekklesia”) means an assembly or a gathering. For this reason there is the church or Christian community called a parish, then a diocese, then the church in a country and finally, the universal church.

As I have said, today’s Gospel contains two teachings about life in this community or church. The first teaching is how to deal with broken relationships. When someone offends you or you offend someone, this results in a broken relationship. When someone behaves badly, especially when it gives the community a bad name, this results in a broken relationship between the individual and the community.

So what do you do? Jesus counsels a low-key approach. Go to the erring brother or sister and tell him or her his or her fault. For example, “When you gave away the chocolate I gave you, I felt offended.” You state specifically the offending behavior and then how it has affected you. Another example. “When your father saw you low grades, he felt that you did not appreciate the sacrifices he has made by working outside the country.” These are called a “you messages”.

But sometimes, the first step that we should take is to verify whether something is true or not. For example, “This morning you did not return my greeting. Were you angry with me?” Or “I heard from an office mate that you said that I was flirting with so and so. Is it true?” More often than not, “chismis” is nothing else but a made up story.

If the offending person refuses to accept his fault, then bring along one or two others in the hope that the offending person will be convinced that the fault you are pointing out to him is not just your opinion, but that it is really a fault.

The third stage is about excommunication, and it is for very serious matters only. It is to bring the fault to the attention of the community. And if the offending member still refuses to accept his fault, the community must treat him like a Gentile or tax collector. That is, treat him like an outcast. A Catholic who is excommunicated may attend Mass but cannot receive Holy Communion, for example. He cannot be buried in a Catholic cemetery.

Sometimes the excommunication is formal. Fr. Daniel of Brazilwas excommunicated by his bishop because he refused a direct order from his bishop to apologize for or retract his statement that love was possible between people of the same sex. The priest also said a married person who chose to have an affair, heterosexual or otherwise, would not be unfaithful as long as that person's spouse allowed it.

At other times the excommunication is automatic. For example, everyone involved in an abortion is automatically excommunicated.

Excommunication is meant to make it very clear to the person who is excommunicated that his behavior or his teaching is unacceptable. It is meant to wake up the person (“matauhan”) and thus, be moved to repentance. An American Sister who allowed an abortion was excommunicated but repented and was later reconciled to the Church.

Finally, the gospel for this Sunday ends with these words: “If two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

I use Facebook not only as a social media but also as a media for evangelization and promotion of Don Bosco. There have been instances when I would be updating my posts that a message would pop up asking for prayers. A few days ago I received this message: “father pa help po pa pray mom ko na makalabas na sya hospital and good health po. Tnx.” I am sure that I was not the only one he asked to pray for his mom. This alumnus of DB Mandaluyong was taking advantage of the power of prayer of many.  At the same time, let us truly say a prayer when requested. It really doesn’t take long. And it doesn’t take many words. In this particular case, I prayed like this: “Please, Lord, do take care of his mom.”

Today’s Gospel gives us two lessons to bring home with us: (1) Regarding relationships: Let us verify whether an offense was really committed. If an offense was committed, let us use “you messages”, that is, let us state the offending behavior and then how it has affected us. Having one or two to back us up may be helpful. And (2) The prayer of many is powerful. And when we are asked for prayers, let us really say a prayer.

22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me

Mt 16:21-27

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Today’s Gospel is divided into two parts: (1) Jesus talks about his suffering and death. Peter reacts negatively to this proclamation. That earns Peter the rebuke of “get behind me, Satan”; and (2) Jesus faces his disciples and tells them that the way of the Cross is not only for him but for those who wish to follow him.

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

Take note that Jesus said he MUST go, suffer, be put to death and then be raised. That was part of his Father’s plan and so he had to do his part. Jesus was always obedient to the Father’s will. After his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, he told his disciples that his bread was to do the will of the Father who sent him. At his agony at the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed that if it were possible let the cup of suffering be taken away from him. But he ended his plea with the words, “Yet not my will but yours be done.” Jesus courageously met the gruesome death of the cross. That was why on the cross, he was able to tell his Father: “Consummatum est.” It is finished. Mission accomplished!

But let us not forget the complete statement of Jesus. He did not only say that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. He said that after dying on the cross, he would be raised on the third day. The story of Jesus was not a tragedy. His story does not end in death. It ends with his resurrection AND ascension into heaven. That’s why he said he would be RAISED—raised from the death and raised up into heaven.

The story of Jesus ended in victory. And that is how God wants our own personal story to end. He doesn’t want our story to end in the tomb. He doesn’t want our death to be the end of our existence. There is an after-life. There is life beyond the grave. In fact, heaven is waiting for us for heaven is the place where we belong. What Jesus told his disciples, he also tells us. “In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If that were not so, would have I told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (Jn 14:2)

There are two other teachings for us in this statement of Jesus.

To gain the glory of his resurrection and ascension, Jesus had to suffer and die. To arrive at Easter Sunday and Ascension Day, he had to go through Good Friday. The same rule applies to us. This rule is behind the quotations: “No pain; no gain. Pag may tiyaga; may nilaga.” This rule is behind the secret formula of deferred gratification. You pass the board exams because you had to spend time to review. And review entailed self-discipline on your part.

Filipino archer Earl Benjamin Yap bagged the gold medal in the 15th Asian Archery Championships held in China on Monday. The first time ever for the Philippines. What was his secret? Not only talent but also the discipline of practice, practice, practice.

Raquel Choa was born into poverty and was forced to sell candles and sampaguita on the streets as a child. At 12 years old she was brought by her grandmother here (Laguna) from Cebu to work as a kasambahay. But she’s no longer here in Laguna. She’s now in Cebu with her husband and 8 children. She has become rich selling Ralfe Gourmet supplying chocolates to various high-end local hotels, resorts and airports throughout the country. During the interview with Karen Davila, she asked Raquel why she was crying. Her answer: “Hindi ko kasi aakalain na malalampasan ko ang buhay na mahirap." Her secret? Hard work.

There is a second teaching that we may find comforting. God the Father did not leave Jesus dead. He is so powerful that he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand. Yes, God is so powerful that he can write straight with crooked lines. God can bring good out of evil. No evil that men can do can ever frustrate the designs of God. Therefore, if we but entrust ourselves into the hands of this powerful but tender God, is there no reason why we should not be able to sleep peacefully at night? Jesus assures us: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” St. Teresa of Avila believed this in her heart. That’s why she was able to give this advice: “Let nothing perturb you.”

Today’s Gospel reading contains many lessons for us. There are three teachings which we can bring home with us. (1) Death is not the end of our existence. Heaven is waiting for us in the after-life. (2) Easter Sunday and Ascension Day are reached by passing through Good Friday. That is also the rule of life. Kung may tiyaga; may nilaga. And (3) Because we have a powerful and tender God, let nothing perturb you.

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mt 16:13-20

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Today’s gospel reading may be divided into three acts or scenes: (a) Jesus asked his disciples who people think he is; (b) Jesus asked his disciples who they think he is. Peter answers in the name of the disciples; and (c) Jesus makes a solemn pronouncement to Peter.

The solemn pronouncement made by Jesus to Peter is of great importance because it establishes the primacy of Peter and his successors. It is on this text that the position of Pope Francis and his predecessors stands.

We must consider the fact that the Gospel of St. Matthew was written for the Jewish Christians living in Galilee and Syria. The purpose of the Evangelist was to strengthen their faith because they were starting to have doubts. They were also being persecuted and so the Evangelist wanted to encourage them to be strong. How does he do this? By recalling the confession of faith that Peter had made in Caesarea Philippi: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And then by ratifying that confession of faith when Jesus responded by saying: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.”

Now we shall focus our attention on the words of Jesus. These are the three statements: (a) Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah; (b) You are Rock and on this rock I will be build my church; and (c) I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you, Simon son of John. Jesus tells Peter that he is blessed because God had given him the gift of faith to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Now not everyone has been given this gift of faith. Not everyone accepts Jesus as Son of God. The Muslims, for example, accept Jesus as a prophet but not as Son of God. We should, therefore, be thankful for the gift of faith. We should value this gift. It would not be right for us to say that being a Catholic and being born again or being INC are the same thing. No. It is not the same thing. How can we say that? Because they do not believe in all the things that we believe in.

You are Rock and on this rock, I will build my church. The original name of Peter was Simon. After that confession of faith, Jesus changed his name to Cephas. Now Jesus did not speak Greek or Latin. He, like the other Jews living in the Holy Land, spoke Aramaic. Cephas comes from the Aramaic word “kepa” which means rock. The Greek form would be Petros and Petra. Petros is Peter and Petra is rock. When a person is given a new name in the Bible, it means that he is also being given a mission. His mission would be to be a witness to Jesus and on his testimony Christians can find a strong foundation for their faith. Pope Francis will come to the Philippines in January. He will, of course, comfort the victims of Yolanda. But he comes as a pastor. That is why his visit is called an apostolic visit. And the purpose of any visit of the Pope is to strengthen the faith of the Catholics there.

Jesus makes a very important pronouncement. On this rock I will build my church. Jesus will build his church on Peter. He did not say that he will build his church on Felix Manalo who founded the INC. He did not say that he will build his church on Joseph Smith who founded the Mormons. He did not say that he will build his church on Ellen White, one of the founders of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Jesus said that it was on Peter on which he will build his church.

Finally, Jesus gave to Peter the power of the keys. “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” The power to bind and to loosen is the power to permit and to forbid. But it also includes the power to reconcile and to forgive. And this power is exercised in a very special way in the Sacrament of Confession. It is not surprising then that the official name of this sacrament is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacrament the sinner (and all of us are sinners, right?) is reconciled to God through the ministry of the priest. Pope Francis gives importance to this Sacrament. For example, in the last World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis heard confessions of the young pilgrims.

We can bring home with us three teachings from the Gospel: (1) We should be happy and grateful because we have been given the gift of the Catholic Faith. (2) We should hold fast to our Catholic faith because our faith rests on the witness of Peter, the rock on which Jesus built his church. And (3) we should value confession because it is the Sacrament through which we sinners are reconciled to God.

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.

Mt 15:21-28

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At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

It is outside the land of Israel. It is pagan territory (non-Jewish) inhabited by Canaanites, long-time enemies of Israel. Tyre and Sidon are found in modern-day Lebanon.

And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

Only Jews would be familiar with the title, “Son of David”. And they would use it only for the promised Messiah. How did a Canaanite woman who was not a Jew learn about this title? Did she know what it meant? Is this a sign of the beginning of faith in Jesus Christ?

In those days people did not know about germs and viruses. They thought that illness was caused by evil spirits. That’s why she did not say: “My daughter is sick.” Instead she said: “MY daughter is tormented by a demon.” So that her daughter would get well, she would ask Jesus to drive away the demon.

Even today some Filipinos would resort to “tawas” to find out why someone is sick. Even today some Filipinos would explain why someone is sick by saying: “Nakulam.”

But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.

Why did he not mind the woman? Jesus explains his behavior this way: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”

The woman was making a scene. She was creating a scandal. And the disciples were not comfortable at all the people looking at them.

This woman would not take no for an answer. She wouldn’t give up even if Jesus was not minding her. She was persistent. Why? Because a mother would do everything to make her child get well. 

Maybe St. Matthew included this story in his gospel in order to teach us about perseverance in prayer, about praying and not getting discouraged. Maybe St. Matthew used this story of the Canaanite woman in order to explain this saying of Jesus: "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.” (Mt 7:7-8)

But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”

What does “did him homage” mean? It means to bow. Is this a sign of respect. Or is this already, as I have said, an expression of faith, that Jesus was not an ordinary man but at least, a man of God.

He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

The Jews called pagans “dogs”. It was supposed to be an insult. Did Jesus mean to insult the woman? This would be out of character for Jesus. I would think that if Jesus were texting, he would put a smiley at the end of his text message.

She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”

This woman was not only persistent. She was also witty. She used the very words of Jesus to get him to grant her wish for her daughter’s healing.

This reminds me of a conversation between St. Teresa of Avila and Jesus. She was on her way to visit one of the convents which she had established. But the heavy rains had swollen the river. She could not cross it. And that made her angry. Then Jesus appeared to her and said: “That is how I treat my friends.” St. Teresa, who was also a witty woman, retorted: “That explains why you have so few friends!”

Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

Faith is the key that unlocks the blessings from heaven. Faith makes it possible for us to receive the graces that God wants to give to his children. God’s blessings are like rain that falls from the sky. If we have faith, our hands would be open to catch these blessings. But if our faith were weak, then our hands would be closed and these blessings would slide away from our grasp.

If we have a weak faith, it would not really be a big problem. Faith is gift from God. Because it is a gift, we can ask for it, we can pray for it. And we shall receive sufficient faith. For did not Jesus promise us: Ask and you shall receive.

Today’s gospel teaches us three lessons: (1) Prayer that does not give in to discouragement because it comes from a strong faith; (2) Faith is necessary for us to receive the blessings from heaven; and (3) If our faith is weak, then we can pray for a strong faith because Jesus promised: Ask and you shall receive.