Fifth Sunday of Lent (B)

Unless grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies… (Jn 12:20-33)

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast

They were foreigners who accepted the Jewish faith in the one God and some of their observances. They were called Greeks because they spoke Greek. They approached Philip and Andrew who were the only two disciples who had Gentile names. These two probably spoke Greek.

Have we been like Andrew and Philip instruments to bring others closer to God?

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

The hour is the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus into heaven which in fact is the glorification of Jesus.

In the Bible hour meant decisive stages in God’s plan of saving mankind. Lent is the hour for us to accept God’s plan of saving us. Just as Jesus responded with a yes so must we. And we do so by repentance, that is, by turning away from sin in roder to turn to God once more.

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Jesus is the grain of wheat. His death produces a rich harvest of salvation for all man and the birth of the Church.

The early church accepted this law of life. In fact, it was a common saying that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. That is, the death of the Christian is not the beginning of the end for the church but in fact will result in more people accepting the Christian faith.

The Lenten season is the time for putting to death our sinful desires. St. Paul writes to the Colossians: “Therefore, put to death what is earthly in your life, that is, immorality, impurity, inordinate passions, wicked desires and greed which is a way of worshipping idols.” The result is a new way of thinking, a new way of living, a new man created in the likeness of Christ.

I am troubled now.

The gospel of John does not related the agony of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. But what the other gospels related as happening in the garden, john relates here. Jesus feels anguish as the hour of his death approaches. He appeals to his Father. He accepts his death. And finally, he receives comfort from heaven.

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

The Father’s voice came to give witness to Jesus at two other great moments: his baptism at the Jordan and at the Transfiguration. This moment was also important because at this point the teaching ministry of Jesus is ended and his glorification is beginning.

Conscience is called the voice of God within us. In moments of temptation this voice also speaks to us, to invite us to avoid sin and to be faithful to him.

Now the ruler of this world will be driven out.

Satan is the prince of this world. The death of Jesus overcomes the dominion of Satan over humanity.

Exorcism is a religious ceremony to drive out an evil spirit that has taken possession of the body of a person. But Satan can also take possession of the our hearts. Confession becomes the means of driving Satan from our hearts.

And when I am lifted up from the earth

Jesus will be lifted up from the earth through his crucifixion and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

We are not meant to live forever in this world. If we are found worthy, we shall one day be lifted up to heaven to share in the glory of Jesus.

I will draw everyone to myself.

The crucified Christ is set before the eyes of the world as its Savior. But we can refuse because we are free. Let us not harden our hearts to the cal of the Lord during this Lenten season.

Fourth Sunday of Lent (B)

Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert. (Jn 3:14-21)

In the book of Numbers, the people of Israel were reported to have grumbled because of lack of water and food. For this God sent snakes whose bite brought death to many. The people then went to Moses to beg him to intercede for them before God. God instructed Moses to fashion a bronze serptent and hang it on a standard. Everyone who was bitten and looked at the bronze serpent survived.

The bronze serpent was a symbol of Jesus who was hung on the standard of the cross. Those who would look at him in faith, that is, those who would believe in him, would receive eternal life.

To us the cross is important because it is a symbol of our salvation, a sign of faith and a reminder of God's love for us. For this reason we must make the sign of the cross with reverence.

To be lifted up in St. John's Gospel does not ony mean the crucifixion. It also includes the glorification of Jesus in his resurrection and asecension into heaven. Therefore, it is not only the death of Jesus that gave us eternal life, but also his resurrection and ascension.

Eternal life is often understood as being part of the life of the age to come, that is, the never-ending life that God will bring after the end of the world. This life, therefore, is something in the future.

But in John's Gospel eternal life is something that anyone can already enjoy in some measure even while on earth. Earth is like the first stage; Heaven, the final stage. Earth is like that stage where a seed is planted and grows. Heaven is that stage when the plant has become a tree and is now bearing fruit.

LESSON

If you go to the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Better Living, Paranaque, you will notice a different kind of cross at the sanctuary. It is not the crucified Christ that you will see. Instead it is the resurrected Christ. What they did is to express in religous art what St. John said in his Gospel, that the glorification of Jesus consists not only in his resurrection and ascension, but in his death as well. They are one package.

And what St. John said can also be found in the nuggets of human wisdom. For example, no pain, no gain. Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga. What wisdom do these quotations teach? Success comes at the price of sacrifice. Triumph comes with a price.

Our mistake is that we want the short-cut to success. We want to succeed without making the necessary effort. Would you believe it? Some students expect to pass the subject without having to study their lessons and pass their projects. Some people want to get rich without working for it. And I am not talking about cell phone snatchers. Some take the short-cut to riches through corruption.

This kind of mentality can also be found in the spiritual life. Here are excerpts from the prayer of someone who wants the easy way:

I asked God to take away my pride.
God said "No".
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said "No".
It isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said "No".
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said "No".
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

We promise God to be good and avoid sin, but we may be unwilling to make the effort to avoid the occasions of sin. We promise God that we will change, but we may be unwilling to make the effort to exercise self-control. We promise God that we will increase our self-control but we are unwilling to fast and to make sacrifices.

It is useless for us to expect that by Easter we will have changed our ways if during this Lent we have not made any effort to avoid the occasion of sin, to exercise self-control and to fast and to make sacrifices.

No pain. No gain. Walang tiyaga. Walang nilaga.

Third Sunday of Lent (B)

Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace. ( Jn 2:13-25 )

He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there.

This was the outer Court of the Gentiles. Beyond this no gentile may cross at the pain of death.

Merchants were there for the convenience of the pilgrims who could not possibly bring animals along.

The money-changers were a necessity since Jews would not use pagan money to buy the animal sacrifices.

Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.

By saying "my Father's house", Jesus shows a special relationship with the Father.

Jesus was protesting the lack of respect for the sanctity of the temple.

Zeal for your house will consume me.

This comes from Psalm 69 which was always thought of as applying to the Messiah. Jesus is, therefore, being hinted as the Messiah.

The clearing of the temple was one more reason for the hostility of the Jews towards Jesus and would bring him closer to his death.

What sign can you show us for doing this?

In the gospel of John, the Jews continuously ask for a miracle which Jesus would refuse to give. Miracles were for those who were ready to receive them.

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

This statement of Jesus was used against him in a twisted way when he was brought before the Sanhedrin.

This temple has been under construction for forty-six years.

The construction was begun in 20 or 19 BC. This incident, therefore, took place in 28 AD. The temple was not completed in Jesus' time. It was finished around 63 or 64 AD. And then destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD and never rebuilt to the present day.

But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

The temple was holy because it was God's dwelling place. Now with the coming of Jesus the temple is no longer needed. It has been replaced by Jesus in whom we can find God because he is truly God.

Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all.

A faith based merely on miracles and not in the one who performs them will prove unstable. In fact, the very ones who welcomed Jesus as Son of David were the ame ones to cry out: "Crucify him!"

OF CHAPELS AND CHURCHES

Our chapels and churches are sacred spaces. We dedicate them for the worship of God. That is why we call them House of God or House of Prayer. Precisely they are sacred spaces, our behavior inside them must reflect their sacred character.

When the liturgy is not being celebrated, the silence that pervades the building not only creates the climate for prayer but proclaims the praying that is going on inside.

When we enter the chapel, we make the sign of the cross (with holy water, if available). It is both a reminder and a acknowledgment that we entering a sacred space.

When the Blessed Sacrament is kept in the tabernacle, the genuflection (or in some places, a deep bow) becomes a homage and adoration to Jesus who is truly present.

Chapels and Churches are truly the House of God. But they are also the House of the People of God assembled for worship. In fact, the word church does not only refer to a building but to the body of believers. That is why going to a chapel or to a church is like going home. It is the Father's house. But it is also ours.

Second Sunday of Lent (B)

The Transfiguration (Mk 9:2-10)

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

In the Old Testament, Moses beheld Yahweh on Mount Sinai. Now Peter, James and John beheld the transfigured Jesus on Mount Tabor.

Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

In the old testament times God spoke to his people through chosen persons such as Moses and Elijah. Now the Father speaks through his Son. Therefore, we are to listen to Jesus.

Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. They were also there to testify to Jesus as the Messiah.

“Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents."

Peter wanted to prolong the experience of blessedness on the mountain. But that was not to be because they had to return to the world and enter upon the path of suffering. That was why the cloud disappeared and Jesus returned to his normal appearance.

Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them.

When Israel was wandering in the desert, they had a Tent of Meeting. When a cloud covered that tent, it was a sign that God was there. The cloud was present at the Transfiguration as a sign of the presence of the Father.

He charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Before Jesus could enter into his glory, he had to suffer and die on the cross.

Significance of the Transfiguration

“Who do people say that I am?” The answer of the disciples was: “John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.” “But you who do you say that I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Messiah.”

The transfiguration was a confirmation of their faith in Jesus was the Messiah. It was the occasion when the Father himself made known that Jesus was his beloved Son. And finally, it was a preview of the glory of Jesus as Lord after the resurrection and the glory of the just at the resurrection of the dead.

Our Personal Transfiguration

The transfiguration was chosen to be the gospel of the 2nd Sunday of Lent to tell us that if we want to be transfigured like Jesus we must also take the path of the cross, that is, we must put to death our sinful selves.

This is a story of the transfiguration of a person whose slavery to drugs led him to the gates of hell.

He started with amphetamines, then valium. He abandoned his wife.

Then he went for cocaine and sedatives. His mother called for him when her second husband died suddenly. He didn't care.

He introduced his 15-yr old son and his friend to cocaine. This led to his arrest but managed to delay the trial for two years.

He was soon $450,000 in debt. He was spending $2000 a week for cocaine.

One night he could no longer stand it. He reached for the drawer of his dresser and took out his gun. He got hold of the Jewish prayer cord his father had given him a long time ago. His father had told him: "If there is ever anything important you need, take this cord and pray." He fell on his knees weeping, "God, help me. I don't want to die."

To continue living he had to put to death his addicted self. He signed up for treatment. He also attended Alcoholics Anonymous.

From his old self began to emerge a new self. He began working hard again. He started paying his creditors. He also became active in Narcotics Anonymous to help others like him. Later he founded Cocaine Anonymous.

He recieved a call from his mother again. This time it was cancer. He knew what he had to do. He closed his business which was picking up and went to Fort Lauderdale to care for his mother.

Now he was truly transfigured.

The Path to Personal Transfiguration

La Pieta was one of Michaelangelo's greatest sculptures. But in the beginning it was just a big block of rough marble which had been rejected by other sculptors. One day Michaelangelo began to apply his chisel to it. Bits and pieces of marble fell to the floor until one day the block of rough marble was no more. It had become the La Pieta.

We are meant to be God's masterpieces. But for that to happen, the chisel of sacrifice and self-discipline must be used. In this way our sinful self might be chipped away little by little until we are transfigured and a new self is born.

First Sunday of Lent (B)

Jesus remained in the desert for forty days,tempted by Satan. (Mk 1:12-15)

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert.

The desert was where it was believed the evil spirits dwelt.

He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan.

Israel lived 40 years in the desert after the exodus and before they finally entered the Promised Land. Elijah walked 40 days before reaching Mt. Horeb. Moses was with Yahweh for 40 days on top of Mt. Sinai.

Satan was the accuser in front of God. He was the leader of the forces against the People of God. He tempts people to sin.

He was among wild beasts.

The peaceful coexistence of man and wild animals just like in the garden of Eden was a sign the time of the Messiah was at hand.

And the angels ministered to him.

It was an angel that brought food and drink to Elijah. According to Psalm 91, the man who trusts in God will win against evil, he will dwell in peace with wild animals and angels will serve him.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God.

The fate of John the Baptist would be the fate of Jesus Christ.

Jesus left Judea because it had become dangerous for him. In Galilee Jesus found a better reception than in Judea.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

The coming of the Kingdom of God means: 1) The power of God would be manifested; 2) All men will be judged; and 3) The reign of God over all mankind.

Repent, and believe in the gospel.

Repentance in Greek is metanoia. It means a change in direction of one's life; a change of mind; a change in behavior; turning away from sin in order to fix one's eyes on God.

MESSAGE

In the desert Jesus came face to face with the devil. There the devil tried to make him sin. Jesus emerged victorious. During this lenten season, we too have to face our sins and the temptations that bedevil us.

What are our weapons? What are our strategies?

• Communion to make us strong
• Resolution to target that dominant sins that we have to weed out
• Daily examination of conscience to monitor how we are doing in the fight
  
• Prayer and the reading of God's word to keep us in touch with God
  
• Confession for healing
  

Ash Wednesday

Harry Potter

Do you remember that scene in the Harry Potter movie Chamber of Secrets where Harry was wounded by the basilisk (giant snake)? He would have died from its poison. What saved him? The tears of the Phoenix

There is also a scene in one of the Harry Potter movies where something interesting happened to the Phoenix in the office of Albus Dumbledore. What happened? The Phoenix burned up. And from its ashes a hatchling appeared.

Phoenix

The Phoenix is a mythological bird that has a long life-span. Some myths put it at 500, 1,461 or 12,594 years. It is a male bird with beautiful gold and red plumage.

At the end of its life-cycle the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises.

The new phoenix embalms the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in Heliopolis, located in Egypt.

The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible.

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday we will be receiving the ashes. The Phoenix can be a reminder about what Lent is all about.

What happens at the end of the life-cycle of the Phoenix? It burns up and is reduced to ashes. From the ashes arises a new Phoenix

So also from the ashes that we shall receive on Ash Wednesday, there should arise a new self. What is this new self? This new self is one who has turned away from his sins and lives in the grace of God.

Conclusion

Therefore, if you are going to receive the ashes on Ash Wednesday it means you are ready to turn away from your sins and live in the grace of God.

Turn away from your sins in the sacrament of confession. Live in the grace of God by avoiding those occasions where you might be tempted to commit sin.

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
(Mk 2:18-22)

Weddings at the Time of Jesus

Newly-married couples do not go away on a honeymoon. Instead they stay at home and celebrate for a whole week with their friends and relatives. During that time they are treated as if they were a king and a queen. And since they were generally poor, this could be the happiest week of their lives.

As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

Fasting is a sign of sadness. How can the disciples of Jesus be sad when they are in the company of Jesus?

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

Jesus is being honest with his disciples. It will not always be a time of feasting. Times will be hard. In fact, discipleship will mean martyrdom for many of his disciples.

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

It is easy to understand why it is irrational to use a new cloth to patch an old cloth. First, the color will not match. Second, the new cloth will shrink while the old will not. It is not as easy to understand why you can't use old wineskins for new wine.

At that time you don't go around using bottles to store wine. You bring along wine using wineskins. But new wine especially is not stable. It ferments. And in the process of fermentation, gas is generated. As gas builds up, pressure increases. At a certain piont, the old wineskins will give way. And you lose both wine and wineskins.

LESSON

There are two lessons for this Sunday. The first is about happiness. The second is being open to new things.

I want to speak about happiness. But first let me say something about being open to new things. And it is this: You can tell how old you are by the amount of pain you feel in front of something new. There is some truth in it, doesn't it?

Now about happiness.

Alan Robles wrote an article a year ago. He writes for the South China Morning Post and lectures at the International Institute for Journalism in Berlin. He asks: Despite burdens like poverty and pollution, Filipinos tend to be happy. Why?

For Filipinos, happiness isn't material—it's social. We're happiest in a group: family, friends, immediate community, even strangers.

Four years ago, 43-year-old Nestor Castillo lost his job as a janitor at the City Hall. He and his family are now scavengers, living out of a wooden pushcart. This is Castillo's idea of happiness: "Once I found nearly half a fried chicken wrapped in plastic," he told me. "I knew it was still edible because it was still cold, just came from the refrigerator. We had a feast that day." For Filipinos, happiness isn't a goal: it's a tool for survival.

If you ask me, there's one more reason why we can be happy in the midst of life's difficulties, our faith in God. Someone said: There will be points in your life when you can't handle problems alone. Think about SOMEONE who's more powerful, and who loves you dearly to take care of you. Having faith in GOD will give you hope. And that hope makes happiness possible.

Believe it or not, if you have God in your life, you can be happy.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mk 2:1-12)

Jesus is savior. He frees us from our sins by offering us forgiveness. That was why he told the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven." But he does more than that. He also gives us the power to win in the struggle not to fall into sin.

STORY

Some years ago on a hot summer day in South Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, hot realizing that as he swam towards the middle of the lake an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer to each other. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.

Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.

It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was Much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go.!!

LESSON

Jesus is our savior. He wouldn't ever let go. He wouldn't ever abandon us to Satan. Still it is up to us to allow him to save us. It is also up to us not to let go.

Valentine's day

The celebration of Valentine’s day is another example of the secularization and commercialization of the sacred.

February 14, 2006 used to be the memorial of St. Valentine. It might come as a surprise that there is not just one St. Valentine but three. And all of them are martyrs. The first was a priest. The second was a bishop. And the third was martyred with other companions in Africa.

Because of the scant historical data about these three St. Valentines, the memorial of St. Valentine has been replaced with St. Cyril, monk, and St. Methodius, bishop. These two are the apostles of the Slavic people. They are co-patrons of Europe with St. Benedict. And they are brothers.

It might be of interest to know that the Cyrillic alphabet of the Slavs is attributed to St. Cyril.

I have said that February 14 represents the secularization and commercialization of the sacred. In 1998 internet Valentine’s Day sales in the US amounted to $ 311 million. The following year it hit $ 563 million. What has been the memorial of a Saint (or Saints) has become a day for lovers. And in the Philippines, it is a day of fornication and adultery in motels offering special rates for quickie sex (3 hours).

Be that as it may, February 14 is still an occasion for evangelization. Love is an overused, abused and misused word. Today would be an opportunity to speak of true love.

Two anecdotes come to mind. Both involve college students.

One college student told me that he would skip snacks in order to save enough money to be able to bring his girlfriend out on a date. True love knows self-sacrifice.

The second said that he couldn’t bring himself to exploit his girlfriend in his fantasies. True love respects the beloved.

I have memorized a definition (or is it a description?) of love. Love is the power in us that moves us to go out of ourselves, to give of ourselves, for the good of the one we love. The definition doesn't make your heart beat faster. It doesn’t make your head feel light. But it does say something about what true love is.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him. (Mk 1:40-45)

LEPROSY

In the bible the term leprosy is not limited to Hansen's disease but to all skin diseases that are painful, repugnant and often, incurable. These skin diseases are considered a living death.

Leprosy is looked upon not as a disease that needs healing, but as uncleanness that seeks cleansing.

It is also seen as punishment from God.

Lepers are outcasts. They can not enter cities and villages. Those who dare enter are driven away with stones. They carry bells with them and shout "Unclean! Unclean!" to warn people of their presence. They can not be less than ten arms-length from people.

We surely would be shocked at such inhumane treatment. But we must remember that in those days those skin diseases had no known cure and healthy people had to be protected from contracting the disease.
Moreover, in the Old Testament God said: "You must be holy as I am holy." Leprosy mars the outward sign of that holiness. Hence, lepers must be separated from Israel.

A STORY

Carol Archer was sent by Shanti Foundation, an AIDS support group, in order to assist a 31-yr old patient who was dying of the disease. He was alone. When lesions appeared all over his body, family and friends abandoned him.

Carol was helping him make his will and the arrangements for his burial, he began to weep. Carol reached out to him and hugged him. The man wept uncontrollably. After a while, he ragained his composure. The man looked at her and said: "No one has ever dared to touch me for a long time."

LESSON

We may never have the opportunity to hug an AIDS patient. But everyday we do have the opportunity to hug people whom we love.

I read a poster that says: "Have you hugged someone today? I did and it felt great. Four hugs a day are necessary for survival. Eight hugs for maintenance. And twelve for growth."

Husbands and wives, parents and children, when was the last time you hugged each other?

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

JESUS HEALS PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW
Mk 1:29-39

Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

A Story

Already Florence Chadwick was the first woman to swim the English channel in both directions. Now, at age 34, her goal was to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast.

On that Fourth of July morning in 1952, the sea was like an ice bath and the fog was so dense she could hardly see her support boats. Sharks cruised toward her lone figure, only to be driven away by rifle shots. Against the frigid grip of the sea, she struggled on - hour after hour - while millions watched on national television. Alongside Florence in one of the boats, her mother and her trainer offered encouragement. They told her it wasn't much farther. But all she could see was fog. They urged her not to quit. She never had . . . until then. With only a half mile to go, she asked to be pulled out. Still thawing her chilled body several hours later, she told a reporter, "Look, I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I might have made it." It was not fatigue or even the cold water that defeated her. It was the fog. She was unable to see her goal.

Now back to Jesus.

Jesus was curing people left and right. People were flocking to him in droves. He had become famous. It was probably with great excitement that Peter uttered the words: “Everyone is looking for you.” He and the other disciples were perhaps already imagining a bright for him and for them. Perhaps they expected Jesus to share their excitement. Perhaps they expected Jesus to announce a longer stay in that place to satisfy the crowds.

But the response of Jesus doused their excitement with cold water. “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

Jesus kept his eyes on the goal. He did not allow other things to distract him from it--not even the adulation of the crowd. His mission was to preach the Good News to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. It was not to build a following of raving fans.

Heaven

Our goal is heaven. We are just on pilgrimage on earth. It doesn't mean that we shall keep ourselves aloof from earthly concerns. No. It just means that we will not live as if there is no heaven.

The catechism I learned as a child puts it well: Why did God create us? God created us to know, love and serve him in this world and be happy with him in the next.

Manny Pacquiao

His victory was our victory. I read in the newspaper that Erik Morales was reported to have said that this fight was first for himself and then for Mexico. This was in contrast to what Manny Pacquiao declared: This fight was dedicated first for the Filipino people and then for himself. That was why his victory was our victory and that was why he was welcomed so warmly by his 'kababayans'.

On the day of his arrival in the Philippines, Cafe Puro ran an ad (part of it is reproduced above). It is the silhouette of Manny. Both arms are raised in victory. But what caught my attention was the rosary around his neck. The said two things about Manny. First, he was Catholic. Only Catholics pray the Rosary. And second, he must be Filipino because only a Filipino Catholic would find it normal to wear the Rosary around his neck.

And then yesterday, I read something in the sports page which made me admire him all the more. It said that during his training in the States, he would go to Mass on Sundays. Wow!

Mabuhay! Manny Pacquiao!

Jim Paredes is Leaving the Country

Yesterday I opened the blog (Writing on Air)of Jim Paredes (APO Hiking Society). I read that he was bringing his family to Australia. And I felt sad. I was surprised why I felt that way. I do not know Jim personally. Neither does he know me personally. So why did I become sad? I reflected for a moment and I realized why.

By leaving the country, Jim had confirmed what I had been feeling for some years already—a great disappointment at what is happening to our country.

Many years ago, we bade good bye to our sister who was leaving for Spain. I will never forget what she told me then, “Kuya, umalis ka na sa Pilipinas. Wala nang pag-asa ang ating bayan.” (Elder brother, leave the Philippies. Our country is hopeless.) I did not share her pessimism then. But not now.

After EDSA 1 I was filled with great hopes for the country. But I was disappointed. I felt that we wasted the chance that God had given to us. Jim felt the same way: “I was tired and had no enthusiasm for any political activism. I felt a deep let-down then which lasts to this day. It dawned on me that we as a people apparently had not learned anything important even after EDSA1, and were squandering our opportunities for real change.”

After EDSA 2 I was encouraged again. I felt that God was giving us another chance. But we blew it. Jim had this to say: “There was EDSA 2 which kind of gave me second thoughts about leaving. But as things turned out, hope for change was very short-lived.”

“Kuya, umalis ka na sa Pilipinas. Wala nang pag-asa ang ating bayan.” My two other siblings have left the country since then. One to Australia (where Jim is bringing his family) and the other to the US. I am the only one remaining.

I love my country. I am happy to be Pinoy. But I am so ashamed to admit it: I have also given up hope for the Philippines.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

On the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught (Mk 1:21-28)

Jesus entered the synagogue.

The Jews had only one temple, the temple in Jerusalem. Only there can sacrifices be offered. But they also had houses of prayer, the synagogue.

Elders were in charge of their administration. They were called rulers of the synagogue.

Every Saturday all male Jews gather in the synagogue. There they chant psalms and read passages from the Scripture. Sermons were also delivered. Any competent male could be invited to do this. It was in these instances that Jesus was able to preach in the synagogues.

He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

Scribes were men devoted to the study of the Law. They were addressed as "rabbi". They were not priests, but were held in high esteem. They were represented in the Sanhedrin, the highest governing religious body of the Jews. Many of them belonged to the party of the Pharisees. They drew out rules governing many details of daily life called traditions.

Rabbis stayed mostly in Jerusalem and had disciples to whom they imparted the Law and traditions. It was because of this that Jesus was called a rabbi.

Scribes only repeat, interpret and give the opinion of others. But Jesus teaches on his own authority. He says: "You have heard that it was said, "an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you this do not oppose evil for evil."

The fact that the evil spirits obey him is another sign of his authority.

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit

Diabolical possession is a fact, although it is true that in Jesus' time many forms of sickness were associated with diabolical possession. Epilepsy was among them.

I know who you are – the Holy One of God!

Holiness is a divine attribute. The evil spirits recognize the divinity fo Jesus.

Quiet!

Why does Jesus forbid the evil spirits from revealing who he really was? The Jews had a wrong idea of the Messiah. They expected the Messiah to be a military leader and ruler like David. But Jesus was not that kind of Messiah and so he did not want to be identified as Messiah.

REFLECTION: THE SYNAGOGUE

We too have houses of prayer, our churches and our chapels. How do we treat our churches and chapels? Are they playgrounds for children? Are they marketplaces? Are they meeting places for lovers? Are they places for rest and sleep? Are they places for gossip?

Are they not sacred spaces dedicated and set aside for God to be with his children?

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM
Mark 1:14-20

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God.
It is the message coming from God which Jesus Christ brings. It is the message of salvation and it is this - it is God's intention to bring his Kingdom among us immediately.

This is the time of fulfilment.
Immediately after the fall, God made a promise to save mankind. And throughout the centuries, God worked toward the fulfillment of that promise. He, therefore, chose Abraham, then Jacob, and from him was born the Jewish people. And from the Jewish people came Jesus Christ, the promised One. And with Jesus the promse of so many centuries past was at last being fulfilled.

The Kingdom of God is at hand.
The good news is that finally the kingdom of god has been brought to this world. The Kingdom of God is not found in a certain place, as the Kingdom of Jordan is found in a certain place. The kingdom of God is found in the hearts of men because wherever God reigns, the Kingdom of god is there.

Repent, and believe in the gospel.
Or change your ways and believe in the good news. For God to reign in the hearts of men, two things must be done.

First, man must repent. Repentance means coming to one's senses. It involves a change of mind so that one deliberately turns away from sin in his heart in order to turn to God. This will in turn lead him to a change in behavior.

Second, there is need to accept the message of Jesus Christ, and ultimately, to accept Jesus Christ himself. Accepting Jesus means accepting him for who he is - God become man to offer us salvation. Accepting him means accepting what he offers us - forgiveness. Accepting him means accepting the new life he gives as a gift - son / daughter of God.

Sto Nino - January 8, 2006

The discovery of the Philippines is linked to Spain's glorious chain of conquests.

On September 20, 1519, a fleet of five galleons commanded by Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand Magellan at the service of the king and queen of Spain set sailed from San Lucar de Barrameda to search for the Spice Islands. They did not find the spice island; instead they landed in Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte in the central part of the Philippines. Magellan took possession of the islands and named it after King Philip of Spain.

Magellan's expedition headed for Cebu and found the island very hospitable. He made Cebu the base of his exploration, Christianization and conquests. King Humabon and Queen Juana of Cebu gave him a warm reception and embraced Christianity as well. As gratitude to his hospitality, Magellan agreed to fight with king Humabon who was at war with the neigboring tribe, Mactan. Unfortunately, Magellan was killed in the battle. His men returned to Spain, and that same expedition has set the record to be the first to circumnavigate the earth.

Spain sent another expedition to the Far East Region. An Augustinian priest, named Andres Urdaneta, a world-known cosmographer who lived inside the monastic walls of the Augustinian monastery in Mexico was summoned to lead the expedition. On November 21, a memorable expedition left Mexico for the Philippines and arrived in Cebu on April 27, 1565.

DISCOVERY OF THE IMAGE OF THE SANTO NINO

Because of Cebuanos suspicion that their return is bringing retribution to Magellan's death, another battle broke out. But heavy artilleries and huge cannons forced the natives to flee to the mountain leaving behind their villages burnt to the ground. As Spanish soldiers inspected the burnt village, one soldier found an image of the Child Jesus under the pile of ashes unscathed inside the wooden box.

Please refer to this website concerning the celebration of the Sto. Nino in Cebu > http://www.sinulog.ph/

Three Kings

A boy was asked who were the Three Kings. Without hesitation he answered: Chow King, Tapa King and Burger King. If you asked anyone from Marinduque, without hesitation, he would answer: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar. You shouldn't be surprised because they have three small islands there named after the Three Kings.

EPIPHANY

The solemnity today, however, is not called the Solemnity of the Three Kings but the Solemnity of the Epiphany. What is being celebrated today is not the Three Kings but the manifestation of the King of Kings to the Three Kings. For manifestation or revelation is the meaning of the Greek word, epiphany.

JESUS IS SAVIOR OF ALL

This solemnity is important because it tells us that Jesus is the Savior of all. He is not just the Savior of the Jews. He is also the Savior of the Gentiles. He is not just the Savior of ignorant and poor people, like the shepherds. He is also the Savior of learned and well-to-do men, like the three Magi-Kings. Jesus is the Savior of all because all of us are sinners who can not save ourselves.

SEEKING JESUS

The three Magi-Kings left the comfort and security of their homes and country in search of Jesus. "Where is the new-born King of the Jews? We saw his start at its rising and have come to do him homage."

We too need to set out on a journey in search of Jesus in our lives. And we need to do so with the same urgency and desire as the magi-kings.

And as the song goes, we want to look for Jesus in order to see him more clearly, to love him more dearly and to follow him more nearly.

WHERE IS JESUS?

Where do we look for Jesus? Where did the Three Magi-Kings find Jesus? In a stable. Lying in a manger. If we look at the Belen (creche) we are struck first of all by the silence. We get an idea of the silence of that first Christmas night in the most popular Christmas carol is Silent Night, Holy Night.

Why is there silence? The clue is found by looking at all the characters. All of them are looking at Jesus with reverence. All of them give us the impression that they are all in prayer.

Where then do we find Jesus? In prayer.

January 1

January 1, 2006. It's New Year according to the civil western calendar. But is this the reason why Catholics go to Mass? Is it to thank God for the year that was and to ask for his blessing for the year that is to be?

No.

January 1 is the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This solemnity is a reiteration of what took place on Christmas. It asserts the fact that the baby who was born in a stable is not only a man. He is also God.

No. She did not give the divinity to Jesus. She is only human. You can not give what you do not have. She can only give to Jesus her humanity.

How then can she be Mother of God? (We have to make use of philsophy here.)

Mothers do not carry human natures in their womb. What they carry in their womb are persons.

Mary did not carry in her womb a human nature. She carried a person. And this person is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. In St John's language, the Logos (Word). Hence, in the Angelus we pray: "And the Word was made flesh (human being) and dwelt among us."

It is important to note that the articles of faith about the Blessed Virgin and the celebrations in her honor are always in connection with Jesus Christ. True Marian devotion is Christo-centric.

To conclude, what does our faith tell us about Jesus Christ and Mary?

• That in Jesus, there is one Person, a divine Person, with two natures, human and divine.
• That Mary is the mother of God because she gave birth to the person Jesus who is God.

The Family

The Holy Family is not celebrated on a Sunday this year. It is celebrated on a weekday (December 30).

Here are some of thoughts about family and family life.

There are about 8 million Overseas Filipino Workers today. The upside of this phenomenon are: it keeps the economy afloat; a strong peso; and money for the family. But the downside is the weakening and even the breaking up of the family. Hence, the situation where one or both of the parents work abroad and the children are left behind under the care of one parent or of a relative should not persist for a long period of time.

My brother who works in the US has made it a priority to get his wife and children with him. He will be able to fulfill this priority by the first quarter of next year. He misses them. But more than that he realizes that his children are growing up and he must be part of their growing up years.

A young man shared with me this sad reality. Whenever his Dad returns from work abroad for vacation, he realizes that he can't carry on a conversation with him. Not because he doesn't want to, but because they do not know enough of each other to have a common topic to talk about.

Even when the child understands why the his parents have to be away, the emotional pain remains. Another young man said that his father is a captain of a ship. He was not there during significant moments in his life. He understands that he can't be present because of the nature of his job. But still, he says, I missed him in those moments.

Being acquainted with the school context, I have seen many instances where students with disciplinary or academic problems also have one or both parents working outside of the country. The correlation can not be ignored. Of course, these same students may still have these problems even with both parents around, but the difference is that the parents are here to deal with the situation in loving and firm manner.

The presence of parents then is important. But mere physical presence is not enough. If a parent is emotionally distant, he or she becomes an absent presence. Many fathers are an absent presence. But there are indications that this is changing as fathers become more involved in the raising of their children. They are no longer just providers. Even TV advertisements are becoming aware of this. An ad about diapers have fathers, not mothers, in it.

No matter how hard parents try, they are bound to fail in some way. They are, after all, imperfect. They can not hope to do it right all the time. But if after having done their best and their children do not turn out the way they hoped for, they shouldn't blame themselves saying, "Where did I go wrong?" Perhaps, they did not do anything wrong. Perhaps, it is their children who finally decided to take that path that is wrong.

Love. Peace. Joy.

What was the Christmas song that Michael Jackson popularized when he was younger? Give Love on Christmas Day. I remember our class singing that song for the Christmas program in school.

What is the most popular Christmas carol? It was first sung in German but has been translated into many languages. It was first sung at midnight Mass of Christmas and was accompanied by a guitar. The carol is Silent Night.

What Christmas carol invited people to rejoice? Joy to the World.

Love. Peace. Joy. They make up the spirit of Christmas.

Love

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.

For parents and those who take care of young people, St. John Bosco said that it is not enough that you love them. They must feel that you love them. And for young people, the spelling of love would be t-i-m-e.

Christmas is an eminently family celebration. Without love that is hear-felt, the noche buena would be merely a sumptuous meal rather than a family feast.

Love has become a cliché. But love can find many expressions within the confines of the home. Opening one’s eyes would reveal endless possibilities. Bringing a pasalubong (gift given upon arriving home) to one’s kid brother or sister says “I love you enough to remember you”.

Peace

Isaiah calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. The angels sang: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. Christ Jesus came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father.

Peace is not merely the absence of noise or violence. It is present when there is good will and harmony.

We may need to control our temper. We may need to exercise patience. We may have to keep watch over our tongues. More often than not, we use our tongues to hurt one another. We use our tongues in heated exchanges and quarrels.

Joy

The angel said to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy. Today the Messiah is born for you in Bethlehem.”

Be joyful. Be glad. How? Many times making other people happy makes us happy, too. A small act of kindness for another human being is all it takes. I remember one Christmas day, a mother was boarding a jeepney (mode of public transport in the Philippines), perhaps to bring her three children to their ninongs and ninangs (godparents). She obviously needed help. She boarded the jeepney first and I helped her two children board after her. A small thing. But the smile of gratitude on her face made me feel good. It made me happy.

May the Baby Jesus bless you with love, peace and joy not only for this Christmas, but for always.

Happy Christmas.